Select Page

2023 Workshops

Planning, neurodiversity, unschooling, socialisation – if you need to know about it, chances are we’re covering it!

Welcome! The 2023 Australian Homeschooling Summit ran February 20 – March 3.

But don’t worry, you haven’t missed out – we recorded EVERYTHING and it’s all available for you to watch whenever you want!

Want to watch:

  • Access to recordings of all 30+ 2023 workshops and bonus sessions
  • All associated resource guides
  • Amazing homeschooling help!
  • Read on to get details of all the workshops

Welcome & Frugal Homeschooling

Kelly Kotanidis

Fearless Homeschool

Summary

Homeschooling often means giving up an income…and when you start looking at fancy curricula with your tight budget it’s easy to think that a) you’re going to go bankrupt, or b) your children are going to ‘miss out’ on so many things.

Luckily, that’s not the case. Homeschooling can be incredibly affordable, and in this workshop I’ll show you how we homeschooled on a very tight budget, and provide lots of ideas that will allow you to create a top-quality education without breaking the bank.

How to Follow the New Australian Curriculum and NESA syllabus

Michelle Morrow

My Homeschool

Summary

Do you want the security of following the Australian Curriculum or NESA Syllabus but don’t know how? Do you worry about what you are expected to teach to maintain your registration?

Let me walk you through strategies to help you navigate meeting curriculum requirements and still stick to the way you want to educate your child. I’ll talk about interpreting the official government syllabus content and what that can look like in real life. Then I’ll give you some ideas for gathering evidence to present as proof of learning when you go for reregistration.

A Constructive Approach to Deschooling

Summary

A common approach to deschooling is to view it simply as the time you adjust from using a school to the time you begin actively home educating. A time you ‘don’t do anything academic’. This might be logical and useful, but is it really going to ‘deschool’ your experience so you can gain the most out of your collective home educating experience?

During the 30-minute prerecorded session, I’ll to break down a constructivist approach to deschooling that will challenge everyone to reframe the experience according to their own individual needs and wants. This exercise can be reapplied throughout your home education journey, any time you feel it would have value. By the end, you will have a clearer idea of ‘what to do next’ and what deschooling really means for each person within your unique family. The benefits extend beyond those who are home educating, and can better help you deal with well-intended but negative comments from extended family, or friends, and help calm the other fears that come up such as ‘what about socialisation?’, ‘what about tertiary education?’, ‘which curriculum should I buy?’ etc. I will be watching along with you and answering questions as they come up in chat, and will be available live at the end to answer questions that require more explanation.

Ask Us Anything!

Panel

 Amanda, Patricia, & Bec

Summary

Got questions that aren’t addressed by other workshop topics?

Submit your questions before or during the workshop, and turn up live to hear them discussed and answered by experienced parents.

These sessions are fun, interactive, and enable you to get real-time, direct help!

Homeschooling Through the Decades - a personal perspective

Summary

Friends call me the ‘grandmother of Australian homeschooling’ because in one way or another I’ve been actively supporting and promoting home education since the mid-1980s… And because I’m old, or at least I feel old, and well I actually DO have grandkids who ARE being home educated…

It’s time to glance back over four decades, reminisce a little and reflect a lot. Join me, and bring your questions, because everyone knows how much I love to chat once the slideshow is done!

Navigating the Negative

Summary

Home schooling often brings with it advice and opinions from many family and friends that isn’t always helpful, nor very supportive. Combined with our own concerns and worry, all of that questioning can impact on our home education journey in a less than positive way.
I will share how I addressed my own concerns moving from school to home education and how I navigated my own feelings of inadequacy and lessened that palpable worry. We will also workshop some responses to alleviate others’ concerns, as well as learn how to reassure our own inner voice that this journey is worthwhile and beneficial.

Regional and Rural Homeschooling

Jillina Whittaker

Homeschool Hotline

Summary

The best part of homeschooling is learning anywhere at anytime. But if you live regional or rural there are some unique challenges and opportunities. Big distances, shonky internet, and lack of services can be the norm. But geography doesn’t have to stop you! Jillina is a mum of 4 living in outback QLD so she knows what it’s like to homeschool kids outside big cities.

In this workshop Jillina will share tips and practical ways to develop rich education experiences despite location. Including how to incorporate resources, competitions, education providers, virtual excursions, and funding great for regional and rural kids, including teens.

Learning Can Look Like This!

Summary

So you’ve decided you want to homeschool. Yay! But you might be left wondering: what does learning look like? Or maybe you are just interested in the idea of homeschooling and still have the same question.

In this workshop we will:

* go through practical ideas of what learning can actually look like using examples from our homeschooling journey

* break down each subject into learning ideas for children across different ages

* talk about how to identify your child’s learning interests

* and look at how learning can be matched back to outcomes for a subject using a child’s interest as the starting point

Design Technologies - Making it Real

Summary

Sometimes using the Australian Curriculum can seem out of reach with all of the edu-speak but accessing fun and rewarding subjects like Design Technologies is easier than you think!

