Homeschooling Advisory Committee

Posted on July 25th, 2007 in Victorian Legal Situation

Following the introduction of the Education and Training Reform Act, the Victorian government established a Homeschooling Advisory Committee in order to consult with home educators on regulations pertaining to home education.

The following people were appointed to the committee: Lyn Loxton, Sandra Herbert, Barb Dennis, Jeanie Clark, Josh Fergeus, Anthony White, Fred Cahir and Deborah Lapthorne. The committee  is chaired by retired MP, Helen Buckingham. These people (home educators and one home education graduate) have been closely involved in the development on the Victorian regulations.

More info about the role of the Homeschooling Advisory Committee can be found on the DoE website here http://www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/enrolling/hsac.htm

Country Viewpoint

Posted on July 21st, 2007 in Media

Stephanie Pollock gave her view on home education on the ABC radio’s Viewpoint. The transcript appears below:

Monday, 09/07/2007

The first time I met these kids, I was left in awe of them. They were centred, spoke with eye contact and interest and I think exuded much more confidence at 11 & 13 than I did at age 22. It struck me, whack, in the middle of my head. Home ed. had to be one of the most sensible and loving experiences you could bestow upon your child. To nourish their educational experience, giving them one-on-one attention in our home. Home is where children establish their groundings, their roots and where self-confidence can be nourished. It’s a place where you know and have complete trust in your child’s ability to learn, because learning is a natural instinct, which children excel in. And we as their parents get the most privileged job of all, to guide them in their lives under complete love.

The New Education Act - How to Register

Posted on July 11th, 2007 in Otherways Magazine

The Education and Training Reform Act 2006, came into effect in Victoria on 1st July 2007.
It requires home educators to:
“register children for homeschooling in accordance with the regulations and to ensure that the child receives instruction in accordance with the regulations.”
There are two levels of legal requirements for home education:
– the Legislation (The Education and Training Reform Act 2006) and
– the Regulations.
This means that it is now the law to register your child if you are home educating.
Failure to register is effectively breaking the law.
Details of the legislation and regulations are available on the legal page of our website. If you are not familiar with the requirements and do not have access to the internet you can phone Sue on 54395134 and ask for a copy of the legal information to be mailed to you.
Registration is a decision for individual families, and will not affect families’ membership of HEN. 
The information below should assist you in your decision.

Johnstons are right at home on schooling

Posted on July 5th, 2007 in Media

by Allan Murphy, Sunrasia Daily Thursday July 5, 2007

By their own admission, the Johnston family at Colignan among the vast minority.

Mum Maaike Johnston and her husband Mark home-school their two young daughters, preferring to keep them out of the mainstream state school system.

Unlike government and private schools, the Johnstons do not recognise a Monday to Friday regime, weekends or holidays, and their children are never independently tested on their development.

And that’s just the way the Johnston family like it. They are among about only 15 home-schooling families in Sanraysia who this week came under new Victorian Government regulations.

The regulations require home-schooling families to be registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA), do not go as far as other states in requiring home-schooled children to be tested.

Circus Skills Workshop - Castlemaine area

Posted on June 27th, 2007 in Event Calendar, Events
20 July 2007
9:30 amto11:30 am
27 July 2007
9:30 amto11:30 am
10 August 2007
9:30 amto11:30 am
17 August 2007
9:30 amto11:30 am

Expressions of interest are called for a Circus Skills Class for third term in the Castlemaine area.  

TUTOR:  Philip Melgaard
 
TIME:     Friday mornings from 9.30 – 11.30
 
DATES:   20th July, 27th July, 10th August and 17th August
 
VENUE:  Maldon Hall TBC
 
COST:     Approx $10 per student per week but dependent on numbers
 
SKILLS:  Juggling, plate twirling, Diablo and stilt walking
 
Philip will also talk about making your own props and equipment. 
 
Could all those who are interested, contact Debra at weepingwillow@mmnet.com.au or by phone 5476 2635