Bulletin

Bulletin

Taking Teaching Outside

Union High School’s learners returned to school this year with an enhanced educational locale – an 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗠.

The idea was conceptualised by the SGB during 2021, and, thanks to a generous sponsor, was completed at the start of 2022.

The space is a new addition that highlights the advantages of outdoor learning and access to nature, both known to increase learner enthusiasm and as being beneficial to social, emotional and physical health.

Located next to the Tony Burrell Union, the outdoor classroom features new flooring, elegant desks and an outdoor whiteboard on the side of the building to aid the teachers.

The classroom has already proven a hit among learners and staff alike and is being utilised by classes from both the high school and middle school on a daily basis.

➤ This is the first of several such spaces planned for the Union campus over the next couple of years.

𝘞𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.

https://www.facebook.com/unionhighschool/videos/982268779361825

Academic, Bulletin

Teacher Development

Award-winning teacher and author, Dr Neila A. Connors, once said, “𝘐𝘧 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘋𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘌𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴!”

At Union High School we believe in keeping our teachers well-fed professionally because great teachers help create great students.

In fact, research shows that an inspiring and informed teacher is the most important school-related factor influencing learner achievement, so it is critical to pay close attention to how we train and support both new and experienced educators.

We are, therefore, very excited to announce that 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙆𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧.

Initiated in January 2021, Union’s ongoing professional development through Keller Education keeps our teachers up-to-date on new research on how children learn, emerging technology tools for the classroom and more.

As the best professional development is ongoing, experiential, collaborative, and connected to and derived from working with learners and understanding their culture, we feel incredibly fortunate to be able to provide our teachers with this training and look forward to partnering with Keller Education again in 2022!

Bulletin

Girl’s Day Out

This past Saturday morning, 29 January, saw the gardens of Union Preparatory School brimming with more than 200 ladies dressed in their finery, delicious eats and plenty of laughter, for the annual 𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗔 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 & 𝗗𝗔𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 hosted by Union High School’s Grade 11 Matric Farewell Fundraising Committee.

This delightful event – themed ‘Pretty in Pastels’ – formed part of the 2022 Founders’ Weekend activities as Union High School celebrated its 103rd birthday.

The guest speakers, Mrs Sophia van Heerden (left) and Ms Adrienne Westman (right), shared their inspiring personal stories and it was most uplifting listening to their experiences and witnessing the boldness with which they spoke about their Christian faith.

To top it all off, a few lucky draws were held to the delight of the winners!

All in all a wonderful morning was had by all.

Union High School extends its grateful thanks to all those who attended for their support of this fundraising endeavour. A special word of thanks is also extended to the following businesses for their contribution to this event – 𝙈𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙤 𝙋𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙘𝙮, 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙣, 𝘼𝙡𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙮 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙣 & 𝘽𝙤𝙙𝙮, 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙣𝙝𝙪𝙞𝙙, 𝙈𝙞𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙃𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣, 𝙆𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙤 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙋𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙮, 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙔𝙖𝙧𝙙, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙙𝙮 𝙃𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙡, 𝙃𝙮𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙞, 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙤 𝙋𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙘𝙤𝙣.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/unionhighschool/ to view more photographs of the event.

Sport Results

Founders’ Day: Clash Of Youth Vs Experience

Founder’s Day Cricket

This past Saturday, 29 January, Union High School hosted another mighty cricket clash between the Old Boys and the school’s young cricketers in honour of the school’s Founders’ Weekend.

The day saw 40-over matches being contested between Union’s u/15 cricketers and their dads/Old Boys at the Botanics Sports Grounds, Union’s 3rd team and Old Boys at Hoër Volkskool and Union’s 2nd team and Old Boys on Union’s Puttick Field, with a 50-over match being played on Union’s Minnaar field between Union’s 1st team and the Old Boys.

The matches were played in buoyant spirit with a number of festive “20-somethings” bringing lots of banter and great fun. In the end, the four Old Boys’ teams managed to edge out their younger opponents in their respective encounters.