Jason will support you to develop the knowledge and skills to confidently deliver a Design Technologies based project to your children by walking you through the Australian Curriculum, including the General Capabilities covered in a good project and how to make the Cross Curriculum priorities easy!

Plus, you’ll learn how to choose projects that harness your child’s interests and creativity, develop an understanding of the design process, see examples that can be done in your home using everyday supplies, and get some ideas on where to find resources. By the end, you will have a firm understanding of the middle school (grades 7-10) Design Technologies curriculum and know how to define and develop an interest-led project easily in your home without specialist skills or equipment!

Lego - Play Well…Learn Better!

Melissa Vaughan

Sprout Ed Learning Hub

Summary

Making learning fun and opening our minds to alternative ways of doing and being is often one of the hardest things about stepping into home education – and even experienced home educators can fall into the trap of doing things the ‘school’ way. Learning doesn’t have to be boring; you don’t have to sit down or use pen and paper to learn, learning can be fun, flexible, creative and most importantly, cover a bunch of subjects simultaneously!

Melissa will help you recognise the important learning that happens in your children’s everyday play and extend that learning using carefully selected materials and experiences. She will help you to discover new ways to learn ‘boring’ subjects using Lego and fit more play into your day! By the end of this session, you will be able to generate ideas for supporting your own children’s learning using Lego, recognise the learning happening all the time in your children’s play, and translate that learning into notes and samples for reporting purposes.

Transitioning from School to Home Education

Patricia Fitzgerald

FitzLearning

Summary

Have you made the decision to home educate your children, but are not sure what that should look like? Maybe your don’t know how to get started and take that leap? During this session we will explore choices and pathways into how to make your home education experience what you want, whilst exploring the logistics of the move. How to exit school. How to recognise the differences between your ideal vision and what your children need. And how to implement this into starting your journey, whether you plan this experience as a short-term or life-long pathway. 

Enough about Socialisation! Let’s talk about BELONGING.

Sara Macdonald

Happiness is Here

Summary

We’ve all been asked the socialisation question a million times over, right? But it’s about time to stop talking about socialisation, and start talking about belonging. You can be around other children quite easily, but a community where you belong is quite a different thing. If we have to pick one that kids need to thrive though, it’s the latter. But how do you find a community that meets these needs?

By the end of this workshop you’ll understand the importance of community and a sense of belonging for children, be clear about your role in cultivating your kids community, have some ideas about how to go about finding or creating a community that works for you, and have realistic ideas about your own responsibilities as a community member.

Tamara Kelly

Creating and Benefiting from a Perpetual Primary Plan

Dana Hennessy

Summary

For both new or current home school facilitators and inclusive of varied home school philosophies, this workshop will introduce the idea of a perpetual primary plan. This idea can provide a really flexible, responsive and productive framework to enhance the many benefits of home schooling, while also reducing the burden of meeting registration requirements. I very much look forward to sharing this idea with you, and I hope it will be as helpful to you as it has been to me.
Erin Hassett

How to create your own exciting Unit Plans!

Summary

Putting together your own unit plans doesn’t have to be a scary experience. In this workshop, I will run you through 5 easy steps to creating hands-on, integrated and flexible unit plans that are catered to your child’s interests and learning styles. I will show you how I brainstorm with colour-coded mind maps (with my kids!), as well as share lots of hands-on and fun activity ideas, and where I go to find free resources. You will leave this workshop feeling confident and equipped to plan some exciting units with your kids!
Tamara Kelly

Child-Led Learning & Meeting Rego Requirements

Panel

Bel, Patricia, April, & Jillina

Summary

Got questions about how to match up relaxed child-led learning with structured registration requirements?

Submit your questions before or during the workshop, and turn up live to hear them discussed and answered by experienced parents.

These sessions are fun, interactive, and enable you to get real-time, direct help!

We are the Future of Education

Dr Rebecca English

QUT

Summary

Have you ever felt attacked for being different? For taking a different journey? For doing what is right for you? Then this workshop is for you. In this workshop, we will look at the global, yes global, rise of homeschooling and why more and more families are choosing it. At why you are right to do what is right for your family and your children. And why you should feel proud of being part of a movement of mums (and dads, and grandparents, and other carers) making empowered choices.

Living and Learning as a Solo Parent

Summary

Taking on the responsibility of your child’s education can be overwhelming. If you’re a single parent with no partner or family support it can be even harder. In this workshop I will share the methods and approaches I’ve used over the last 9 years to create a cohesive home and educational environment as a single parent with a neurodiverse child.
I will cover educational approaches, encouraging independence, creating a positive association to education with reluctant learners, finding “me time” to avoid parental burnout and coping financially. While my focus will be on sole parents, the topics covered will benefit all home educators.

Five Things You Can Do To Teach Your Children About Money

Summary

As a homeschooler you do your best to teach your child maths, reading and science, but what about personal finance? Dealing with money is an important part of their everyday lives. It affects the choices they have and the decisions they make, yet many parents struggle to teach their kids how to grow and manage their money. Why? Because they weren’t taught themselves. Most of us had to learn lessons about money the hard way but it doesn’t have to be that way for your child. Neil Edmond, co-founder of MoneyTime, discusses 5 ways you can start teaching your kids about money today.

