To Register or not To Register ???

It's that time of the year again.  The envelope has arrived from Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority with the requirement to notify the VRQA on continuation of home schooling. This got me thinking about a a few of the home schoolers who have not registered and those that I have spoken to who are fence sitting at the moment.

For me personally the answer is fairly straight forward:  YES we should if its a requirement in your country/state to do so.

The scriptures are a definite plumb line in regards to these sorts of questions.

[Submission to Governing Authorities] Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. — Romans 13:1 (NIV)

When I read this verse I see no clause exempting home schoolers from obeying the law in their country.  Do you ?  The thing that really baffles me is that there are christian home school leaders who are encouraging home schoolers not to register and there are christian home schoolers who choose not to. I wonder why? Especially when scripture is quite direct in stating that we need to be subject to the governing authorities....

There are christian home schoolers out there who drive the not registering your children wagon and it's main engine is fear.  Remember that FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real.  We are not called to live in fear .

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18

I feel there are a few advantages to being registered here in Victoria.

• You are able to claim the school start bonus if you are on concession.
• You are able to claim the Education Tax Refund. It is illegal to claim this refund if you are not registered.  Heavy fines and penalties apply to those not registered and claiming.
• You can stay informed
• You are given letters stating the requirements for your students.
• You have a voice that counts when lobbying the government that you should use.

To find out more about the registration requirements take a look at

• Australia take a look at Home Education Association.
• New Zealand take a look at Home Education Foundation.
• America take a look at Home School Legal Defence Association and choose your state.
• South Africa take a look at Association for Home Schooling, and Pestalozzi Trust and  Legal Issues
• Other Countries take a look at the HSLDA International page and click on your country.

Home Schooling in Victoria Australia

• Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
• Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority
• Home Schooling Application for Registration for Home Schooling.
• Home Education Network

Legal information

1. Queensland
2. Northern Territories
3. Western Australia
4. South Australia
5. Victoria
6. Australian Capital Territory
7. New South Wales
8. Tasmania

Blessings my friends

10 Days of .... Blog Hop Encouragement comming up

When I first started my blog I shared about 10 days of ...... blog hop over at Confessions of a Home Schooler and was really impressed with the content, encouragement and variety as well as the realness of the ladies who posted.

I was poking around on Heart of the Matter Online and found out that they will once again be having a 10 Days of ..... Blog Hop begining on Monday.

Collage of Contributors.

Introducing the Authors:

Jimmie from Jimmie’s Collage, Jenny from Planner Perfect, Kris from Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers, Sally from I Take Joy, Christine from Fruit in Season

Courtney from Women Living Well, Amy from Raising Arrows, Heather from Blog, She Wrote, Brenda from The Tie That Binds Us

Jenn from Daze of Adventure, Erica from Confessions of a Homeschooler, Maggie from Bright Ideas Press, Cindy from Our Journey Westward, Amy from Milk & Cookies

Amy from Cajun Joie de Vivre, Kendra from Preschoolers and Peace, Montserrat from Chocolate on My Cranium, Toni from The Happy Housewife, Rebecca from Mom’s Mustard Seeds

In anticipation of some Home School / Motherhood / Wifehood encouragement.

7 November 2011 As the 10 Days posts go live I will Update the list below:

Be sure to visit these during the 10 days adventure between November 7th-18th!


Blessings

Treasured Moments 9

Do you find yourself falling into a pattern of daily grind, skipping the 'fun' activities because you don't have time or lack energy?Do creative arts, nature walks, drama, read aloud or spontaneous acts seem only a distant dream in your life?
Yet these Treasured Moments shared with loved ones uplift us, nurture our soul, remind us of the beauty and joy in our lives.
We want Treasured Moments for ourselves, for our children, for our families but how can we make it happen?
... Commitment ... Encouragement ... Support ... Ideas ... Plans.

I invite you to join us every Saturday and share your plans and ideas, your targets and goals and your stories ... your 'Treasured Moments'. In this way we may inspire one another, encourage ourselves and start achieving our dreams. Hosted by Erin at Seven Little Australians and Counting

My Treasured Moments this week are:

1.
Seeing Sir N delight in his new swimming lessons at Paul Saddler Swimland and conquer his fear of standing on the small step to jump into the pool for which he received a BIG effort certificate.

2.
Seeing Sir N enjoy a day out 4 x 4 with us and our camping trip to Mansfield.

3.
Being blessed by Miss J who bought some groceries for me when I was feeling too sick to do anything. 

4.
Having my first born Mr T offer and cook dinner on Thursday night for the family.
5.
My order of Elsie Dinsmore books arriving from Christian Book.com.  My set is now complete. 

6.
Being encouraged by a few blogs.

7.
Discovering Memory Balls on Sue-Ella Signature Designs blog.  I'm in love with this piece of jewellery and would love to bless my Mom with one as well as my Mother in law.


To join in you are welcome to add your post on Seven Little Australians and Counting Treasured Moments 32 using the Mr. Linky form (please link to the individual post) and include a link back to Erins post. If you haven't a blog we would still love to hear your voice, just leave your stories in the comments.

Blessings