Sandy The Safe Space

02/10/2026

Wow, I couldn’t be more excited to share these figures with you all.

It honestly delights me to see these numbers growing each year and what we’re seeing in the numbers is exactly what we’ve been seeing on the ground.

Every week at Safe Space Circle the majority of families we meet are either thinking about homeschooling or have only just started.

So even with families returning to school or moving on the overall number of registered homeschoolers continues to grow.

Homeschooling now represents around 1.5% of school-aged children in Queensland.And importantly these figures don’t include children registered through distance education providers or children who are not registered.

So the official registration numbers are only part of the picture.For me personally these numbers aren’t just statistics.

They truly reflect what I’m seeing every week.
More families are asking questions.
More families are looking for a different way.
More families are realising that education doesn’t have to look like school.

And if you’re thinking about homeschooling in 2027 you absolutely don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Come along to our weekly Friday gathering at Safe Space Circle or join us at Neurodiverse Summit and Downs Home Education Expo and Kids Market on 18 October.

Details are in our bio or the link in the comments.

Big thanks to Rach from down Under Home Education Qld Inc for turning the last 10 years of registration data into these mind blowing graphs. The jump from 2020 to now is really something wonderful to see.😍

30/09/2026

Sometimes the very thing you’re scared to let go of is the thing holding you back from growing into who you’re meant to become.

If you’re standing at the point where you know you need to walk away from something that isn’t healthy for you and for your kids anymore. Read this. I know it’s scary and overwhelming.

A year ago, I had no idea that where walking away would lead me or what was waiting for me on the other side.

I just knew I couldn’t stay where I was. And today…

This month I was appointed and I’m now officially a Committee Member of Home Education Qld Inc

To be honest It’s more than just a position to me. It represents a year of growth, rebuilding confident and finding my self again. I’ve loved being part of the admin team across all the HEQ groups and volunteering as their Social Media Manager this year.

And Honestly when you see your contribution not only gets noticed but actually recognised and celebrated, it’s hard to put into words what that feels like.

So today, I’m letting myself be proud.Not just because of the position itself, but because I know how much has happened behind the scenes to get me here. Honestly There were definitely moments where I questioned myself and wondered what was next.

But I kept showing up.
I kept volunteering.
I kept supporting families.
I kept learning.
I kept building community.
And I kept doing what I genuinely care about. So today, I’m so proud that I chose myself and my kids. And proud of the person i continue becoming.

Last year I’ve also been chosen to be a South East Regional Representative for QHE within the of Education.

Two of those offical roles I’m incredibly proud to hold and both give me another opportunity to keep supporting and advocating for home educating families across Queensland.

So,If you’re in a season of rebuilding your confident, starting over or finding your way again, I hope this reminds you that you don’t have to know what comes next. Just keep taking the next step.

Please share, What’s something you’re proud of yourself for getting through?

30/09/2026

I’m honestly really proud of myself and I’m allowing myself to have a little proud moment and share it with you all here ❤️

Sometimes you don’t realise how far you’ve come until you stop and look back.

A year ago, I finally made the most incredibly difficult decision to peacefully walk away from a very long-term friendship + homeschooling friendship that had become unhealthy for me and my kids.

Emotionally, it was really hard. I had been part of that friendship for a long time and honestly, I had no idea what life was going to look like for us afterwards or how I was even going to move forward and start all over again.

But what I just knew that I needed to choose what was right for me and my kids (same situation as I had to while we’re in mainstream)

What I didn’t know then was just how much would change over the following year.

There were big changes,
Hard lessons,
letting go,
Rebuilding my confidence again, learning to trust again and slowly finding my way back to myself and to my kids.

There were definitely moments where I questioned myself and wondered if I should just give up and step back Then I looked at my kids and I just couldn’t.

So I kept showing up.
I kept volunteering again.
I kept supporting families.
I kept learning.
I kept building community.
And I kept doing something I genuinely care deeply about.

And now, here I am…
I get to officially share that I’ve also been appointed and voted in as a Committee Member of Home Education Qld Inc

And I’m also a South East Regional Representative for QHE within the Queensland Department of Education.

Two of these roles I’m so incredibly proud to hold and both give me another opportunity to support and advocate for home educating families across South East Queensland.

It’s more than just a position to me.
It represents a year of growth, rebuilding and finding my place again.
I found a community in HEQ that welcomed me, valued what I brought to the table and gave me room to grow into this.

I’ve loved being part of the admin team across the HEQ groups and volunteering as their Social Media Manager this year has been something I’ve genuinely poured my heart into.

What makes this even more meaningful is knowing that I didn’t get here by trying to prove anything to anyone or by luck.

I just kept showing up.Even on the days when it was hard.
I kept putting my energy into supporting families, creating connection and contributing to something I believe in. And when you see your contribution not only get noticed, but actually recognised and celebrated, it’s honestly hard to put into words what that feels like.

So today, I’m letting myself be proud.
Proud of how far I’ve come.
Proud that i didn’t give up but I kept going when I could have stepped away.
Proud that I chose myself and my kids again.
And Deeply proud of the person I have always been and continue to become.

Thank you Home Education Qld Inc especially Rachael for trusting me and giving me this opportunity. I’m really looking forward to this next chapter and continuing to support home educating families across Queensland alongside you.

I also want to say this to anyone and everyone who is currently standing at the point where you know you need to walk away from something that isn’t healthy for you anymore not matter what it is.
And you might not know what comes next.
You might be scared.
You might grieve it.
You might question yourself a hundred times.

