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Title: A Comprehensive Guide to Homeschooling in New South Wales
Introduction
Homeschooling in New South Wales (NSW) has become an increasingly popular choice for parents seeking alternative educational options for their children. The process of homeschooling in NSW involves a few key steps, including submitting an application to the NESA Home Schooling Unit, creating an education plan based on the NSW Curriculum, and undergoing a home visit by an Authorised Person (AP). In this article, we will provide a detailed guide to the process of homeschooling in NSW, as well as address common questions and concerns related to this educational approach.
Applying for Homeschooling in NSW
Applications for homeschooling in NSW are submitted to the NESA Home Schooling Unit, which can be done through their online NSW homeschool portal or by filling in a form and mailing it in. After submitting your application, you will receive an email notification confirming receipt. You will then need to wait for an AP to contact you to arrange a home visit.
While waiting for the home visit, you must create an education plan for your child that is based on the NSW Curriculum. The approval process can take up to 90 days, with registrations submitted at the beginning of the school year generally taking longer due to the high volume of NSW homeschooling applicants.
Home Visit and Approval Process
About a week before your home visit, the AP will contact you to schedule an appointment. During the home visit, the AP will ask you a few questions about homeschooling and the plan you submitted. The home visit appointment usually lasts less than an hour, and the AP will indicate whether your application has been approved or not. Most applications are successful.
Curriculum and Resources
When homeschooling in NSW, you are NOT required to follow a specific curriculum, but your education plan must be based on the NSW Curriculum. You can choose to create your own curriculum or purchase a pre-made one. Additionally, you must have sufficient resources for learning, which can include books, educational websites, events and other materials.
*Learn While Living offers a wide range of resources that would be optimal for a Child-led, Unschool, Traditional Homeschool, Eclectic, Strewing, Experiential, Roadschool, Gameschool, Project-Based, Concept Driven, Radical, Wildschool and Worldschool approaches that are more learner focused and relaxed, yet interest based and aligned.
Renewing Registration and Re-registration
Home visits are required as part of the registration and NSW homeschooling renewal process for renewals of registration, Certificate of Completion of Year 10 applications, and site visits where there has been a change of address for a currently registered homeschooling family.
You can apply for registration renewal using the Online Homeschool Portal or by filling in a registration form and emailing or mailing it to the home schooling unit.
Common Questions and Concerns
According to the NSW Department of Education, there were approximately 9,000 registered homeschooled students in NSW as of 2022.
Homeschooling is typically a full-time commitment, as the NSW Education Act 1990 does not allow for part-time homeschooling.
You can remove your children from school to begin homeschooling at any time during the year. However, it is recommended to wait until the end of the current school term to minimize disruption to your child's education.
The cost of homeschooling in NSW varies depending on your chosen curriculum and resources. Some families spend very little, while others invest in more comprehensive resources and programs. Learn While Living library offers affordable materials and activites that can help keep costs WAY DOWN.
While your education plan must be based on the NSW Curriculum, you are not required to follow a specific curriculum. You can choose to create your own or purchase a pre-made one that aligns with the NSW Curriculum.
No, you do not need to purchase a curriculum. You can create your own or use free resources available online. Learn While Living offers an extensive library, making the planning process easier for homeschooling families.
Yes, you can create your own curriculum or use a combination of resources to design a personalised learning plan for your child. Learn While Living offers mentorship and resources to help you create a DIY plan.
Homeschooling can be an excellent option for children with special needs, as it allows for a more personalised and flexible approach to education. Learn While Living offers resources and guidance for families with children who have special needs. As another family with this focus, we saw the brilliance that homeschool and worldschool offered.
Homeschooled students are eligible for university admission in NSW, provided they meet the entry requirements for their chosen institution. Many universities have specific pathways and support programs for homeschooled students.
Yes, homeschooled students in NSW can obtain a Record of School Achievement (ROSA) or the Higher School Certificate (HSC) through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). To be eligible, students must meet specific requirements and provide evidence of their learning.
