The learners at Union High School in Graaff-Reinet are poised to become more focused, confident and productive than ever this year.
At least, that’s the aim of the school’s latest initiative.
With the objective of rethinking the classroom environment and providing options to learners in a way that opens up their possibilities for learning, Union has recently started to introduce flexible seating in its classrooms, with the aim of phasing out the standard desks completely in the near future.
The first classroom to be converted, was that of Mr Erwin Ittershagen-Strauss, who teaches mathematics at the school.
“The new desks offer fantastic scope for participatory teaching and learning,” said Mr Ittershagen-Strauss. “As the desks can be utilised in a mix of forms, whether in rows, groups or semi-circled tables, it allows us to arrange our classrooms with the learners’ physical space and interaction in mind.”
So far, the kids are loving the change!
Union hopes that its new approach to modernising its classrooms will positively impact the well-being and motivation of its learners, boost their morale and maximise the classroom’s potential in promoting thinking-interaction, study, collaboration, thinking alone, and so on.
Eight Union biathletes were invited to represent the Eastern Province at the Highgate Inter-Provincial competition in Oudtshoorn this past Saturday, 1 February.
They were Jakobus Reynolds, Mack Rubidge, Bowen Langmead, Mia Botha, Rebecca Copeman, Jade Shires, Elias Railton and Tyra Binney.
Of these eight, two were able to attend.
Mia Botha & Rebecca Copeman
Youngsters Mia Botha (Grade 4) and Rebecca Copeman (Grade 6) showed true grit, taking on the best of the best in sweltering 37˚C weather.
Facing some stiff competition from the likes of the Boland, Border, Eden, Southern Free State and Western Province, the two biathletes were in high spirits, performing to the best of their abilities and representing their school and province very well.
This past weekend, Union’s 1st XI faced Stirling High School in a declaration match played over two days.
The match, which commenced on Friday afternoon, 31 January, and concluded on Saturday, 1 February, saw Stirling winning the toss and electing to bat first at the start of play.
Union managed to bowl 43 overs in the allotted time for the day and had Stirling at 129 for 6 at the close of play.
On Saturday, Stirling resumed their innings and Union managed to strike early with two quick wickets.
Union, however, couldn’t capitalise on their efforts and allowed Stirling to reach a total of 184 all out.
Union’s best bowlers were Jaden Brotherton (3 for 21), James Pienaar (2 for 16) and Kyle-Luke du Preez (2 for 22).
Despite a solid start when Union went in to bat, they continued to lose wickets regularly and struggled to put partnerships together resulting in Union being bowled out for 132.
The Union team members who performed best with the bat during their first innings were James Pienaar (33) and James Pringle (29).
This resulted in Stirling proceeding with their second innings with a 52-run lead.
With Union needing to take only 5 wickets to restrict Stirling from gaining a substantial lead, they had the perfect start taking a wicket with the very first ball.
Union proceeded to bowl well and had Stirling at 19 for 2 in their second innings.
Unfortunately, the Union team was unable to sustain the needed pressure and Stirling managed to score 120 for 3, declaring with a 172-run lead.
Union needed to, therefore, score 173 runs to win the match with only 5 wickets in hand, however, Stirling declared late in the day leaving Union only 40 minutes to bat with them trying to take the 5 wickets for victory.
In the end, Union managed to bat out the time losing only one wicket for 30 runs.
Union’s best batsmen were James Pienaar (19 not out) and Jaden Brotherton (11 not out).
The match ended in a draw.
• Congratulations to Jaden Brotherton and Bowen Langmead on being awarded their 50th test caps for Union’s 1st XI before the match against Stirling.
Eleven Union High School swimmers participated in the ‘B’ Age Group Gala at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, 1 February, competing in 24 events in total.
It was a debut meeting for swimmers Grace Kemp, Matthew Davenport, Daniel Marais and Luc Railton. These swimmers did very well and will now be able to compete to improve their times at future meetings.
Standout performances included Tya Binney, James Potgieter and Max Price who swam two Personal Bests each.
Since their induction as prefects, Union’s new learner leaders have been great ambassadors for the school, showing tremendous commitment to UHS and to their respective duties as prefects.