Social Opportunities for Homeschoolers

Panel

Bec, Amanda, Nat, & Kylie

Summary

Got questions about how to provide wide and varied social opportunities for your child?

Submit your questions before or during the workshop, and turn up live to hear them discussed and answered by experienced parents.

These sessions are fun, interactive, and enable you to get real-time, direct help!

Homeschooling With Your Hands Full

Summary

Are your hands full of little ones? Often when choosing to homeschool, educating the older child/ren takes priority over younger children in your home. It can quickly become overwhelming – I know, because I’ve been there!
In this workshop, I will share ideas of how to enjoy each child without compromising homeschooling or the needs of younger ones. You will come away with a toolbox of fun and motivating tricks to keep children learning independently and together as a family. Plus, ideas to keep yourself refreshed! So, if you are feeling burdened by a full heart and hands, you are in good company. I hope this workshop will lighten your load and set you on the path for the whole family to flourish.

The Value of Community

Summary

After running homeschool communities of one sort or another for 15 years, Kylie has a deep understanding of the true value of community. A very common concern among homeschoolers is that of community connection, after all a community or the lack thereof, can affect the entire homeschooling experience. Kylie will discuss the different types of communities, how each of them can be valuable to your homeschool and ways in which you could create your own community.

The Secrets to Unschooling Confidently, Simply and Happily with your Children

Summary

Three of the big challenges mums come across when unschooling are knowing where to start in catering to each of your unique children, explaining yourself to any doubters & honouring your own needs.
In this workshop, Heidi will help you to remember where to start with all three. By the end, you’ll have a tool to prioritise where you put your energy with each of your children. In knowing your children even better, you’ll more confidently stand in your power with the doubters. By knowing your children so well, you’ll also start to know yourself better which will energise you to break the cycle of mothers only giving out to their children. Empower your children, empower yourself!

Kids in the Kitchen

Karen Willson 

Simply Homeschool

Summary

“There’s nothing to eat!” How often do you hear this? Inspire your kids to whip up all sorts of delicious meals with pantry basics, fresh fruit and vegetables and those leftovers sitting in the fridge. In our house, we rarely use recipes. We work with what we have. With a family background of challenging dietary restrictions, a love of food and over 25 years of kids in the kitchen, I’m looking forward to a tasty hour with you.

We’ll talk healthy food ideas, dietary restrictions, managing mess, and inspiration for reluctant eaters. Oh – and grab the ingredients on our download to make yourself a quick yummy treat while we chat.

Tamara Kelly

The English we Never Teach

Tamara Kelly

Homeschool HELP!

Summary

During your education did someone give you a random letter of the alphabet which supposedly correlated with your ability in English? That experience may have persuaded you to decide that you were or weren’t “good at English” which is really ridiculous because you are reading this now aren’t you?

This 10 week course is nothing like that. It is aimed at middle to highschool ages and asks you to think and play with language as a creative medium and to pay attention to features we rarely pay attention to in an academic setting.

Long-Term Homeschooling

Panel

Erin, Bel, & Michelle

Summary

Homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint, and this is the time for you to ask questions about how to stick at it for the long-term.

Submit your questions before or during the workshop, and turn up live to hear them discussed and answered by experienced parents.

These sessions are fun, interactive, and enable you to get real-time, direct help!

Teaching History and Geography with Living Books (and readaloud!)

Anthony Coafield 

Living Book Press

Summary

Teaching history and geography can be intimidating, but what if it could be as simple as reading some great books with your kids? Rather than having them memorise dry facts and dates help your children understand the times and places by activating their imagination through stories.

Join me as I give tips on making these subjects easy, as well as read aloud from a few books to help give you confidence to do the same with your family.

Tamara Kelly

Improving Wellbeing and Building Confidence in your Children

Summary

Learn how to develop your child’s wellbeing and confidence alongside their academic growth. Hear tips from an educator with a background in supporting homeschooling families and other types of remote learning.

From getting up in the morning to ‘home time’ in the afternoon there are plenty of practical strategies you can weave into your day to help your children develop a positive learning mindset.

Erin Hassett

Building a Living Books Curriculum

Summary

Journey with me as I share the value of including engaging books in your curriculum. I will take you back to the basics of just what a living books curriculum looks like and how you can build your own. After this session you will be able to:
· Understand how to encourage your child to focus, and inspire a love of learning
· Appreciate the value that a living books curriculum can bring to your child’s education
· Know what quality books are and where to find them
· Build a custom made curriculum to suit your family

Developing an Engaging Education

Amanda Bartle

Little Kids Can

Summary

The most often asked question I receive is “Where do you get all your ideas?”

I’ll show you! We’ll dive into how to choose a topic of study, decide on subtopics and gather ideas, find interesting activities, make the learning multi sensory and multi-age, and how to embed all the KLAs, especially English, science and history. I’ll show you planning and record keeping methods that work, and share loads of examples for inspiration.

This workshop has something for everyone – old hands and new homeschoolers alike, academics, unschoolers, unit studies fans and those looking for ideas for co-ops.

Pin It on Pinterest