The Hilton Journey

Grade 9

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.

Forming a healthy sense of self

As boys learn to understand themselves and their peers, they develop self-awareness, empathy, and emotional intelligence.

At Hilton College, the Grade 9 journey focuses on building confidence through meaningful experiences.

Empowering individuality

Boys can easily define themselves according to their perceived differences. With our understanding of this dynamic as an age-appropriate search for identity, we work with care and thought to help every boy develop a strong sense of his uniqueness. When a boy knows himself and comes to appreciate his sense of self, his need to have mastery over others reduces dramatically.

Know yourself. Understand others.

Our Buddy System

To foster brotherhood, every Grade 8 boy is assigned a Grade 9 “buddy” who nurtures and helps him navigate the boarding environment. Grade 9 boys also work with Grade 8 boys over the course of a week to co-create a project out of a passion they share.

Diversity

The world often sees diversity as a burdensome pursuit, but great thinkers like Nelson Mandela taught us otherwise. At Hilton, Grade 9 students learn to harness diversity as a strength to achieve something beautiful. Each boy begins to discover his identity in relation to others and gains tools to navigate this process productively. Self-understanding involves respecting different ways of being while staying true to your principles.

uBuntu Camp

The uBuntu camp is a four-night off-campus retreat at the start of the year that provides Grade 9s with a space to find inspiration, experience solitude, share personal challenges around a campfire, and learn to relate to others by expressing vulnerability.

Reading List

To stretch the boys, we expose them to a diverse reading list covering unfamiliar genres. By immersing themselves in these unknown human experiences, we challenge their perceptions of themselves and the world that surrounds them.

Psychometric Testing

In Grade 9, boys undergo psychometric testing to guide their subject choices for Grades 10- 12. This exercise is motivating and engaging, helping them understand their strengths and areas for growth.

Collaboration and Leadership Skills

During the Grade 9 Outdoor Leadership Experience, the boys spend time as a grade outdoors, exploring their physical, emotional and mental limitations. They are given time for self- reflection before regrouping and shifting their focus from themselves outward. During this time, they are involved in serving our community partners and giving of themselves relationally rather than giving in a material sense.

What makes our boarding experience special