Home Schooling Consultative Group meeting – 7 December 2022

Members were welcomed to the meeting and introduced to Gayatri Mahesh (Director, Regulation of Schooling). Members also acknowledged Stan Browne for his time as Acting Director.

Action arising: Nil

Matters arising from the minutes of the HSCG meeting on 24 August 2022

2a. NSW Curriculum Reform and home schooling

Members were advised that information regarding Curriculum Reform changes for home schooling families, including an updated programming tool, Frequently Asked Questions and the timeline have been published on the NESA website. This information was also emailed to home schooling families and key home schooling support groups.

Action arising: Nil

2b. Recommencement of home visits by Authorised Persons

Members were advised that an email inviting feedback on the proposed plan for the recommencement of home visits and the communication strategy was sent to key home schooling support groups. Feedback received has been considered as part of the final plan for the recommencement of home visits in 2023.

Action arising: Nil

2c. Operational report

Members were advised that data for the first six months of 2022 indicates that there has been no significant change in the reasons for applications being refused.

Action arising: Nil

2d. General business

A member had queried which sections of the Education Act 1990 precluded a child from being registered for home schooling and enrolled at a school.

Members were referred to the following sections of the Act:

• Section 3(1)
• Section 22(1).

Action arising: Nil

Nil

Action arising: Nil

a. NSW Curriculum Reform and home schooling

Members were advised that home schooling families, key support groups, Authorised Persons and the HSCG were emailed information regarding the transition timeline of the new K-2 English and Mathematics syllabuses. This was also supported by further information and support material published on the NESA website.

Members were advised that further support material and communications will be made available throughout 2023 and as new syllabuses are released. This will assist home schooling families in understanding the changes in new syllabuses and how they can use the new syllabuses when designing their educational program.

Members advised that the feedback that they have received regarding the Curriculum Reform changes has been positive overall.

Action arising: NESA to continue to develop support materials to assist home schooling families with the transition to the new NESA syllabuses.

b. Recommencement of home visits by Authorised Persons

Members were advised that home visits by Authorised Persons will recommence on 8 April 2023 for applications for renewal of registration, Certificate of Completion of Year 10 and site visits. Assessment by documentation review and video call will remain for applications for initial registration. NESA will monitor the model after it has commenced.

Members were given an opportunity to provide feedback on the planned communication relating to the recommencement of home visits. Feedback was provided and will be considered as part of the information to be published on the NESA website.

Action arising: NESA to publish information regarding the recommencement of home visits by Authorised Persons and email home schooling parents.

c. Home Schooling Online

Members were advised that Stage 2 of Home Schooling Online (HSO) was successfully launched in September 2022. Stage 2 allows new applicants as well as current and previous applicants to submit online, applications for initial registration, renewal of registration and a Certificate of Completion of Year 10. PDF versions of application forms will remain on the website, should applicants still wish to submit applications in this way.

NESA advised members that the feedback regarding HSO has been positive. Data shared with members indicates that the number of applicants using HSO is increasing. Applicants are also using other functions within HSO, such as updating personal details and withdrawing applications.

Action arising: Nil

Members were provided with an overview of the Authorised Persons (APs) Briefings that are conducted 3-4 times a year. Members were also provided with a summary of the professional learning opportunities that were undertaken in these Briefings during 2022.

HSCG members were given an opportunity to provide their feedback and ideas for future professional learning opportunities for APs. This feedback will be considered in the development of the AP Briefing agendas for 2023.

Action arising: Nil.

Members were provided home schooling data for January to September 2022.

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

Members were advised that there has been an increase in the percentage of applications refused.

Members were also advised that additional resources have been approved to assist with the development of resource material and the increased number of home schooling applications being received. NESA will also recruit additional Authorised Persons to support the recommencement of home visits next year.

Action arising: Nil.

Members were advised that every year, NESA requests HSCG members to complete a self-assessment questionnaire. The questionnaire is designed as a performance self-assessment for the HSCG and is based on the requirements of the Terms of Reference and best practice guidance.

Action arising: NESA to email HSCG members self-assessment questionnaire prior to the end of the year.

Members were provided with an overview of the Authorised Persons (APs) Briefings that are conducted 3-4 times a year. Members were also provided with a summary of the professional learning opportunities that were undertaken in these Briefings during 2022.

HSCG members were given an opportunity to provide their feedback and ideas for future professional learning opportunities for APs. This feedback will be considered in the development of the AP Briefing agendas for 2023.

Action arising: Nil.

Members were advised that the HSCG meeting dates for 2023 are:

• 22 March
• 14 June
• 13 September
• 6 December.

Members were also invited to provide their feedback to change the meeting mode in 2023, to alternate between in-person and online meetings. Members welcomed the proposal and it was agreed that the meetings in March and September would be in-person, while the meetings in June and December would be held online. In-person meetings will run from 12:30pm – 3:00pm at 117 Clarence Street, Sydney.

Action arising: Nil.

A member raised a procedural matter concerning another home schooling family. NESA advised that the concern related to a matter that was handled by the NSW Department of Education. Although the matter raised is a rare occurrence, NESA has since provided further information to the NSW Department of Education should a similar matter arise in the future.

Action arising: Nil