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Info needed on home schooling in NZ

Info needed on home schooling in NZ

Old Sep 11th 2003, 12:21 pm
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Default Info needed on home schooling in NZ

Hi

I need some advice on home schooling in NZ please.
My son is 14yrs and is home tutored. Can anybody give me some advice into the resources available in NZ. I have contacted the Correspondence school in NZ and find them very expensive. I am at a cross roads at the moment. My son is now due to start his GCSE's but if I enrole him in the programme it means he will have to sit his exams in UK next year. Its possible we will be in New Zealand so it wont be possible for him to sit them. I would rather enter him into the NZ system but I'm unsure on how homeschooling works there. I know he has to have an exemption certificate which will not be a problem. What are the NZ equlivent to GCSE's.
Will be greatful for any advice.

Thanks
Dee
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Old Sep 11th 2003, 4:34 pm
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Default Home ed`

Hi Dee,

Good to see another home educator, I hope this link helps you;


http://www.gomilpitas.com/homeschool...NewZealand.htm

Loraine
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Old Sep 11th 2003, 6:37 pm
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Default Re: Home ed`

Originally posted by Marlo
Hi Dee,

Good to see another home educator, I hope this link helps you;


http://www.gomilpitas.com/homeschool...NewZealand.htm

Loraine

Hi Loraine

thanks for that link it looks like it can offer the help I need. Are you a home educator too. Are you in NZ yourself.
Thanks again

Dee
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Old Sep 11th 2003, 8:00 pm
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Hi, we homeschooled our kids for 9 years. My eldest daughter only spent 2 years at school when she was 6&7 and we took her through from there. My eldest son went to college when he turned 15. there may be a homeschoolers network in the area you are living. We had 2 networks near hamilton. They were very supportive and helpful. you could ask your local citizens advice bureau office. They will know of any homeschool networks.You will get about $500 from the government per year as well. this is paid 6 monthly.
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Old Sep 11th 2003, 8:28 pm
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Innocent questions.

1. Why did home schoolers decide to do it?

2. Did kids benefit?

3. Was the net cost to all worth it?

4. Did kids go on to university and / or useful jobs?
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Old Sep 11th 2003, 8:50 pm
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Hi

I have two children one in school one home schooled. My daughter is a social person, she loves school and even though its hard for her being dyslexic, school is the right place for her. My son is different and has hated school since first day of nursery. We always new he was different but as he got older so the other kids noticed too. That in itself led to major probs. Eventually he stopped going probably because he got to big to carry under my arm. It was difficult at first but once his problems were addressed and home tutoring was started we have never looked back. He is happiest he has ever been. I now tutor him myself and as a result we have both learned so much. I hope one day he will go to college only because they can teach him more than I can offer at that stage in his education, but if he doesnt and wants to work then great what more can a parent want. The social side he is not ready for at the moment, but one day maybe, and we will all be ready for it. You cannot put a price on your childs education, but there are some organisations who do try to cash in on us homeschoolers.
Its not an easy job but when your child is happy and you see them succeed what more can you ask for.

Dee
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Old Sep 11th 2003, 9:19 pm
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Default Re: best decision

I remember marlo posting about this before. I didn't know much about it at the time, thought they would be lacking in social skills etc, but apparently it's quite the opposite. It all made sense when I looked into it.
Anyway, you may have seen this but here's another link - www.home.school.nz/ & www.homeeducationnz.co.nz

Gra..
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Old Sep 11th 2003, 10:24 pm
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It's very inspiring to hear of more happy home schoolers. We'll be joining the ranks soon enough - our son is just 3 now.

Wonder from when you can officially call yourself a 'home schooler' - maybe when they turn 6 in Oz because before then you don't have to go to school anyway?

Hi Marlo - haven't heard from you for ages. How are you? Will send you an email or phone.

Lots of questions (sorry!) but I'm fairly new to the home schooling idea.

Dee - what 'problems' does your son have? I'm interested as we know our son is different but so far as we can tell there's nothing actually wrong with him (except inherited language delay), he's just like we were as kids - prefers to be with adults for now. It's obvious that school's not going to work though - trying playgroups was hell enough and he's so happy going out and about with us. It's been such a weight off me to give up trying to 'socialise' him in that way.

Hamiltonnz - how much time did you find you spent 'tutoring' the kids and doing stuff specifically with/for them (I mean once they were old enough to entertain themselves unsupervised) as compared to them tagging along with your stuff? Just asking around as we will be running a business from home as well and will not have unlimited time.

