Erena has sent me some of the feed back from the Palmerston North Conference over the last couple of days. It was fantastic. Everyone I spoke to loved all the talks and visiting with all the vendors. Not only that they loved talking with the other home educators there. The place was buzzing during the breaks. I heard several people say that they regreted not asking their friends along to the talks. This conference is excellent for home educating parents and their youth. This conference in Palmerston North had several teachers and some of their pupils from Christian schools at it. Lots of people put up their hands when Erena asked how many had traveled for longer than two hours.

Here is some of the feedback that was received at the conference:

Loved it!!!!

Fantastic – very interesting. Great to bring your teenage children.

All very inspiring and informative. Well worth hearing from my own point of view and also my children.

Very interesting and engaging speaker.

Good Q&A sessions.

My children didn’t want to miss any of the sessions.

Relevant – stretched my horizons.

Thoroughly enjoyed topics.

He was a captivating speaker. I had been looking forward to this as soon as I knew of it.

Fabulous. Commonsense. Relevant.

Would definitely come again

Loved all the sessions – varied and interesting

10/10 – much better than I was expecting

Approachable, real, down to earth yet appreciate his expertise

Appreciate the cheap cost of the conference and very affordable for spouse and teens to come.

He has an excellent way of communicating information

Never boring.

It was great to be challenged to think outside the square again and yet encouraged to relax and trust the worth of what we as homeschoolers are doing. If you get a chance to go in Auckland, Nelson or Christchurch then do!!

Don’t miss these Conferences over the next few days:

Auckland Friday 10 June and Saturday 11 June

Auckland Workshop sessions at the Conference

Nelson 12 and 13 June

Christchurch 14 June

So after reading all the comments above and the programmes at each event be sure that you let all your friends, family and neighbours know about these conferences. Bring your youth along as well – they will love it.

Important Events coming up this week in Auckland:

Homeschool Variety Show FRIDAY 10 JUNE 2011

Rehearsals continue, instruments are tuned, and voices warmed up all ready
to go for the Homeschool Variety Show. These talented home educated young
people have worked very hard to prepare an entertaining evening’s
performance just for your enjoyment. Take an early dinner from one of the
numerous nearby eateries and come so you can offer your support to these
youngsters from the Home Ed community. This family friendly programme is
suitable for ALL ages so bring along your children, parents and grandparents
and enjoy a short, fast paced show with more than a few surprises.

FREE for all Firelight Workshop and Science by Design Attendees. Gold coin
donation for everyone else (max $10 per family.)

Firelight Workshops SATURDAY 11 JUNE 2011!

* 20+ home education workshops (our highest number of workshops at any
Firelight event – ever!)
* A wide array of topics covering everything from running a home business,
dealing with Asperger Syndrome or sitting exams to starting out on your home
education journey – plus everything in between!
* An inspiring and committed group of workshops speakers – experienced
mums, tutors, and trained professionals (including one speaker who is
travelling all the way from Timaru)

The Workshops cover three main tracks: PRACTICAL, SECONDARY/TERTIARY and
SPECIAL INTEREST

Since the workshops were introduced just a week ago, they are proving very
popular – some are nearly full! If you are home educating or thinking about
it, these workshops are now even more unmissable! There really is something
for everyone.

The workshops run parallel to all the Keynote sessions from the Science by
Design Conference so you have the option of either hearing Dr Wile or
attending any workshop that suits you.

Science by Design Conference FRIDAY 10 & SATURDAY 11 JUNE 2011!

We are thrilled to have Dr Jay Wile as our keynote speaker again this year.
Dr Wile speaks on issues relating to Creation Science and teaching critical
thinking. Your teens especially will love him!

As well as the keynote talks and workshops, the conference also features:

* Spot prizes
* FREE Variety Concert on the Friday night – come and support our fellow
home educators
* 11 Vendors – more than ever before!
* Optional Kids’ Programme
* FREE Morning and Afternoon tea
* And so much more

For a peek at the full Science by Design line up, have a nosey at this page:
www.learnex.co.nz/Editable/conference/FirelightJayWile2011Auckland.shtml
http://www.learnex.co.nz/Editable/conference/FirelightJayWile2011AucklandHomeEd.shtml

or
http://tinyurl.com/3ocsygm

Take a look here at all the workshop titles:
http://www.learnex.co.nz/Editable/conference/FirelightJayWile2011AucklandHomeEd.shtml

or

http://tinyurl.com/3fr99vg

You can also check out a complete description of all the workshops here:
http://www.learnex.co.nz/Editable/conference/FirelightWorkshops2011AucklandHomeEd.shtml

or

http://tinyurl.com/3eoa3pv

All events are held in Lambie Drive, Manukau which is exceptionally easy to
get to thanks to the new Highway 20 Motorway. Just take the Lambie Drive
exit!

