Gallery

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Union High School's Centenary Founders' Day began in the coolness of the morning on Friday, 1 February, as learners, staff, parents and friends made their way to St. James the Great Anglican Church in Somerset Street for a very special 100th Anniversary Founders' Day church service.

With the churchyard packed to capacity and extra space made available under a tent and in the hall, friends old and new greeted one another in anticipation of this great occasion.

Click here for a photo gallery.

The service, led by Archdeacon dr. Mark Marais, was a poignant start to Union's centenary celebrations and particularly moving and appropriate for the venue from which the school originated in 1919.

The headmaster, William Pringle, welcomed all the guests and focused with gratitude on Union's founders who came before them.

Head prefects Jenna McNaughton and Peter Watermeyer read the lessons where after the congregation was treated to a magnificent rendition of 'Hallelujah' by Union's joint school choirs, consisting of seventy learners, under the batons of Zelda van Rooyen and Sanette Brink, moving members of the audience to tears.

The headmaster reminded the audience of what it takes to make an impact that lasts long after they are gone, when they are, one day far from now, just a name on a board or a faded photograph on the wall.

Founders' Day at Union provides the school community with an opportunity to consider the many and varied legacies that have shaped Union - the people and the actions that have left for them today not only the buildings but the history and the culture and the community that nourishes all those at Union.

'The Advertiser' of 29 October 1926 reads: "The marching of the hundreds of happy pupils in procession through the streets from the old premises at St. James Church to the new buildings was a striking evidence of the growth and popularity of this useful institution, and aroused recollections of the notable day a few years ago when, after much effort and anxious work, the UHS was first opened in St. James's Hall with a mere handful of pupils".

There were great difficulties and obstacles to be overcome, but a determined band of men and women made up their minds on the spot, and the great work for education was begun. The school was a success from the outset.

Pringle told the audience that they had the privilege of re-enacting this walk after the church service, from the old school to the new. The procession would pass by many of the old school buildings, boarding houses and walk the very streets that these Union children walked all those years ago to arrive at the school where they would enjoy refreshments just as they did on that wonderful occasion.

The school would also bury a time capsule, in the Centenary Arch, with messages of goodwill to the staff and children of this school with the instruction that they should open it in 2069, the occasion of the School's 150th birthday. He said that he trusted that the school would be in good hands then, just as those in 1919 had entrusted the future of this school to the present administration.

His final word to the Union learners present was this: "May the Lord continue greatly to bless this school and all who enter it and may whatsoever things that are pure and lovely and of good report here forever flourish and abound".

The Centenary Walk then started at St. James' Church where the original school began 100 years ago. It was truly a moving spectacle to witness the learners, parents, staff and Old Unionites walk through the broad leafy streets of Graaff-Reinet, tracing the steps of their forefathers to the school.

As everyone entered the school grounds via the Centenary Way, they passed through an installation of giant flags depicting iconic figures and significant community members from the school's history.

As these images swirled around them, a sense of being enveloped by the school's rich history prevailed. A delicious tea was then served in the Union while learners enjoyed treats on the field before singing a resounding happy birthday to the beautiful school.

The Old Unionite Association's Annual General Meeting was then held in the Tony Burrell Union where a happy spirit of co-operation and pride in the school prevailed.

'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'