The Hilton Journey

Grade 8

The Hilton Journey is our bold, intentional strategy to understand each boy and challenge him appropriately to develop his unique inner compass.

Select a grade from the dropdown below.

Building friendships
and embracing diversity

Grade 8 boys at Hilton College hail from more than 50 schools, representing about 20 nationalities.

From his very first day, each Hilton boy begins to create his own story – a unique story that will one day inspire others.

In Grade 8, exploration is a rite of passage

Each Grade 8 boy will enjoy exhilarating outdoor adventures on the sprawling estate, learn practical ways to navigate the “busy-ness” of school life, get along with boys from interesting and unknown worlds, and explore and integrate unencountered ideas.

By engaging in a series of motivational and fun experiences, boys bravely step out of their comfort zones to forge friendships, supported by a dedicated team of parents, mentors, teachers, and coaches.

Every boy will be stretched

Every dorm is a deliberate mix of cultures and interests. Athletes, artists, thinkers, introverts and extroverts from privileged backgrounds to humble backgrounds.

From Singapore to Zululand. Here boys discover that what connects them far outweighs their differences.

The team and the tools

Each boy’s support team helps him explore wisely. He is central to his journey, backed by a broad, experienced team, equipping him for the road ahead. His parents, mentors, housemasters, chaplain, teachers, coaches, and counsellors all know him well, have his best interests at heart, and stay in close communication.

What to expect

When he arrives at school nervous and excited, his matric mentor meets him and his parents in his boarding house, ready to help him understand everything he can gain from being at this unique school. He will meet his tutor group, which includes two boys from each grade, his matric mentor and his Grade 9 buddy, who guides him in the day-to-day aspects of boarding.

Conflict will arise – each boy’s idiosyncrasies will clash with those of others – which is why all boys will be equipped with tools for listening, managing themselves and resolving difficult situations.

The spark behind every question

Programme

We are intentional about taking boys out of their comfort zones where they will discover more about themselves and those around them.

Orientation Week
Boys explore the campus grounds and understand their support network.

House Campouts
Boys spend a night on the estate with their dorm, dormitory leader and housemaster. This experience allows the boys to bond with each other and the key members of their team.

Estate Orientation Day
An opportunity to explore the estate in a fun way (with an element of competition). This creates opportunities to learn about our estate and ecosystem in an immersive way.

We are intentional about taking boys out of their comfort zones where they will discover more about themselves and those around them.

Orientation week

Boys explore the campus grounds and understand their support network.

House campouts

Boys spend a night on the estate with their dorm, dormitory leader and housemaster. This experience allows the boys to bond with each other and the key members of their team.

Estate orientation day

An opportunity to explore the estate in a fun way (with an element of competition). This creates opportunities to learn about our estate and ecosystem in an immersive way.

Study Skills

Study skills, time management & organisation workshop

Being away from home and in a new environment is daunting. For many boys, it’s the first time they must manage their diaries, plan study schedules and organise their busy weeks. All boys attend a workshop with our educational psychologist who is our Director of Student Support. They learn to develop independence and self-regulate more effectively. Boys who need more intensive one-on-one support in this area enjoy the services of our Student Support team.

Project Week

At Hilton College, we develop collaborative skills through project-based learning. During project week, we suspend the timetable to make time for projects that push boys beyond the parameters of their subjects in search of creative solutions to real-life problems. Experts in their fields present case studies to the boys inspiring them to grapple with topics relevant to everyday life. The aim is to make our boys fit for the fourth industrial revolution where coding, AI, the use of drones and ethical dilemmas are a daily reality. Our emphasis is on deep thinking and the process of learning, as well as seeing how all subjects are interconnected.

Outdoor Leadership Experience

A core part of our curriculum is the time that the boys spend on our estate – a vital and integral part of life at Hilton College. Immersing boys in nature for an extended period promotes resilience, personal growth, and an appreciation for the natural environment. Time outdoors includes the Junior Journey, stays at a satellite camp, and time at the Henly Lapa. Authentic experiential education deepens our boys’ understanding of interconnectedness and links their classroom learning to the real world.

Elective Offering

An exciting addition to our Grade 8 learning experience is our bespoke elective offering. Covering various aspects of ethical leadership, all of the modules – from digital citizenship to servant leadership – inspire self-reflection and debate. The programme provides opportunity for boys to consider their responsibility as citizens of a global village and their stewardship of the world’s limited resources.

What makes our boarding experience special