Home Schooling Consultative Group meeting – 4 December 2024

The chair gave an acknowledgement of country and welcomed those in attendance.

Action arising: Nil

Nil.

Action arising: Nil.

Nil.

Action arising: Nil.

Members were provided with a summary of the webinars held with homeschooling parents on 23 October and 14 November 2024. They were advised of the purpose of the webinars and given information about the number of attendees. Members were also provided with the feedback NESA received from participants after the webinars.

Members were also given a summary of the feedback from focus group participants about content NESA is developing to support homeschooling families. Members were provided with an overview of the responses from the focus group participants.

Members shared anecdotal feedback which had been positive from the homeschooling community in relation to both the webinars and focus groups.

Action arising: Nil.

Members were provided with an overview of topics that have been covered during NESA Authorised Person briefings from 2020.

Members then provided feedback about possible areas for professional development and learning.

Action arising: NESA to consider HSCG member feedback relating to professional development and learning for Authorised Persons when planning Authorised Persons briefings for 2025.

Members were provided with an overview summarising information presented and the issues discussed at the National Home Education Forum held in Adelaide on 17 and 18 October 2024.

Action arising: Nil.

Members were advised that as of 31 October 2024 there had been an increase in the number of children registered for home schooling when compared to 31 December 2023. Members were also advised that NESA currently processes over 1000 applications (this includes all types of applications for home schooling) each month.

Action arising: Nil.

HSCG members were provided with the following dates for meetings in 2025:

• 19 March 2025 (in-person)
• 11 June 2025 (online)
• 10 September 2025 (in-person)
• 3 December 2025 (online)

Action arising: Nil.

i. Auditor-General’s performance audit on the flexibility of education delivery

HSCG members were told about the ‘Education in alternative settings’ audit that the NSW Auditor General is currently undertaking. NESA’s involvement relates to its role as the regulator of home schooling registration in NSW.

Members were advised of how they and the home schooling community are able to make their own submissions to the audit.

Action arising: Nil.

ii. Updated Provisions Relating to Members and Procedures of the Home Schooling Consultative Group

Prior to the meeting, HSCG members received a draft copy of updates that have been made to the Provisions Relating to Members and Procedures of the Home Schooling Consultative Group to represent current nomenclature. Members had no objection to the proposed changes and the updated document was approved.

Action arising: Nil.

iii. Terms of HSCG Members proposal

Members were advised that NESA would be communicating with HSCG members whose terms are due to expire mid-2025. In line with previous processes these members would be invited to extend their membership for another term if they wish.

Action arising: NESA to send members whose terms are due to expire mid-2025 an invitation to extend their membership for one more term if they wish.

iv. HSCG self-assessment questionnaire

Members were advised that they will receive a self-assessment questionnaire to complete. The questionnaire is designed as a reflective feedback tool for the HSCG.

Action arising: NESA to send members a copy of the self-assessment questionnaire.