January 4, 2021
December 8, 2020
December 7, 2020
Kirsty James We all know that home educating parents are so organised. It’s right up there with patience as the quality most mentioned when I tell people my kids don’t go to school: ‘oh you must be sooo …’. I’m sure there are some paragons out there, but the image of the perfect home educator is as damaging as the idea of the perfect […]
November 21, 2020
HEN regularly answers questions about how home educated teens will access tertiary education, but some students will be more interested in joining the workforce, in either a part time or full time capacity. Sample CVs seem to focus on school achievements, so what does a teen who is not in school put on their CV? Work experience is extremely worthwhile. Not only does it […]
September 26, 2020
HEN surveys the home education community to help shape our future work. While we operate mainly in Victoria, our stats can be useful to home educators anywhere in Australia. HEN works hard for the home ed community. If you’re not yet a member, please consider joining. Membership is only $25 per year including digital Otherways Magazine (or $45 with printed copies). With 1339 responses, […]
August 11, 2020
By Sue Wight I delight in the fact that home education has grown so significantly over the last twenty years. The HEN community I joined way back in 2000 was only 86 families whereas we now have over 1000. While small, the early community was very active and characterised by a culture of skill-sharing. Some were good at maths but lost with craft activities, […]
August 3, 2020
July 20, 2020
…and the Art of Piano Playing by Rod Hough, concert pianist This article is for home educating folk, particularly those who may not have a strong background in piano but would welcome some discussion. Any discussion must be prefaced by one’s position. The reader can and should assume that any vision of music and music learning is only an attempt at providing a perspective […]
June 30, 2020
What is partial enrolment? Partial enrolment is when a home educated student attends a school for classes in a specific subject/s or period of time during a school week. The school can be either a private school, or a neighbourhood government school. The arrangement is unique to the student and the school, and is negotiated between the parents and school. School year level may […]
June 15, 2020
This video explains how to register in Victoria (12 minutes) Links mentioned are: Application form, learning plan templates and samples Legal page including partial enrolment Resources page Distance Education Materials Join HEN Attendance during the waiting period Our Getting Started Guide
June 5, 2020
This information is also available in a pamphlet format. If your child is aged under 6 or over 17, they are NOT legally required to attend or be registered for home education. The information below applies to children of compulsory school age (6-17). What does the law say? In Victoria, the law requires children to attend school or be registered for home education. While […]
May 29, 2020
By Annie Regan When I was a primary school teacher, one of my main philosophies was about helping all students learn to read. I still believe in the importance of reading, however, I now see it as a lifelong skill and not something that needs to be learnt by age six, and not a skill that needs to be actively taught. My three children […]
May 25, 2020
Everyone Continue to comply with over-arching requirements: Practice good hand hygiene Stay home if anyone in the family is unwell Adults must remain 1.5 metres from people you don’t live with. Indoor events must have 4 square metres per person. Victoria From Midnight 5th August Do not organise or attend home ed gatherings until the restrictions are lifted. More details. Other States Check the […]
May 24, 2020
With schools returning, many home educators are beginning to ask whether they can resume their normal home ed meetups. No, home ed groups are not schools and cannot resume if their numbers and venue exceed the current limits. However, you may begin any activity that lies within the current restrictions on gatherings. Why Schools involve the same set of children gathering at the […]
April 28, 2020
By Sue Wight We are standing at a unique moment in history Globally, an astonishing 1.4 billion children have come home for their education — something unthinkable a few months ago. While some concerns have been raised that children could “miss a year of education”, in reality kids learn wherever they are and parents are highly adept at facilitating learning. For millennia, all children […]
April 13, 2020
March 17, 2020
By Susan Wight You’ve made the decision not to send the children to school this year and the relatives are recovering from the shock…Now, where to start? Having made the decision to leave the school system, you now have the freedom to choose your own education. Spend some time thinking about what education is. What would the ideal education look like? What would you […]
March 15, 2020
UPDATE: 31/3/2020 All in-person groups and events MUST cease until the social distancing laws permit them. March 15: In the current climate, HEN strongly recommends the suspension of all gatherings. While children seem less susceptible to Coronavirus than adults, home ed gatherings involve both. In addition, some doctors warn that children (while remaining well themselves) can transmit the virus to others. Earlier action will […]
March 14, 2020
The Coronavirus has many families assessing the safety of school attendance at present, and HEN has been contacted by families considering home education for this reason. For most people who wish their child to return to school as soon as they consider it safe, registering for home education is not necessary. School absence doesn’t have to mean home education If COVID-19 is your only […]
March 10, 2020
By Judy Ephraums ‘Once you turn your back on the school system, everything’s up for grabs.’ So said one of the first home educating mums I met, at one of the first home education gatherings my young daughter and I attended. She was an experienced home educator, and a friendly and welcoming face at the gathering; we went on to become firm friends. More […]