MESSAGE FROM OUR MANAGER

CONGRATS! YOU MADE IT! LET’S CELEBRATE!

Dear Friends,

Congratulations! You and your children made it through the 4 terms (2 semesters) of the 2018 academic year.

Here at the ACHS office, we have been busy organising Year 10 and Year 12 certificates for ACHS graduates, enrolling new students, helping students, helping parents, entering test scores and getting ready for next year.

However, you have been finishing up your children’s academic work and extracurricular activities for the end of the year. It’s time for a well-deserved break for both students and parents. A good break will ensure that you all are refreshed and ready to return to studies in 2019.

CELEBRATE YOUR FAMILY’S VICTORIES

Please make sure that you CELEBRATE the end of your academic year, as a family. It is a great thing to have home schooled your children this year, so please celebrate the victories. You may have had a student who:

• finished the ABCs course or
• learned their addition or multiplication tables or
• improved their hand writing or spelling or
• finished primary school (end of PACE 1072) or
• completed the typing/keyboarding course or
• memorised several Scripture passages or
• read several books or
• wrote 4 essays or
• finished year 10 or 12 or
• gained entry to university

Whatever you do, find a real reason to celebrate each of your children at the end of this year. Look for a strength or an improvement in each child and encourage them in it.

You may want to celebrate at a special dinner. You may want to order some awards certificates from ACHS. Whatever way you choose to celebrate, it will create treasured memories in your children and true self-confidence in them, based on real achievements.

Thanks for being with ACHS this year. We celebrate yet another year of Christian home education and we look forward to working with you next year.

 Yours for Christ and Christian home education,

Terry Harding

Manager

Australian Christian Home Schooling

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Farewell Mr Clifford!

After many years of service to our students and families, Mr. Colin Clifford, one of our teachers, has retired and thus has left ACHS.

Colin has assisted many students as they commenced their home schooling journey, just as he has helped many in their ongoing learning and then as they finished home schooling and graduated with Year 10 and Year 12 certificates.

Colin has also assisted many ACHS parents with their questions and problems during their home schooling years.

As a member of our staff, Colin has been a great colleague and friend to all. We will miss Colin as part of our team and we want to publicly acknowledge his valuable contribution to our students, their families and his colleagues at ACHS.

We wish Colin and his wife God’s richest blessing as they embark on a new phase of life.

Welcome Mr Nathan Roberts!

We would like to announce the appointment of Mr. Nathan Roberts as a new teacher/academic consultant at ACHS.

Nathan comes to us with loads of experience and expertise, which will bring many benefits to ACHS and to our students and families.

Nathan has been an Apple computer consultant, run his own business, taught in a Christian school and has taught in two Senior Trade Colleges. He has degrees in both Teaching and Education,

Let’s hear from Nathan as he tells us something of his story.

Hi and thank you for the warm welcome I have received from families I have already made contact with. I have been Married over 11 years to my beautiful wife Amy and have 3 lovely children Levi (8), Isaac (7) and Elianna (2). When I have time, I enjoy riding my motorcycle and playing drums, and most importantly I love it when I can help unlock a young person’s God given talents and abilities to achieve their dreams for their life.

Christmas Office Closure

CLOSED: 21st December, 2018 - 1st January, 2019

ACHS staff will be taking a well earned break between Christmas and New Year.  Our office will close on the 20th of December, and will reopen again on the 2nd of January.  January is an extremely busy time of the year for us, so if you have any questions or concerns about the new year, feel free to get in touch with us now.

Semester 2 Report Cards

Semester 2 Report Cards are due to be printed on the 18th of January, 2019. This will enable them to be posted before the end of January. You are able to help with the on-time delivery of these report cards by ensuring that you promptly return all completed PACE tests on or as close as possible to the 1st day of January, 2019. This will allow time to enter the data, and check it to be ready for printing.

Note: If you are finishing school work in early December and do not plan to work through the Christmas period, please send your tests in before Christmas.  This will help our staff keep on top of the workload and allow all reports to go out on time.  Staff will also be taking some time off during this period, so we appreciate the timely return of work.

2019 Membership Fees

Annual Membership Fees for 2019 have been updated, and there has been a slight increase.  You should receive a notification from our accounts department, but you may also see the new fees on our website.  Follow the link below for further information.

ACHS Website - Fees

If you have decided to not continue with ACHS into the new year, please be sure to notify our office in writing of your intention to withdraw.  This will ensure there are no charges made accidentally.

GOD’S PEOPLE CELEBRATE

God’s people have celebrated key spiritual events throughout history. The nation of Israel has celebrated many key spiritual events and issues including: rest from work (Sabbath), freedom from slavery (Passover), covering of sin (Atonement) etc. Christians have carried on the tradition of celebrating key spiritual events such as Jesus’ birth at Christmas, Jesus’ resurrection at Easter and the Lord’s Supper/Communion etc.