Don - we have our very own nonsense ASD diagnosis from our very own witch (mentioned in your post in Addicted to Expats strand) - 'developmental paediatrician' this one's called...repeat after me: it's not treating us like objects for him to take us by the hand and try to get us to open her office door so he can escape. What's the story with your son and how old is he?

Best wishes all. It's nice to chat with people who care about their kids so much.
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Old Sep 12th 2003, 5:27 am
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Originally posted by Jolyn
It's very inspiring to hear of more happy home schoolers. We'll be joining the ranks soon enough - our son is just 3 now.

Wonder from when you can officially call yourself a 'home schooler' - maybe when they turn 6 in Oz because before then you don't have to go to school anyway?

Hi Marlo - haven't heard from you for ages. How are you? Will send you an email or phone.

Lots of questions (sorry!) but I'm fairly new to the home schooling idea.

Dee - what 'problems' does your son have? I'm interested as we know our son is different but so far as we can tell there's nothing actually wrong with him (except inherited language delay), he's just like we were as kids - prefers to be with adults for now. It's obvious that school's not going to work though - trying playgroups was hell enough and he's so happy going out and about with us. It's been such a weight off me to give up trying to 'socialise' him in that way.

Hamiltonnz - how much time did you find you spent 'tutoring' the kids and doing stuff specifically with/for them (I mean once they were old enough to entertain themselves unsupervised) as compared to them tagging along with your stuff? Just asking around as we will be running a business from home as well and will not have unlimited time.

Don - we have our very own nonsense ASD diagnosis from our very own witch (mentioned in your post in Addicted to Expats strand) - 'developmental paediatrician' this one's called...repeat after me: it's not treating us like objects for him to take us by the hand and try to get us to open her office door so he can escape. What's the story with your son and how old is he?

Best wishes all. It's nice to chat with people who care about their kids so much.

Hi Jolyn

My son was diagnoised 3yrs ago with Asperger's Syndrone. It's a type of Autism. It took such a long time to get a diagnosis because we lived in the wrong area. Yes it is true, when he refused school we had a nightmare of a time, no one would help we had no homeschooling not even a book. They wanted to send him to some day farm for badly behaved children. A friend of mine who was a teacher met him and within half an hour she told me what was wrong, but still no help from Doctors or education department. So I put my house up for rent and moved to Dorset in England within 3 mths he had seen 6 Doctors all confirmed the same diagnosis, they were amazed no one else had noted it before. They said he was not mentally fit for school, not that he could not attend mainstream school but because of the terrible bullying he had suffered, his behaviour was a result of his fear. Now he is a well adjusted very intellegent young man. The only regret I have is that I made him go to school when now I can see it was the wrong thing for him. He loves to be around adults and can have an intellectual conversation with them, In fact I would say he is more tuned in then some of them. He is happier now to be around other children as long as I am close by its because he feels safe. For the first time this summer he even played with some kids of his own age at our local openair swimming complex, something I never thought I would see again, must say it brought a few tears to my eyes, this just shows what I am doing really is working. Well that is a short story of where we are now. My advice to you is go with your heart, a mother knows her child, dont be bullied into believing anything different. If you want any other advice just e-mail me I will be more than happy to help

Dee
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Old Sep 12th 2003, 8:10 am
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I am a strong believer that school is very important in a child's life. Academically and socially; I've been looking at NZ schools where there is a strong emphasis on sport and music, which UK schools are side-lining a bit now (especially with all the SATS tests).
I'm in the fortune position that my children do very well at school and enjoy it; when I first started reading this post I couldn't understand why anybody would choose home education rather than send to school but as the post as gone on I myself have been educated on the reasons.
I commend all those parents that take that time to teach at home because I couldn't do it. I work in an office enviroment and find it difficult enough to train new graduates so I would be useless educating children.

