November 2020 Newsletter
Registrar's Welcome
For those of you who don't know me, I am Katharine O'Donnell, the Education Registrar.
The purpose of this newsletter is to share contemporary and accurate information with the home education community about home education in Tasmania. It is also our aim to communicate events and initiatives that may be helpful to home educators. Going forward we hope to distribute a newsletter on a monthly basis, to be emailed at the beginning of each month.
In conjunction with the Chair of THEAC, Leanne Groves, I would like to introduce you to our Council members, Anne French, Bill Linton, Eileen Height, Denise Cox, Fiona Lohrbaecher and Caroline Norman. If you wish to make contact with Council members please do so by emailing chair@theac.tas.gov.au.
I am very excited to announce that the OER now has a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Office-of-the-Education-Registrar-591602928199396 and also a Home Education Tasmania Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeEducationTas/ The establishment of a social media presence is for the OER to provide greater accessibility to accurate information in relation to home education in Tasmania, while also building a space for interaction. We are currently in the process of developing some explainer videos which will draw on frequently asked questions received from the home education community.
We also hope the Facebook page will help us to obtain your feedback on important issues more regularly. One of the main pillars of the OER Strategic Plan OER Strategic Plan 2020-2025 is building stronger methods of communication with the home education sector and exploring ways to better obtain and understand your feedback. This is really important to us.
Warm regards
Katharine
Home Education Gatherings
The coronavirus pandemic has forced upon us a time of challenge, change and frustration. We recognise that for many home educators social gatherings and group learning activities form an important part of their child's educational program while contributing to the well-being of the parent and child.
We understand that many home educators wish to resume group learning activities, these activities can occur, however, they must adhere to the advice and density requirements from Public Health Tasmania.
The OER may be able to assist in sourcing venues where these gatherings can occur, you can make contact by email at registrar@oer.tas.gov.au
According to Public Health Tasmania the current advice is as at 26 October 2020:
- Gathering limits are now determined by the density area, up to a maximum of:
- 250 people for an undivided space in an indoor premises; and
- 1000 people in the outdoor space of a premises.
- Such sites must strictly maintain the increased levels of cleaning.
- Physical distancing is expected to be maintained.
If you have any upcoming events that you would like to share with the home education community, we would be happy to include this in the December edition. Please email the details of your event to registrar@oer.tas.gov.au
Will your child be 5 years of age on 1 January 2021?
If you have a younger child who will be 5 years of age on January 1 of 2021 (born in 2015 and turning 6 during 2021) you will need to register them for home education or enrol at school.
There has been some confusion in the past as to the age which you need to register your children for home education. Because kindergarten in Tasmania is not compulsory, you don’t need to register your child to home educate for kinder. We cannot register a child for home education unless they are 5 years old at 1 January in the year that they turn 6 years old.
If you have any queries or concerns in relation to the home education registration process and what is required, please contact our Office on 6165 6135, one of our friendly staff members will be happy to assist you.
Christmas Card Competition!
The Education Registrar invites all home educated students to design a Christmas Card for use by the Office of the Education Registrar during the 2020 Christmas season. The theme being Christmas!
Katharine O'Donnell will select two designs to be used, one from entries received by 5-10 year olds and the other from 10 years and over.
In a year where we may be looking forward to Christmas more than ever, we ask that you create your design with this question in mind, "What are your hopes for Christmas in 2020?"
We welcome all forms of creativity to this competition.
Please send a photograph (preferably JPEG) of your child's entry including name and age to registrar@oer.tas.gov.au by no later than Monday, 30th November.
Good luck!
2021 Fire Safety Sessions - Tasmania Fire Service
The Tasmania Fire Service delivers a home fire safety program in Tasmania for primary school aged children.
The Office of the Education Registrar has partnered with the Tasmania Fire Service to assist in the delivery of this program to home educating families.
We are currently in the process of planning for the 2021 Fire Safety Sessions and are working with the Tasmania Fire Service to determine these dates. Please understand that there are certain periods of the year where the critical services of the Tasmania Fire Service are required and this may mean that the sessions are planned for after the summer months.
We are seeking an expression of interest from the home education community, the aim of this process is to gage the level of interest to assist with future planning between the Tasmania Fire Service and the Office of the Education Registrar. Once the registration period has closed and numbers are confirmed, venues will then be determined, based on suitablility and locality.
The program has been designed to teach children from ages 6 to 12 years about basic home fire safety. Lessons and resources are delivered by specially trained firefighters of the Tasmania Fire Service.
The age appropriate program is designed to raise fire awareness in children and includes fun group activities, videos, activity books, giveaways and website information www.tfseducation.com.au
Key Fire Safety Messages include:
- Wake up - install a smoke alarm in every bedroom
- Plan and practice a home fire escape plan with the whole family
- In the event of a fire, crawl low and go, go, go to the nearest exit
- In an emergency call triple zero
- Keep flammable material at least two metres away from the heater
- If your clothes catch fire - stop, drop, rock and roll!
- Keep matches and lighters away from children
- When cooking, turn it off before you turn away
- Cool a burn under cold water for at least 20 minutes
- Most house fires can be avoided. Make your home fire safe!
Expressions of Interest - If you and your family would like to participate in this initiative please register your interest by completing the following information.
Expressions of Interest - 2021 Fire Safety Sessions
If you have any queries or concerns please contact our Office on 6165 6450.
For further information you can also go to www.tfskids.com.au where you can enjoy interactive games, short movies and resources that are specifically designed for educating children.
