July 2025 Quarterly Newsletter

Welcome to our new format quarterly update, designed to inspire and support you in your homeschooling journey. We’ve taken onboard your feedback and redesigned the whole newsletter to include the types of information, resources and insights you want to see. We’re always happy to hear from our members, email info@nchenz.org.nz with any thoughts or comments about what you read below! This newsletter has interviews, hacks, resource reviews, tips and news … so make yourself a lovely hot drink, hide in the laundry if necessary, and settle in for a read about what your fellow homeschoolers are up to.

Visit the private members-only area of our website

BOOKMARK THIS LINK!

You can only access this section of the website through this members only link, so it is best to bookmark it for future access.

T-Shirt Slogan Competition Results

Thank you to everyone who took part in our T-shirt slogan competition, all the entries were fun and creative showing just how amazing our community really is. Judging was very hard as we loved them all but in the end decisions had to be made.

Congratulations to Debbie Ball - First place in the Kids T-shirt slogan category

Congratulations to Nicola Christensen Second place in the Kids T-shirt slogan category

Congratulations to Ganga Sudhan - First place in the Adults T-shirt slogan category

Now What?

With such incredible creativity in our midst we couldn’t leave it there so we have gone a step further and had iron on transfers designed.

These will be available for ordering until 31 July. On the 1st of August we will collate all orders and have the iron on transfers printed then sent out to you. Click here for the order form

As they are iron on transfers you can put them on so much shirts, jumpers, pants, bags, blankets, tea towels anything your heart desires.

Below is an example of each iron on transfer applied to a shirt and being worn by a person.

Size 20x25cm
Cost $16

Size 20.5x4.5cm
Cost $10

Size 18x5cm
Cost $10

Member Offers for Term 2 - Discounted Online Programs

Access discounts that are usually reserved for schools, available only to our members.

The following programs are closing soon:

  • Beast Academy Online all enrolments due by the 11th of July.

    Beast Academy is a comprehensive, online maths curriculum for students ages 5-13 years. Normally priced at around $170– $330/student annually, NCHENZ has managed to negotiate this program for $110 per student.

There are programs available for enrolment year round access details for these through the members only section of our website 

OPT in to a Monthly Email to your Inbox

Information about member offers and discounts is now only posted on the Facebook group and in our monthly notices email. If you are not a member of the Member Offers & Discounts Facebook group, we highly recommend you subscribe to our monthly notices email. All members receive this quarterly update, however the monthly email is OPT-IN only. Email memberships@nchenz.org.nz or click this link and send.

Otherwise, keep up-to-date in our three private members-only Facebook groups: Our general one; Navigating Through Highschool & Beyond; and Member Offers & Discounts

Homeschooling Wins

Taranaki Home Educators Jump for Heart Health! 

We’re excited to celebrate the efforts of the Taranaki Home Educators community, who raised an amazing $1,756 for the Heart Foundation of New Zealand through the Jumping June Initiative.

Throughout the month, tamariki from across our
home education network took part by learning
how to skip. with skipping ropes supplied by the
Heart Foundation. jumping and moving their bodies
to support heart health and raise funds for a great
cause. It wasn’t just the kids getting involved - for
many parents it was a trip down memory lane,
reminiscing about Jump Rope for Heart from their
own school days. 

Thank you to everyone that took part, donated or cheered from the sidelines - what an inspiring effort from our Taranaki whanau!

Corin won 1st place in the 12km race at the Rotorua Marathon this weekend with a time of 45:57. 

Corin is 15 and we've been homeschooling since 2020. 

We love hearing about your homeschooling wins and the kids love to see their photo in our newsletter. Big or small wins, they all count to us. Email details and a photo to info@nchenz.org.nz.

Update from the Government Liaison Team

Government Liaison Report 
By Cynthia Hancox, Government Liaison

Parliamentary written questions are a way in which Members of Parliament can ask existing Ministers questions related to their portfolios. Reviewing these questions and answers can provide interesting or useful insight into what current (or prospective) Ministers are thinking regarding the issues at hand, or specific policy positions. 

