HCC THIS WEEK – W/C Mon 15th May

A busy week here at Horizon; GCSE written exams have started and we couldn’t be prouder of our students’ attitude and focus. Mental Health week has allowed staff and students alike to learn about how to support themselves and enjoy an array of activities. Students have been learning so much from writing poetry, to sewing dolls to competing in the Barnsley School Semi-Finals. Click here to have a look.

HCC THIS WEEK – W/C 8th May

What a week here at Horizon. Reading Week has been a huge success with students reading across all of their subjects and engaging in deliberate vocabulary practice. From football winners to textiles creations, click here to see more from this week.

HSHAZ BARNSLEYS BLUE PLAQUES

This week our Y8 historians were presented with a copy of the blue plaques they created as part of a local heritage project.

They spent time researching Eldon Street at the archives and had literacy-based sessions on turning their ideas into the wording for blue plaques. The original blue plaques were displayed at key locations on Eldon Street and in the Victorian Arcade from December 2022. They told the story of the forgotten history of our town centre. This was part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) project, and we would would like to thank Sara Mair and everyone involved for this wonderful opportunity.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an internationally recognised scheme that, at its first two levels, is based around four core sections; Volunteering, Learning/Developing a Skill, Taking up/Improving a Physical challenge and taking part in an Expedition. At Horizon, we offer the Duke of Edinburgh award to promote teamwork, resilience, independence and engagement, all of which are part of our series of core values. 
Our Y9 cohort were given extra access to the fair to help them with their upcoming option choices and had the chance to win a prize for the best researched answers to questions set. Our Y10 cohort also had extra time so that they could explore their different routes as they prepare to leave Horizon next year.

We had some great feedback from the providers and business who said that students were engaged and interested. In the late afternoon parents and carers were given the opportunity to come and visit the fair as well and many took the chance to come and find out about the various options. Thank you to all who took part and to our parents and carers who came out on a cold night.

Careers Fair

Careers Week was busy for Horizon and the Careers Department with lots of different activities but the centrepiece was the Careers Fair held on Tuesday 7th March. We had 41 stalls with many different providers, organisations and businesses. The stalls were varied and gave all of our students the opportunity to start to look at their options after Horizon, sample different career sectors or in the case of our Y11’s a chance to check in with their chosen provider and remind themselves of other routes and offers.

Our Y9 cohort were given extra access to the fair to help them with their upcoming option choices and had the chance to win a prize for the best researched answers to questions set. Our Y10 cohort also had extra time so that they could explore their different routes as they prepare to leave Horizon next year.

We had some great feedback from the providers and business who said that students were engaged and interested. In the late afternoon parents and carers were given the opportunity to come and visit the fair as well and many took the chance to come and find out about the various options. Thank you to all who took part and to our parents and carers who came out on a cold night.

Y10 The Brilliant Club’s Scholars Programme

A group of Year 10 students were recently given the opportunity to take part in The Scholars Programme which is an academic programme run by The Brilliant Club.
The programme was structured around seven tutorials with a PhD tutor who shared their subject knowledge and passion for learning. Although university may not be for everyone, The Scholars Programme gave them an experience of university learning to help them make an informed decision.

BOYS ENGAGEMENT PROJECT

Stanton Logistics is a national transport company established in 2007 based in South Yorkshire. They operate over 70 heavy goods vehicles and trailers covering the whole of the United Kingdom and employ over 150 staff.

A Winter Showcase

The Horizon Performing Arts Department are so proud to congratulate our talented cast of students on December’s whole school production, ‘A Winter Showcase’. We have had some wonderful feedback from audience members across the two nights and were thrilled that it was a total sell out.

CHRISTMAS PREPARATION​

A group of our Student Ambassadors began the festive period last week by dressing our impressive Christmas tree in the Heart Space. It is a lovely focal point and also display for our school hampers that will be donated to our local community supporting Age UK and those in need this festive season. 

Secret Blues of Eldon Street Project

30 of our Year 8 students were selected by the History department to work with Barnsley Council on an exciting heritage project. The project allowed the students to delve deep into the archives at Barnsley Town Hall to uncover details about the original businesses that started the trading and entertainment culture of Barnsley in 1840.
Students had a tour of Eldon Street and heard stories of laughter, tragedy and everything in between. Then came the task, to create alternative blue plaques about people and events that took place to let the people of Barnsley learn about the untold stories of the town.
The plaques will be on display from 24th November until the end of December. Please find a link to the ‘Secret Blues of Eldon Street’ map and see if you can find them all – don’t forget to look up!

Stanton Logistics owner and CEO Chris McGinley came into college and shared his story from his early years at Penistone school and his first paper round to becoming a successful modern day business owner and race car driver. Chris was dynamic and humble throughout the session during which he delivered an important message to our students about having a positive attitude and making the right decisions.

Behaviour throughout the session from all the students was exemplary, with all listening intently, asking meaningful questions and contributing well to the discussions. Chris was so impressed by the attitude of our students that he extended an invitation for us to visit his business for a tour of the site and the opportunity to talk to some of his employees in order to learn more about working life.

From all the students involved and Horizon Community College we would like to thank Chris for giving up his time to come into college and inspire the students. We look forward to continuing our work with Chris over the rest of this academic year.