As the year starts to take hold in earnest, the prefects were treated to a laid-back 24-hours in Nieu-Bethesda, during which they relaxed in each other’s company, played some fierce Monopoly, relished in the sound of rain on a tin roof, engaged in 1-bounce and relay tennis, enjoyed delicious pizza at a local restaurant and generally got to know each other better on an informal basis.
We hope the prefects are feeling energised and ready for all that lies ahead in 2020 and wish them all the best in exercising their duties this year.
The 2020 Interschools encounter between the Union Schools and Laer and Hoër Volkskool, will this year kick off on Monday, 3 August, and culminate on Saturday, 8 August, with the clash between the two schools’ 1st XVs.
All those planning on attending this year’s Interschools are advised to make their accommodation arrangements as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
The organisers of this year’s reunions are asked to please send their details through to uhsmarketing@unionschools.co.za or 061 3108343 – the school would like to get in touch with you.
Union High School is exceptionally proud of its rich tradition and reputation for sporting excellence on the cricket field.
The history of Union High School credits Mr Herby Arnott, a legendary headmaster at Union High School during the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s, with establishing cricket as one of the school’s premier sports.
Having been a superior player himself, and with his firm belief in the value of cricket as an educational tool, Herby Arnott developed cricket at the school with vigour during his tenure as headmaster.
Ever since, the success of Union’s cricket can be attributed to the legions of passionate players and coaches who have ensured that the greatest of games continues to flourish within the confines of Union’s magnificent grounds.
In honour of all these cricket players who have made the sport at the school what it is today, Union has erected a permanent reminder of the best batting and bowling performances in the history of the sport at Union.
Affixed to the walls of the Tony Burrell Union is a brand new permanent installation of cricket plaques celebrating all the centuries and five-wicket hauls made by Union’s cricketers.
It is hoped that the installation, which was officially unveiled during the 2020 Founders’ Weekend, will serve as an incentive for Union’s cricketers to excel, and by so doing, earn themselves a lasting place in the history of Union’s cricket – alongside some of Union’s greatest players.
• Old Unionites, visitors, parents and the school’s young cricketers are invited to have a look at the installation when next at the Tony Burrell Union – it truly provides a wonderful walk down memory lane.
• Any Old Boys who played the sport are also encouraged to let us know if a batting or bowling performance has been omitted on the installation. Send through any information pertaining to the above to uhsmarketing@unionschools.co.za
On Thursday afternoon, 30 January, Union High School’s 1st XI competed against Hoër Volkskool in the national Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 Challenge.
Volkskool won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring a total of 63 in their allotted 20 overs.
Union’s best bowlers were Lihle Mxhunyelwa (2 for 9), James Pienaar (2 for 6) and Kyle-Luke du Preez (2 for 6).
Union then went in to bat and maintained a steady run rate from the get-go, managing to pass Volkskool’s score with only two wickets down in the 9th over.
Union’s best batsmen were Sisipho Arnols (33 not out), Jaden Brotherton (16) and Brett Amsterdam (12 not out).
Friday, 24 January, marked the occasion of the Union Schools’ 101st birthday.
Traditionally, this day is celebrated by inviting Old Unionites to join us for a special assembly, in which members of the Preparatory School participate, and then to tea afterwards.
Doughnuts are also provided to the school’s learners on this day and they get to go home a little earlier than usual.
The special assembly was opened by the school’s principal, Mr William Pringle, who extended a word of welcome to all those present and delivered a short devotion.
Following this, the Union Preparatory School song, as well as the Union High School song, was beautifully sung by the learners.
Headboy Bowen Langmead then offered the school prayer, after which Mr Pringle spoke about the history of the school, subtly reminding us of the tradition and strength behind our school.
Headgirl Sakhe Booi, learner Anna-May Hayes and UPS learner Philip Kayster then delivered special messages in honour of the occasion.
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.
As is customary, the Founders’ Day assembly brought much pride within the school hall.
Founders’ Weekend cricket matches
Union High School’s Old Boys and parents took to the field today in the traditional Founders’ Weekend cricket matches against the school’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd and u/15A cricket teams.