But wait, there’s more!

Because of all the new workshops recently added, you can pre-book any time
up until THURSDAY 9 JUNE and you will receive the Earlybird pricing. Walk up
attendees on the day will pay the higher pricing.

Please pass this onto anyone you know who is home educating or thinking of
it – newbies, old hands, support groups, preschool organisations, Christian,
non Christian alike, mums, dads etc.

Let’s make these events a huge success – the best Auckland has seen! We look
forward to seeing you there.

Erena
On behalf of the Firelight Foundation:
A not-for-profit organisation which exists to light the fire of inspiration
among home educating families

Begin today in Palmerston North

Dr Jay Wile has landed in NZ and can’t wait to begin his tour! He says NZ is
his absolute favourite place in the world – we like to think that has as
much to do with us Kiwis as our beautiful countryside :- ).

As well as being entertaining speaker, Dr Wile will encourage you and your
teens to THINK! Don’t miss this opportunity as this will very likely be Dr
Wile’s last NZ homeschooling conference – we only had him back because he
was so good last time…

Palmerston North – Conference begins tonight night i.e. Tuesday evening.

Limited seats left now so make sure you are there early so you don’t miss
out. People are traveling all over from the lower South Island to be at
this conference.

Auckland – Friday pm & Saturday.

Pre-bookings taken up until the 9th of June – as long as you book, you get
the Earlybird pricing. Auckland also features over 20 home education related
workshops and a FREE variety concert.

http://tinyurl.com/3ocsygm – full conference

http://tinyurl.com/3fr99vg – home ed workshops only

Nelson – Sunday pm & Monday.

Pre-booking is recommended. However, if you are just planning on coming for
the evening, you can just turn up on the night (and take a friend!)

http://tinyurl.com/3s5tjhh

Christchurch – Tuesday. This Venue is nearly full with approximately 80
teenagers already booked!

http://tinyurl.com/3uz3c5j

All these pages can be accessed by following the link on the main LearnEX
page – www.learnex.co.nz .

Take some time out for some refreshment and encouragement with other
like minded people.

Best regards,
Erena

HSLDA Upcoming E-vents:

• Helping Your Wife Grow in Christ—Lou Priolo

On-Demand E-vents featuring Author, Speaker, and Biblical Counselor Lou Priolo:

• How to Avoid Provoking Your Children to Anger
• A Crash Course in Biblical Communication
• Dealing with Disrespect

Thursday, June 2, @ 9:00 p.m. (ET)—“Helping Your Wife Grow in Christ”

Lou Priolo

Have you and your wife been looking for a way to enrich your spiritual journey through marriage? Join biblical counselor Lou Priolo as he offers you advice from the Scriptures on how husbands can build up their wives in his e-vent “Helping Your Wife Grow in Christ” on Thursday, June 2 @ 9:00 p.m. Lou will help husbands overcome common obstacles in marriage and instead become nourishing providers for their wives’ spiritual life. Come and be blessed by this exclusive session! Register now >>

On Demand—“How to Avoid Provoking Your Children to Anger”

Does your child have a problem with anger? Do you feel like you’re at the end of your rope getting to the heart of the issue? In the on-demand e-vent “How to Avoid Provoking Your Children to Anger,” Lou Priolo gets under the surface of your child’s anger issues and helps identify the problems that may be triggering the attitude. Lou helps weary parents find hope and encouragement as he shows you how to walk your child through dealing with this challenge! Register now >>

On Demand—“A Crash Course in Biblical Communication”

Do you hear your children using language that reflects worldly leanings? Have cell phones and computers changed the way your kids communicate? Lou Priolo explains how God has put Christians in the “communication business” in the on-demand e-vent “A Crash Course in Biblical Communication.” Learn how you can help your children use language that glorifies Christ and encourages the people around them. God is passionate about the way His children use their words! Register now >>

On Demand—“Dealing with Disrespect”

Do you have problems with a son or daughter who talks back? Are you tired of the inevitable eye-roll from your teenager? Tackling disrespect in your child can be tricky, but Lou Priolo has answers in his on-demand e-vent “Dealing with Disrespect.” His tips will show you a godly and balanced approach to getting to your child’s heart and keeping tempers cool. Help your child overcome disrespect and learn how to glorify God instead! Register now >>

If you have any questions, please visit the HSLDA @home e-vents website or contact the @home e-vent team by emailing athome@hslda.org.