I am thinking about pulling my son our of Government High School and homeschooling him. Has anybody done this or know how to get started?

AmandaB: What's the reason?

I don't want to send my children (when I have them) through the government system, so one of the options I'm considering is homeschooling. I've met a few people who have done it, but I couldn't give more than second-hand information.

Here are some links I had a quick look at from Google:
http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/rwn/cweb/autumn-1999/home-schooling.htm
http://www.hi.com.au/eec/school_case.htm
http://www.hea.asn.au/hea/resources/disp_res.asp?id=27&type=4
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/regional/Australia.htm

Hi Amanda

We homeschooled our children for a number of years. My wife was prepared to put in quite a bit of effort. As a result of this our daughter is excelling in university, our oldest son will be commencing uni and our youngest son (back in the zoo) has finished in the top couple of percent nationwide in maths and english. I don't share this to boast as our kids get a lot of their intelligence from their mum (as many on this post would agree it does not come from me). They are all socially well adjusted and excelling at their chosen sports at a high level. They don't do drugs or sleep around and benefited greatly from their home schooling days. My boys will be the first to tell you that they learn't more in 2 hours with one on one teaching than 3 days at school.

Sadly all you need to do is to teach your child how to read and write and they will be ahead of most year 9 & 10 students in many State and Private schools. Trust yourself and you will be surprised how many people will be happy to help your children along the way.

Runner, what sorts of activities did you get the kids involved in for social purposes? It's my understanding that one of the regulation requirements of home schooling is that kids have to spend an amount of time socialising with other kids.

That seems fair enough since the adult world is made up of all sorts and kids need to learn to handle themselves in various social situations. Friends of ours made an enormous circle of friends themselves through getting their kids involved in a big variety of social activity.

Home schooling initially seemed like a fairly isolated activity, but it ended up being a more socially connecting thing than standard school. So what did you do? Was that your experience too?

Chainsmoker

My boys were/are involved in football, athletics and tennis. We also networked with other homeschooling families in excursions. My girl hated sports (although now has had a 180 degree turnaround). From a young age we encouraged our children to interact with people of all ages. We found this a lot more natural than the artificial school environment that produces pressure not to socialise with younger or older kids. We got a friend to teach my daughter a second language as she showed a great interest in languages. She can now speak 4 languages even though her parents have trouble with one.

The legal requirements are often vague. When we first started we had education officials trying to put all sorts of constraints on us. When they realised the kids were not in danger of abuse and that they were getting a far better education at home they eased off. Our local member of Parliament was very supportive of us even though he was from a different side of politics to me. I am thankful that he helped us overcome unfair barriers that some officials would try at times.

Homeschoolers receive visits from the Education department from time to time and have to submit plans etc to ensure you are covering what they consider essential material. It does not seem to matter to them if your child can read or write as long as you tell them the right stuff!

Thanks Runner, you answered other questions I would have asked if I'd thought of them. Mixing with different age groups is a great idea and something schools don't do so well.

I'm impressed with the way you also let your kids follow their own inclinations (eg languages instead of sport). Unfortunately schools are big institutions and the easiest ways of managing the sheer size of them means it's difficult to do this, although there are some schools that do quite well at it. It seems pretty obvious that kids, like anyone else, will enjoy what they're doing and be better at it if it somehow lets them pursue their own interests.

Well done. You're obviously very proud and deservedly so.

Don't do it.
Like many parents with children in government and I might add private schools, it becomes a temptation to home school when your child does not seem to be the head of the class or he reports that all the kids in school take drugs.
As Lady Di,I felt that a public education would benefit my children.
So despite all the dangers of mixing with the others,the people over the tracks.
The final result is a well balanced child becoming an adult.
Many parent taught children have finished commiting suicide or developed a feeling of being odd.
The television generation parents have, all so often, believed that their child would become a Harvard scholar.Many people develop their potential after leaving school.School is only one place for learning skills,working is another.

BROCK: Do you have any statistics from studies showing that government educated children end up so much better adjusted than those who are homeschooled?

Help please!

I am just starting to look into home schooling. I live near wagga wagga. I would love to talk to anyone who is home schooling in this area, and has any advice for me. I don't really know anything about it or where to get started. so please help.

HELP PLEASE