A member of the Sun Valley Group of Schools

Hoofies

HOOFIES

Hoofies stands for Head Of Our Families

Cross-grade families exist at our school. Each family is made up of one pupil from Grades 1 to 7.

These families meet every third week for an hour to discuss issues presented on an agenda. This agenda is designed by the Head: Student Affairs. Training is given to the Grade 7's prior to the HOOFIES meeting. Each class teacher has 4 HOOFIE families under her/his supervision.

Grade 7 pupils become Family Leaders. There are 128 families in the school.

32 adults in the organisation become HOOFIES (Heads Of Our Families)

Seven students in each family led by a Grade 7.

Family Successes

It forms a good support system
Pupils get to know another adult in the building
There is an increase in comfort levels at school
Self-esteem increases
There are relationships across the Grades
There is continuity - each family stays the same, as a Grade 7 exits the Grade 6 becomes the family leader when Grade 7 is reached and a new Grade 1 is allocated.
Connections are created across age groups
Guidance and advice is given
There is a sense of acceptance
Increased resilience is created

When people feel heard - they calm down!

We come back together and build relationships.

"You can't hate someone whose story you really know!"