Union High School’s Top 8 senior boys and girls tennis players travelled to Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) on Sunday, 19 January, to compete in the annual Settlers Cup Quadrangular.
With much-appreciated rain in the air, the girls started off well with a clean sweep over Victoria Girls’ (4 – 0), in the doubles and a solid 7 – 1 victory in the singles.
The girls then faced Kingswood in a tough set of matches which resulted in a 2-all draw in the doubles and 3 – 5 loss in the singles.
The anticipated matches against DSG were called off soon after due to rain.
• Union’s Top 8 boys’ first encounter for the day was against Graeme College.
After recording a 2-all draw in the doubles, the boys fought hard in their singles matches, winning 5 out of the eight matches to win the encounter against Graeme with 7 matches to 5.
Their match-up against Kingswood College turned out to be a bit tougher, with the boys losing the doubles 0 – 4. After some hard-fought singles and having to forfeit a match due to an injury, Union, unfortunately, lost the encounter 3 – 9.
Rain then intervened and the match against St Andrew’s was cancelled.
For the first outing of the year, the boys and girls played some really exciting tennis and showed outstanding sportsmanship, with the players enjoying a great start to the year overall.
Congratulations to all the learners for giving it their all and to the Grahamstown host schools for a superb day of tennis.
Union High School’s musicians are celebrating a wonderful set of results in the recent Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) exams.
Particular congratulations go to Melissa Swart, a Grade 11 learner at Union, who passed the ABRSM Grade 2 Music Theory exam with distinction (96%).
Congratulations also go to Erin Gedult, a Grade 7 learner at Union, who passed her Grade 2 Piano exam with distinction.
Both were awarded merit certificates for their respective accomplishments during the school’s assembly on Friday morning, 17 January 2020.
Melissa and Erin’s music teachers Ms Zelda van Rooyen and Mrs Sanette Brink, are thrilled, commenting, “We are incredibly proud of them, they worked really hard towards their exams – well done!”
The following learners represented the local district Chess team at the SAJCC (South African Junior Chess Championship) in December 2019 and are awarded the following:
Theo Jacques, one of Union’s 2020 Salisbury Exchange students from Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, arrived in Graaff-Reinet recently, where he was warmly welcomed by Kim von Behr Imrie and her children Alastair, Katherine and Xandra – Theo’s host family while in Graaff-Reinet.
Theo, who has already started his term at Union, arrived in Graaff-Reinet on Sunday, 12 January, accompanied by his mother Clare Josa, a published author, speaker and leadership mentor, who’s considered to be the UK’s leading authority on Imposter Syndrome.
Having arrived at their guest house, they enjoyed a leisurely stroll to The Drostdy Hotel, where they enjoyed a meal with Ms Imrie and Allistair out on the terrace.
The evening was spent getting to know one another and relaxing after a relatively long trip to Graaff-Reinet.
Theo has already enjoyed a trip to the Valley of Desolation and his host family look forward to showing him the sights during the rest of his stay.
On Wednesday, 15 January we were privileged to welcome the Grade 5 Class of 2020 to Union High School.
We look forward to getting to know the newcomers better over the next few days and we hope that their 8-year school journey with us will be a special one!
Outstanding results were obtained by two Union High School music learners, Caitrin Spence and Jamie Jaftha, who study music with Mrs Karmin van der Walt.
Both these talented learners achieved a 94% distinction mark for the recent ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory examination.
As instrumental skills progress, development in music theory and musicianship becomes increasingly important in helping learners to perform with sensitivity, understanding and confidence.
Union High School, therefore, thank these learners for their hard work in preparing for this examination and extends a word thanks to Mrs Van der Walt for providing them with a thorough understanding of the building blocks of music.
Union High School kicked off its 101st year on Wednesday, 15 January, with the arrival of three new members of staff who joined the Union family.
Union extends a warm welcome to:
Union is proud to have these new teachers on board – their enthusiasm for teaching and their commitment to their learners’ well-being makes them a wonderful addition to the school.
We have no doubt the difference they will make in the lives of learners and to the field of education at Union.
Next Saturday, 25 January, the gardens of Union Preparatory School will be brimming with ladies dressed in their finery, delicious eats and plenty of laughter as Union High School hosts its annual Gisela Kingwill mother and daughter morning.
This delightful event is a favourite Founders’ Weekend tradition and a wonderful way to celebrate the special women in your life. Mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, and friends are all invited to share in the fun.
Guests can expect inspiring talks by guest speakers Corli Schoeman and Samantha Graham-Maré and are encouraged to dress up according to this year’s theme, ‘Bright & Beautiful’.
Don’t miss this special opportunity to make cherished memories while supporting the school. Tickets are available at R60 each from Mrs Elsebé Moos at Union High School’s reception (049 8910 262).
Get yours today and we’ll see you on the 25th!
[All ladies are asked to please devote some time this week to look through their closets. If there is anything that you don’t wear anymore, that someone else might love, please consider donating it in aid of this event. All these lovingly-worn items will then be displayed and available to purchase as a fundraising initiative at this special event. Items of clothing – for young girls or women – can be dropped off with Mrs Moos.]