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DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
“Learning to live in… goodness, truth and beauty”
cmc.qld.edu.au
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
CONTENTS
2
3. Welcome
4. Our Vision
6. Our History
9. What is Home-based Distance Education
10. What is the Charlotte Mason Method?
13. What age should my children enrol?
15. Legal Issues: - The Legal Entity -
Accreditation of award certificates -
Centrelink Payments for Parents
16. Distance Education Support Services
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
3
WELCOME
My team and I are very excited to welcome you to Charlotte Mason College. It’s
a new day for us as we are looking forward to opening up a world of opportunity
for your child. Charlotte Mason College (CMC) is an accredited Distance
Education and On-Campus Non-State School offering individualised student
learning.
CMC arose out of the Christian Homeschooling Movement, and from a
concern to provide a Christian classical liberal arts education using the
Charlotte Mason Method. All members of the School Board have either
been Home-Education parents or Home-Education students and have
used a Christian Classical Education Program.
Now as an Accredited Non-Government Christian School, we provide…
• Charlotte Mason’s unique methods for helping each child develop a love of learning.
• Preschool to Year 12 On-Campus Classical Education or ...
• Preschool to Year 12 Distance Education Programme support, talent development
options, flexible learning arrangements and regular on-campus activity days.
• Well researched recommendations for Australian Charlotte Mason Curriculum
(teaching children to live in goodness, truth and beauty).
• Flexible arrangements that can include combinations of part-time classroom with
Distance Education, TAFE and University subjects, and learning from community or
business mentors.
• Student ID-Cards.
• Student Progress Reports.
• Graduation Certificates (Certificates III, IV & Diploma and/or Qld Certificate of
Education).
• Parent Supervisor Mentoring: on-going support and/or training in how to supervise
your child’s education. Support via telephone, Skype, e-mail consultations.
• Prepare your children for their destiny and calling in life, not just a job.
O U R V I S I O N
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
At Charlotte Mason College (or CMC) we are concerned that children should
not merely acquire knowledge and skills, but should have opportunity to
experience an abundant life within all that is good, true and beautiful.
C M C F A M I L I E S P U R S U E L I F E S T Y L E S O F . . . .
...'goodness' – through Christian character training via the
disciplined development of the habits needed for success in life.
The CMC program employs Charlotte Mason's gentle common-
sense methods of child training.
...'truth' – through the search for knowledge in the sciences,
humanities and the arts. Students engage with quality classic
literature from the great thinkers and leaders throughout history;
they engage with what Charlotte Mason called ‘living books’ and
real-life practical experiences; and
...'beauty' – by maintaining a warm, loving, positively affirming atmosphere in
the home or classroom; setting up an aesthetically beautiful and ordered learning
environment; and by becoming familiar with classic artworks and music composers.
E D U C A T I N G F O R L I F E
“The people themselves begin to understand and to [search for] an education which
shall qualify their children for life rather than for earning a living. As a matter of fact, it is
the man who has read and thought on many subjects who is, with the necessary
training, the most capable in handling tools, drawing plans, or keeping books. The
more of a person we succeed in making a child, the better will he both fulfil his own life
and serve society.”
- Charlotte Mason, Towards a Philosophy of Education, 1923.
4
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
At CMC, we believe in a well-rounded practical, academic, and cultural
education for all, in order to prepare every student for a constantly changing
world of varied opportunities. In some schools, the ‘non-academic’ children are
relegated to the ‘trades’ pathway, whereas the higher performing students are
prepared for university. Both of these assumed outcomes can be
somewhat narrow in focus. At CMC, we prepare children to live life well
in a way that also prepares them for success whether they pursue
further tertiary study, careers, trades, marriage, family, friendships,
and recreation hobbies – prepared for all of life!
5
We aim to re-ignite the love of learning through a balance of
practical hands-on activities, cultural and artistic pursuits, a
smorgasbord of inspiring food-for-thought, academic skill
development, and Christian character training.
Commentators have called Charlotte Mason's methods 'the gentle art of education'.
Although she lived a century ago, her understanding of children, her elegantly simple
and common-sense methods have been validated by the latest research on brain
function and educational psychology, and these methods will effectively bring out the
very best in your children.
