Australian Homeschool Stories

Marieka’s Story - Perth, WA / Whadjuk Country

“Dream big. What do you want your homeschool to look like? What do you want your whole life to look like? Go after that.”Marieka, her husband and their five children aged 16, 11, 9, 7 and 1 have been homeschooling family style for the last 6 years in sunny Western Australia. As a teacher who’d become disillusioned with the classroom, she decided she would much rather teach her own and they haven’t looked back. I couldn’t have asked for a more inspirational guest to round out this season of Australian Homeschool Stories. Enjoy all the gold Marieka has to share and stick around until the end to hear what 2025 has in store for this podcast. This is episode 41 of Australian Homeschool Stories, Marieka's story.FULL SHOW NOTES HEREFollow the link above to find the detailed show notes for this episode along with quotes, links and references to all that Marieka and I discuss.CONNECTInstagram - @mariekalakeYoutube - Marieka Lake Sign up to our mailing list HERE to receive new episodes and their accompanying show notes delivered straight to your inbox as they are released.This podcast was recorded on the land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respect to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, always will be aboriginal land.

Nicola’s Story - Marlo Merrican, NSW / Birpai Country

"Stepping back and letting kids learn is really what's at the heart of home education."Meet my friend, Nicola. We originally connected via substack and then in person whilst her family spent time down on the Peninsula. Our daughters, who are similar ages, hit it off instantaneously and in truth so did Nicola and I. This was prior to their move to the mid-north coast of New South Wales where they now call home, but Nicola’s story takes us on journey from Melbourne to Byron Bay, Vanuatu to Far North Tropical Queensland. Hers is a story of profound loss and grief, of spirituality and discipline, of wanting to be the person to teach her daughter to read and of being deeply connected to the natural world. This is episode 40 of Australian Homeschool Stories, Nicola’s story.FULL SHOW NOTES HEREFollow the link above to find the detailed show notes for this episode along with quotes, links and references to all that Nicola and I discuss.CONNECThttps://surrendernow.substack.com/Sign up to our mailing list HERE to receive new episodes and their accompanying show notes delivered straight to your inbox as they are released.This podcast was recorded on the land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respect to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, always will be aboriginal land.

Anna's Story - Killabakh, NSW / Biripi Country

"I had this really strong feeling that she was just a number in this place and that's not good enough."Anna is a worm farmer, author and homesteading mother of three children aged 15, 7 and 2. In this episode she shares her journey from suburbia to living off the land and her eldest daughter's winding educational road to homeschooling. We also talk about permaculture, living life by design, managing chronic illness and her brilliant book Homegrown Healthy Living.This is episode 39 of Australian Home School Stories - Anna’s Story.FULL SHOW NOTES HEREFollow the link above to find the detailed show notes for this episode along with quotes, links and references to all that Anna and I discuss.CONNECTWebsite - homegrownhealth.auInstagram - @homegrown_healthy_livingSign up to our mailing list HERE to receive new episodes and their accompanying show notes delivered straight to your inbox as they are released.Alternatively you can stay in touch with us on instagram @australianhomeschoolstoriesThis podcast was recorded on the land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respect to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, always will be aboriginal land. 

Melanie's Story - Newcastle, NSW / Awabakal and Worimi Country

“I’m going to look back one day on this and think those were the glory years."Teacher by trade, Canadian by birth, Melanie is here to share how she wound up calling Newcastle home and why she and her partner chose home education for their two boys, aged 7 and 4. In this episode we talk about longing for community in the early years of motherhood, not being ‘ride or die’ homeschoolers, how play evolves as children mature, intentional living, why screens have become the new social playground and the magical power of asking the question ‘What If…?’ FULL SHOW NOTES HEREFollow the link above to find the detailed show notes for this episode along with quotes, links and references to all Melanie shares.CONNECTInstagram - @freespirithomeschoolInstagram - @digital_wellbeing_teacherSign up to our mailing list HERE to receive new episodes and their accompanying show notes delivered straight to your inbox as they are released.Alternatively you can stay in touch with us on instagram @australianhomeschoolstoriesThis podcast was recorded on the land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respect to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, always will be aboriginal land. 

Kacey's Story - Perth, WA / Whadjuk Country

“If you can’t find your village or community - build one.”This is the story of Kacey’s blended family from Perth who have called themselves eclectic homeschoolers for the last three years. Her four children aged 19, 17, 6 and 4 have all had contrasting educational experiences, from thriving in the system, to never being able to catch up, to sidestepping school all together. In this honest and candid conversation, Kacey and I chat about school trauma, holistic, child-centred learning, finding yourself in homeschooling, the ins and outs of building a community co-op and yearning for something outside of motherhood. FULL SHOW NOTES HEREFollow the link above to find the detailed show notes for this episode along with quotes, links and references to all Kacey shares.CONNECTInstagram - @homeschooling.our.wildflowersInstagram - @wildlingshomeschool.collectiveSign up to our mailing list HERE to receive new episodes and their accompanying show notes delivered straight to your inbox as they are released.Alternatively you can stay in touch with us on instagram @australianhomeschoolstoriesThis podcast was recorded on the land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respect to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. This always was, always will be aboriginal land.