Services

WHEN offers a range of services which we hope will assist members in their home educating journey. Our group runs because committed busy home educators (parents and children) take responsibility for tasks. Everyone is encouraged to contribute. The services we offer include:

Access to the Yahoo!Groups message board

Along with this website the Yahoo!Group is the prime method of communication between members. Membership of the Yahoo!Group is limited to financial members of WHEN Inc. When your application to join WHEN is processed you will receive an invitation to join the Yahoo!Group. The purpose of the group is to inform members of events within the Wellington Region organised by WHSA or other organisations which are of interest to home educators and for advertising home education materials for sale. You can also view the Calendar for upcoming events. Dates highlighted in bold have events planned The list is intended to be a message board not a discussion group. In particular it is not intended for political or religious discussions. Any member who objects to message content can refer their complaint to the group moderator privately. Events are also advertised on this website. If you want an event advertised please contact us. If you are experiencing difficulties with the Yahoo!Group please check that you are posting messages from the email address you have supplied to WHEN.

Directory of Families

On joining WHSA Inc you may elect to have your details remain confidential however most members agree to including their contact details, the names and ages of their children and the materials they use in home educating on a list which is circulated to other members. The list is confidential to members only. This list helps members identify and contact other home educators who live near by, have children of similar ages, use particular materials or espouse a particular philosophy.

Kiwis in Print

Approximately once a term WHSA publishes a magazine giving children an opportunity to publish writing, art work and projects. Children earn points and prizes for their contributions. Regular reminders of submission dates are sent to members via the Yahoo!Group and the editor's contact details can be found in the Yahoo!Group Files Area

Library of Resources and Home Education Publications

Over the years WHSA Inc has collected resources which may benefit home educators including many difficult to source magazines and publications on home education theory and practice from overseas. We also have a wide range of early reading materials which are classified by difficulty as well as material for all ages in a wide range of subject areas. We now have a computerised catalogue of the library resources.

The library is open fortnightly on Tuesdays during the school term. For exact dates and times please refer to the Yahoo!Groups calendar. A reminder about Library Open times is sent out to members via the Yahoo!Group. Volunteers are always required to supervise the library during opening hours. For directions to the Library please refer to the Yahoo!Group files.

Outings, Meetings and Workshops

We take up opportunities to make group bookings as a "school" to various events around Wellington. Members should note that current government policy states that home educated children are not entitled to take advantage of LEOTC (Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom) Funding which is available to all children at public, integrated and private schools in New Zealand. As a result you may be asked to pay more than school children would pay to take advantage of these visits.

We take up opportunities to make group bookings as a “school” to various events around Wellington. Members should note that current government policy states that home educated children are not entitled to take advantage of LEOTC (Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom) Funding which is available to all children at public, integrated and private schools in New Zealand. As a result you may be asked to pay more than school children would pay to take advantage of these visits.

For information on upcoming events see What's Coming Up?

Groups also meet regularly throughout the region for specific activities such as sport, swimming, drama, art or science as well as coffee, companionship and play. Click on the link to find out more about these groups.

To contact the organisers of these groups please refer to the Yahoo!Group Files

All members are welcome to advertise on this website a visit or group they have set up and want others to share. If you advertise an event via the Yahoo!Group it will be picked up and added to the “What's coming up?” page. We do suggest in planning events that you try to avoid clashes. Please contact us to check the diary for clashes.

Where noted bookings are essential for outings. We may have limited places or have to prepare for the number attending. Sometimes a visit can only go ahead if a minimum number have agreed to attend.

Scholastic Book Club

The Scholastic Book Club offers a wide range of books of interest to children, teachers and parents. We have a “school membership” and members are sent brochures twice each school term. Members can order via our bookclub coordinator and collect books when they arrive. WHSA benefits by receiving free books, bonus coupons and reward points which are applied to purchases for our library. To be added to the Scholastic mailout please contact us. You will be asked to confirm your WHSA membership.

Student ID Cards

WHSA issues annual student id cards for use on buses, trains and at movie theatres. The cards also provide a useful method for teens to be able to establish that they are not truants. Cards cost of $5.50 per card. You an download an id card application form from the Yahoo!Group Files Please note we can only issue cards once a term. Application for cards need to be received by 31 January 2008 to be issued in Term 1. Cut off dates for 2009 are 23 January, 10 April, 3 July and 25 September.

Equipment for members use

WHSA owns a microscope, a play parachute, sets of paintbrushes and scissors which are available for loan to members running group events. To borrow this equipment please contact us