Emma Morgan’s education has not been a linear, or traditional path. Born in New Zealand, she moved to Germany at a young age, where she spent most of her childhood before returning to her home country in 2021.

Now a Year 12 student living on a farm three hours north of Cambridge, Emma is homeschooled, with a course load that would make most students pause. Through homeschooling and NetNZ, she has found a way to tailor her education to suit her, embracing flexibility while maintaining a strong sense of independence.

Early years and the move to homeschool

Emma’s education began in the structured, rigorous school system of Germany, where she attended primary school and began her secondary education. “In Germany, the school system is very strict,” Emma explained. “We did school from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, even in primary school.” This environment, while academically intense, helped Emma develop a strong work ethic. However, the traditional classroom setting didn’t suit her personal learning needs. “I’ve tried several schools in my life, but I personally cannot learn in a loud environment,” she shared, highlighting a major factor that eventually led her to homeschooling.

In 2021, her family made the decision to move back to New Zealand, in part so that Emma could pursue homeschooling—a decision that allowed her to learn at her own pace in a more controlled, quieter setting. The flexibility of homeschooling has been crucial for Emma, especially given her family’s location on a farm in a remote area. “We’re three hours from Cambridge, so accessing a traditional school was never really an option,” she said.

Making it work

Emma’s transition to homeschooling wasn’t just about escaping the noise of the classroom; it was about discovering how she learns best. “I take longer to process information and work through things,” Emma said. Homeschooling gave her the space and time she needed to fully engage with her studies, without the pressure of keeping up with the pace of a traditional school environment. “What’s great about homeschooling is that I can review all the material consistently. If I need extra time to understand something, I can take it,” she explained. This autonomy over her learning has helped Emma thrive academically and personally.

Despite the challenges, Emma has embraced the independence that comes with homeschooling. She is fully responsible for structuring her study time, creating a schedule that works for her. “I make my own schedule, and I’m flexible. I’ve learned to be a lot more independent, which is probably a great skill to have in life,” she said.

A full course load

Emma’s current education through homeschooling includes an impressive array of subjects: mathematics, English, biology, chemistry, physics, health, and German. But her academic interests extend beyond what her correspondence school, Te Kura, offers. That’s where NetNZ comes in. This year, Emma is also studying senior philosophy and psychology through the netword, courses she couldn’t access through traditional homeschooling channels.

“I’m very, very interested in the social side of education,” Emma explained, when discussing why she chose to study psychology. “That’s why my mom was eager to figure out where else I could potentially study these subjects.” NetNZ turned out to be the perfect fit, offering the opportunity to pursue her passion for social sciences.

NetNZ ticks every box

For Emma, NetNZ offers an accessible, structured, and interactive approach. “I love the way NetNZ teaches. They have a great system in place that guides students on the right way to achieve their subject,” she said. The platform’s blended model of independent learning and class interaction has been a game-changer for Emma. “You’re in a community, and that makes it easy to engage in your subject. You’re motivated to learn,” she said, adding that the teachers are also more available and responsive to student questions. “With NetNZ, the teachers have time to listen to you and help you work through things.”

Class interaction makes the difference

One of the standout features of NetNZ for Emma is the class structure. “You’re booked into a class, and so you are engaging with other students,” Emma said. This opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate with classmates has made a significant difference in her learning experience. “You’re not just studying in isolation. You’ve got a community of people working through the same material as you,” she explained.

Emma also appreciates how NetNZ fosters a sense of motivation through its structured class interactions. “The materials are very engaging and motivating,” she said, noting that the course content is designed to keep students actively involved in their studies.

Cost and accessibility

Despite the benefits of NetNZ, cost remains a barrier for many students, including Emma. “I got both courses funded this year—psychology through Te Kura because they don’t provide the standards, and philosophy on a personal agreement,” she said. However, she acknowledges that the price of additional courses can be prohibitive. “If it were free, I would probably choose to enrol in more NetNZ courses,” Emma said, expressing hope that more students will have access to the platform in the future without financial constraints.

The social implications

While Emma has thrived academically through homeschooling and NetNZ, she is also aware of the potential downsides of online learning, particularly in terms of social isolation. “If you grow up just doing homeschooling, you get very isolated,” Emma said, drawing on her own experiences of attending traditional schools in Germany and New Zealand before transitioning to homeschool.

Emma has made a conscious effort to balance her academic independence with social engagement. “I’ve built my social connections by going to the velodrome and starting track cycling,” she said. For students who are homeschooled or study through online platforms like NetNZ, Emma believes it’s crucial to find other ways to engage with peers. “You need to have that social engagement outside of school, whether it’s through sports or other activities.”

What’s next?

Looking ahead to university, Emma feels well-prepared for the challenges of higher education, thanks to her homeschooling and NetNZ experience. “It prepares you for university because you learn to study on your own and for yourself,” she said. The independence and self-discipline she’s developed through managing her own schedule and learning materials have given her a strong foundation for the future.

While she is still deciding where she will go for university, Emma is leaning toward studying psychology, with a particular interest in educational psychology. “I would love to work in educational psychology, supporting students in their learning journey,” she said. Her diverse educational background has given her a unique perspective on how different systems work, and she’s passionate about helping others find their path.

Emma’s journey through homeschooling and NetNZ has been one of self-discovery, independence, and academic growth. By understanding her own learning style and seeking out the resources that work best for her, she has been able to pursue her passions while building the skills she’ll need for future success.