Home Schooling Consultative Group meeting – 24 August 2022

Members were welcomed to the meeting. Members that were not in attendance at the previous meeting introduced themselves, sharing their professional and home schooling experience.

Action arising: Nil

2a. Overview of HSCG Membership

Members were advised that the Provisions Relating to Members and Procedures of the Home Schooling Consultative Group (‘the Provisions’) do not allow an HSCG member to nominate someone else to attend a meeting on their behalf. Section 5.1.5 of the Provisions allows NESA to appoint an alternative member in the event of illness or absence of that member. Members were advised that if they are not able to attend for two or more consecutive meetings, then NESA should be notified.

Action arising: Nil

2b. NSW Curriculum Reform and home schooling

Members were advised that a proposed plan for home schooling parents to transition to the new K-2 English and Mathematics syllabuses has been developed. Feedback provided at the last HSCG meeting, and from Authorised Persons, was considered during its development. The proposed plan was outlined and discussed with members during the meeting under agenda item 4.

Action arising: Nil

2c. Recommencement of home visits by Authorised Persons

Members provided feedback out-of-session on NESA’s proposed plan to recommence home visits by Authorised Persons. The feedback and refinements to the proposed plan were outlined and discussed with members during the meeting under agenda item 6.

Action arising: Nil

2d. Home Schooling Online

Suggestions provided by members during the HSCG meeting on 4 May 2022 (and during the testing phase of Home Schooling Online) were reviewed and have either been implemented or are being considered for future website development. HSCG members were provided with an update on the implementation of Home Schooling Online during the meeting under agenda item 5.

Action arising: Nil

Nil

Action arising: Nil

Members were presented with the proposed implementation timeframe of the new K-2 English and Mathematics syllabuses for home schooling parents. NESA’s plan is to communicate with home schooling families in October 2022 about the timeframes, and to develop materials to help support home schooling parents use the new syllabuses.

During the discussion, members supported the proposed implementation timeframe, communication plan and development of support materials.

Members provided suggestions regarding the type of support and resources that could be provided to home schooling families to assist them with the implementation of the new syllabuses.

The Chair clarified that although the changes pertain only to K-2 English and Mathematics for 2023, NESA will continue to consult and update the HSCG as new syllabuses continue to be introduced in response to the NSW Curriculum Reform.

Action arising: NESA to communicate the proposed timeline for transition to new K-2 English and Mathematics syllabuses to home schooling families in October 2022.

Members were advised that the testing phase of Home Schooling Online (HSO) has been completed and the online platform was launched on 1 July 2022. This first stage of the roll out allows current and previous applicants to submit applications online for initial registration, renewal of registration, a Certificate of Completion of Year 10.

There has been an overwhelmingly positive response to HSO, with the feedback received noting that it has made the process of submitting an application easier.

Applicants who require assistance using HSO can telephone the Home Schooling Unit, where a member of the team can provide them with support.

From 1 September 2022, new applicants as well as current and previous applicants will be able to submit online, applications for initial registration, renewal of registration and a Certificate of Completion of Year 10. A link to HSO will be published on the NESA website.

PDF versions of application forms will remain on the website, should applicants still wish to submit applications in this way.

Action arising: Nil.

Members were advised that the feedback provided overwhelming support for NESA’s proposed hybrid-model to recommence home visits by Authorised Persons.

Members were presented with suggested refinements to the proposed model in response to the feedback. During the discussion, members supported the further refinements and communication strategy.

It was clarified that NESA will communicate with home schooling families three months prior to the implementation of the model and the recommencement of home visits. The communication strategy will include general information regarding home visits, to support families.

Once the proposed model has been finalised, it will be provided to key stakeholder groups who will also be invited to provide feedback.

Action arising: NESA to invite key stakeholder groups to provide feedback on the proposed model.

Members were provided home schooling data for January and June 2022.

It was noted that the most recent data again reflects an increase in the number of children registered for home schooling.

A member queried whether there has been a change in the proportion of reasons for applications that have been refused.

Action arising: NESA to provide data at the next HSCG meeting regarding the reasons for applications that have been refused.

Part-time school enrolment

A member queried where the NSW Education Act 1990 states that children cannot be registered for home schooling and enrolled in a school.

Action arising: NESA to provide HSCG members with the relevant section/s of the Education Act 1990 that clarifies that a child cannot be registered for home schooling and enrolled in a school.