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
OUR HISTORY
CMC is governed by the Parents National Education Union (Australia), which had its
roots in the original Parents National Education Union (PNEU) in the UK over a century
ago. The founder of the original PNEU (UK), Charlotte Mason (1842-1923), was a British
education philosopher, reformer and pioneer in the field of education. Her concept of
‘living books and real- life experience’, as a foundation for educating, shaped many of
the schools of Great Britain at the turn of the 20th century.
In 1896 Charlotte Mason wrote a book titled 'Home Education'
and later books titled 'School Education', 'The Formation of
Character', 'Ourselves', 'Parents and Children', plus a final
treatise called 'Towards a Philosophy of Education' (1923).
She established a network of schools in England and other
countries, a correspondence education service, and a
training college for teachers, nannies, governesses, and
tutors called 'The House of Education'. In the 1930's there
were a few PNEU schools in the southern States of
Australia. One of these (The Wilderness School) is still
operating today, though not strictly following her philosophy.
In 1995, the McNeice family, inspired by Charlotte Mason's work with the
original PNEU, established a non-profit ministry that would hopefully inspire parents
with a vision of an education towards living an abundant life. For 22 years, they
supported all home-educators with a legal advocacy service and provided advice for
families using a broad range of resources and strategies. In 2012, they registered a
range of nationally accredited qualifications (Certificate III, Certificate IV, and Diploma)
effectively providing an alternate pathway for homeschool graduates.
6
Over the years, Bruce and Karen McNeice have worked with more than 3000 families as
they launched out into this journey of training their children with enthusiasm, conviction
and determination.
The kind of parents that enquire and enrol in CMC, tend to be those who
are not satisfied with a conventional education; but have in mind or are
searching for a higher vision of who their child can become. They are
searching for an education that treats their child as a precious person
with unique qualities, and that values the role of the parent as an
important member of their child's education team.
7
DISTANT
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
In 2014, the Parents' National Education Union (Australia) Inc was
established – to continue the work of Charlotte Mason's original PNEU
that operated from 1887 to 1989; and then in 2017, PNEU (Australia)
gained successful registration as an Accredited Non-Government
School and School of Distance Education.
Since 1995, the ministry had operated under the names of
Christian Academy of Life, Unity College, and Eastgate College.
From 2017, the new registered school took on a new name
(Charlotte Mason College) to more accurately reflect its
philosophical foundations, joining a growing movement of
Charlotte Mason Schools in numerous countries around the
world. Many Home-Educators also search the internet for
information on Charlotte Mason's Methods, so this new name will
make it easier for them to find us and get the help they need.
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
1942 CENTENARY MESSAGES OF ENDORSEMENT OF CHARLOTTE
MASON AND HER METHODS
“Teachers owe much to Charlotte Mason’s deep insight into child psychology and to the
new principles in character building and mind training which she advocated, but parents
owe her still more. The gratitude of countless mothers in all parts of the world, who have
profited by her counsel, will be her enduring memorial.”
Elizabeth R. Her Majesty the Queen Mother
“The P.N.E.U. has been one of the most vitalising factors on
the educational life of our country for half a century, and has
steadily fastened attention upon the vital point of close
cooperation between the school and home. It has constantly
upheld the more human as contrasted with the more
commercial tendencies in educational development. For all of
this it deserves the gratitude of the whole nation. “
Archbishop William Temple
“She brought into the life of education a light and sweetness
which transformed school routine into a personal search for
beauty and truth. Her memory lives not only in the hearts of
her colleagues and students but in the history of national
education.”
Sir Henry Richards Late Senior Chief Inspector, Board of
Education
“She threw a shaft of light across the land.” She loved England and therefore the
upbringing of the children of England. She longed that they should have what to her had
been beyond price- the habit of reading great books which disclose the mind of man, seen
in the light of ‘a far-off divine event’.”
Sir Michael Sadler K.C.S.I, C.B. Late Vice-Chancellor Leeds University
“And so she came as deliverer and as an awakener. Finding that children’s minds were
expected to take whatever was given them whether they could digest it or not, and
convinced that Nature here as elsewhere must be obeyed if it is to be controlled, she
proclaimed her convictions fearlessly, and succeeded by the practical demonstration of the
common sense which underlay them in convincing of their truth and wisdom.”
