Miss Jenna- Feminine Farm Girl

My sister, Miss Monica June, has been following a blog for a while that is so much fun. She told us about this Feminine Farm Girl and I just had to get to know her. We are so blessed to be able to have Miss Jenna join us this month in an interview and be our Girl of Grace for September 2009.

Lady Jess: Hello Jenna, what inspired you to begin On Bent Knees?
Miss Jenna: Prayer is very important, and I wanted to encourage people to pray for each other... On Bent Knees can bring us together to lift each other up in prayer, and be able to see how God answers the petitions that we have laid before him!

Lady Jess: I understand that you live on a farm, what do you like about living there?
Miss Jenna: I love the space, large animals, gardening and learning self-sufficiency in a hands on setting:) I am so blessed to have the opportunity to live on a farm! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Lady Jess: Have you home schooled your whole life? How did your mom get started with that?
Miss Jenna: Yes, my parents started homeschooling my twin and I (we're the oldest) ever since we were born. Their vision grew from knowing other families that home-educated to understanding the call in Scriptures to train up their children. Home-educating isn't really about textbooks and desks, it is a way of life for our whole family as mom and dad teach us foundational beliefs, encourage the building of good relationships between all of the siblings and nurture Godly character.

Lady Jess: What do you think you enjoy most about home schooling?
Miss Jenna: The flexibility of going at a quicker pace if I understand something really well, and slowing down a little if I'm confused. You're building a foundation and it is important to understand every small step. I also enjoy getting my school work done so that I can practice some home economics...my favorite!!!

Lady Jess: What kind of animals do you have on your farm?
Miss Jenna: We have a horse, dairy cow, dairy goats, pigs, chickens, cats and one dog.

Lady Jess: I saw that you are involved in 4H, do you enjoy that?
Miss Jenna: I do enjoy 4H...there is so much opportunity to learn! My siblings and I do most of the research on our own for the areas of interest that we have. This is my 2nd year showing goats and hogs, and I have really had a lot of fun:) I would like to do a steer next year as well...


Lady Jess: Why would you recommend 4H to someone?
Miss Jenna: Joining a 4H group provides multiple opportunities to learn and grow! I have experienced so many different things, met so many people, and been forced to talk to/present business plans to complete strangers!


Lady Jess: What curriculum do you use in your home schooling?
Miss Jenna: We use a Charlotte Mason approach, so that includes a variety of choices...literature, some text (ie math), and lots of hands on.


Lady Jess: What is your favorite past time in your home schooling?
Miss Jenna: Being able to spend time in home economics!!! I love baking, cooking, sewing, gardening, and working with my goats and other animals. In the near future, I would like to learn more about herbs and natural health!
Lady Jess: I know that, for some people who attend a 'school', it is sometimes difficult to plan quality time with your family. Especially the father. Because you home school, how is that different with your dad?
Miss Jenna: Honestly, it's not that different. He's in an industry that requires long and difficult hours which is only made worse in this economy. Unfortunately, I don't get to see my daddy as much as he or I would like.

Lady Jess: Tell us something you enjoy doing with your mom.
Miss Jenna: Having conversations in the kitchen are probably my favorite...Mom is my best friend:)

Lady Jess: Do you play any instruments?If you play instruments, what kind?
Miss Jenna: Yes, I do Piano and Violin.

Lady Jess: Do you enjoy playing that/those specific instruments?
Miss Jenna: I do enjoy playing the piano and violin, though the violin has been put on hold while I focus on piano.

Lady Jess: How long have you been playing that/those?
Miss Jenna: I've been taking piano lessons and playing for 7 years, though I've had breaks here and there...for violin, close to two years.

Lady Jess: Is there a specific instrument that you like the most?
Miss Jenna: Piano, Violin and Cello

Lady Jess: Is there a specific instrument that you would like to learn how to play?
Miss Jenna: After Piano and Violin are well learned, I would enjoy learning the Cello~

Lady Jess: Do you enjoy music?
Miss Jenna: I do! Music is a wonderful way that we can praise the Lord!

