Union High School, Graaff-Reinet

Union High School was established in 1919 with money guaranteed by local residents, in the church hall of St James Church in an effort to ensure an English language education for their children. Classes started on 2 February 1920. The School became a state school on 1 April 1922, when A.E.Puttick arrived as the first Department-appointed Headmaster. Presumably the School name was taken from the fact that at the South Africa was known as the Union of South Africa. The School took possession of the old Glebe lands (Naboths Vineyard) early in 1926 amid much controversy among local residents. After a tremendous fight, the Administrator, Sir Frederick de Waal, had settled the problem in November after the Mayor Mr H. Urquhart, had granted this beautiful estate for the erection of the School. The foundation stone was laid on 27 October 1926. Although not fully completed it was decided that the new school should be opened, unofficially, by holding a Childrens Day to celebrate the occ...