I recently reviewed the parliamentary written questions in relation to home education (as I do from time to time), which revealed several interesting insights:

6 monthly declarations

The 6 monthly declarations that home educators are asked to sign and return have been in place for many years. While the law does not require them, it allows the Ministry to ask for them as a condition of funding – if you don’t return the declarations, you won’t get the allowance. 

Some years ago, the Ministry had an erroneous policy in place that if families did not return the declarations, their exemptions would be cancelled. This was challenged and of course did not hold up to scrutiny. 

Subsequently they have had in place a policy that if declaration are not returned, then families would be sent a reminder, and if there was no response to that, they could consider how else they might follow up with families to ensure the child was continuing to be home educated “as regularly and well as,” including, if deemed necessary, an ERO review – if the review was “failed” then the exemption could be revoked. 

Now, here’s where the answers to the parliamentary questions get interesting….

Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan of the Green Party has been asking persistent questions or Education Minister Erica Stanford related to the 6 monthly declarations. For example:

Q: “How many, if any, of the homeschooling whānau as at 18 June 2024 had not returned a Statutory Declaration for the 2023/2 period (July 1st - December 31st)?”

A: “I am advised by the Ministry of Education that from 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023, 516 whānau did not return a Home Education Statutory Declaration.”

Q:“How many, if any, of the homeschooling whānau as at 18 June 2024 who had not returned a Statutory Declaration for the 2023/2 period (July 1st - December 31st) have since been contacted?”A:“I am advised by the Ministry of Education that as at 18 June 2024, there has been no contact made with home education whānau who had not returned their Statutory Declaration for the period from July 1 2023 to 31 December 2023. Under the Education and Training Act 2020 section 38, whānau who hold a current exemption 

to home educate their child/ren have no legal obligation to return the Statutory Declaration to the Ministry.”

Q:“When, if ever, are follow-ups, home visits, or any form of contact considered if a home-schooling family fails to return a Statutory Declaration for consecutive periods?”

A: (in part)“I am advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that it does not follow up with a home educating family if the statutory declaration is not returned.”

Dr Xu-Nan:

“How, if at all, is the Ministry of Education ensuring that home educating students are being taught at least as regularly and well as in a registered/specialist school, when, as at 2 September 2024, 516 home-educating families (relating to 718 children) were unable to be contacted?”

Hon Erica Stanford:

“I am advised by the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) that when an application for home education is received, the Ministry assesses the education programme to determine whether it meets the statutory test under Section 38(1) of the Education and Training Act 2020 that a child will be taught at least as regularly and well as in a registered or specialist school. This assessment is the basis for the Ministry’s decision to grant the exemption or not. Once an exemption has been granted, if concerns are raised about a child’s home education programme, the Ministry is able to undertake an education review and decide whether the exemption continues or not. The 516 home-educating families the Member is referring to relates to the statutory declaration for an allowance. The statutory allowance is optional, and is not an indicator of the quality of a child’s home education programme.”

Dr Xu-Nan has persisted with similar questions, and repeating the questions over time (current round is awaiting a response), but the answers have remained consistent. 

To summarize the key points:

  • Families are asked to return the declarations whether they want to receive the funding or not, but they are not legally obligated to do so. 

  • 515-565 families in each half year period (of the ones asked about so far) have not returned declarations. They will not receive funding. 

  • The Ministry does not follow up on non-returned declarations.

  • The declaration is NOT an indicator of the quality of the child’s home education programme. 

Some of this is a clear change in direction from previous policy. 

Well-being, Reviews etc

Dr Xu-Nan has asked other questions he considers related, such as how many families who did not return a declaration have been reviewed (none), what reports or briefings etc has the Minister received regarding home education (none), and then some questions regarding well-being, such as:

Q: How, if at all, is the Ministry of Education ensuring the wellbeing and sufficient education of the 516 home-educating families that had not returned a Statutory Declaration ….and have not been contacted?

A: (in part): I am advised by the Ministry that [these families] were issued an exemption because their application met the statutory test set out in Section 38 of the Education and Training Act 2020. There is no focus on wellbeing in issuing an exemption under Section 38 of the Education and Training Act 2020. The statutory test relates to the child being taught as regularly and as well as in a registered school. If Ministry staff have any child safety or wellbeing concerns about a home educated child, then these will be referred to Oranga Tamariki and/or the NZ Police in line with the Ministry’s Child Protection Policy. 

