There are a large number of local groups in the Auckland area, offering a myriad of activities, trips and support. As the regional networking group, AHE provides a compilation of them and their activities for its members, updated and published in our newsletter each term. Join us here to enjoy this benefit and many others!

Here are some events which may be of special interest to those who home educate (aka homeschool). For lots of general activity ideas, visit sites like Ak@Play, Tourism Auckland, View Auckland,  Kidspot,  NZ Events Calendar.

We’d appreciate your notifications, comments, corrections or link problems for this page – just contact . Dawn

Event organisers work hard and voluntarily. As a courtesy, please register your interest/book early to ensure your place and that venue/catering arrangements are adequate. If insufficient bookings are received early on, an event may be cancelled.

INCREDIBLE SCIENCE QUIZ – SCIQUIZ
Monday 19 May
Closing date to register for The University of Auckland’s children’s quiz show, SciQuiz, as part of the popular Incredible Science Open Day to be held on 7 July.
Download/Print register form here

YOUTH WEEK
Monday 26 May to Sunday 1 June
www.youthweek.co.nz All about creating a society that values young people and affirms their diversity. The week aims to highlight the amazing things young people (12-24 years) do with this year’s focus on relationships.

UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF NZ ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Friday 30 May to Monday 2 June
An exciting part of the conference is the Annual Speech Awards for Secondary Students. The quality of the speeches is always exceptional and professional. UNANZ selects a topic and entrants research this to present their point of view to the audience. The speech is to be between 5 to 8 minutes and each entrant is judged on speech organisation, delivery and overall effectiveness. They must also focus on the aims, work and aspirations of the United Nations. In 2007, the topic was "United Nations: what's in it for New Zealand?" and Laurelin Okan admirably represented Auckland Home Educators Inc in a line-up of 11 students, the others being from local secondary schools. The 2008 topic is "Human Rights in a Sustainable World". If interested in representing AHE this time around, contact Audrey

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PUBLIC HOLIDAY: QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
Monday 2 June

THE EDUCATION OF GIFTED STUDENTS
Friday 20 June, 7.00pm to 9.00pm
The Faculty of Education
The University of Auckland
74 Epsom Ave, Epsom
Organised by: The Gifted Education Centre (formerly George Parkyn Centre) Political party spokespeople have an opportunity to present their party's view. Hear/pose questions and how they respond. The following have currently confirmed that they will be present:

Chris Harwood (Ministry of Education)
Rodney Hide (ACT Party)
Dail Jones (New Zealand First Party)
Anne Tolley (National Party)
Metiria Turei (Green Party)
Judy Turner (United Future Party)


HEART RETREAT
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 June
Totara Springs Christian Camp
Matamata
A Christian-based, rejuvenating weekend for home educating mothers who come from Whangarei to Palmerston North to attend. Breastfeeding babes only. Speakers, workshops, free time, dashion show, resource displays, craft, shopping, music, etc. Day visitors’ option available. Further details later.

7TH ANNUAL MORRINSVILLE HOMESCHOOLERS’ HISTORY FAIR
Wednesday 25 June, 9.00am to 2.00pm
Campbell Hall
Canada Street
Morrinsville

Cost: $2 per entry, max of $10 per family
Voluntarily organised by: Robyn

REGISTER EARLY TO SECURE YOUR SPACE! It helps plan ahead for another successful event, too! Some Auckland families make a day or two of travelling to Morrinsville for the fair so that they experience TWO homeschool History events during the year. That’s great! Similar idea to a Science Fair, ie, 3-sided stand-up board or similar. Perhaps make implements or models to go with it. Dress up to match your time period if you like! You can present a particular time period or the history of a people group/person or the history of a subject, eg, the history of flight. Kids, be creative! Parents, encourage them but make sure it’s theirs! Bring along parents, friends, family and other supporters to join in the fun – tea and coffee will be provided for them. There will also be a quiz for the older children to complete on N Z History and colouring in pictures for the younger children.

Age groups: 5-7 years; 8-10 years; 11-12 years and High School age. Entries are welcome from other parts of the country or just come along to view, mix & mingle.

9.00am Entry set up
9.30am Judging
10.00am Viewing
12.30pm Prizegiving
to follow Sausage Sizzle (if  you don’t wish to purchase a sausage, BYO lunch or buy something locally)


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TERM 2 ENDS FOR SCHOOLS
Friday 4 July
School terms and holiday times

INCREDIBLE SCIENCE OPEN DAY
INCORPORATING CHILDREN’S SCIENCE QUIZ - SCIQUIZ
Monday 7 July
Faculty of Science
The University of Auckland
For the programme: Email Nicole de Pina
or check the University's website in June

An awesome day aimed at primary and intermediate aged kids, events are free and it’s an AMAZING experience – both in terms of the sheer variety of talks, shows and information available, and in being able to explore the Uni buildings and lecture theatres. There is one downside though – the crowds are INCREDIBLE! Now in its 8th year, it’s gained such popularity that the queues are an absolute pain so be prepared! Several sessions (multiple times) are usually by ticket only though still free. Most other things are queue, queue, queue but it’s well worth it. Suggestion: go through the programme and highlight the parts you’d really like to get to and make your own timetable from that (otherwise it can get very confusing and it’s easy to miss things). Make sure you get there early enough to start queuing if you want to attend the ticket-only sessions. I really wouldn’t take very young ones and prams can be a nightmare!

NEW!!! A chance to show how many bright and enthusiastic minds we have in our community. This year there’ll be an interactive quiz show, SciQuiz, for Years 5 to 8. Maximum age is 13 as at 1 July and capable children younger than Year 5 can enter. Pre-registered teams of 3-4 will race the clock, and each other, to answer a series of  scientific and mathematical  questions.  In previous years, competitions have required preparation of an entry beforehand, with homeschoolers consistently winning, I hear! Use the separate Registration Form for Homeschoolers, Download/Print register form here, developed with input from Auckland Home Educators Inc. Homeschoolers can enter as many teams as they like and the prizes will be shared between team members, not a ‘school’! 1st prize, for example, is a $200 choice of books, and there are individual prizes for winning team members, a series of fun prizes and everyone receives a certificate of participation.

Get fired up and register a team by Monday 19 May. P-l-e-a-s-e avoid embarrassment for yourself and Nicole by honouring this deadline – her job is already extremely busy! If you do enter, let Dawn know how it all went, send in photos, or do a review so that we can add to AHE’s website/newsletter (if you’re willing). It’s great to share and celebrate success as an encouragement to our children and other families!

TERM 3 BEGINS FOR SCHOOLS
Monday 21 July
School terms and holiday times

VARIETY MONSTER BOOK FAIR
Friday 25 to Sunday 27 July
Alexandra Park
Epsom
Contact: Tel: (09) 520-4111

A great chance to pick up some excellent bargains – books, CDs, videos, records, tapes, puzzles, games, etc, as well as support this great charity. In the meantime, sort out your own unwanted items and contact the Variety Bus to collect or arrange to drop them in yourself.

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