Tuesday, December 23, 2014

2014 in review

I can't believe this year is coming to a close so quickly! So much has happened, with lots of personal goals achieved and exciting trips. Here's a whirlwind summary of what we've been up to:



Maestro (age 16) started the year earnestly looking for options for his tertiary education next year. We travelled to a few places on their open days, as well as two VCE/Career Expos, but it took time to refine what outcome he actually wanted career-wise. Whilst finishing off his final homeschool year, he took on voluntary work at the community radio station and the local library. In September he went for an interview at the Radio Training Institute and was accepted into their Advanced Radio Course in Melbourne. As a parent to a homeschool graduate, I have to say that this is probably the most difficult part of the journey we've had.  There are a lot of options out there with Open Uni, TAFE, etc., but you really do need to find out where you want to end up and then back track. Each path has it's own set of entry requirements and it's really worth starting to look into this as early as possible in preparation for the year ahead. We may have needed him to complete VCE via Distance Ed. for some courses, whilst other only needed a STAT test.  The course he's ended up getting into required a sample of his work done, an interview and a copy of 5 mins. of his radio work done at the local station. At the end of this course he'll have credits he can use for any Bachelor of Arts, should he desire to follow up on journalism or television work in the future.


Mariposa (age 13) has really blossomed this year. She's been on a huge learning curve for most of the year and so much has fallen into place.  Horseriding was her #1 goal, with the option to do her first dressage exam at the end of the year ... and guess what?! She did it! Not only did she complete the exam with excellent marks, but she came 3rd in her Class (ages 13-14).  Next year, riding lessons will continue, practising more of her jumping.


Mariposa has also been busy learning some pottery and mosaic skills, plus her piano where she's made up a few of her own compositions now.  Piano and singing will also be pursued more next year.


In June, I went for my ABRSM grade 5 singing and theory exams. It was hard work at the start of the year finding the 'groove' to sit and work through so many study papers for the theory when it had been so long since I'd done anything like that (around 20 years I think!)  Thankfully it all paid off and I passed both exams with Distinctions .. yay!  I've only just gotten my certificates in frames and will have them up on the wall soon.

Papa (my husband) also did his first ever guitar exam and passed with Honours.  Woot! We're on a bit of a roll this year! (smile!)


We also took our very first EVER trip overseas as a family this year.  P&O Cruises took us on the "Bounty Adventure", travelling to New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga and then Norfolk Island.  It was a long cruise of 16 days and not like anything we'd experienced before.  We met some lovely people, including some old school friends from my childhood (amazing how small this world is!).


Along with all the other regular entertainment and art lectures, there were four lectures on Christian and Bligh, and how Pitcairn Island, then subsequently Norfolk Island, were settled by the mutineers and their descendants.  The lecturer works as a curator at the Norfolk Island museum and was keen to share information when we told her a brief version our homeschooling story.  She highly recommended the book The Pitcairners by Nordoff  for anyone wanting to fill in their knowledge of this part of Australiana history. I was very pleased to find a copy of this book in our library when we got home, along with some BBC documentaries of Norfolk Island also.

Now it's the start of Summer break.  The children will be camping and staying away with grandparents. I'm taking some time to organise my piano studio for next year's lessons, as well as finalising plans for Mariposa's lessons. Lots of reading, gardening and quilting to do, and visiting with family.

Hoping you've all had a wonderful 2014, and here's to a fabulous 2015 very soon!

Until next time,
Catherine



1 comment:

Jeanne said...

What a lovely update. So much to be proud of there!