Q: “..is the Minister concerned that there is no focus on wellbeing for home educating whānau when issuing an exemption under Section 38 of the Education and Training Act 2020; if not, why?”

A: “The overwhelming majority of parents have their children’s wellbeing as a significant consideration in the decisions that they take, including the decision to home educate their children.”

Key points of these statements:

  • A home education exemption application needs to meet the legal benchmark of “as regularly and well as.” 

  • Well-being is not a focus of the application

  • Should there be concerns about child safety, staff have guidelines to follow to refer these cases elsewhere. 

  • The Minister acknowledges that the “overwhelming majority” of parents have their child’s wellbeing as central to the decisions they make, including choosing to homeschool. 

It is refreshing to see statements that acknowledge the correct legal position and viewpoint towards applications, families, declarations, reviews etc. 

That’s not to say all staff members act in alignment with these statements at all times – but they can be held to those standards. 

As always, if you experience any difficulties in dealing with the Ministry, you are welcome to reach out for support to govtliaison@nchenz.org.nz 

Highschool & Beyond: University Entrance Pathways

by Kirsty Prewer, Future Pathways Advisor, futurepathways@nchenz.org.nz

Spotlight on CENZ Level 3 Certificate for Gaining University Entrance

The below is a short discussion I had with a lovely second generation home educator! She shares a bit about her eldest son’s pathway into tertiary education...

What did you do prior to signing up to Home Schooling NZ (HSNZ)?
Katie: We followed an eclectic approach with a mix of curriculum ( Saxon, Apologia, IEW, Answers in Genesis, Math-u-see, ACE etc).

When did you sign up to HSNZ?
Katie: We signed up when my son was about 14. He is very goal oriented so took very well to having a laid-out plan from HSNZ to get the credits needed for admission to university. There are limitations as to which curriculums can be granted credits (A.C.E 1097-1108 meets the english requirements; and A.C.E Algebra 1, Cambridge IGCSE or NCEA Level 1 meet the maths requirements, though the latter two must be approved by HSNZ), and there are certain rules around how things are processed with HSNZ. But he was willing to put his nose down and study hard. (NOTE: Teens will need to complete three years with HSNZ to gain the CENZ Level 3 certificate, as the credits accumulate level by level. It may take longer depending on the prescribed course derived from the diagnostic testing.)

What did he finish up with?
Katie: He received a CENZ Level 3 honours certificate when he was 18, and after taking a break year to work full-time, he was accepted to Auckland University. He was well prepared for what he chose to study, and life out in the ‘big world’, and is thriving.

How easy was the university application process?
Katie: Some universities in NZ seem more open to homeschoolers than others, Auckland (admin staff) does not seem to be one of the friendliest. Some thoughts for those with children applying to Uni is a) if possible, get them to do most of the application process, rather than you. Life Skills learned, and also, the staff seem to respect that and respond better. And b) Persist. If your son or daughter has the ability to do it, and/or has done the work to be admitted, don't walk away if not initially accepted. Try again; call the admissions office; push back a little, they may be difficult just because it is "different"; see about other acceptance pathways. There is often a way.

Will your remaining teens take this same pathway?
Katie: Maybe, though it is not my plan with the youngest two. The curriculum choices available to get the credits were not working very well for them. We have other curriculum/subjects we want to focus on, so we are heading for GED with Lime Feather Learning with them.

Thank you Katie for sharing your experience with us!

Any questions relating to this, please don’t hesitate to contact me at futurepathways@nchenz.org.nz!

Home Educators Student Sports Association Update 

HESSA AGM 2025
 Tuesday 5 August 8.00pm 
online via Google Meet HESSA AGM Meeting Link
 
Please join us for the HESSA AGM - to hear about HESSA's journey and advocacy for homeschooled students over the past year, (spoiler -it's been huge) and where to next for HESSA?

