In 2017 a proposed change to the legislation was introduced to the Legislative Assembly. While
well intentioned, these changes had the potential to create uncertainty and difficulty for new home educators. Since that time, the HEA, along with local home educators and local groups, have worked with Minister Berry and her office to ensure that the legislation protects the rights and safety of children and families. The current amendments provide certainty for home educators and retain the important safety net of immediate registration for new home educators.
This is particularly important for students who may be experiencing unsafe situations in schools, such as severe bullying.
Following amendments tabled by the Minister for Education, the Hon Yvette Berry MLA, and passed unanimously by the ACT Legislative Assembly on 28 November, 2019, the ACT now leads the way with one of the more enlightened, yet sensible, registration systems, which balances the safety of children and the right to an individual education.
The HEA thanks Minister Berry and the Education Directorate for facilitating a consultation process including several community forums and meetings with local home educators and HEA President Karen Chegwidden.
We recognise that this has been a long and difficult road and we appreciate the meaningful consultation with key stakeholders. In addition to the work of Minister Berry and her office, the HEA wishes to thank MLAs Shane Rattenbury and Elizabeth Lee who have been instrumental in achieving the positive amendments through their respectful, intelligent and supportive engagement.
Today we celebrate the power of consultation and consensus driven decision-making. When
politicians listen to stakeholders, universal agreement can be reached and everyone wins. The
amendments to the Education Act are set to become the legislative example to the rest of the
nation, both in terms of process and end product.
The fire that swept through my home village has been a horrific event. My siblings and I spent a sleepless night in a RFS shed, trapped away from safety, with fires burning on all sides, the smoke making breathing painful. Worried to the point of nausea about my friends, my home, and my family. The night was spent treating burns, putting out fires, and watching homes be consumed by the flames. The sun came up the next morning, where we could fully see the extent of the destruction. My once beautiful village now consisting of twisted, scorched iron, and black poles where trees used to be. So much burnt, so many special places lost.
By Odin (age 16)
Some of our fellow homeschooling families have been affected by the current bushfires - including the loss of some homes. These fires have devastated our communities. As home educators we all know the extra preciousness of our homes to our families. Toys, books, art, photos, instruments, pets... these things are important resources, records, and identity of the family homeschooling journey.
We want to help these families currently affected.
Together we can.
Dear homeschool folks it’s the end of the year,
I wish you all joy, rest and good cheer.
As you put the calendar into a file,
I hope it holds memories that make you smile.
Maybe you didn’t reach all of your goals,
But I’m sure you nurtured some special souls.
Maybe the workbooks aren’t complete,
But you have more hugs and stories to keep.
Maybe you paid too much for a class,
Then got sick and missed about half.
But you had time to stop and smell the flowers,
And breakfast chats that last for hours.
Maybe you can’t buy many gifts for the tree,
But you found out your child had some already.
And now you can see their unique talents too,
(But don’t forget the gifts that are inside you)
Speaking of presents, if you’re new to home ed,
I wish I could bring these three gifts to your bed,
They are not of gold, frankincense, or myrrh,
But they are full of learning, I hope you’ll concur.
A deck of playing cards will cover Math generally,
(plus colours, taking turns and the royal family),
Shuffling and snap get fine motor skills rocking,
So that’s what I would put into your stocking.
My next gift would be a globe of the earth,
So that you can find home and places of birth,
And study the continents and oceans that span it,
And remember we all belong to one planet.
My third gift would be a good picnic rug,
With the wish that it helps you stay dry and snug,
And that very soon, that rug would be stained,
With dirt, sand, grass, mud and sandwich remains.
We all end the year in different ways,
Favourite rituals through the summer days,
Maybe you spend it in quiet reflection,
In reverence to a human connection,
You might honour family or perhaps nature,
A holy night, divine birth of a saviour,
A festival of lights, a day of colours,
An annual reminder to be kind to others,
Maybe you celebrate a trip round the sun,
A solstice which marks daylight turning begun,
Perhaps mother earth holds you in awe,
Of a sacred or universal law,
Traditional rites from ancient times of dream,
Or maybe you just like to eat pudding with cream.
As we travel through this moment of history,
Whether united by faith or astronomy,
Beloved friends, I hope your year closes peacefully,
And opens a new year of possibility.
KJMcMillan2017
The Poetic Camel
Introducing the new-look Stepping Stones Magazine!
Stepping Stones for Home Educators was first published by Grace Chapman almost 20 years ago now, and quickly became Australia’s leading Home Education Magazine. Later, in 2009 the HEA revived the magazine and the title, publishing an online version until 2013. The HEA is pleased to rekindle this proud tradition and provide
Stepping Stones free for HEA members. Stepping Stones has always been intended to nourish the hearts and minds of Australian Home Educators and to increase the profile of, and confidence in, Home Education. This quarterly online version of Stepping Stones shares that vision. Stepping Stones will be accessible via www.hea.edu.au, and we'll let you know when the first one is available.
Committee News
Did you know that we are all volunteers? The work of Committee members and subcommittee members are our free gift to the home education community. Here's what your Committee have been up to in November:
Responding to 10 new event organiser insurance requests, and 24 new work experience insurance requests, and lots of recurring events in both categories.
Subscriptions this month has focused on preparation of rollover agreements in preparation for next year. Literacy Planet, Stile, Mathletics and Spellodrome all renew over December & January - so make sure you don't miss out! Wingaru Kids is in the final stages, and will be ready to roll out in time for the new year.
Finalising details with Wingaru Kids to make their program available to the home education community - this is ready to roll out very soon....watch this space!
Attended Associations Forum Improving Your Events Strategy and the members dinner, with good networking opportunities
Provided registration support to 31 home educators; 23 in NSW, 1 in SA, and 7 in Qld. Support provided included- connection with a local supporter, providing support documents and sample plans, and providing supporters to sit in on visits
Answered 49 calls on the home education helpline
Continued to try to secure the website commissioned by the 2016 and 2017 committees - or obtain a refund. Unfortunately this continues to take up many hours of the Committee's time. The matter is listed at NCAT for 16 January 2020.
Set up 21 more members with their new hea.edu.au email addresses
Met with the Education Directorate in the ACT to discuss legislative changes
Sent advocacy letters to the HEU and Minister Grace Grace in QLD
Sent advocacy letters to Attorney-General Chapman and the Minister for Education in SA
Registration Support Subcommittee held it's first workshop: Intro to Home Schooling, which was attended by about 15 families in the Penrith area. A big shout out to Raluca for being a fantastic local facilitator.
Became a youth ally in the Clean Up Australia campaign.
The HEA Members Code of Conductand the Volunteers Code of Ethics have recently been updated. Adherence to the HEA Code of Conduct is a condition of HEA membership.
Do more than learn Spanish. Speak Spanish. With our online Skype classes coming to you from Quito, Ecuador taught by experienced teachers, learners master communicating and get a valuable glimpse of the culture. These classes are perfect for students or educators looking to spice up their Spanish skills.
HEA members qualify for a 10% discount on the usual price of $240 on a package of 20 hours of classes. Go to the members area to find your member discount code, and then email vidaverde@spanishquito.com to set up a time for a free trial lesson .