Celebrate the Incarnation at Christmas

With Christmas approaching, let’s recall the reason for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

The correct word to describe Jesus coming to Earth as a man is INCARNATION. The Incarnation refers to the historical event when GOD BECAME A MAN and came to planet Earth via a family. This does not mean that God just put on a body suit or that his spirit inhabited a person. The Incarnation means that the fullness of God became a man in the person of Jesus, the Son of God.

Before the Incarnation, the triune God, was in spirit form. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit were in spirit form. However, at the Incarnation the Son of God in all of his divine spiritual fullness became a man. He had to become a man so that He could take mankind’s penalty for mankind’s sins – the penalty of death.

Jesus’ Resurrected Body

One of the most remarkable things about the Incarnation is that Jesus could not return to his former spirit-only state. He still has His resurrected BODY. He is in Heaven at the Father’s right hand and He has His resurrected body. This prefigures that all of God’s people will one day, also be in Heaven with our resurrected bodies.

God’s Love Demonstrated in the Incarnation

The Incarnation demonstrates how great a love that God has for us, because the mighty Son of God took on manhood to save mankind. He cannot return to His former state. He did this for you and for all mankind.

God’s love for humankind is so great! This is why we celebrate at Christmas. We give gifts to emulate that God the Father gave the greatest gift to us – the gift of His Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Have you accepted God’s Son, Jesus, as the one to save you and bring you into God’s family?

Merry Christmas to you and your family from all our staff at ACHS.

Events & Awards

2019 Awards Night

Awards Night has been locked in for February 9th, 2019.  This is a Saturday night and will be held at Beaconsfield Baptist Church, in Beaconsfield Victoria.  Everyone is welcome, Graduates, students, and family members.  There will be a small cost of $6.00 per person, and children under 4 will be free.  This will be a great night of celebration and fellowship, with a light supper will be provided after the awards ceremony.

For more details and to R.S.V.P, please click on the link below.

Awards Night R.S.V.P.

Year 10/12 Graduates

We have been busily processing many year 10 and 12 Graduation certificates over the last couple of months.  If you are a Year 10 or Year 12 Graduate during 2018, and would like to be presented with your Graduation certificate in front of family and friends at awards night, we would love to have you.  It is also an opportunity for Yr 12 Graduates to present a short speech.  If you would like to receive your award at the ceremony and/or present a speech, please click on the link below to register your interest.

Year 10/12 Graduation Interest

2018 Student Awards

Awards are again available for families to purchase for your children.  We have decided this year to provide an option to have the awards emailed to you to print and present at home.  If you choose this option, the awards will be free.  Please see details below for awards application, and click on the link to order.

• Awards are for achievement in the 2018 Academic Year.
• Please complete a separate form for each child.
• There is a charge of $2.75 for each award. (Free for Email Delivery)
• There is no charge for postage within Australia.  
• A charge will be applicable for overseas postage, which will be calculated at time of delivery.  
• Email delivery is now an option.

Student Awards Order Form

A Letter From A 2017 Graduate

Bethany Clarkson has written to ACHS to let us know how she has gone in her first year at Melbourne University. She is studying Music.

Dear Dr. Harding,

I hope you and all of your family are doing well! I also hope that all the ACHS team is doing well, and that you have seen God’s blessing on your work this past year!

I am just emailing you because I thought you might like to hear an update on my progress at Melbourne University this year, and if you want, to pass it on to upcoming graduates. I have had an amazing time at university! I have loved every aspect of it, from the course and subjects to the social interaction. I have received positive feedback from my teachers, who have praised my academic writing, high standard of work, and overall progress. Out of the 9 subjects I completed this year I received 5 H1’s (A), 2 H2A’s (B), and only 2 H2B’s (C). I am so pleased with my results, especially of one test which received 100% and another paper which received 90%.

I have found that having been home-schooled has really contributed to my successes this year, including being able to produce a high standard of academic writing, which was praised by my tutors. Also, I received the highest mark of all in a subject which is notorious for having a high failure rate among students, simply because I had a strong background in music theory, a subject that many of my peers did not have the time to pursue in high school. Because I was able to do the theory tests, which many others had not, I was able to get really good marks for that subject.

I also really enjoyed the social aspect of university and have made many friends from lots of different backgrounds. I joined the Christian Union and really enjoyed the Bible study groups and spending time with other Christians. With all glory to God, and also great credit to my Christian upbringing and the strong Christian content of the PACE’s, the leaders of the music faculty Christian Union offered to me the position of co-leader for next year.

Thank you so much for supporting and facilitating Christian home-schooling in Australia. It has definitely benefited me in my education, and more importantly in my faith!

Have a lovely day and God bless,

NOTE

Bethany also asked for prayer for herself and fellow Christian students as they face the daily rigours and philosophical challenges of university life.

