Home Group

HOME GROUP

This year, we have implemented a home group system. Students have been allocated to one of sixteen home groups and each home group contains students from Year 7-12. Home groups are also connected to our house structure, with students being allocated to one of four groups that aligns with their house. Students attend their home group for the first twelve minutes of each day.

The home group system has been implemented for several reasons, with the key ones being:

• To enable all students to connect with one or more staff members and to develop a supportive and caring relationship with these staff members
• To provide opportunities for students from different year levels to collaborate, share experiences and get to know each other better
• To further enhance our house structure so that it is used for more than just athletics, swimming and cross country.

Students will remain in the same home group for the entirety of their secondary schooling. This will support them to develop genuine connections with not only the staff members leading their group, but also the students who make up the home group. Staff are excited about the possibilities and are already considering ways the home group structure can be used to welcome younger students to the school, and authentically celebrate the successes and contributions of older students when they graduate.

A key highlight, so far, has been the Thursday morning competitions. Home groups have competed against each other, and the other houses, in a variety of trivia competitions, including; flags of the world, local knowledge, Australian athletes, company logos, global landmarks and knowledge of HHS staff. Competition has been fierce and it's been lovely to see students of all ages engaging with each other and contributing their ideas and knowledge.

At the time of printing, Mr Kennedy’s class are winning the home group challenge, and Maroondah are the house to beat!

We look forward to building this structure in 2023 and beyond. During upcoming student forums, students will have the opportunity to share their ideas about home group and how they would like to spend this time during Term Two, Three and Four.