Khanya Butshingi (left) received:
– John Brodie Prize for the runners-up in the Helen Watermeyer/Joy Arnott and Way Memorial Bursaries – Arthur Kingwill House Head
Gieter Muller Trophy presented to the pupil who best exemplifies moral courage, consideration for and helpfulness to others.
Sanja du Plessis (right) received:
Senior Victrix Ludorum: UHS Trophy
Herby Arnott Trophy Open Girls Cross-Country Champion
GB&G R.C. Prinsloo Prize for Accounting
Bloemhof Prize for Life Sciences
Old Unionite Prize for Physical Sciences
Union High School’s annual Senior Prizegiving Ceremony held on Friday evening, 11 October, was once again a wonderful occasion for the Union learners, their families, members of the school community and staff to come together to celebrate the individual and collective achievements of Union’s learners in all areas of school life.
As the school’s pianists delivered a set of special performances, parents took their seats quietly and expectantly.
Listening to “Shallow” from the movie ‘A Star is Born’ played by Brigette Oelofsen, John Lennon and Paul McCarthy’s “Let it Be” played by Anna Pringle, “Joueur de Harpe” played by Caitrin Spence and “Comptine d’un autie ètrè” played by Jamie Jaftha, they waited to celebrate these moments of achievement with their children.
The senior choir then treated the audience to a performance of “Gaudeamus Igitur” while the members of staff entered the hall and took their seats on stage.
The audience was welcomed by Headmaster Mr William Pringle, who introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Mr David Langmead, chairman of the School Governing Body. Following Mr Langmead’s speech, Mr Pringle then delivered the traditional Headmaster’s Address, during which he briefly sketched the achievements of the year.
The senior choir’s performance of “When you believe” by Stephen Schwartz received a resounding applause.
Once again it was after this musical interlude, that the distribution of the prizes took place. The prizes were presented by special guest Mrs Sandy McNaughton. This was followed vocalists Taylyn Miller and Zintle Maki, accompanied on the piano by Hannah Watermeyer, singing “You Say” by Lauren Diagle.
The highlight of the evening was the induction of the 2019/20 Head Prefects. Congratulations to Bowen Langmead (Headboy), Sakhe Booi (Headgirl), Brett Amsterdam (Deputy Headboy) and Laetitia Theron (Deputy Headgirl).
To conclude the evening, the outgoing head prefects of 2018/19, Peter Watermeyer and Jenna McNaughton, delivered a vote of thanks.
After this very inspiring and successful ceremony, it is hoped that the learners will find in the words spoken, and the experiences lived, clear points from which to chart their course.
Union congratulates all of those who excelled in their academic, culture, service or sport and consequently received their well-deserved awards.