Kara


Originally posted by Dee_e56
Hi Jolyn

My son was diagnoised 3yrs ago with Asperger's Syndrone. It's a type of Autism. It took such a long time to get a diagnosis because we lived in the wrong area. Yes it is true, when he refused school we had a nightmare of a time, no one would help we had no homeschooling not even a book. They wanted to send him to some day farm for badly behaved children. A friend of mine who was a teacher met him and within half an hour she told me what was wrong, but still no help from Doctors or education department. So I put my house up for rent and moved to Dorset in England within 3 mths he had seen 6 Doctors all confirmed the same diagnosis, they were amazed no one else had noted it before. They said he was not mentally fit for school, not that he could not attend mainstream school but because of the terrible bullying he had suffered, his behaviour was a result of his fear. Now he is a well adjusted very intellegent young man. The only regret I have is that I made him go to school when now I can see it was the wrong thing for him. He loves to be around adults and can have an intellectual conversation with them, In fact I would say he is more tuned in then some of them. He is happier now to be around other children as long as I am close by its because he feels safe. For the first time this summer he even played with some kids of his own age at our local openair swimming complex, something I never thought I would see again, must say it brought a few tears to my eyes, this just shows what I am doing really is working. Well that is a short story of where we are now. My advice to you is go with your heart, a mother knows her child, dont be bullied into believing anything different. If you want any other advice just e-mail me I will be more than happy to help

Dee
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Old Sep 12th 2003, 9:03 am
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Originally posted by rickandkara
I am a strong believer that school is very important in a child's life. Academically and socially; I've been looking at NZ schools where there is a strong emphasis on sport and music, which UK schools are side-lining a bit now (especially with all the SATS tests).
I'm in the fortune position that my children do very well at school and enjoy it; when I first started reading this post I couldn't understand why anybody would choose home education rather than send to school but as the post as gone on I myself have been educated on the reasons.
I commend all those parents that take that time to teach at home because I couldn't do it. I work in an office enviroment and find it difficult enough to train new graduates so I would be useless educating children.

Kara

Hi Kara

Thanks for the reply. If I was honnest I would say Id rather my children be educated in school but sometimes we have no choice. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would become my son's teacher. I had to give up my training in nursing to care for my son. None of us know what we would do in these situations until it happens to you. I am so pleased your children are happy in school and are doing so well. My son has a bright future ahead of him and one day when he finishes his education, I will carry on with my dreams of becoming a nurse (specialising with children).

Thanks
Dee

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Old Sep 12th 2003, 9:28 am
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Hi again Dee,

I`m not in NZ but in the UK, looking at emigrating to Australia, the link I sent you was from the Australian home ed` site. Pleased to help you.

Hi Don,

I can`t answer all your questions as my kids are only 8 & 11, so not at work yet.

I`ve been home educating now for 18 months, the reason why I started this was because my youngest son was so distressed at school, he unfortunately had 2 teachers who were bullies to him and other kids who needed extra help. My son is a slow learner where reading and writing is concerned, he doesn`t seem to have any propblems in any of the other subjects but struggles with English. He never settled at all into play school and quite honestly at only just 4 years old was not at all prepared for school. We took him out of school half way through year 2, by this time he was a very depressed little boy. It wasn`t until we took him out and read about school phobia that we realised he was suffering from this, he used to make himself physically sick so as not to go to school, he started comfort eating where his weight ballooned, and for a six year old to tell you he wished he was dead was heart breaking. I didn`t know anything about home education, until I read about it one day in the news paper, from then on I research all about it. He is a changed boy, I personally feel liberated and wish I`d never sent my lads to school at all now.

My eldest son, academically was fine at school, above average, plenty of friends but he didn`t love school, only went because like us all, thought he had to. Initially he didn`t want to come out of school but after 3 months of seeing a change in his brother and the fun he was having decided to join him.

The first question most people ask is about the social side, well they have a much better social life than they ever did at school, we have met lots of great kids, the boys mix with children of all ages not just their own age group. We go on lots of outings, do group activities, the list is endless. The sad thing is that not enough parents realise that home education is an option and so many kids are suffering at school for one reason or another. If, though, my kids had been happy at school, I wouldn`t be doing this, I`m not against school, it`s just one size doesn`t fit all.

If my sons ever want to go back to school they can, they are out because they have chosen to be. I know that I have NO time to myself, which is another question most mums ask about, but I feel it`s a very small sacrifice for their happiness, it won`t be for ever.

I hope this hasn`t anyone,

Loraine
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Old Sep 12th 2003, 10:42 am
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Hi Loraine

Our stories will help others to know that they are not on their own. I agree to many people believe that school is an only option. I hope people who find themselves in a desperate situation like we were will read our stories. I'm sure it will give them hope. Good luck in OZ I know they have an excellent understanding there for Asperger's Syndrone. I hope this will be the case in NZ. If not I will make sure I have my say.

