THEAC Communication December 2021

Ahhhhhhhh….. Summer!  The warmest season of the year but known not to really peak until the end of the season in Tasmania!  If you’re like me, you’re waiting for those hot days filled with blue skies where you can sink your toes into the sand and feel the warmth of the sea breeze across your body and hear the joyful chatter of the kids as they splash about in the water.  Summer brings longer days, warmer nights and many different types of learning and social opportunities for our children.  It is a time to relax, unwind, rejuvenate, and reflect on the year that has been.  Cherish those magical learning moments you have experienced together and be happy with the progress you have made. 

THEAC have once again been kept busy over the changing seasons.  We are still in discussions with Allied Health Professionals regarding holding some webinars on engaging children with Diverse Learning Needs early in 2022.  This is an exciting opportunity for the Home Education community, and we look forward to sharing more information on this early next year.

There has been much discussion on HESP writing over the past few months.  THEAC are working closely with the OER to develop a HESP writing program to help ease the stress that can be associated with writing a HESP.  The aim of this is to help make the HESP writing process clearer.  Your HESP is an important document as it forms an outline of your home education program.  There are many different types of programs and ways of engaging in learning, we recognise that one program will not meet everyone’s needs.  We hope to alleviate the stress and confusion over HESP writing by introducing some induction sessions combined with access to videos by Registration Officers.  As soon as this is available, we will let the home education community know.

Home Education seems to continue to be on the rise in Tasmania.  As of December 2021, there are 1237 children represented from 715 families registered for Home Education in Tasmania.  This is in comparison to 1158 children represented from 664 families on the 1^st of June this year.  Interestingly, the number of 16-year-olds continuing with Home Education for the later years of school (college) is almost the same as those leaving for mainstream college. We are once again expecting an influx of 5‑year-olds entering their first year of schooling through Home Education at the beginning of the year.  It is shaping up to be another big year for Home Education in Tasmania.

As always, THEAC are continuing to work in consultation with the Office of Education Registrar in many different areas and appreciate the support we receive from the OER.

On another matter that has a major impact on the home educating community, THEAC is aware that Libraries Tasmania now require that all visitors over the age of 18 to be vaccinated to enter Libraries Tasmania sites.

We are extremely concerned how this will impact home educators and children in being able to access resources and services provided by Libraries Tasmania.

As such, THEAC is in the process of writing to a number of persons, including the Premier and the Minister for Education.

It is possible that this requirement may be more broadly implemented in other organisations, and you can be assured that THEAC will continue to strongly advocate for the home educating community in accessing resources and services for the benefit of a child’s education.

As Christmas draws nearer, we would like to take this opportunity to wish the entire Home Education Community a safe and Merry Christmas filled with joy and happiness.  May your break be full of many new and wonderful opportunities with family and friends, and may you have the chance to reflect on what a wonderful year of learning you have created for your children.  Have a safe break and we look forward to seeing you all in 2022!

Denise Cox
THEAC Chair
On behalf of all Council members