Thoughts/Notes to myself 51
52
8. SHOULD WE HOMESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH‐SCHOOL? Parents often confess their terror of homeschooling their high school children. How will we ever get through Matric? What about little things like the Matric dance? What about sport? One thing to remember is that homeschooling doesn’t miraculously change the moment our children leave Grade 7 and enter Grade 8! Homeschooling is a blessing all the way through primary school. It remains so through high school too. In fact, we believe the high school years are the very years you should be home‐schooling! Here are some reasons why! 1. There is peer pressure to consider. There are not many teens that are mature enough at the age of 13 to withstand constant pressure! Our children’s identity can so easily become wrapped up in their peer group. They want to be one part of the “in” crowd. And the wave of peer pressure can so easily be overwhelming. 2. There is the blessing of family relationships. You have worked so hard over the years to build strong relationships that will last a lifetime. Homeschooling is a ministry of discipleship – period! That discipleship does not evaporate in high school! It’s the very time our discipleship of our children should be stepping up a gear! Healthy relationships result in confident children. If you place your child in the local high school, you will be separated for a minimum of seven or more hours a day. You may not notice it at first, but little by little changes to the way your son or daughter behaves will appear. The family relationship becomes eroded – just a little at a time. Remember that you are more than a parent; you are your child’s mentor and role model! As your child enters their teens, the friends they choose can have an enormous impact and influence… you can help them to choose wisely. 3. You have provided an excellent foundation academically to this point. One‐on‐ one interaction has been so effective. A high‐school dilutes this approximately thirty‐ fold! There is so much wasted time at school, between assemblies, sports meetings, inter‐house days and more; that almost 60% of the school day is given to interruptions and not to academics (and say hello to huge volumes of homework!). If you have a child that is a whiz at science, you can tailor the learning and the curriculum to suit their needs and passion. In fact, Cambridge offers far more flexibility in this regard than does the South African Matric! It is not news to many of us that home‐schooled children can matriculate early. If you have a child in this category, placing them in the high school will merely stifle their progress. Your love and support are always present. Will any high school support your child the way you do? 53
By nature, a mainstream school is SYSTEM‐centred… Homeschooling is CHILD‐centred. 4. What about important life‐skills? This is the time you can train and instruct in such a critical area. If you run a business from home, your children can begin to get involved. What an awesome life‐skill you will be passing on. Also, the moment you place your children in school you lose all the flexibility that comes with a homeschooling life‐style! If you are used to this life‐style, the rigid, inflexible schedule could come as a nasty shock to everyone. You may think that learning to adapt to a rigid schedule is important; after all, your child’s boss won’t take kindly to them arriving at work at 10am! However, this aspect can be taught and achieved in so many other, more positive ways than the high‐school environment! 5. There is the issue of safety. And no, this is not a melodramatic ploy in support of helicopter parenting! The fact is that news of drugs, bullying, violence and sexual abuse (often at the hands of teachers!) and even deaths of students is becoming more commonplace in schools – and the crisis is only getting worse – certainly here in South Africa! There is still no place like home, and it is a safer option than any school! 6. Finally, and ultimately, there is the issue of faith. In the Bible we read, “And without faith it is impossible to please God.” ~Hebrews 1:6 Has God let you down thus far? Is He likely to let you down when you homeschool through High School? Enough said. “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” ~1 Corinthians 3:3 54
Thoughts/Notes to myself 55
56
9. IN CLOSING… YOUR NEW BEGINNING I am deeply indebted to ‐ and have been so blessed by ‐ those who encouraged me to press on over the years. And I hope that in one way or another, this Handbook will serve a similar purpose in your life. Should you wish to discuss your needs in more detail, please contact our Love2Learn office through our website: www.love2learn.co.za. It would be our sincere privilege and pleasure to offer you advice and guidance to meet your unique family’s needs. Whether you are a mom or dad with your precious children, searching for an answer to how to go forward with your child’s education… or a passionate educator in a private learning centre, seeking an alternative solution to the education of the darling boys and girls that are entrusted to your daily care… My heartfelt prayer as you homeschool your children, is that God will bless your faithfulness, commitment, self‐less giving servant‐hearts and your obedience and unwavering trust in Him! May the Lord guide you, grant you strength and wisdom, courage and vision, hope and trust, stamina and perseverance as you seek to disciple your child as you educate them! SOLI DEO GLORIA! “May the God of peace... equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” ~Hebrews 13:20‐21 57
About the Author “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 Ivana Ries founded and began authoring Love2Learn Curriculum in 2002. She resides in Fourways, Sandton, South Africa with her husband, Marc. They have two daughters, Savanna and Cassidy. Ivana was born in Johannesburg and studied Chemical Engineering; and was at one time, a professional ballet/modern dancer. After 15 years with BMW South Africa ‐ in response to God’s call on his life, Marc joined Ivana in 2006, as Managing Director at Love2Learn Curriculum; because “homeschooling restores families and impacts generations”. Ivana, Marc and the girls are all members of The Village Church, Lonehill ‐ a Jesus‐centred Church ‐ where the family has been actively involved since 1996. Both Savanna and Cassidy completed their Cambridge AS‐Levels having been homeschooled from day one. (Neither girl ever attended a formal school). The family is active in promoting homeschooling in South Africa, having appeared in a host of television and radio programmes over the years. Ivana used to be a guest speaker and has presented many workshops and encouragement days for enquiring and existing homeschooling families. In recent years, Ivana has moved her attention to instructing people from all walks of life in self‐defence and close quarter combat, under the banner of her company – STORM COMBAT. She is a qualified Krav Maga and Firearms instructor and has her Black Belt in Krav Maga. Together with a group of skilled and precious team members, Marc manages Love2Learn and is himself a guest speaker and presenter in the homeschooling arena. 58
Bring Life2Learning (PTY) Ltd. t/a Love2Learn Curriculum PO Box 1171, Lonehill, 2062, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa 60 Macbeth Avenue, Witkoppen Ext. 21, Fourways, 2068 Gauteng, South Africa +27 11 465 6049 +27 83 222 6031 [email protected] www.love2learn.co.za © June 2020 59
Search
