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.
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.
Positive word:
HONESTY
Orientation:
To be a gentleman
in the home
Positive word:
RESPECT
Orientation:
Courtesy
Positive word:
COURAGE
Orientation:
How to intervene safely
Positive word:
NURTURING
Orientation:
Taking care of those around us
Positive word:
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Orientation:
Consent
Positive word:
PROTECT
Orientation:
Gender Based Violence
Positive word:
SELF-DISCIPLINE
Orientation:
Time Management Skills
Positive word:
DIGNITY
Orientation:
Bullying
Positive word:
OPTIMISM
Orientation:
Hope
Positive word:
EMPOWERMENT
Orientation:
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses
Positive word:
WORK ETHICS
Orientation:
Mental Toughness
Positive word:
PRIDE
Orientation:
Self-care / self-esteem
Positive word:
VULNERABILITY
Orientation:
Providing and receiving trust and comfort
Positive word:
RESPONSIBILITY
Orientation:
Adaptive thinking
Positive word:
INTEGRITY
Orientation:
Compassion and Empathy
Positive word:
COMMUNICATION
Orientation:
Navigating social media and what you see online
Positive word:
CONSENT
Orientation:
Setting and respecting (emotional) boundaries
Positive word:
SELF-AWARENESS
Orientation:
Sex education and the menstrual cycle
Positive word:
TOLERANCE
Orientation:
Diversity
Positive word:
NATURE
Orientation:
Recycling and community clean up.
Positive word:
SELF-ESTEEM
Orientation:
Building your self-esteem
Positive word:
LEADERSHIP
Orientation:
How to be a leader in your community
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
SELF-AWARENESS
SEX EDUCATION
CONSENT
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.
Our Grade 11 learning materials are currently in the research and development stage, our areas of focus will be as follows:
INTODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING
POST-ULWALUKO REFLECTION
FATHERHOOD
INTRODUCTION TO VOTING AND CONSTITUTIONAL EDUCATION
CONSENT AND SEX-EDUCATION RECAP
VOCATIONAL TRADE SKILLS CAREERS EXHIBIT EXCURSIONS
Our Grade 12 learning materials are currently in the research and development stage.
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.
22 Ave Fresnaye, Fresnaye,
Cape Town, 8005, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)21 433 1151
Cell: +27 (0) 82 041 1999
Email: hello@heroesacademy.org.za
Copyright © 2023 Heroes Academy of South Africa. Photographs by © Graham Wylie Photography. Movie by Siverbullet.