Please pray for both Bethany and all ACHS graduates who are at university and TAFE, that they will:

• Grow in their faith
• Do well in their studies and career pathways
• Be a light on their campuses and work places

Freedom of Religion in Australia

A brief study of ancient and modern history will demonstrate that since the beginning of recorded history, the privilege of the value of the individual and the freedoms we currently enjoy were not the normal human experience. The freedoms that developed in the Western world have taken a long time to develop.

Source of Freedom

Genesis 1:26-27 states that all people, both male and female are made in the image of God. This fact is the foundation of the ideas of (i) the dignity of the individual and of (ii) the freedoms which we currently enjoy in Australia. These freedoms are the bedrock of our society. They include (i) freedom of conscience, (ii) freedom of religion, (iii) freedom of speech, (iv) freedom of assembly and (v) the rule of law.

Threat to Freedom of Religion

At this point in time, the free exercise of religion is under threat in Australia. The Federal Religious Freedoms Review and the recent Federal Senate Inquiry into “Legislative exemptions that allow faith-based educational institutions to discriminate against students, teachers and staff” each expose Australia’s freedom of religion to the possibility of being significantly diminished.

Current Protections

The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is protected under international law in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Also, Section 116 of The Constitution of Australia gives some protection to the freedom of religion. Similarly, there are some protective exemptions in the Commonwealth’s Sex Discrimination Act (1984), however the current opposition in Canberra is seeking to remove these protections. Ultimately, protection of religious freedom usually falls to state and territory anti-discrimination laws, which vary significantly.

An Answer

One prominent legal opinion is that Australia needs an overarching Federal law, which acknowledges and protects the freedom of religion. Such a Federal law would override any anti-religious state or territory law, which may be designed to reduce or remove religious freedom.

What Can We Do?

If you are concerned about being free to not only worship but to also live according to the teachings of God and His Word and if you want faith-based institutions to be free to operate according to their values, it is important to act on your concerns. Things that you can do, include:

• Pray for the protection of freedom of religion in Australia
• Read, learn and talk about the issues (a good learning experience for high schoolers) See the Australian Christian Lobby’s https://www.acl.org.au/tags/freedom
• Contact your federal member and your state’s federal senators about your concerns
• Sign the Australian Christian Lobby’s “Save our Schools” petition at https://sos-acl.nationbuilder.com/

Whilst all Australians enjoy the freedoms mentioned in this article, not many are aware of them or can explain them, as we can take them for granted. This ignorance of the freedoms we live in can be described as a case of “Fish don’t know that they are wet.”

We need to be aware of our freedoms and of the attacks upon them. We also need to act so as to preserve these freedoms in particular, the freedom of religion, for future generations.

Scripture Memory

At the start of lessons every morning, have your children read aloud, with you, the Monthly Scripture Memory Passage.  Have them read either from their Bibles or from a printed sheet.  Adjust the size of the passage to fit your child’s age and skill level.  This exercise should only take a minute or so.

After a single, aloud reading every day for a month, you child may have memorised the passage.  If not, they may need some dedicated time to practice e.g. at night after dinner etc.

When your child can say the Scripture passage to you by heart, record this on your Supervisor’s progress card and the Monthly Attendance Sheet.  Put a Bible sticker on their Star Chart and don’t forget to give them a reward for this important achievement.

You are free to use any version of the Bible for this activity.  You may wish to download an electronic version of the Bible, for printing the Scripture passages for your child to learn, or you may click on the passages below for a printable version.

Trading Post

Trading post will continue to be a place where you can connect with other families, who might be looking for 2nd hand score keys or resource materials.  You may email us here at ACHS with your advertisements, and we will endeavour to list as many as we are able.  When sending us items to be listed for sale, please follow these important guides:

1. Used PACEs and PACE tests are NOT ALLOWED to be resold.  Only used score keys and resource materials such as literature books may be advertised through the trading post.
2. Ensure that you provide accurate contact details.  The ACHS office does not manage the transactions listed in the trading post.  If you would like people to buy your items, provide them with the best way to get in contact with you.
3. When listing your items, list them clearly and accurately.

1. Maths SK 1037-39, 1040-42, and so on.
2. English SK 1037-39, 1040-42, and so on.

4. It would also be advisable if you are able to identify if the Score Keys are edition 3 or 4.  As there may be differences in content between editions 3 and 4, it will assist you in finding a buyer.

Attendance Sheets

Keeping a record of your children’s attendance to their learning is an integral part of the procedure here at ACHS.  Not only does it form part of your record keeping requirements for your homeschool registration, but it helps us see an overall picture of how the students are working.  You may download the latest attendance sheets here:

• 2019 Whole Year in (1 PDF)
• January
• February
• December 2018

EVENTS CALENDAR