Home Schooling Consultative Group meeting – 1 July 2016

Minutes of the 8 April Meeting were confirmed out of session and have been published on the HSCG webpage.

Quantitative feedback from the consultation process was considered. A Consultation Report will be written based on the survey and consultation meeting responses.
A Writing Brief will be developed based on the feedback from the consultation process. The Writing Brief will guide the development of a revised draft Information Package. The HSCG will consider the draft Writing Brief prior to it being finalised by scheduling an additional meeting. The HSCG acknowledged that this additional meeting is likely to push out project plan timelines.

Discussion considered the next round of state wide consultation meetings which will focus on a draft revised Information Package.

Action arising

The BOSTES to develop a Consultation Report and draft Writing Brief.

The BOSTES to schedule another HSCG Meeting to consider the draft Writing Brief.

The progress in implementing the NSW Government’s response to recommendations from the Home Schooling Inquiry was discussed.

A recent decision of the NSW Civil and Administrative Decisions Tribunal (‘NCAT’) recommended home schooling registration for a child up to the age of 18 years. As a result of this decision, registration or exemption from registration from home schooling may remain valid until a child turns 18 years of age

Action arising

A link to the NCAT decision to be provided to HSCG members.

The Information Package to be amended to reflect the change as part of the current revision process.

Data relating to applications that are withdrawn was considered.

Action arising

Data reports to be published from 2016 to distinguish withdrawn applications according to if they relate to initial or renewed registration and if the applications were withdrawn before or after the Authorised Person’s visit.

The BOSTES to publish data identifying the varying periods of registration granted.

The issuing of identity cards for children registered for home schooling, on a voluntary basis, was considered.

1. BOSTES Review:

BOSTES officers advised that they were not aware of any implications for home schooling arising from the BOSTES Review.

2.  Access to e-syllabuses:

In developing e-syllabuses, consideration be given to the capacity for home schooling parents to cut and paste extracts from on line syllabus documents.