The Lord Primate of Ireland John Archbishop of Armagh
8
W H A T I S D I S T A N C E E D U C A T I O N
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
The Qld Department of Education and Training defines the term as follows:
9
Charlotte Mason College provides full-service education support
for Distance Education students and their parents, as well as On-
Campus classrooms for Preschool to Year 12. Our Distance
Education students are usually learning at home, and supervised
by a parent, governess or tutor. A CMC Learning Advisor
interviews the parent and student by phone to assess their
educational needs. After negotiation with the parent, the Learning
Advisor then maps any suggested learning activities, resources
and strategies to the National Curriculum.
With Distance Education, a parent enrols their child in a School of Distance
Education and a school program is provided by that school for the child. Teachers
are available to help monitor the child's learning, and a teacher from the school
prepares progress reports about the child. The parent is the supervisor or home
tutor to the child within their home. There are State Schools and Accredited
Non-State Schools of Distance Education.
The students may also participate in periodic classes through flexible learning
arrangements, activity days and camps offered by the school.
A consultant will discuss with you the options available for you, to determine the
education services that will best cater to your individual needs.
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
T H E C H A R L O T T E M A S O N M E T H O D
i) The Content – Q: “What is taught?”
ii) The Embedded Worldview – Q: “Which values & belief-
system undergirds the moral, spiritual and character training?”
iii) The Learning Philosophy – Q: “How is it taught?”
iv) The Accredited Qualification – Q: “What do you get at the
end; and what doors of opportunity will it open for you?”
10
Learning to live in goodness, truth, and beauty.
i) The Content - The entire library as our textbook, and the whole world as our
curriculum!
A Charlotte Mason Program provides a broad general and cultural education from
Preschool to Year 12 and beyond. It employs the liberal arts and sciences to provide
a rigorous tertiary preparation using what is known as ‘living books’ and the ‘great
books’ to engage students in ‘the great conversation’ with the cultural giants, thinkers
and leaders who have been influential in the development of Western civilisation and
culture. Most textbooks represent the editor's concept of what is important in a
subject. Rather than limiting the students to the ideas of one author or publishing
company, students learn to be true 'scholars', investigating many primary sources
and immersing themselves in the real-life stories of the scientists, authors,
philosophers, artists, leaders, geniuses, and the common people of the period they
are studying. They become like the Bereans, who the Apostle Paul said were ‘more
noble’ because they didn't just take his word for it, but searched out the scriptures to
see what was truly true.
The Charlotte Mason Method enables a broad general and cultural education
with four distinctive features that make it such a unique and highly sought-after
programme.
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
ii) The Embedded Worldview:
iii) The Learning Philosophy:
Charlotte Mason's motto was, 'Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.’
11
Charlotte Mason proposed that “Anyone who wants to teach children needs to
decide whether man [sic] is just physical, or something more. It can't be both
ways, and even the most trivial detail of the school day will line up with one or the
other of these two fundamental perspectives.” (Mason, 1910)
Because the secular State Education System, stems from a
belief that humans are merely the meaningless product of matter,
chance and time, there is no inherent unifying meaning so that
each subject is independently adrift. However, in a Charlotte
Mason philosophy, we believe there is an overarching story that
unifies all subjects and brings them to life; because there is a
transcendent personal God who is really there, who is not silent,
who acts in real space and time history, and who offers meaning
and purpose to people. Therefore, without having to force any
cross-curricular activities, topics and subjects naturally integrate
in a way that makes sense, so the students discover the big
picture of life. Subjects are interwoven within thematic units of
study; they interconnect, so there is a reason for studying
Science, Literature, History and the Arts.
The CMC philosophy of learning draws on the work of great thinkers and
educators such as Charlotte Mason, Mortimer Adler, Dr Francis Schaeffer, and
Socrates.
Education is an atmosphere: The atmosphere of the home is seen to be
crucially important. When considering atmosphere, we care about both the
physical environment of the students learning centre, as well as the 'social-
emotional' atmosphere and that is both disciplined and friendly, with parents,
Learning Advisors and students always positively uplifting one another.
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
Education is a life: Mason believed in respecting the person-hood of each
child; and that our role as educators is to foster the love of learning as a
lifestyle. Instead of force-feeding them information, she respected and
trusted the child's mind to digest and assimilate quality food for
thought. She was careful to present a smorgasbord of quality
mental food, and then allowed them to share their thoughts and
discoveries, and to come to conclusions on their own. In her
classes, she tried not to over-explain, lecture, or analyse; and
tried not to get too much between the student and the author or
artist they were studying.
Mason recommended 'whole' books rather than condensed
snippets. She gave the children time to read a 'whole' book by
an author rather than a selected reading in an anthology, so they
could fully understand and appreciate what the author had to offer.