Homeschooling Hack: Record Keeping

The idea of record keeping can seem too much at times, where to start? what to do? why?

We are so grateful to have an amazing freedom to homeschool however we choose, however this can have some disadvantages - keeping records of what progression of learning has happened, special milestones and moments for our children, which can be celebrated and looked back upon, can be lost. It can feel overwhelming, in the midst of a busy homeschool life, to action a plan.

This resource was designed with you in mind - simple guidance to documenting

New Zealand Science Resource

Science Alive is a New Zealand charitable trust established in 1991, by local innovators who share a passion for science and technology. The vision was clear: to inspire the public through interactive experiences and accessible education.Backed by a robust network of expertise, Science Alive operates as a hub for science and technology nationwide.Formerly celebrated as a beloved physical center in the heart of Canterbury, we're now thrilled to extend the Science Alive experience to the digital realm, making it accessible to all.

Bringing Science to Everyone, Everyday, Everywhere.

We're on a mission to make science captivating and accessible for all. Whether you're a teacher seeking resources to inspire students or a curious individual eager to dive into the wonders of science you’re in the right place. Discover nationwide events, browse our engaging content, and check out our selection of educator approved science and tech products. It's all made to entertain and inspire, and it's all for you to explore!Join us today in our mission to make science come alive for all.

How to Access

  • As a homeschooler you can register for the educator portal, all that is needed is your details and your exemption certificate.

  • Once you have been emailed your login details you can login and create student access.

Links

Real Life Homeschooling: The Wallace Whānau

Lynlee and Wayne with children Flynn (18), Maisie (15), Rosie (11)

Tell us about your homeschooling journey 

I thought I could do a better job than teachers and focus more on topics that are important to us. I wanted to be able to tailor education to our kids needs.

What does a typical day look like 

We start around 8 or 9am normally with me reading to our 11 year old. We move on to other work, podcasts, reading, maths etc and are finished by lunchtime. We have multiple breaks throughout and sometimes do trips or baking during the morning too.

What do you love about this lifestyle and what you find most challenging?

We are together all the time which we like. We are very close and get on pretty well mostly. We like that we make the decisions for our family, not a school. We can holiday and do whatever we like at different times. We can take breaks when we're sick without a problem. It has allowed our kids to have a more flexible education, really focusing on things that interest them.

I have found trying to balance enough social time with enough work quite difficult and trying to encourage introverted kids to socialize has been difficult. I've found teaching maths to all three kids but especially to a dyslexic child challenging.

What advice would you give to new homeschoolers 

You'll need to be really intentional about your kids getting together with others just to play regularly. Attending lots of activities doesn't really help much with making friends, we've found, as they're too busy doing the activity to talk to others.

Want to share your experience as a homeschooling caregiver? Fill out the questionnaire here!

Book Review: Math-ish: Finding Creativity, Diversity and Meaning in Mathematics by Jo Boaler

I am always on the hunt for new math resources and ideas to help my reluctant and very anxious maths learner at home. A local librarian recommended Math-ish to me and it was a very engaging and useful read. The term -ish numbers was coined by the author as a more approachable way of describing estimation and to highlight the value of problems without an exact answer. While a lot of the context of the book is about teaching mathematics in a school setting I found many of the ideas and resources are transferable to supporting a homeschooled student in learning mathematics.

Math-ish has seven principles that are designed to reframe the reader’s relationship with math and teaching math:

  • The power of mindset on learning

  • Utilizing a visual approach to math

  • The impact of physical movement and communication on understanding

  • Understanding the value of an "ish" perspective - in mathematics and beyond

  • The importance of connected and flexible knowledge

  • New data on diverse teaching modes that work with different learning styles, not against them

  • The value of diversity in learning mathematics―and beyond

My most useful takeaways were:

  • The use of low floor, high ceiling problems. These are problems that you don’t need a lot of maths knowledge to come up with a solution but the more mathematical knowledge you have the more in-depth solutions you are able to come up with. These problem types were a great way to involve my 8 year old while working with my 14 year old.

