THEAC Chair Quarterly Newsletter - Spring 2024

 ^{Spring brings such a burst of energy and enthusiasm to our step!  It represents new life, new beginnings and focus.  I think it can be easy to lose focus on things during the cooler months.  It is almost like the part of our brain responsible for being organised hibernates during Winter.  I wonder if this is where the term ‘spring cleaning’ comes from?  That sense of having to get all those unfinished projects completed and the cupboards and drawers tidy and organised, the garden mowed and trimmed, the boxes of ‘stuff’ sorted.  The donations from clean outs delivered and the tip run done!  Spring delivers renewed focus and energy to get things done.  The bright blue sky, the blossom appearing like puffs of fairy floss dotting the trees, the bulbs standing shiny and tall and the glint of fresh green leaves snaking around twigs and bushes all bring a sense of excitement, energy and focus.}

^{Spring is a good time to not only stop and look back over the accomplishments from the year but also on the things we set out to achieve but haven’t.  It is not a problem to have not achieved what we set out to.  In fact, things rarely go exactly to plan.  Learning can be so very distracting, you set off in one direction and before you know it, you have entered a rabbit warren of learning pathways often met with barriers and unexpected twists and turns.  Flexibility to adjust with your child’s learning needs is an important part of the home education process.  It also forms an important part of the evaluation process.} 

^{It is easy to get to this time of the year and think about all the things we set out to achieve by now and be disappointed that we haven’t.  Instead of focussing on what you have not achieved, focus on what you have.  Learning happens around all of us every day.  Even for those reluctant learners, learning is happening.  Sometimes we just need to become a little more flexible in how the learning is taking place and let go of ‘the norm’.  We need to tune into what is going on in the learning world of ‘our children’ and focus on the here and now.}

^{For those who have reluctant learners who do not engage easily, it can be easy to panic and feel as though you do not have enough worksheets completed.  Be kind to yourself.  Allow yourself to let go from what we have all socially been conditioned to accepting as ‘the norm’.  Let go from carrying the burden of traditional learning methods on your shoulders.  If your program needs a good clean out because it is not working, try taking a few weeks to step out of what you are doing and try something different.  When you really let go, you allow a reluctant learner to open the door to learning.  Let go of your expectations.  Let go of what people are telling you that you should be doing.  Instead, spring clean your program, tune into your child’s interests, and allow them to take you on a magical learning journey.  Start documenting the process.  Very soon you will be painting a picture of learning moments that may not have been visible to you previously.  Even a simple cooking session in the kitchen can cover every standard.}

^{THEAC and the OER have once again been kept busy over the Winter months.  Currently we have 1499 students from 910 families registered for home education.  This period of the year continues to be a busy one with renewal registrations, so please be patient with the OER.  The Registration Officers really do a remarkable job in completing so many visits during this time of the year!}

^{THEAC, in conjunction with the OER, will have two more online Diverse Learning Needs Seminars to present in term 4 of this year.  These will be presented by Catherine Silcock.  We will also soon make available a series of online seminars by Justine Demaine.  Justine is new to working with the OER and THEAC but has worked with home educating families for some time in her capacity as a behavioural therapist.  We look forward to presenting these opportunities to the home education community.}

^{THEAC, along with the OER, are excited to be working with Tas Gifted to facilitate the opportunity for gifted learners to access a program run through Catholic schools Tasmania aiming to commence in 2025.  Stay tuned for more news on this exciting development.}

^{William Linton (Bill) has been a valued member on THEAC for 7 years now and is the DOE representative.  Bill will be leaving THEAC towards the end of August and, on behalf of all THEAC members, I would like to extend my gratitude to Bill for his valuable insight during his time on council.  Bill, we wish to thank you for sharing your perspective and for your input over the years.  We value the perspective you have given us and always enjoy sharing our views from the home ed perspective with you.  We wish you well on your next adventure.}

^{So as the days slowly warm up and get lighter, as the blossom puffs out onto the branches along the trees and the bulbs bob about in the wind, take the time to stop and think about your program.  If you feel stuck, like you are just going about the motions but you and/or your child are not enjoying the ride, take the time to have a spring clean out and change focus.  Just as strategies don’t last forever, neither does one way of doing things in a home education program.  Take some time out to really tune into your child and what makes them engage.  Allow them to take you on a learning journey.  Delve into their world, delight in what fascinates them, learn from them, and then re-focus your program with fresh eyes.} 

^{Enjoy the warmer months and the slightly longer days.  Embrace news beginnings and new ways of learning.  Try different strategies and try different ones again.  Create special memories that will last with your children forever.}

Denise Cox

Chair, THEAC.