While most applications for homeschooling in NSW are successful, some applications may be refused if the education plan does not meet the requirements of the NSW Curriculum or if there are concerns about the child's welfare or the suitability of the home environment for homeschooling.
Yes, a home visit is required as part of the registration and NSW homeschooling renewal process. The visit is conducted by an AP from the NESA Home Schooling Unit.
Yes, you can register for homeschooling in NSW while traveling, provided you meet the registration requirements, have a permanent address and maintain regular contact with the NESA Home Schooling Unit.
Failing to register for homeschooling in NSW can result in legal consequences, including fines and potential prosecution. Ensure you know the legislation and laws to abide by.
Yes. There are planty of support groups in NSW.
Look for local groups with like minded families who share your approach or lifestyle. This helps to with leaning, and going on experiences moving forward in your journey.
Conclusion
Homeschooling in NSW offers families a flexible and personalized approach to education. By following the steps outlined in this guide and addressing common questions and concerns, you can successfully navigate the homeschooling registration process and provide your child with a high-quality education tailored to their individual needs. Learn While Living offers resources to support for families throughout their homeschooling, worldschooling and learn while living journey.
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Let's talk, the pro's and cons for "what", "why" and "how"
for "Experiential Learning."
First, "what" is Experiential Learning?
Simply put, learn by doing!
It is in the art of utilising each experience so to learn,
and here at Learn While Living, we take it to the next level to Learn While Living.
This post aims to explore the concept of experiential learning in detail, examine its theoretical foundations, discuss its applications in various learning settings,
and provide practical benefits for mentoring learners effectively.
Using this active learning application, and entwining such with our
Philosophy In Action- and library of resources, we aim to provoke a grass roots initiative for inspired life learning that holds no bounds.
NO SCREENSHOTS, 4min read: Ready to Dive Deeper?
Experiential learning is a dynamic and engaging approach for building know-how and knowledge that emphasises on the importance of direct experiences in the learning process. Unlike traditional instructional methods that prioritise rote memorisation and passive learning, experiential learning focuses on "active involvement of learners in hands-on, real-world activities."
Using picture 2 as an example: On face value, the activity is of two people sitting in a cave. Amongst a mighty scenery, the two travellers are bathed in the warm embrace of the sun as they look out to the towering peaks, their jagged silhouettes stand tall into the sky sprinkled by snow. This vivid tableau could easily be reminiscent of locations in either the southern or northern hemisphere, where breathtaking vistas converge to create awe inspiring landscapes.
"How" does that make sense for academia though?
Experiential learning can be defined as the process of learning through experience. It combines itself from, in the moment activities that are coupled with theory and practice, inviting learners to gain knowledge, skills, and willingful attitudes by actively engaging in meaningful experiences.
Experiential learning has wide-ranging applications across various learning settings, be-it home learning in any style, Roadschoool, Worldschooling to mainstream classrooms. Then later in life for community programs, corporate training and beyond.
Here are some key areas where experiential learning is utilised:
1. Education and Academia
In educational settings, experiential learning can take the form of hands-on projects, internships, simulations, service learning, and field trips.
For example:
Project-Based Learning (PBL): Individuals build on real-world projects that integrate multiple disciplines, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge into practical contexts.
Internships and Co-op Programs: These opportunities provide learners with direct exposure to professional environments, enhancing their skills and employability.
2. Roadschool, Worldschooling
Roadschool and Worldschooling: Families, couples and individuals use the world as either their classroom to learn, connect and grow, going on adventures full time, part-time and a casual basis.
3. Sabbatical
Travel Sabbatical: To take a rest from work for an extended period of time, and intentionally spend that time on something that's not your routine line of work to explore the world and grow.
4. Corporate Training and Development
Many organisations adopt experiential learning techniques to enhance employee training and development, and have done so for decades.
