Bulletin

UHS Statement On Coronavirus

Coronavirus (COVID 19): Statement from the Union Schools | Monday, 16 March

Dear parents,  

During his address to the nation on Sunday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster to deal with the spread of the Coronavirus in South Africa.

One of the decisions made in this regard was that all schools in South Africa will be closing on Wednesday, 18 March, until after the Easter Weekend.

As the 2020 Easter Weekend falls on Friday, 10 April to Monday, 13 April, it is expected at this time that the school will reopen on Tuesday, 14 April.

While all necessary arrangements to facilitate this has now been made by the Union Schools, we regret to inform you that this has resulted in us also having to postpone our upcoming 33rd annual Senior Rugby & Hockey Festival as well as our Matric Farewell.

The festival was scheduled for this weekend, Friday to Monday, 20 – 23 March, and would have been attended by 30 visiting hockey and rugby teams from all over the province.

The school’s Matric Farewell would have been held this Wednesday, 18 March.

While this was by no means an easy decision, we believe it is in the best interest of the safety and well-being of our learners and everyone else that would have been associated with these events.

We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host these events at some later date.

Please accept our apologies with regards to this unfortunate matter. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you and appreciate your understanding.

The Union Schools care deeply about the well-being of our learners, staff, friends and family of the school as well as the greater Graaff-Reinet community and our nation at large.

As a country we are facing a very uncertain time, but we trust that the decisions made last night by our government will help us to try and curb the spread of COVID-19.

We need to work together, and remember that this affects us all.

We support the President in urging all citizens to remain calm, to stay informed and to take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. We know matters will change from day to day and we will keep in close contact with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) – to remain on top of the latest health news.

We understand that closing of schools seems to cause a bit of uncertainty, but we support this measure to ensure families can be at home until more clarity is obtained about the way forward.

We are hoping to keep our educational programme alive, by perhaps allowing our learners to study via e-learning, this will however be determined, if and when, it is deemed necessary.

The Union Schools will endeavour to keep the school community informed of all developments in this regard as well as to how this will affect the school year going forward.

Bulletin

Coronavirus Update

During his address to the nation yesterday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster to deal with the spread of the Coronavirus in South Africa.

As a result, all schools in South Africa will close on Wednesday, 18 March, until after the Easter Weekend with a week lobbed off the mid-year break.

To clarify, this means that Term 1 will conclude at the end of the school day on Wednesday, 18 March at 13:30. As the 2020 Easter Weekend falls on Friday, 10 April to Monday, 13 April, it is expected at this time that the school will reopen on Tuesday, 14 April.

The Union Schools will endeavour to keep the school community informed of all developments in this regard as well as to how this will affect all planned school activities.

Hockey, Sport Results

Snr Hockey Results – Greg Beling Festival

Epic clash of the sticks at Greg Belling Festival

On Friday, 13 March, Union High School’s 1st hockey team travelled to East London to participate in the annual Greg Belling Festival.

The first game was against Kingswood High School, the travel to East London appeared to show that the girls were fatigued and although they tried their best, but they could not convert opportunities.  This resulted in them losing their first challenge 3 – 1, with a great goal converted by Chloe Shires.

After a good-nights rest the girls came prepared for an early morning start against Eldoraine High School.

The challenge was set and the girls were caught off guard by finding themselves 1 – 0 down.  This was short-lived as Jade Shires equalized to take the girls into half time 1 – 1.

After a brilliant team effort, the girls found themselves 2 – 1 up in the third quarter with a great finished goal from Sonwabisa Mroro. The fourth quarter was a continuous battle which ended with Eldoraine equalizing with a tied final score of 2 – 2.

The afternoon brought the almighty challenge of Hoёrskool Menlopark from Pretoria. Clearly the underdogs, Union took to the field with pride and managed to hold the girls to a 6 – 0 defeat, showing endless grit and heart to keep the tough competition at bay.

Union’s final encounter on Sunday was against local Eastern Cape school, Collegiate Girls High School. A tough final competitor, but the girls were adamant for a good result.  The competitive edge clearly showed as the girls held the Collegiate strikers to a 1 – 0 defeat.  This after over 20 short corners defended by the team.

Overall the girls showed amazing sportsmanship and comradery, the school community can be very proud of their results as well as their attitude during play.

 

Hockey, Sport Results

Jnr Hockey Results – Lorraine Festival

Junior hockey girls start season off well

On Saturday, 14 March, Union High School’s 1st junior hockey team travelled to Lorraine Primary School in Port Elizabeth to participate in their annual sports festival.

The Union girls were fixtured to play against Priory, Sunridge, Westering, and Lorraine, with all the matches being played on grass.

The girls took some time to get going as expected in their first matches of the season. The more hockey they played, however, the better the girls got.

They pulled together nicely as the day went on and played some quality hockey in stages.

The final results saw the Union team draw 0 – 0 against Priory, Sunridge and Lorraine, beating Westering 1 – 0 through a goal scored by Lisakhanya Menos.

Bulletin

Festival Postponed

We regret to inform you that, as more people across South Africa test positive for the novel Coronavirus, the health emergency is forcing Union High School to postpone our upcoming 33rd annual Senior Rugby & Hockey Festival.

The festival was scheduled for this weekend, Friday to Monday, 20 – 23 March, and would have been attended by 30 visiting hockey and rugby teams from all over the province.

While this was by no means an easy decision, we believe it is in the best interest of the safety and well-being of our learners and everyone else that would have been associated with this event.

We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host this event at some later date.

Please accept our apologies with regards to this unfortunate matter.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause you and appreciate your understanding.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school at 049 891 0262 if you have any queries in this regard.

Academic, Bulletin

Gr 8 & 9 Thespians

Union High School’s Grade 8 and 9 learners got to experience the free-wheeling, creative and judgment-free nature of improv when they took to the stage this week for improvised performances as part of their Creative Arts curriculum.

It was immensely gratifying to watch these young thespians as they took on the various characters and put the different dramatic techniques they’ve learnt into practice.

Rugby, Sport Results

Jnr Rugby Results – Lorraine Primary School Sports Day

Union High School’s u/13A rugby team travelled to Port Elizabeth on Saturday, 14 March, to participate in the annual sports day hosted by Lorraine Primary School.

Although there are many ways to describe the efforts of these young rugby players, only one word comes to mind – phenomenal!

The Union youngsters exceeded all expectations, delivering some of the most exhilarating attacking play seen on the day.

True determination and passion were on display from beginning to end as Union defeated three strong opponents to walk away undefeated.

Union beat Verkenner 5 – 0, Grens 25 – 0 and Stulting 10 – 5.

Well done on an amazing effort, boys!

Athletics, Sport Results

Provincial High School Athletics Championships

Erin Mitchell

Erin Mitchell made the school very proud with her recent participation in the Provincial High School Athletics Championships.

Athletes from all seven mega districts: Alfred Nzo, Amathole, Sarah Baartman, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi, Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and OR Tambo attended the event in Cradock on Friday, 6 March, to compete for a place in the Eastern Cape Provincial team that will compete in the upcoming National Championships.

Erin participated in the Girls u/17 High Jump event where she placed 6th overall.

Union thanks her for her commitment in this regard and congratulates her on a stellar athletics season.