Rather than using textbooks which are typically full of 'canned bits of
information' with rote memorisation of facts, she recommended what she called
'living' books which were excellently written stories and texts authored by
someone who is passionate about their topic and brings it to life. Living books
were often written in conversational style, and included selected biographies,
classics, and historical novels. Quality books of this sort allowed the reader to
identify with and understand the personal lives of the characters while gleaning
important contextual facts.
She employed a comprehension technique called 'narration' as a significant
learning tool. The child is required to listen intently to a reading (only once) and
then retell it as closely as he/she can. Charlotte Mason believed this helped a
child to interact with the material in an original way and to assimilate and
connect information in the process. She felt it was important that children be
exposed to only the best literature rather than 'twaddle' which was how she
defined literature written 'down' to a child's level.
12
Education is a discipline: Of course, it takes much time and effort to continually
train everyone towards this type of supportive learning culture. One of the key
roles of the Learning Advisor and parent is to work diligently on the formation of
habitual character traits until they become the innate 'modus operandi' of the
child.
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
Charlotte Mason believed in a structured morning of basic academics and then
dedicating time in the afternoon to real-life situations through hands-on projects,
work experience, play, exploration, nature walks, visits to the museum, and
reading. This would allow education to be a life-enriching, joyous experience, and
adventure.
iv) What Qualification or Award will the students
receive, and where will that lead to?
Depending on their level of achievement, CMC students will
graduate with one or more of these four qualifications by the end of
their Year 12 (or Gap-year 13) studies.
Either...
a) Certificate III in General Education;
b) Certificate IV in Liberal Arts;
c) Certificate IV in Science;
d) Diploma of Musical Theatre
The Cert III would be equivalent to a 'General and Vocational Year 12'; the Cert IV
would be equivalent to an 'Academic Year 12 or Tertiary Preparation Certificate'; and
students with a Diploma are performing at first year university level.
The Prep Year: What age should my children enrol?
According to the Qld Education Department: “Prep is the first year of school and provides
the foundation for your child's education. From 2017, it is compulsory for Queensland
children to undertake Prep prior to Year 1. Prep is a full-time program
in primary schools. Children attend Monday-Friday, generally from 9am-3pm.
Children must be 5 by 30 June in the year they enrol.”
Check the table on the next page to see when your child can start Prep.
13
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
ENROLMENT AGE VARIAT IONS
“Parents enrolling their child in school have the option of an early or delayed start.
Enrolment age variations may be due to a child’s development and readiness, and
could improve their ability to learn.”
DELAYED START TO PREP
“It is not compulsory for your child to attend the Prep year as soon as they are old enough
—5 by 30 June in the year they enrol. You can delay their entry by 1 year if you feel they are
not ready, but when they start school, they should still start in the Prep year.”
Child Born 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Prep Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Kindy Prep Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Kindy Prep Year 1 Year 2
Kindy Prep Year 1
Kindy Prep
Kindy
14
1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009
1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010
1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011
1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013
1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014
1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015
1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
LEGAL ISSUES:
The legal entity:
The College is governed by the incorporated association (Parents' National Education Union –
Australia Inc.), which has been established to promote the Charlotte Mason method of
education, to equip and support parents, and to develop alternate Australian curriculum.
15
Accreditation: It is exciting that after serving families for 22 years, Charlotte Mason
College is now accredited with the Qld Non-State Schools Accreditation Board as an
approved school for Prep to Year 12 including both Classroom and Distance
Education. As such, it also provides an approved legal option for parents to have
their children being educated at home via Distance Education. Along with the
benefits of school accreditation in Queensland, we have also registered Nationally
Accredited Awards that provide an alternate pathway to university and careers.
These courses provide an alternate system of credit for Senior Secondary equivalent
subjects from qualifications at the Certificate III, Certificate IV, and Diploma level.
Accredited Courses: The College currently partners with Registered Training Organisations for the delivery of nationally accredited subjects. Students 16 years and older (in Grades 10-12), will usually be enrolled in one of our accredited courses. We can also set up the students’ LUI Number (the Learner Unique Index – with Qld Curriculum Assessment Authority) so that Senior students can bank credits towards their Qld Certificate of Education, if they choose to. A ‘Confirmation of Enrolment’ letter is issued once your child is fully enrolled at Charlotte Mason College. This letter may assist older students and / or families to apply for Centrelink payments and allowances related to study.
