October Monthly Updates
Welcome to our new monthly updates layout.
Moving forward all monthly updates will come from the email address monthlyupdates@nchenz.org.nz it is a good idea to register the address @nchenz.org.nz as a safe sender as all contact from us comes from a variation of this address.
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.
Member Offers - Discounted Online Programs
Access discounts that are usually reserved for schools, available only to our members.
TYPING CLUB
Only $17.60 for 1 year.
The subscription begins on 1st November each year and expires 30th October the following year. Late enrolments cannot be accommodated sorry.
Typing Club is a web based, game based fully accessible Touch Typing program and can also be customised to aid those who are blind, low vision, dyslexic, or hard of hearing. The program adapts to all abilities including SEND, SLD and ESL.
When programmes are due for renewal Gin will email you from that programmes email address while all the emails are different they all end with @nchenz.org.nz so it is best to save this as a safe sender to ensure your emails don't get sent to spam.
If you've made a payment for a Member Offers program and not heard anything within a couple of weeks, please check your junk folder, or email the relevant program email address. Remember to save the individual program email addresses to your safe sender list too.
NCHENZ Website Highlight
Local groups by region
The page is separated into regions, find your local region, click the drop down arrow, see the list of groups we have for that area and their contact details.
If there is a group in your region that's not on the list, or contact details have changed please let us know, we would love to keep it up to date and accessible for all.
Email info@nchenz.org.nz
Members favourite resource
Each month we will feature a member's favourite resource. This is a way for members to share with their community, not an endorsement, NCHENZ recommends you do your own due diligence before purchasing any resource, to ensure it meets your needs.
Let’s Talk YouTube!
There are so many amazing YouTube channels out there that can inspire, support, and supplement our homeschooling — but it can be tricky to know which ones are worth the watch! Here’s a list of some of our members’ favourite educational channels.
Domain of Science, range of topics, age 13 and up youtube.com/@domainofscience
For Story of the World: Ages 5-13 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkGG-cnwcNVr-F4S3JaaCS9trLcWnNkfa
Science/technology/engineering: All ages https://youtube.com/@markrober?si=viVIEEp3WnHWsbw5
Science/Chemistry: Ages 12+ https://youtube.com/@nilered?si=IP4X407SVr_ILLXQ
For computational Minecraft Ages 12+ https://youtube.com/@mattbatwings?si=ryjQuz4XLMAIoNqy
For physics Age 12+ https://youtube.com/@stevemould?si=Zjbn0IAqeGAfP5C6
For gardening/vege growing and sustainability from an NZ homeschooling family
https://youtube.com/@homesteading_nz?si=6JETpU8d-NM9fBdA
Do you have a favourite resource you would like to share in the next Monthly Notices; Please send it to coordinator@nchenz.org.nz
Facebook updates.
Don’t have a Facebook, don’t see posts, Don’t worry,
the following are updates from our NCHENZ and Navigating Highschool & Beyond Facebook pages
Share Your Homeschool Story
Every homeschooling journey looks different — and that’s one of the things that makes our community so rich and inspiring.
We’d love to hear from you about:
How you home educate
What a “day in the life” looks like for your whānau
Your challenges and your joys
Any advice you’d share with others on this journey
We’re also really interested in the different approaches families take — Steiner/Waldorf, Montessori, unschooling, classical, eclectic, “school at home”… or maybe your own unique mix!
Your stories are valuable not only for other members here, but also for helping us show the wider public the diversity and strengths of homeschooling in Aotearoa. Some responses may even be featured in our newsletter and on our public-facing socials (with your permission, of course).
If you’d like to share, please fill out this form
Questions?
You can always email coordinator@nchenz.org.nz.
We can’t wait to read and share more of your homeschooling stories!
Hi everyone,
This list of free and low-cost resources can support home learning across core subjects. Some are fully free, while others offer optional paid content.
Mix & Match #1 – Core Subjects (Downloadable list)
This list of free and low-cost resources can support home learning across core subjects. Some are fully free, while others offer optional paid content.
This collection is for all families supporting children and teens learning at home.
First on the list is Common Sense Media’s newly updated K–8 Digital Literacy & Well-being curriculum.
Download the PDF of the full list of learning resources to keep, print, or share whenever it might be helpful.
Free to play. Free to learn.
– Irene
Kirsty Prewer
Happy holidays everyone. The countdown to term 4 is here (and dare I say Christmas?!).
Below is a response to an enquiry my husband (and qualified outdoor instructor) made regarding the recent announcements about outdoor education being 'removed' as an option for senior students. It's not all bad news, and if it is executed well, it could be a good move. Hopefully there will be major consultation and partnership with NZOIA. We shall see!....
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the refreshed curriculum and the senior secondary subjects.
We are responding on behalf of the Minister of Education and appreciate the opportunity to outline how the new curriculum is being designed, and what it means for students, teachers, and schools in relation to outdoor education.
Outdoor Education is not currently a stand-alone NCEA subject. Schools have been offering outdoor education courses at NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3, often by drawing on Outdoor Recreation and other Unit Standards, combined with Physical Education Achievement Standards adapted for an outdoor context. While the previous NCEA Change Programme proposed to develop Outdoor Education as a full Achievement Standard subject at Levels 2 and 3 in 2021, this work was not implemented.
We know how important outdoor education is for many young people. It provides the chance to learn beyond the classroom, develop resilience, build teamwork, and connect with the natural environment. We have listened carefully to feedback from teachers, students, and the wider community, and I want to reassure you that outdoor education will be visible in the new curriculum.
Outdoor Education will be developed as an industry-led subject at Years 12 and 13 by the Industry Skills Boards. This approach means the subject will capture the essential learning and skills needed for future pathways. It will give students the opportunity to gain qualifications that are relevant to the professional world, with the potential to work towards a tertiary qualification while still at school. Industry-led subjects will also be tertiary aligned, and in many cases not only will students gain a high school qualification, they may also work towards a tertiary qualification.
Importantly, this does not mean Outdoor Education is confined only to the new industry-led subject. Physical Education teachers will continue to have the option to deliver learning and assessments in outdoor contexts, as many already do, ensuring schools can retain flexibility and continue with the approaches that work best for their students.
This is part of the Minister’s broader commitment to providing students with purposeful pathways and access to subjects that are meaningful, relevant, and forward-looking.
The new industry-led subjects will sit alongside Ministry-led subjects within a single qualification system. Both will carry equal value and rigour, ensuring that students can include a mix of industry-led and Ministry-led subjects in their learning programme and still achieve a coherent and credible qualification.
The Minister and the Ministry want every young person in New Zealand to leave school with the skills and confidence to thrive, whether they go on to tertiary study, training, or work. Outdoor Education plays a valuable role in helping students achieve this, and we are pleased that its future is secure within the new curriculum.
Ngā mihi
The New Zealand Curriculum Refresh Team
Te Poutāhū (Curriculum Centre)
National Office 1 The Terrace
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