Lady Jess: If you can write it in one sentence, how would you describe your relationship with Jesus Christ?
Miss Jenna: Getting stronger and growing everyday, as I seek to know and serve HIM.

Lady Jess: What is something that God has taught you recently?
Miss Jenna: To Trust in HIM, whatever befalls! Something that I struggle with, but the Lord has helped me.

Lady Jess: How did you hear of Growing in Grace Magazine?
Miss Jenna: I've seen your link on several blogs:)


Thank you for allowing me to interview you, it has been a pleasure. I am so glad that we have gotten to know you a little. You can get to know Miss Jenna a whole lot better over at her blog Feminine Farmgirl.

Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, is an interpreter for deaf ministry, sings in a local choir, and is in training to be a homeschooling parent herself one day.

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Homeschooling Down Under

by Miss Jessica

I’m a little different than most of the GGM writers – I’m Australian. I was born and raised in the north of Western Australia, where it is hot, remote and with unique scenery. Yet there is one thing in common I have with most of the writers at GGM – I homeschool! Always have, and, Lord-willing, always will.

I’ve collated a couple of questions I thought I might get asked if I were to mention homeschooling Down Under. What questions would you ask me?

Is homeschooling legal in Australia? Yes, it is. Although registration requirements differ in different states, the government supports parental choice, including the choice to provide registered home schooling to children. (Homeschooling Association of Australia).

For example, in all eight states and territories except Victoria, the parents need to submit a written application to the Board of Education, who will give, upon approval, a homeschooling licence for varying amounts of time. Occasionally we have a member from the Education Department come to our town and ‘check in on us’, to make sure that we are doing OK and receiving a full education. There is no such requirement on families in Victoria.
Is homeschooling in Australia any different than in America? Over the years, through media, books and online, I’ve noticed a few differences, but the principle – which is teaching your children at home – doesn’t change.

• In Australia, we don’t have a three month break, but rather, two weeks every ten weeks, and six weeks over Christmas and January. This school practice is often held by homeschoolers as well.
• The concept of homeschooling was accepted a lot earlier in America than in Australia. Only thirty years ago Australians would freak out at the thought of homeschooling their kids, while homeschooling was ‘happening’ at the same time in the USA. Now many people homeschool in Australia and it is easily accepted.

How many people homeschool exactly? Although a strict record is not really kept, roughly 15,000 kids homeschool in Australia.

What resources are available in Australia? Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot of homeschool resources produced by Australians in Australia, so we use either our own ideas or American curriculum and books, which can be brought in Australia or overseas. This is changing as mums start to publish what they have taught their children.

How do you ‘do’ homeschool in Australia? As in America, there are different styles for homeschooling – Charlotte Mason, Unschooling, Discipleship or traditional. One way of education outside of regular school system that is unique to Australia is a long distance-education program, called School of the Air, which is performed via radio and textbooks and usually an option for families on remote Cattle Stations. Nowadays, parents take on homeschooling themselves, regardless of whether they live in the outback or not.
Did you choose to homeschool because the school system is bad in Australia? Our family doesn’t believe there is anything wrong with the school system in Australia itself. Nearly eleven years back, Mum and Dad decided that they wanted to be the main influence in our kids’ lives, not school teachers. Although we have loved every minute of it, for us, it doesn’t mean that we frown upon anyone who chooses to send their child to school. Though this was our reason for homeschooling, there would be many reasons why families choose to homeschool in Australia.
Do you have to take exams and tests? No, you move on at your pace and level, without the pressure of preparing for a test.

Can homeschool students get into University (College)? There are many options for entry into University in Australia. One way that our family is looking into is a Uni course via external education rather than to actually go to Uni. Open University offers entrance to university without exams and tests that ‘standardize’ you, as my brother calls it.

So there you have it! We can homeschool in Australia!

Miss Jessica is a 14year old homeschool girl who lives in Australia. She loves the Lord and enjoys music, reading, history, computers and sewing. Jessica has a warped sense of humour and is always ready for a giggle. She helps her mum around the home and participates in the local church music team. You can find out more about Jess at her blog Little Miss Giggle.

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