Dee
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Old Sep 12th 2003, 12:09 pm
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Thanks for your story Dee. And congratulations on getting a diagnosis that you feel makes sense - you know your son best that's for sure. You know you're doing the right thing and you can see the results in your happy son - that's great. Home schooling seems to really suit kids with any autistic type problems.

Our story - sorry to bore the pants off you

Our son's assessment suggested something in the autism spectrum but many of the behaviours picked up on turned out to be just passing fads of his. Eye contact was always fine. Very late talking tends to run in families and I understand pretty much rules out Aspergers. He doesn't have any individual symptom severely enough to be definitive. We think now that he's certainly different and might have a bit of some syndrome but no more so than his parents so we've chosen not to pursue a diagnosis any further.

My parents ran a cafe in Newmarket in Auckland when I was pre-school age so I never saw other children at all and was always at the cafe or the food markets or whatever in the midst of all the people and bustle. I could read a bit, add and subtract bills and take basic orders on a notepad ('R' for roast of the day, 'F' for fish and chips etc - adult customers love to have a little one take their order and made such a fuss of me!) by the time I started school. When I did go to nursery and school I hated it until I got to about 8. My mum says I came home in tears the first day because all the kids were playing with alphabet blocks and I was mortally offended as school had been sold to me as something fun that big girls went to. It seemed so boring and the little kids didn't interest me - they weren't doing anything anywhere near as exciting as the action when I was with my mum.

My husband hated school all the way through - he was late talking, quiet, shy, dyslexic and a bit dyspraxic, not a high achiever. And very bored. Not the least bit quiet or shy now - talks plenty too - and has two uni degrees

Our son seems so happy at home racing about with us and so miserable at playgroups that we've gradually come to the realisation that he's quite like us (doh!) and school's not going to work. Just starting to figure out where to go from here... - figure the move to Oz is a good start.
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Old Sep 12th 2003, 9:53 pm
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Originally posted by Jolyn
It's very inspiring to hear of more happy home schoolers. We'll be joining the ranks soon enough - our son is just 3 now.

Wonder from when you can officially call yourself a 'home schooler' - maybe when they turn 6 in Oz because before then you don't have to go to school anyway?

Hi Marlo - haven't heard from you for ages. How are you? Will send you an email or phone.

Lots of questions (sorry!) but I'm fairly new to the home schooling idea.

Dee - what 'problems' does your son have? I'm interested as we know our son is different but so far as we can tell there's nothing actually wrong with him (except inherited language delay), he's just like we were as kids - prefers to be with adults for now. It's obvious that school's not going to work though - trying playgroups was hell enough and he's so happy going out and about with us. It's been such a weight off me to give up trying to 'socialise' him in that way.

Hamiltonnz - how much time did you find you spent 'tutoring' the kids and doing stuff specifically with/for them (I mean once they were old enough to entertain themselves unsupervised) as compared to them tagging along with your stuff? Just asking around as we will be running a business from home as well and will not have unlimited time.

Don - we have our very own nonsense ASD diagnosis from our very own witch (mentioned in your post in Addicted to Expats strand) - 'developmental paediatrician' this one's called...repeat after me: it's not treating us like objects for him to take us by the hand and try to get us to open her office door so he can escape. What's the story with your son and how old is he?

Best wishes all. It's nice to chat with people who care about their kids so much.
sorry for the delay in answering your question. we only schooled the children in the morning starting about 9.30am finish 11.30 or 12, 4 or 5 days a week. We didnt use state curriculum materials. instead we bought other books eg ABEKA, ACE and a few others. It was alot of hard work for Catherine(my wife) who did 99% of the schooling. However she now has a really good relationship with the kids and because they have spent so much time with each other instead of friends at the state school the kids know each other really well. Socialisation is not a problem and never was - its a non event. Kids get the all the wrong kind of socialisation at the public school. there they learn to swear, steal etc from the bad eggs. Our 15 year old is right into computers. He spent hours over the years tinkering. he passed his A+ exam(a recognised microsoft qualification) runs rings around the computer teachers at school and charges out at $40 per hour for anyone wanting repairs. He gets about 2 calls a week. He wouldnt be anywhere as good at computers if hed gone to school. Also you can take holidays or go away for the day whenever you want. We have no regrets about homeschooling. It just got too much for catherine when the 4th one started plus we had a new baby, so for her sanity we sent them all to school.
Graham
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