Semester A Overview

Semester A sets the tone for a vibrant and well-rounded year of knowledge-rich education. This first half of the course helps students build confidence in structured learning while engaging with the people, ideas, and events that have shaped our world.

English

Students journey through the Romantic and Victorian eras, exploring classic poetry, narrative writing, and literary analysis. They read Twelfth Night by Shakespeare, select a Dickens novel for study, and compose their own bush ballads inspired by Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson. Alongside this, they work through a book which equips them with strategies for contextual and challenging reading. A range of historical fiction and non-fiction “living books” also deepen their understanding of ideologies and the human experience under injustice.

Science

Science unfolds in two parts. Term One focuses on physics and energy, covering fuels, circuits, and the role of electricity in modern life. In Term Two, biology explores medical breakthroughs such as antiseptic technique, anaesthetics, and antibiotics, while also examining today’s challenges of lifestyle diseases.

Geography

The theme Our Food, Our Future introduces students to the world’s biomes and the importance of sustainable agriculture.

History

Term One begins with the story of British India, exploring the struggles of imperial rule and the path to independence, culminating in the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. In Term Two, history takes us from the 1750s into the 19th century with Freedom and Chains. Students encounter the thinkers of the Enlightenment, the upheaval of the Napoleonic wars, the innovations and hardships of the Industrial Revolution, and the voyages of Captain Cook leading to the establishment of a penal colony in Australia.

Arts

The semester also includes art appreciation, with studies of key art movements from the 19th to 21st centuries in Australia and beyond, as well as opportunities for composer study.

Habits of Learning

Throughout the semester, narration, personal notebooking, and project work encourage both academic growth and creative expression. It’s a rich beginning to the year—one that fosters connection, curiosity, and confidence.

The majority of our classes require reading from a real book or paper-based resource. Writing exercises involve handwriting and many lessons are oral or conversation based.

My Homeschool offers parents the confidence that their child is gaining knowledge, learning content, and developing skills in an age-appropriate way. This is achieved by presenting rich curriculum that ensures your child builds on their knowledge year after year. When using our courses from Foundation to Year 10, your child will have the benefit of a streamlined curriculum without overlaps and unnecessary busywork.

Digital Version

In the digital only version, all resources are located on Moodle—a renowned online learning platform used by many schools and universities.

Printed Version

If you choose the printed version of the program, key materials will be printed and shipped to you, however you will still have digital access to all material which is located on the My Homeschool Learning Platform (Moodle).

All our courses includes:

• An Education Plan offered in a format that you can individualise for your child;
• A Scope and Sequence showing how My Homeschool reflects Australian registration requirements across each state and territory;
• End of Term Report templates;
• A printable week-by-week planner with plenty of space to make notes specific to your child; and
• An online Weekly Planner, complete with links to all the online resources required.

We also provide you with access to our State Rego and Planning Course which guides you through your homeschool application when using our courses. We give you a shortcut to help you get straight into giving your child a delightful and robust education without spending days and days researching and tweaking unsuitable content.

Our resource library includes guidance on homeschooling methods, practical teaching advice, and information about the registration and reporting requirements for a number of Australian states and territories. Whether you are just starting your homeschooling journey or have been homeschooling for many years, these resources are designed to support and encourage you.

Parents can also reach out for support by email, book a call for personalised guidance, and connect with other homeschooling families through our exclusive members-only Facebook community.

When selecting resources we aim for quality and suitability, and in many cases the best available option is a secular resource. For this reason, not all literature will explicitly be written in a Christian perspective, however we have read and curated our content very carefully to still support a Christian education.

Parents are free to guide discussions, choose alternative resources, and shape the learning experience according to their family’s values.

A separate maths curriculum will need to be purchased, as mathematics is not included in the My Homeschool courses. Many families choose to use programs such as Maths Online, for which we are able to provide a 50% discount.

Each semester also includes a small number of additional novels and non-fiction titles. A few options are provided from our living book lists, allowing families to choose what is most accessible for them. Some of these texts are available online for free, while others may need to be purchased.

Families should also allow for general printing and stationery costs.