Rugby, Sport Results

New Rugby Kit for U/13As

During the recent Anne Beagley Junior Rugby and Hockey Festival, Union’s u/13A rugby team took the field in their brand new rugby kit.

This was made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Desert Springs Spur and Graaff-Reinet Mica.  The team’s coach, Floris Steenkamp, thanks them for this gesture.  “The team looks really great! Your support is not something we take lightly and is very much appreciated by the school. The new kit will go a long way in inspiring the players to believe in themselves.” he said

 

Academic, Bulletin

A World of Opportunity Awaits

On Wednesday morning, 17 July, Ebben Hufkie, Priscilla Booysen and Leilani Brinkhuis, representatives of the Johann & Gaynor Rupert Foundation, paid a visit to Union High School.

The purpose of their visit was to address the school’s Grade 12 learners regarding the world of educational opportunities that await them after high school. To start, they gave a brief presentation in respect of university acceptance and fee structures. They also discussed possible career options to consider and encouraged learners to work hard towards achieving their most ambitious goals and dreams. They then broached the subject of the Johann and Gaynor Rupert Foundation Bursary Programme and explained to learners who would qualify for this programme.

They made it clear that the submission of bursary application forms must be accompanied by an acknowledgment from a tertiary institution that an application has been submitted and is being processed.

Union’s Grade 12s are urged to apply for this bursary before 30 September 2019.

The school extends its thanks to the Foundation for its investment in the education of our youth.

Bulletin

Union Farmers Market

The ‘Union Farmers Market’, being hosted by Union’s three boarding houses on Friday, the 9th of August, is a definite must-visit at this year’s Interschools!

To make it easier for shoppers, the organisers are offering parents, Old Unionites and friends of Union the option of pre-ordering Karoo lamb – cut and packed for your convenience – as well as pre-packed biltong, droëwors and venison. They’ll then have your order ready for you to pick up!

 

 

To find out more, or to complete the order form, click on the following link: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLScYK1nBT7GV22r_4…/viewform…

Orders can also be e-mailed to unionschools.market@gmail.com.

Bulletin

Union Hall Repainted

School buildings age and as they do, there is a continuing challenge to maintain these facilities at a level that enables the school to meet the needs of the learners.

The task of caring for Union High School’s buildings, some of which are historically or architecturally significant, is considerable.

Luckily, Union has a team of dedicated groundsmen who are up to the task!

At present, Union’s school hall is being given a fresh new coat of paint by these gentlemen.

Bulletin, Cultural

Chess vs Gill

On Friday afternoon, 12 July, Union’s Top 10 players pitted their skill in the strategic game of chess against that of Gill’s top players.

Three rounds were contested to determine who would emerge the victors. Union started strong, coming out on top after the first round with 12 points to 10. After a short break, the competition commenced again, with a determined Gill side claiming the win with 15 points to 7. With it all on the line in the third round, both teams gave it their best.

As the results started coming in, it was evident that nobody wanted to lose. The closely-contested round ended with an 11-all draw, to bring the final score to 36 – 30 in Gill’s favour.

* Special mention must be made of Union’s Cassidy Goliad who went undefeated during Friday’s competition.

Hockey, Sport Results

Interprovincial Hockey Tournaments

U/18 Interprovincial Tournament

During the recent school holidays – from the 16th to the 22nd of June – Jenna McNaughton and Micela Loock represented the EP u/18A team at an interprovincial hockey tournament held in Pietermaritzburg.

After five games, the team ended top of their pool with a goal difference of 23.  Having successfully qualified for the semi-finals, they then pitted their skills against that of the Northern Blues.  After this tightly contested match ended in a 1-all draw, a penalty shootout ensued, which the EP side unfortunately lost.  They then contested the tournament’s 3rd and 4th position against Southern Gauteng.  After losing this game, they ended 4th overall out of 12 teams.

Both players enjoyed the tournament tremendously and were grateful for the opportunity to improve their hockey.

U/14 Interprovincial Tournament

Grade 7 learner Sonwabise Mroro was recently part of the u/14B team that represented the Eastern Province at the inter-provincial hockey tournament held in Bloemfontein (23 to 27 June).

The team fared exceptionally well, especially considering that they were a ‘B’ side competing in the ‘A’ division

The team finished 8th overall among 11 ‘A’ sides and 3 ‘B’ sides.

The team’s coach only had the highest of praise for Soso, saying, “Soso had a fantastic tournament showcasing her talent and growing as an individual player.”

