Hilton
parents remain crucial partners in the education of their sons. We actively
support this partnership: parents are encouraged to visit regularly and to
participate in activities; parents are included in important decisions affecting
their sons; and parents are invited to work closely with us to ensure their
sons’ progress. The Houses
There are 7 Houses at Hilton: Churchill, Ellis, Falcon, Lucas, McKenzie, Newnham and Pearce. Each House is home to between 70 and 80 boys, ranging in ages from Grade 8 to Matric. The Houses are substantial, separate buildings, with outstanding facilities. The boys live in dormitories until Matric, when each boy has his own bed-sitter. Also within the Houses are well-appointed common rooms, prep and study areas, and recently upgraded ablutions which include private shower compartments.
In each House, the Housemaster lives in a comfortable home under the same roof as the boys, as does his Assistant. As a result, each House is a community, and much energy goes into ensuring that the boys are happy and motivated members of these communities.
The Care System
The
Housemasters play key roles at Hilton. Theirs are senior appointments, and their
lightened teaching loads enable them to pay careful attention to their charges.
Housemasters are assisted by House Managers whose duties include the
administration function of the House, day-to-day care of the boys, liaison
between parents and Housemaster. In all we do, we aim to treat Hilton boys as
individuals, and to help them with the support necessary for them to take full
advantage of their time here. In order to achieve this, the Housemasters and
their Assistants are supported by other members of staff who visit the Houses in
the evenings in their capacity as Tutors. Also crucial in the care system are
the School Counsellor and the Chaplain, the School Doctor and the Sanatorium
Sisters. Throughout his time here a Hilton boy is assigned a Tutor, whom he will meet weekly. These are members of the Academic Staff who are responsible for guiding boys as they make their way through the school, intervening where necessary, and encouraging them to become fully involved.
New Boys
We
are particularly proud of our reputation as a welcoming and supportive school in
which new boys settle quickly. Outdated and unacceptable practices, such as
fagging and initiation, play no part in the Hilton culture. The School Counsellor (together with the Housemasters) is responsible for managing the settling in process and for administering a programme aimed at informing new boys about their school. This culminates in a fairly simple test.
Leaves
Despite our emphasis on being a full-boarding school, Hilton boys have more than adequate leave opportunities. Each term has a long weekend break in the middle (usually from Thursday morning to Monday evening). Also, each boy is entitled to 2 leaves a term, taken at his parents’ discretion, and lasting from after sport on Saturday until Sunday evening. (There are no “closed weekends” nor are there designated “exeat weekends”). In addition, our boys are traditionally granted leaves on the weekends when we play rugby and hockey against Michaelhouse. After long and careful consideration, we believe that these leave arrangements are appropriate in that they balance regular opportunities for boys to go out with the necessity of providing the climate for an excellent boarding school.