This could include:
Role-Playing and Simulations: Employees engage in simulated scenarios that mirror real workplace challenges, enabling individuals to practice problem-solving, decision-making skills and potential workplace skillsets.
Team-Building Activities: Experiential learning fosters teamwork, communication, and collaboration among groups and employees through engaging activities.
5. Community and Service Learning
Experiential learning can be integrated into programs to service the community, empowering learners to connect with their communities and apply their skills to address, community topics and social issues.
Service Learning: Individuals engage in meaningful community projects, reflecting on their experiences while contributing to their community and societal well-being.
6. Outdoor and Adventure Learning
Outdoor education programs provide opportunities for experiential learning through adventure activities, where participants develop teamwork, leadership and resilience from the adventure taken.
Adventure Based Learning: Programs that emphasise adventure challenges, may foster personal growth, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills.
This "type" of learning is not new, has a cyclical approach and can begin from childhood, evolves through youth to adulthood and beyond. It can be easily incoporated into a life learning approach or mainstream learning applications. Additionally, corporate and small business training and frameworks can enhance it to maximise potential and know-how, which ultimately develops more well-rounded individuals equipped for success.
The Benefits of Experiential Learning is our "why" ... will it be yours too?!
Experiential learning offers numerous benefits, making it a valuable approach to life learning, and training for development in all cycles of life:
Enhanced Retention: Engaging in active learning experiences increases the likelihood of understanding, reflecting and retaining information.
Practical Skill Development: Learners acquire hands-on skills that are directly applicable to real-world and real-life applications and situations, for life skills.
Increased Motivation: Active involvement in learning fosters intrinsic motivation, encouraging learners to be more engaged and invested in their learning and abilities.
Development of Critical Thinking: Reflection and analysis of experiences provide opportunities for clarity, critical thinking and problem-solving in real-life. Not simulation!
Preparation for their Working Life: Experiential learning equips individuals with skills and knowledge, for seeking a career with more thought for what they may aspire to do.
Improved Collaboration and Communication: Group activities and teamwork foster collaboration and enhance interpersonal skills, like communication, teamwork, critical thinking and forecasting.
Holistic Development: Experiential learning addresses multiple dimensions of learning, including cognitive, emotional, and social for overall learning development.
Learning is for LIFE: From the day we enter to the day we exit, a life long learning journey may only ever, be enrinched.
The cons...Challenges of Experiential Learning
While experiential learning offers substantial benefits, it also presents some challenges:
Assessment Difficulties: Measuring learning outcomes from experiential activities can be subjective and challenging to give a score to.
Resource Intensive: Implementing experiential learning initiatives may require significant time, effort, and resources.
Variability of Experiences: Different learners may derive different lessons from the same experience, making it challenging to standardise learning outcomes.
However, incorporating it can be inspirational..."How" it can be done, with joy !
Experiential Learning works best within a bespoke setting, designed from a curious, or "think outside of the box" mindset to succeed and mentor others. A go-getter attitude will create the will, and by bringing in a mix of spontaneity and organisation - with lots of activities and resources to accompany your journey, this is a way to truly align Experiential Learn so to Learning While Living.
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Tip: Words evolve, the meaning behind them change to suit a narrative as time moves on. Today the modern term is, Worldschool and Roadschool. However, whatever "it" is called now or in the future, the importances are that experiences shape us. Reflection from those experiences carry weight in our "why", "how" and "what" for. Today we get to make the choice how today unfolds.
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If you read all this post, and saw past the screen to “what may” you have a curious mindset.
Personally, Experiential Learning going Global - is impactful, inspiring, holistic and life long.
Leading with love, Addy Marie McVay
Visionary, Writer, Creator, Founder & Owner of Worldschool Tribe,
"Learn While Living, Loving the journey..." Is our -Philosophy In Action-
{Credit: "Worldschool Tribe" Published: 31.07.2024 }
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