Well played Soso!

Hockey, Rugby, Sport Results

Sport Results vs Gill College and Gill Primary School

Emotions ran high during Saturday’s derby day against Gill College and Gill Primary School.

The day, which was as usual characterised by wonderful interaction between the schools involved, saw the matric 1st XV rugby boys represent Union High School for the very last time on home soil.

Many Old Unionites filled the stands to support the players.

Rugby Results

The rugby matches against Gill delivered mixed results, with the U/14s losing 10 – 20, the U/15s winning 36 – 7, the U/16s winning 47 – 12, the second team winning 31 – 12 and the 1st XVs losing 16 – 21.

Senior 1st Team Report
The first team match – which also happened to be the matric 1st XV rugby boys’ last one on home soil – was fiercely contested with both teams taking the lead on occasions.  Union managed to gain the lead and maintained it until the last five minutes.

However, in a game where Union dominated possession and set phases, the Union players were, unfortunately, unable to take full advantage of the many opportunities presented to them, which allowed Gill to stay in the game.

The only difference between the two sides on the day was that one was able to take full advantage of their chances, therefore, in the end, it was Gill College that came out on top winning the match 21 – 16.

Although it was a tough start to the third term, the team hopes to bounce back in a spectacular fashion in their next fixture against Pearson.

Hockey Results

Union’s hockey teams had a successful encounter against Gill today, with the 1st Juniors winning their match 3 – 0 and the 2nd Juniors winning 1 – 0.

The school’s senior 2nd team won 8 – 0 and the 1st team enjoyed a 17 – 0 victory.

Senior 1st Team Report
Gill opted to play a match of 4 quarters which seemed to suit the Union girls’ style of play and saw the 1st quarter provide 4 brilliantly worked goals in favour of Union.

Union then continued to dominate the match with some slick and accurate passing and great finishing in the goal area. Three goals were scored in the 2nd quarter, 6 in the 3rd and 4 in the last quarter.

The final score stood at 17 – 0 in Union’s favour.

The Union girls put up a good performance overall and positive signs are showing ahead of some tough fixtures to come.

Union’s goals were scored by Micela Loock (7), Jenna McNaughton (3), Henze Japhta (4), Laetitia Theron (1), Chelsea Theron (1) and Jade Shires (1).

Junior 1st Team Report
After a long holiday break, the girls got off to a rather slow start, with some uninspiring play.   As the first half continued however, Union eventually found their rhythm and began to play to their strengths against the determined Gill side. Shortly before the half time whistle sounded, Lisa Menos and Leshay Fourie scored an opportunistic goal to put Union into the lead. The second half saw Union stepping up the pace and dominating play. Soso Mroro and Chloe Erasmus collaborated beautifully to add to the scoreboard with a text-book perfect, field goal; and then Lisa Menos and Leshay Fourie again proved to be the duo of the day as they slotted home the final goal of the match, giving Union a convincing 3-0 win.

It is incredible to see how much this young team has grown over the course of the season and we can only hope that they maintain this momentum as we work towards the end of the season which culminates with the traditional inter-school’s fixture.

 

Bulletin, Cultural

Scouts Show Dedication

James Potgieter, Corniel Vorster and JJ Liebenberg, together with 29 Scouts from Gauteng, attended and passed the 10-day Weston Patrol Leader Training Course held in Johannesburg during the recent school holidays.

The Patrol Leader Training Unit (PLTU) is a comprehensive patrol leadership course run for young leaders in the Scout Movement.  It is a very physically and mentally strenuous course that focuses on character development in each individual, including the development of physical, mental and spiritual qualities. Attributes such as leadership and team spirit are instilled in the Scouts during this course.

Upon completion of the course, Gavin Kelly, the course director, spoke very highly of all three boys, remarking especially on their very positive attitudes throughout the course, even though they were in separate Patrols with Scouts they had never met before.

 

Bulletin

Renovated Junior Boys’ Bathroom

The start of a new term always brings with it an expected degree of excitement and stress for all learners.

The facilities at the junior boys’ bathroom, however, will have nothing to do with the back-to-school jitters, as the renovations have been completed and the boys can now enjoy their new and improved bathroom.

The renovations were started during the second term and continued into the recent holidays

The existing facility was completely gutted and new toilet cubicles, toilets, basins, urinals and changing room facilities were installed alongside new lighting and a fresh coat of paint.