  • The concept that solving math problems doesn’t always happen instantly or quickly. Fermat’s last theorem wasn’t solved for 358 years with Andrew Wiles taking 7 years to solve it. This has really helped our children with the frustration around problems taking longer to solve than they would like.

  • The 9 mathematical strategies cartoon has become part of our children’s maths folders and is something we use regularly when they get stuck on a problem.

  • Using reflective journaling alongside our maths for the day has proved really powerful for our reluctant mathematician. It has helped put a lot of her concerns in perspective. The reflective questions from the Reflection worksheet have been a great starting point.

Both the strategies cartoon and the reflection worksheet can be found here

Business Spotlight: Braidy

Angela Wheeler, Family Literacy, Homeschooling & Worldschooling Consultant, Advisor for the Language Comprehension Institute and Australasian supplier of The Braidy Approach, located in New Zealand

Angela is a homeschooling mother of three, who like many others struggled with finding what worked best for her developing children. After searching far and wide she stumbled across the Braidy eleven years ago and upon seeing the magic in her children’s eyes when they used it she immediately understood the value of the Braidy and she was sold on it.

Angela was so passionate about the Braidy and how it could help children she and her family travelled across the world so she could complete training with the founder of Braidy and become the Australasian representative and supplier of the Braidy. Now eight years later, not only was she successful in completing her training, she has now earned a place on the Language Comprehension Institutes advisory board as a Homeschooling consultant.

What is the Braidy?
The Braidy is a hands-on tool that helps children to develop / improve language and literacy skills. “Braidy® is evidence based, research based and aligns with Structured Literacy.”
With the combination of the Braidy tool and the Braidy approach (which provides E-book, weekly lessons and regular zoom support) parents can feel confident in scaffolding their child’s learning with real world experience.
Using Braidy supports development and improvement of language, literacy, cognitive skills, social skills, emotional skills and mental well-being.  It helps children to organise and express their thoughts and feelings so they can communicate under pressure.
While the Braidy helps children aged three to sixteen, it is a particularly powerful tool for those with learning difficulties, neurodivergence and anxious communicators as it is a simple step by step process to organise their thoughts and then communicate through verbal or written medium.

Visit www.braidy.co.nz or contact Angela via email at  angela@braidy.co.nz

Angela will also be available at HEART if you wish to talk in person.

National & Online Events/Activities

Maths Week/Wiki Pangarau 2025

Maths Week is a major event that is held each year. Sponsored by the Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Association of Mathematics Teachers, a number of resources are written to support the mathematics and statistics curriculum and made available to teachers and students in Years 1 – 11. Maths Week resources are free.

The aims of Maths Week are:

  • to encourage students’ interest in mathematics and statistics

  • to give teachers resources that they can use in the classroom, particularly material that requires some research and which may not be readily available to them, or that can be used electronically in class.

  • to show the pleasure that mathematics can provide and some of the everyday places where mathematics and statistics can be used

  • to give teachers material that can provide extension.

Maths Week 2025 will be held between Monday 11 August and Friday 15 August.

Registrations are open now. To register, go to https://www.mathsweek.co.nz

For more information about Maths Week and the resources, go to https://www.mathsweek.co.nz/forteachers

Teacher files contain the answers to questions in the student resources, and any additional notes, and are available to teachers who register. Teachers who register will be able to access and familiarise themselves with the worksheet resources from Monday 28 July.

This year, an event is being held for teachers and home educators and students – to submit a way to promote Maths Week. Prizes are on offer. For details, go to https://www.mathsweek.co.nz/forteachers

About NCHENZ

The National Council of Home Educators NZ (NCHENZ) has been an Incorporated Society since 1998, dedicated to supporting and advancing home education across Aotearoa NZ at a national level.

We are the only nationwide homeschooling body in NZ representing all home educators, and we hold a strong commitment to neutrality. As per our Constitution, we do not endorse or promote any particular political, religious, educational, parenting, or socio-economic philosophy or methodology. Our focus is on creating an inclusive environment where all members, regardless of their cultural background or beliefs, feel welcomed and respected.

We have had zero membership fees for many years to ensure that the organisation is accessible to the entire homeschooling community, regardless of personal circumstances.

Email us on info@nchenz.org.nz