Congratulations to the Old Boys team for winning their match against the 1st XI school team.
The Old Boys’ team consisted of Dave Stern, Gary Savage, James Moore, Mark McCabe, Dean Marais, William Copeman, Nathan Naude, Andre Marais, Stephen Bezuidenhout, Jonathan Crankshaw and Luke McNaughton.
A lot of fun was had as these matches are not only about what happens on the pitch but also on the sidelines and afterwards, as current and former Unionites of all vintages share some time together.
At the prizegiving ceremony held in the Tony Burrell Union this evening, Saturday, 25 January, upon conclusion of the day’s play, the following trophies were presented:
Jude Langmead
• Most valuable player of the day – 1st XI: James Pringle
• Best schoolboy performer – 1st XI: Josh Calitz (the trophy is shared with Mr Dave Stern who captained the victorious Old Boys’ team that managed to edge out the UHS 1st XI in their encounter today).
• Best Batsman – 1st XI: James Pringle
• Best Bowler – 1st XI: Lihle Mxhunyelwa
• Best Schoolboy Performer – 2nd XI: Kwande Mhlabeni
• Best Schoolboy Performer – u/15: Jude Langmead
The trophies were presented to the players by Mr Rory Sullivan.
Mr John Crankshaw, Mr Rory Sullivan, Mr Dave Stern, James Pringle, Josh Calitz, Lihle Mxhunyelwa, Union High School principal Mr William Pringle and Kwande Mhlabeni.
Schoolgirls win turf war
The traditional Founders’ Weekend hockey matches between the Old Girls/moms and Union High School’s 1st Seniors and a mixed Juniors team, was played in spectacular fashion this past Friday afternoon, 24 January.
With very welcome rain clouds looming above, the mixed Juniors won their match against the Old Girls/moms by 2 goals to 1, while the 1st XI won their match 4 – 1.
Brigitte Oelofsen, Jade Shires and Laetitia Theron
During the prizegiving ceremony at the end of the day’s play, the award for the day’s best defender went to Brigitte Oelofsen, with the best goal being awarded to Laetitia Theron.
Congratulations to Laetitia Theron and Jade Shires who shared the award for the day’s best player.
Union High School extends its thanks to all those who participated and for the support received from the Old Girls and parents.
A special word of thanks is also extended to Jennifer Hope for taking the reins with the organisation of the event this year. As well as to all those who assisted her.
Annual Gisela Kingwill Mother & Daughter Morning
On Saturday morning, 25 January the school hosted its annual Gisela Kingwill Mother & Daughter Morning in the garden of the Union Preparatory School.
Organised by the Matric Farewell committee, the event is all about celebrating women and the special relationship that exists between a mother and her daughter.
This year’s event was a resounding success, with the 180 guests enjoying a beautiful morning of good company, scrumptious eats and entertainment from two exceptional guest speakers.
Corli Schoeman, owner of Alchemy Skin & Body and Niche Spa Consulting, and MP Samantha Graham-Maré gave truly inspiring talks, sharing their own life experiences with their captive audience to stress the importance of loving yourself – inside and out.
Guests were also treated to a performance by Melissa Swart on the clarinet and while the ladies were enjoying their delightful drinks and eats, the Grade 11s treated the little girls at a special pamper station set up especially for them.
As an additional fundraising endeavour, racks of lovingly-worn items of clothing were also set up and made available to purchase on a donation basis.
Union High School extends its grateful thanks to everyone who bought a ticket in support of this event. A special word of thanks is also extended to all the Grade 11s and their parents, as well as the many willing helpers, who assisted in organising this wonderful affair.
The organisers of this year’s event would also like to thank the following sponsors for their contribution to the day’s success: Alchemy Skin & Body, Blue Magnolia, Justine (Corrie Potgieter), Elsona, Our Yard, Polka Cafe. Bakery.Deli, Simply Nails, Tupperware (Diane Murray), The Muller House, The Windmill Junction, Magriki (Wilna Laubser) and EAT DIRT by Justshaz.