But trust me sometimes you just have to take that first step and trust that you will find your way again.You’ll find your worth again.

I certainly didn’t know what was waiting for me on the other side.
I just knew I couldn’t stay where I was. And looking back now… I’m really glad I chose to go.

Here’s to continuing to build something meaningful for our community.

I’d love to know…
What’s something you’re proud of yourself for getting through?

Sandy the safe space 🫶

📢 HEQ Inc Committee Nominations are OPEN, and a new Committee Member!

With our AGM coming up on Sunday 8th November, nominations are now open.

Positions available
💰 Treasurer
📝 Secretary
🤝 1 Committee Member

Treasurer position is open for nominations as part of the 3 year staggered rotation. Our current Treasurer, Tiph Stephens, has advised that she intends to nominate for the position again and we appreciate all the time and support Tiph has provided since HEQ Inc began and in the Treasurer role for the last 2 years.

Our current Secretary Michelle Hunt, will remain in the role until the AGM, when she will step down due to family commitments. We are very grateful for the contribution Michelle has made for the last 2 years to HEQ Inc, and for the time she has given with implementation and start up as Secretary. Michelle will continue supporting HEQ Inc in her role in the Committee and as a Founding Member.

The Committee Member position has become vacant recently as Katie Boast has resigned from the Committee due to other commitments. Katie shared that she enjoyed being involved with HEQ Inc, we certainly appreciated her time with helping set up HEQ Inc and establishing our Insurance coverage. Katie remains within HEQ Inc as a Founding Member.

We encourage all eligible members to consider nominating to help shape the future of HEQ Inc. Your involvement is essential to our mission of supporting Queensland’s home education community.

How to nominate
Under Rule 20 of the HEQ Inc Rules, nominations must be:
• in writing
• include the position being nominated for
• received by the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM

Nominations close: 25th October 2026 8pm
Nomination form: email [email protected] to request form.

🎉 Welcome to our new Committee Member, Sandy!

We are also very pleased to announce that Sandy Whiteman has been recently appointed, and voted in, as a Committee Member (as per Rule 39), filling the vacancy which was unfilled since our 2025 AGM.

We are excited to welcome Sandy to the Committee and look forward to having her involved, as HEQ Inc continues to grow and support home-educating families across Queensland. Sandy has been a volunteer for most of this year as our Social Media Manager and has done an excellent job of sharing with the community and growing HEQ Inc.

Thank you to all our members who volunteer their time, skills and energy to help make HEQ Inc possible. 💚

If you've ever thought about getting more involved, this is a great opportunity to put your hand up!

28/09/2026

If you’re new to homeschooling and currently thinking, Where on earth do I even start?…This is for you ❤️

I promise, you’re not the only one.
There is SO much to take in when you first start looking into homeschooling.

Registration.
Learning.
Socialising.
Resources.
Activities.
Finding your people.
Working out what your child actually needs.
Trying to understand all the different approaches.

And then there’s that little voice wondering…
Am I doing this right?

Here’s what I know after nearly 8 years of homeschooling my two ASD, ADHD, PDA and sensory-learner kids, as a second-generation unschooler, I have first hand experienced both world and I’ve been supporting and connecting homeschooling families and building community for many years, long before homeschooling became our own journey. You absolutely don’t need it all figured all out before you begin.

Just Ask questions as you go..Take your as much as you need time. Explore what might work for YOUR child and your family. Get to know your own child, because everything grows from there. And remember that what works beautifully for one homeschooling family might be completely wrong for another.

Socialising is the same. Some kids totally thrive on regular bigger groups and activities. But Mine are happiest with a smaller circle, occasional outings and connecting naturally as life happens. There is no one “right” way to socialise a homeschooled child.

And honestly? I’m still learning too and that’s one of the beautiful parts of this journey that you get to learn alongside your child. As I always say learning never stops neither for our kids nor for us parents no matter what.

You certainly don’t need to know everything infact that will make you really overwelcomed, confused, doubtful and fearful.

All you need is to be willing to keep learning, trust your decision & your kids, remember your why, and getting to know your own child.

So if you’re sitting right in the messy of it and wondering where to even start…You’ve found the right space.

Ask your question. There really are no silly ones. And if you’re local to Logan, Brisbane. I also host a small, relaxed gathering where families can come together, connect, belong and simply be themselves. I know Sometimes finding your people is the first step. And you don’t have to do this alone.

Ask your question below.
Local to Logan, Brisbane? Message me about our relaxed family free social gathering and Please share this post to help it reach the right families who may benefit from it.

25/09/2026

Well, here’s another insight into how the modern school system developed and what it was originally designed to achieve.

School wasn’t created simply around the idea of education as we understand it today. The development of mass schooling was also shaped by the needs of industrialising societies, including preparing children for life within an increasingly structured workforce and society.

And it does make you stop and think…

How much of the way we structure education today is still influenced by those old systems?

Sharing this reel because I think it’s an interesting perspective to consider. Not because I think there’s one simple answer, but because sometimes looking at where a system came from helps us question whether it still works for every child today!!

24/09/2026

To every current or future homeschool parent second-guessing themselves.

I know some days feel like complete chaos and some days feel like magic.

But both count.

You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You’re showing up,
you’re learning alongside your kids, and you’re trying your best.

And honestly? That counts for more than you probably realise.

Sandy the safe space 🫶🏼

24/09/2026

Sharing this for the families who have been enquiring about it in my groups. And If you’ve ever been to one of these locations feel free to share your experience 😊