MARCH NEWSLETTER

With the cold and flu season upon us, we have been experiencing a significant number of registration visit cancellations.

We certainly understand the need to cancel if you and your family are unwell. However, we cannot guarantee that your next visit will be rescheduled with that same Registration Officer. We can also not guarantee that we will have a Registration Officer available to conduct a rescheduled visit before the expiry of your registration.

Here are some things that you can do to help us and  yourself in the event of a cancellation:

• Please let our Office know as soon as possible. By giving us as much notice as possible this not only allows us more time to reschedule your visit, but also allows the Registration Officer the opportunity to schedule in another family. 
• Needing to reschedule, quite often highlights the importance of receiving your HESP(s) within the require time frame. If we do not receive your HESP before the due date, and you need to cancel, it makes it very difficult to reschedule your visit before expiry.
• If we receive early notice of cancellation due to illness and you still wish to proceed with your visit, upon approval, it may be that a Teams visit/meeting can be co-ordinated. Bearing in mind that a Registration Officer will be required to do a follow-up visit at you home in a few month's time after the Teams visit/meeting.

Thank you in advance for working with us on this matter, your ongoing support is appreciated.

An Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) or Traineeship is an employment-based training arrangement. If your child is in or is the equivalent age of a Year 10, 11 or 12 student, they have the opportunity to combine all three aspects of education, employment and training as an apprentice or trainee.

The difference between a traineeship and an apprenticeship is usually based on the duration of the training arrangement. An apprenticeship will usually conclude after 3 or 4 years, whereas a traineeship is likely to be in place for 12 months and can be undertaken on either a part-time or full-time basis.

The ASbA allows you to continue with your home education program while undertaking a nationally recognised qualification. The qualification is usually at Certificate II or III level. 

Many registered home educating students are currently undertaking a traineeship or apprenticeship and find it to be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. 

If this is an opportunity that your child/youth is interested in exploring you can find more information about an ASbA here - Apprenticeships and Traineeships for school-aged learners - Years 11 & 12 (education.tas.gov.au) Additionally you are invited to contact asba.admin@education.tas.gov.au for further information and guidance.

There have been some questions raised about part-time school enrolment for home educated students.

In order to enrol part time in school, the school must be either a State school or a registered school in Tasmania.

Children cannot part time enrol in a family day care program or a bush kinder for example as they are not schools.  In those situations the parent needs to demonstrate that they are delivering a full program against the standards on top of the time spent in that service.

Children also cannot enrol in an interstate distance education school  where the parent is paying tuition as part of a home education program.

Curriculum services such as Complete Education Australia are not schools so using those services as part of your curriculum is fine as long as you address all of the Standards.

Basically if you are paying a fee for your child to attend, if you are not staying with your child during the time and if the provider is assessing, grading or reporting on your child’s attendance then you need to ascertain whether they are a registered school and apply to enrol part time. 

If they are not a school then you can discuss with our Office how you can establish your program around the time spent there.

We have been receiving a significant number of enquiries lately as to whether the OER are able to provide home educating students with identification cards. Unfortunately we are not in a position to provide these - as we are unable to carry out a 100 point identification check.

If you would like your child/youth to possess an identification card you can apply for a Tasmanian Government Personal Information Card - the card is valid for five years.

To apply for a Personal Information Card please follow these steps:

• Complete the applicaiton form - https://www.service.tas.gov.au/Documents/PIC%20Personal%20Information%20Card.pdf
• Present your application form together with the original evidence of identity documents in person at a Service Tasmania Shop.
• Complete and sign the declaration on page 2 of the application form, in the presence of a Service Tasmania Customer Service Officer (parent/guardian is to sign if the applicant is under 18 years of age).
• Have your photo take and pay the application fee of $29.

For any further queries please contact your local Service Tasmania shop or call 1300 13 5513.

If you are based in or travelling to the North West Coast of the State over the Easter break, the Bass Maritime Centre in Devonport is now open to the public.

"Our mission is to be a source of knowledge, ideas, stories and memories. The Bass Strait Maritime Centre's collection is a repository developed as a resource to inspire and educate the community and visitors. A key focus of the collection is to contribute to the interpretation and preservation of the history and maritime heritage of the Devonport region and its connection with the Bass Strait."

The Centre will be running children's workshops throughout the school holidays and are also available for group bookings at any time throughout the year.

If you would like more information in relation to group bookings you are invited to make contact with the centre at bookings@bassstraitmc.com.au 

*Discounted rates are available for 10 people or more at $5.00 entry per person.