DISTANCE EDUCATION SUPPORT SERVICES
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
16
ii. Parent Training:
Distance Education Orientation: Upon enrolling in the College, you will embark on an
orientation process to help you to make a smooth transition into Home-Based Education.
There are four steps to this orientation.
i. New Member Affiliation:
After CMC receives your completed enrolment form, establishment
fee and you have arranged your fee payment plan, we will set up a
student & family file to keep your students’ academic records and
records of interactions between parents, staff and students
confidential and safe. These records will help us to support you
with academic consultations, periodic Student Progress Reports;
and may be used to support you with legal issues if required.
Parents whose children are enrolled in a Distance Education Program
are more successful if they take time to learn about a range of issues regarding
supervision of your child's studies at home. We would encourage you to take
advantage of our Parent Training Resources, which involves reading some books and
viewing videos. The time you set aside for your own education, will reap great benefits
for your children and yourself. Your Enrolment Confirmation Pack will be emailed to you
and will include the e-book ‘Home-based Education Guidebook’ and several
factsheets that outline important information to help you prepare for educating your
children. It is important that you read and understand this material. As well as the time
needed to work through the parent training resources (in the first weeks), Distance
Education parents will need to commit to regularly sending samples from your
children’s learning activities into the College, along with your students attendance
records.
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
iii. Curriculum Planning:
Summary of Support Services:
17
After viewing and reading through the parent training resources in the Enrolment
Confirmation Pack, a Learning Advisor will work with you to help you fine-tune
your child's learning programme, and advise on different learning resources for
your family.
Record Keeping For Legal Accountability: The College will
keep various items on file for legal accountability.
* Enrolment details of each student;
* Record of the student's curriculum plan. (i.e. their Individual Education Plan)
* Student Progress Reports.
* Documents to demonstrate that your children are receiving an appropriate education.
* Plus a confidential record of significant interactions with you or your family from the
College. (eg: any academic advice that was discussed via phone, fax or letter etc.;
parent training & attendance at seminars & conferences etc.)
* Academic Transcripts, Certificates and Awards.
Record of Student Progress: The information in the student’s file provides an
ongoing record of the student’s learning and achievements. This can also be used in
preparation of an academic portfolio useful for further training and career path
strategies, and for graduation assessments and awards.
As well as the initial planning consultation, a Learning Advisor will
be available for appointments via phone, letter or e-mail to help and
support you in the implementation of your Home-Based Education
Programme if you require. The following is a summary of the
support services available under your Distance Education
Programme.
DISTANCE
EDUCATION
PROSPECTUS
18
Student’s Identification Card: To process your Student ID-card, a passport
size photo is required. Student ID-cards are useful for dental clinics, libraries,
movie theatres, and in some regions may provide access to travel
concessions, etc.
Academic Assessment and Feedback: Students submit samples of their essays, projects and research assignments for assessing. ‘Student Progress Reports’ are an official record of the supervising parent’s assessment, and include feedback and assessment from a Learning Advisor.
TAFE & Tertiary Subjects: The College has arrangements with TAFE, VET and Higher Education providers to enable students to do subjects and courses from Certificate I – IV and Diplomas. The 'headstart' programme allows students to try out tertiary subjects.
On-going Back-up Support: One of our major tasks at the College is following up
enquiries and requests for help, advice or information on various topics (eg. academic
and curriculum, legal, organisational, parenting, vocational guidance, practical issues
regarding home-based education). Academic and parenting consultations are
conducted via phone, Skype, email or letter; and in-person if required.
Graduations Certificates’ for Junior Secondary & Senior Secondary
Education: Graduation Certificate awards are based on assessment of up
to two years of student work, and credit may also be given for a diverse range of
learning activities, such as work experience; community service work, alternate courses,
hobbies, clubs, practical life-skills or trade and professional skill-building activities,
research towards a specific career, as well as academic research and study in topics of
interest. Your allocated Learning Advisor will discuss with you how to record the details of
these activities and how to provide evidence for assessment. The State Tertiary Admissions
Centres accept our graduation certificates with or without a STAT test or SAT test to
calculate a tertiary ranking score, OP or UAI, etc. Students will also be able to work
towards the Qld Certificate of Education.
To discuss enrolment of your child /children at Charlotte Mason College or to receive more information please contact our reception at [email protected]