As the matches are not only about what happens on the cricket pitch, but the fun had on the sidelines and afterwards, 𝙬𝙚’𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙡𝙙 𝘽𝙤𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙/𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙖 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨.

The annual prizegiving ceremony was held in the Tony Burrell Union that same evening, after the day’s play. (𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵.)

We trust that the Old Boys are looking forward to a period of recovery until next year’s game. Hope to see you there!

Founder’s Day Hockey

The traditional 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦’ 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 between Union High School’s 1st team and an Old Girls’ team was played on Friday afternoon, 28 January.

Those taking to the field for the Old Girls were a mix of alumnae joined by current and past teachers Hetma Holmes, Amor Mey and Sandia Barnard. There were even two Union dads – Mark Shires and Coert Vorster – pitting their skill against that of the 1st team girls.

While some of the Old Girls who played are a regular fixture at our school, such as Suzanne Marais, Chanzelle Heunis and Diane Murray, we were especially privileged to welcome back to the high school’s campus Sulette (née Damons) Kotzee, Class of 2007, for the match, as well as more recent alumna, Donné Marais, Jenna McNaughton, Laeticia Theron, Micaela Harris, Kiah Hoffman, Marche Green and Lauren Rose-Innes.

An added element of fun was sisters Jade (now an Old Girl) and Chloe Shires, who plays for Union’s 1st team, competing against each other on the field.

All of this contributed to a great atmosphere around the Union High School AstroTurf.

The game was a fiercely competitive one, which saw the Old Girls’ giving it their all to obtain a 6-4 victory.

“Education is important, but, moments like these are as well,” commented the event’s organiser Jennifer Hope. “Such a great day to be a Union alumna.”

𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥. 𝘐𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘰𝘰𝘯!

https://www.facebook.com/unionhighschool/

https://www.facebook.com/oldunionitesassociation/

Sport Results

1st XI Cricketers Capped

It was a proud moment as cricketers Daniel Nell and Brent Hesselink were capped by their Headmaster, Mr William Pringle, on Saturday morning, 29 January, prior to their Founders’ Day match against Union High School’s Old Boys.

Bulletin

Celebrating 103 Years

Friday, 28 January, marked the occasion of the Union High School’s 103rd birthday.

As is tradition, the day was celebrated with a Founders’ Day Assembly, which felt particularly special, as we were all able to come together again in the school hall after a trying two years.

This annual celebration sees the school community – past and present – coming together 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡’𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙩 and those that have helped to shape who we are, and to acknowledge the community members, both past and present, who have influenced the character and values that embody the vibrant, engaging, socially inclusive and safe environment we see today.

This year’s special assembly was opened by the school’s principal, Mr William Pringle. He extended a word of welcome to all those present and delivered a short devotion. Following this, the Union High School song, was beautifully sung by the learners.

Headboy Matthew Basson then offered the school prayer, after which Mr Pringle spoke about the history of the school, subtly reminding all those present of the tradition and strength behind it.

Headgirl Kendall Krige, learner Sixolile Singeni and UPS learner Keith Hudson then delivered special messages in honour of the occasion.

𝘼 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧’𝙨 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙡𝙮, 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙯𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙊𝙡𝙙 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚 (𝙣é𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨) 𝙆𝙤𝙩𝙯𝙚𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙤𝙘𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣.

The blazer was gifted to Mrs Kotzee in recognition of her Honours Award she obtained while at school for exceptional all-round achievement and meritorious service to the school. (An Honours Award is one of the highest accolades presented at Union and is only awarded on very rare occasions.)

Mr Dave Stern, Chairman of the Old Unionite Association, stepped up to present her with the blazer. The standing ovation Mrs Kotzee received was a reflection of the approval of all those present.

After the cake was presented and the candles lit, the learners filed their way out of the hall to fetch their doughnuts and watch the sports for the afternoon.

𝘈 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬: https://youtu.be/Wr1ula7VS3s

View sport results of Founders’ Day matches: http://www.unionschools.co.za/2022/02/01/founders-day-clash-of-youth-vs-experience/

Sport Results

Senior Interhouse Athletics

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻

On Wednesday morning, 26 January, Union High School held a memorable 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗦 meeting.

