WELCOME TO
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Welcome to our school community! Based in Snells Beach, Horizon Junior School is a vibrant and positive learning community for students in Years 0-6.
Our learning environment is founded on strong relationships with caring Christian teachers who encourage and challenge their students to learn and grow. We're passionate about providing authentic and relevant experiences that are also fun and engaging, and we're constantly inquiring after new ways to tailor learning experiences to meet the needs of each individual learner. At Horizon, each child really matters. Through our Discovery Times, learners are provided with opportunities to be creative and curious, to think critically, to expand their capabilities, develop confidence, and become deeply engaged with using their growing knowledge in ways that have real life application. To observe a class in our Junior School email mary@horizon.school.nz to book a time! We would love to show you around our school community. |
WE ASKED A FEW OF OUR LEARNERS WHAT THEIR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT BEING A PART OF THE HORIZON SCHOOL COMMUNITY IS. HERE'S WHAT THEY SAID.
“As an "outsider" I love the way Horizon School communicates with their community and celebrates the children's achievements.”
Leonie Bettridge, Hockey Coordinator
FAITH IN ACTION
A central part of Horizon School is our strong Christian foundation, and learners are encouraged to explore faith in a way that is authentic and personal. We respect each child’s own journey as we discuss and learn about the Bible through stories and activities, as well as exploring what people in the past and present have learnt about God, and how Jesus has impacted our world.
Our hope is that our students are inspired to connect with God and others, and that their faith will permeate all that they do. Our weekly assemblies provide opportunities to gather as a community and make meaningful connections between faith and learning, as well as building strong relationships with older and younger children in our school.
Members of our school community hold a wide variety of personal convictions and beliefs, and the Christian environment we offer is a place of respect and love.
Find out more by emailing principal@horizon.school.nz with any questions about this aspect of the school.
Our hope is that our students are inspired to connect with God and others, and that their faith will permeate all that they do. Our weekly assemblies provide opportunities to gather as a community and make meaningful connections between faith and learning, as well as building strong relationships with older and younger children in our school.
Members of our school community hold a wide variety of personal convictions and beliefs, and the Christian environment we offer is a place of respect and love.
Find out more by emailing principal@horizon.school.nz with any questions about this aspect of the school.
INDIVIDUALISED LEARNING
We teach our learners to ‘own their own learning’ by helping them to develop learning goals and next steps, and by giving them tools to achieve their goals. We provide opportunities and encouragement, and we have an expectation of increasing amounts of self-management.
We share test results with our learners regularly so that they can celebrate their successes and identify with the teacher learning gaps to fill and strengths to build on. |
"I like maths and going on the monkey bars and learning about drawing. I like Mrs Allen because she is kind and she teaches us really nice things."
Dania, aged 6 |
COMMUNITIES OF LEARNERS
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"I like that the teachers allow the kids to work as a team. Then we can think together and mix our ideas together to make a bigger and better idea."
Africa, aged 9 |
A range of ages working together makes a thriving learning community. Effective collaboration is important and happens throughout our school in a number of ways. Teachers work with students to set learning goals and help learners make choices. Learners work with their peers collaboratively on tasks and projects. Throughout the school, teachers collaboratively plan and discuss ideas and strategies to better help each child learn.
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STRONG RELATIONSHIPS
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Throughout the school we foster strong relationships, between teachers and children, between learners and with families. We seek to know and understand each child well so that we can provide the best possible learning environment for their growth.
These positive relationships lay a firm foundation for the development of a strong and healthy sense of self, an ability to think of and care for others and a willingness to engage with learning. |
"At Horizon School, there is a real sense of partnering with parents to get the best possible outcomes for students."
Sally Carstensen, parent
"We have a friendly dog called Bailey and she loves to run when we run. It is nice to have a dog in our school. I have dyspraxia and my teacher helps me to push forward to try to finish my work."
Samuel, aged 9
Sally Carstensen, parent
"We have a friendly dog called Bailey and she loves to run when we run. It is nice to have a dog in our school. I have dyspraxia and my teacher helps me to push forward to try to finish my work."
Samuel, aged 9
MISSION ALIGNED, HOLISTIC APPROACH
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LEARNING AREAS
All students from Years 0 to Year 6 study the following subjects:
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Language (English)
Mathematics Real Life Learning (Social Studies, Science, Technology and Health Education) Arts (Visual Art, Drama, Music, Dance) Christian teaching from the Bible Physical Education In addition to these core subjects, all students learn Japanese and Maori. |
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Students conduct most of their learning in their own classroom, but collaborative teaching between classes is common because this provides rich learning opportunities, and visiting teachers teach the Feuerstein programme, Japanese, Sports, Gifted and Talented Classes, Financial Literacy, and other classes of specific interest.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING SPACES
Learning Spaces in our school are designed to enable different ways of working. Each class has a variety of options for the way their space is configured, which is appropriate to the age of the students and the types of learning that occurs in the space. Tables of various heights, desks and chairs, sofas, stools, bean bags and cushions are all used for different learning activities.
Children can work in the main classroom or in quieter withdrawal spaces or outside on the deck, depending on the task and the child. |
"School is a nice place to be. We have two playgrounds and it is fun. I like how Mrs Holdsworth helps me when I am learning. She is nice."
Zion. aged 7 |
TECHNOLOGY
All our learners have access to iPads. These are often school-owned in Years 0-3. From Year 4 students at Horizon bring their own iPad to school. They connect to the school’s wifi network.
Check out some of our class blogs:
http://mcsroom1blog.blogspot.co.nz/
http://mahuroom2.blogspot.co.nz/
Check out some of our class blogs:
http://mcsroom1blog.blogspot.co.nz/
http://mahuroom2.blogspot.co.nz/
EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
At Horizon we offer the Feuerstein programme, musical instrument lessons, sports teams (sometimes in conjunction with other local schools).
 Musical instrument lessons
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Swimming lessons
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Feuerstein in action
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OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Our outdoor education programmes, including camps, surfing, sailing, abseiling, caving, archery, kayaking, climbing, and other activities build and strengthen relationships, while developing skills, growing confidence and having fun. Through all activities we want to develop in our learners problem solving skills, creative and critical thinking, and leadership and collaborative skills.
"I have seen so many children come to Horizon School as underachievers and struggling, with little confidence and have seen them achieve more than they thought possible and brimming with confidence and belief in themselves by the time they leave." Nicolette Morning, parent
"I have seen so many children come to Horizon School as underachievers and struggling, with little confidence and have seen them achieve more than they thought possible and brimming with confidence and belief in themselves by the time they leave." Nicolette Morning, parent
ENROL IN JUNIOR PRIMARY TODAY:
If you are interested in finding out more information about Horizon School, you are warmly invited to phone us on (09) 425 6878 and make a time to come and meet the Principal and see the school in action.
To begin the enrolment process, go to our Enrolment Page
To begin the enrolment process, go to our Enrolment Page
