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May 1999
The association started with an e-letter.

The National Education department discussed regulations with the National Coalition of home schoolers and the Pestalozzi Trust.

Mr. Jan Hurter from the Western Cape Education Department, WCED, informed the association that the draft regulations was approved by the Minister of Education on condition that it is first discussed during a workshop with the all the relevant parties.  The National Department's initiative caused the WCED to decide to wait on the outcome of the National talks.  For more information on the National talks visit: HTTP://www.grobler.co.za/wchsa/elet01.htm

February 1998
Mr. Louis Green from the ACDP addressed the meeting. He encouraged the home schoolers to continue educating their children and work with the government to create a legal environment acceptable to home schoolers.   The executive committee  for 1999 was elected:
        Graham Shortridge        (Chairman)
        Warwick Butcher
       Johan Toua
       Llewellyn Dalton
        Wendy Schluter            021-755 388
        Wynand Louw
Minor changes to the constitution were accepted by a two third majority.
The membership fee is still R120-00 per family per year. Please renew  your membership now as it will expire on June 30th.
Please note or new contact details. 

The association, with the support of the Pestalozzi Trust,  is addressing the matter of the Regulations for Education of learners at home.

December 1998
The national Department of Education plans to meet again with the Home School representatives during January 1999 in Pretoria on the Guidelines for the registration of learners for Home Education.

The Western Cape regulations are still at the education department's legal advisors.  Mr. Jan Hurter, Chief Director Western Cape Education Department, could not give a date when the regulations will be finalised.

Friday 8 August 1998
The national Department of Education met with representatives of the National Coalition of Home Schoolers in Pretoria to discuss Guidelines for the registration of learners for Home Education.  The guidelines were requested by the provincial departments in June 1997 to assist them in implementing the South African Schools act.  Draft guidelines was faxed to the Home School leaders on Wednesday and we were requested to attend the meeting on Friday.  Leendert van Oostrum compiled the home schooler's response after receiving inputs from the various associations.  A fundamentel problem with the guidelines is that the parents are required to provide proof that home education is in the interest of the child before registration by the department.   The meeting is a step forward.  The guidelines are a step in the right direction but there are still a number of fundamental differences between the national Department and the Coalition..   The meeting was attended by  Advocate E Boshoff and Dr M Lane from the department and Mr Leendert van Oostrum (President Coalition and Chairman Pestalozzi Trust), Mr. H Slabbert (Chairman Association for Home Schooling and Mr. Johan Grobler (Chairman Western Cape Home Schooling Association)
 

Saturday 11 July 1998
The association for Home Schooling presented a home school conference in Roodepoort.  It was attended by approximately 400 people.  There were representatives from the Gauteng and Free State education departments.  The Pestalozzi Trust  was launched to defend home school rights in South Africa.

Saturday 6 June 1998
The WCHSA general meeting at Marsh Memorial Homes was a great success.  Dr Chris Wharton, Chairman of John Wycliffe Christian School,  gave a most inspiring talk.

Tuesday 19 May 1998
The WCHSA met with Mr Jan Hurter (Chief Director Western Cape Education Department) and Mr Willie Carelse on Tuesday 19 May at 13h00.   The legal opinion was presented with explanation to the department.  Prof. Visser made it clear,  in  the legal opinion,  that it would not be wise of the Department to proceed with the current regulations.  We did not succeed in agreeing on a process to negotiate regulations.  Our inputs will be evaluated and changes may be made to the draft regulations.  A time scale could not be given by Mr Hurter but he indicated that it was too early to address September's meeting of the WCHSA on the regulations's as the regulations are not likely to be finalized by that time.

Thursday 14 May 1998
The association is preparing to meet with the Education department on Tuesday 19 May at 13h00!  The request to meet came as  result to numerous telephone calls, letters and submission to the Department and the Minister.  Minister Koornhof's office asked the Department to meet with the association.   The association will table a legal opinion by Prof. PJ Visser - "Sentrum vir Onderwysreg en Onderwysbeleid (UP, Unisa, RAU, PU vir CHO, Oklahoma) .  Contributions to cover the cost can be deposited into our bank account:  Nedbank, Account name: Western Cape Home Schooling Association, Account number 1345-005-377  Hermanus Branch number 13-45-12-02.  Bid asseblief vir die vergadering en die afgevaardigdes.

To go back into the history browse our archive at  http://www.grobler.co.za/wchsarch.htm

Cricket will be beginning in the first term at the Constantia Sports Complex and we are hoping to have enough interest to start a Somerset West cricket team or teams as well. Hockey will be starting at the beginning of the second term.

Other sports (e.g. tennis, soccer, netball, etc.) will also be made available as soon as we get numbers from interested parties. Please contact: Wendy Schluter ASAP on the following numbers:
          Tel: 021-755 388           Cell: 083 228 3014           Fax: 021-683 9223

Contact Information:
Click to contact us with e-mail to  WCHSA WHCSA@dockside.co.za 
Or phone (021) 556-1277.   From 1 June 1999  the telephone number will be: (021) 556-3731

Our postal address is  P O Box 11190, Bloubergrand, 7443