The Programme

What We Teach

Our programme seeks to foster leadership skills and positive self-development through a series of activities, including interactive play, sports, life skills and inspirational stories of real-life heroes.

The programme aims to promote and cultivate an understanding of positive masculinity, consent, accountability, responsibility and courage in all participants. We go beyond instilling core values in our participants, employing a participatory and conversational approach to teaching and learning to develop critical thinking skills from a young age. Our educational ethos is driven by the belief that we can have the largest impact by encouraging individuals to think and make better decisions for themselves, their families, and their community – not just for today but for the rest of their lives.

Grade 8 Programme

Our Grade 8 program is designed to introduce participants to fundamental core values such as integrity, accountability, responsibility, honesty, optimism, and emotional intelligence. The purpose of the program is to help participants understand these core values and appreciate their benefits in both personal and social contexts.

Over a 23-week period during the school year, participants are guided by Heroes Academy coaches who ensure a comprehensive understanding of each core value. The program begins with defining each value, enabling participants to grasp their meanings fully. They are then encouraged to use these terms correctly to reinforce their understanding.

To bring these concepts to life, participants engage in role-playing activities during workshops, where they can observe and practice these values in real-life scenarios. Additionally, they are taught to identify individuals in their lives who embody these core values, helping them recognize and appreciate positive role models.

Through this structured approach, the program aims to instill a deep understanding of core values in participants, highlighting the importance of these principles and how they contribute to personal growth and positive interactions with others.

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 01

Positive word:
HONESTY
Orientation:
To be a gentleman
in the home

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 02

Positive word:
RESPECT
Orientation:
Courtesy

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 03

Positive word:
COURAGE
Orientation:
How to intervene safely

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 04

Positive word:
NURTURING
Orientation:
Taking care of those around us

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 05

Positive word:
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Orientation:
Consent

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 06

Positive word:
PROTECT
Orientation:
Gender Based Violence

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 07

Positive word:
SELF-DISCIPLINE
Orientation:
Time Management Skills

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 08

Positive word:
DIGNITY
Orientation:
Bullying

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 09

Positive word:
OPTIMISM
Orientation:
Hope

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 10

Positive word:
EMPOWERMENT
Orientation:
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 11

Positive word:
WORK ETHICS
Orientation:
Mental Toughness

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 12

Positive word:
PRIDE
Orientation:
Self-care / self-esteem

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 13

Positive word:
VULNERABILITY
Orientation:
Providing and receiving trust and comfort

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 14

Positive word:
RESPONSIBILITY
Orientation:
Adaptive thinking

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 15

Positive word:
INTEGRITY
Orientation:
Compassion and Empathy

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 16

Positive word:
COMMUNICATION
Orientation:
Navigating social media and what you see online

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 17

Positive word:
CONSENT
Orientation:
Setting and respecting (emotional) boundaries

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 18

Positive word:
SELF-AWARENESS
Orientation:
Sex education and the menstrual cycle

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 19

Positive word:
TOLERANCE
Orientation:
Diversity

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 20

Positive word:
NATURE
Orientation:
Recycling and community clean up.

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 21

Positive word:
SELF-ESTEEM
Orientation:
Building your self-esteem

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 22

Positive word:
LEADERSHIP
Orientation:
How to be a leader in your community

Heroes Academy Curriculum icon Session 23

GRADUATION

Grade 9 Programme

Our Grade 9 program is designed to encourage participants to engage in deep self-reflection, building on the foundations laid in Grade 8. Over a 16-week period during the school year, participants are guided by their coaches to assess their application of prior learnings and to explore their visions and goals for the future. This program emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-kindness, fostering a deeper understanding and personal growth.

Critical Thinking

CRITICAL THINKING

Self-Awareness

SELF-AWARENESS

Sex Education

SEX EDUCATION

Consent

CONSENT

Grade 10 Programme

Module 1: Ulwaluko

Most of our participants are of Xhosa descent, and at Grade 10, they are at the age where Xhosa boys begin preparing for Ulwaluko—the IsiXhosa traditional rite of passage transitioning from boyhood to manhood. We provide a historical timeline of this traditional rite and guide them through essential knowledge they need before undergoing Ulwaluko. Additionally, we answer their most curious questions about Ulwaluko in an informative and truthful manner.

Module 2: A Day in a Life

This module introduces participants to essential life skills, including basic financial literacy and the importance of financial management skills such as budgeting. This helps them develop the necessary abilities to manage their money and financial responsibilities in the future.

Module 3: Critical Thinking

This module delves into critical thinking through hypothesis and debate-based activities to enhance their critical inquiry abilities. It incorporates research and analysis-based exercises to enrich their understanding and application of critical thinking.

Module 4: Anger Management

In this module, we guide participants to understand the manifestation of anger and its mental and physical effects. We equip them with skills to apply in anger-triggering situations, encouraging them to avoid resorting to violence or verbal abuse. This helps them remain calm, use discernment, and respond with active awareness during moments of anger.

Participants also have the opportunity to engage in creative projects that contribute to the Supercharged Graduation performances and visual competitions.

Grade 11 Programme

Our Grade 11 learning materials are currently in the research and development stage, our areas of focus will be as follows:

Public Speaking

INTODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING

Icons_Post-Ulwalkulo Reflection (1)

POST-ULWALUKO REFLECTION

Icons_Fatherhood (1)

FATHERHOOD

Icons_Introduction to Voting (1)

INTRODUCTION TO VOTING AND CONSTITUTIONAL EDUCATION

Icons_Sex Education (1)

CONSENT AND SEX-EDUCATION RECAP

Icons_Consent (2)

VOCATIONAL TRADE SKILLS CAREERS EXHIBIT EXCURSIONS

Grade 12 Programme

Our Grade 12 learning materials are currently in the research and development stage.

Supercharged: The Heroes Academy Graduation Ceremony

The Heroes Academy Supercharged Graduation Ceremony marks the culmination of our annual program, celebrating the dedication and commitment of all participating students. This event is a joyous occasion featuring engaging games, performances, and competitions, where coaches and participants from various schools come together to reflect on their year-long journey in the Heroes Program.

The highlight of Supercharged is the certification ceremony, where qualified participant is awarded a certificate based on strict criteria aligned with the program’s core values. These criteria include consistent attendance, initiative, noticeable behavioral improvements, and active engagement during workshops. The certification levels are as follows:

General Certificate

Awarded to participants with 50% to 69% attendance.

Bronze Certificate

Awarded to participants with 70% to 79% attendance.

Silver Certificate

Awarded to participants with 80% to 89% attendance.

Gold Certificate

Awarded to participants with 90% to 100% attendance.

Certificate of Excellence

Only recipients of the Gold Certificate are considered for this award. Nominees are selected by their workshop coaches based on criteria such as significant behavioral growth, initiative before, during, and after workshops, and demonstration of respect, kindness, critical inquiry, caring, and emotional intelligence. The final recipients are chosen after careful deliberation by the organization.

The Supercharged event also includes a performance competition, where participants showcase their talents in singing, rapping, dancing, poetry, acting, and dramatized monologues. Performances are judged on criteria such as readiness, delivery, and messaging. This year, we are introducing a visual arts competition, allowing participants to exhibit their talents in painting, drawing, and other visual expressions. The visual arts competition will culminate in an exhibition showcasing their work.

Supercharged is a pivotal event for Heroes Academy, providing the participants with lasting memories and acknowledging their commitment throughout the year. The Supercharged Graduation Ceremony not only celebrates the achievements of our participants but also fosters a sense of accomplishment and hope for their future.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

- Martin Luther King Jr.