The blistering heat did not deter the excited competitors, as they walked out proudly in their house colours, chanting cheers, eager to push themselves on both the track and on the field.

Thanks are extended to the House Captains of Daly – Ijabulele Mtwazi and Keratile Nqabeni – as well as those of Arnott – Bubele Thibini and Yandisa Sinyanya – for ensuring that spirits remained high throughout the day.

Competition was fierce but fun and several 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 were delivered on the day:

• Sisipho Arnols was a joy to watch in the Boys Open 100m (11.03s) and 200m (24,16s)

• Musa Zweni put forth a stellar effort in the Girls u/17 Shot Put (8,19m)

• As always, the Boys u/17 100m event was a thriller, with Joshua Swartland coming out tops in 11,5s.

• Dylan Petitt received two first places – one in Shotput and one in the Discus event.

• Grade 12 girls, Chloe Shires and Kendall Krige, both claimed three 1st places – their tutus didn’t hold them back one bit!

• Grade 8s Ben Lemke and Misha Newton also performed very well in their track events.

➤ This year’s 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 is Arnott, with 941 points compared to Daly’s 816.

𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥!

As always, Union High School extends its thanks to the parents who volunteered on the day, as well as to the Old Unionites, staff and learners that assisted the officials.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/unionhighschool/ to view photographs of the event

Sport Results

Junior Interhouse Athletics

𝗔𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘁𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆

Union High School’s annual Junior Interhouse Athletics Day was held on Thursday morning, 27 January.

Despite the sweltering heat, our young athletes were determined and enthusiastic, delivering some outstanding results on the day.

A total of six 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗦 were set by our junior athletes:

• Mia Botha broke the u/12 100m as well as u/12 1200m records;

• Cu-Shan Hofman set a new record in the u/12 150m event;

• Nadine Murray gave an impressive performance in the u/12 Long Jump to set a new record;

• Dvallene Fas broke the u/11 Shot Put record;

• Keanu Linch claimed the record in the u/13 100m as well as u/13 200m events; and

• Owen Paxton set a new record in the u/12 Long Jump event.

The 𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗦 of the day were:

• u/13 Victor Ludorum – Keanu Linch

• u/13 Victrix Ludorum – Imivuyo Nondlazi

• u/12 Victor Ludorum – Owen Paxton

• u/12 Victrix Ludorum – Mia Botha

• u/11 Victor Ludorum – Jordan Maritz

• u/11 Victrix Ludorum – Miley Burger

Our u/13 athletes also ran the 400m track event for the first time ever, with Kuhle Nqumashe coming in first among the girls and Keanu Linch among the boys.

At the end of the day, Arnott won the day with 522 points, a mere three points more than Daly’s total tally of 519.

The Junior Department extends its 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 to all the parents who volunteered to help on the day. It is simply not possible to host an event such as this without their help.

There was also a large number of Grade 7 learners assisting at the various events on the day, their contribution to the success of the day has not gone unnoticed.

Visit our FaceBook page to view photos: https://www.facebook.com/unionhighschool/

Bulletin

New Karoo Family Favourites

The new edition of the 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘰 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘍𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘴 recipe book has 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗗 in Graaff-Reinet and it is looking wonderful

🡆 If you have 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 the book and opted to collect it, you can get your copy at Saturday’s Gisela Kingwill Mother and Daughter morning where we will be celebrating the new edition’s launch.

🡆 If you won’t be attending Saturday’s event, the books can be collected from Union High School as of Monday, 31 January.

🡆 If you have 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, your book will be sent off during the course of next week.

🡆 Copies will also be available to purchase at R200 each at Saturday’s launch. Futher copies will also be made available to purchase from the Union Schools as of next week.

Please email any queries regarding the book, to uhsmarketing@unionschools.co.za

Academic, Bulletin

Academic Awards Presented

𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱

The annual assembly to acknowledge the learners who had attained 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦 during the course of last year was held on Friday, 21 January.