The New Generation of Home Schooling- Katherine Phua

Left to right of the Phua Family: Philip, Alan, Petrina, Phileon, Catherine

How would you like a school where you dedicate one day for playing sports, plan your own field trips, perform scientific experiments with household items, read books you’re interested in with NO EXAMS?

Why Choose Home Schooling?

In year 1992, the education policy was changed from teaching all science and math subjects in Bahasa Melayu to English.  However, the transition only occured when a student enters Standard One and Form One. Katherine Phua’s children were unfortunately stuck in the transition, where her daughter (Petrina) was studying in Standard One while her son (Philip) was studying at Standard Four.

 

Left to right of the Phua Family: Philip, Alan, Petrina, Phileon, Katherine

 

“I was worried about their education. So, I asked them whether they (her children) wanted home schooling. They agreed!” said Katherine who planned to experiment the plan until her son approached Form One. She also wanted them to grow up and learn in a Christian home.

 

How was their Home Schooling?

At twelve years old, Philip chose home schooling over returning to mainstream schooling because home schooling was so much FUN!

“People believed that home school children tend to stay at home but that’s not true. We went out on many field trips to learn about landscapes, historical places, cultures and views of people in different states,” said Katherine recalling how their books came to live by sightseeing in east and west coast of Malaysia.

 

 

Every week, they would dedicate one day for sports such as badminton and swimming, where families of home school children would meet together to play, while providing a strong social network amongst families. And every year, the Phua’s would try a new and different sport, in which they learned scuba-diving one year.

  

The Phua Family Scuba Diving

 

Part of the home schooling syllabus also involved hands-on service for the community.  The children would learn how to make breakfast and lunch which included planning the menus, budgeting, buying groceries, cooking and serving their cooked food at church. They also served as musicians in the worship team or helpers in Sunday school.

For science, Katherine used a curriculum developed for missionaries to teach children in rural areas. For example, aluminum foils would be used as wires in a circuit.

 

Why did your children enjoy home schooling?

“Petrina said that she would never trade her childhood in home schooling for anything,” recalled Katherine.

 

From left to right: Alan Phua, Katherine Phua, Petrina Phua

 

So, what is great about home schooling?

 

More Time to Explore Interest

One of the reasons is that her children have more time to explore their interest.

And an interest close to heart is music. Philip (20 years old) is a pianist and guitarist while Petrina (18 years old), among the many instruments she can play, is a concert pianist and a violinist for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO). Japan International Competitions and Piano Festival also awarded her a scholarship. Phileon (15 years old), Catherine’s youngest son, is a pianist, singer, and a violist under the ETE program in MPYO.

 

Click on this website link to watch a music video by Petrina’s youtube channel:

http://youtu.be/KmYKLklUGPI

 

Reading, instead of a chore, is a source of delight for them! Voracious readers, each of them read more than 100 books a year.

 

 

They learned about different subjects through reading storybooks, following a curriculum called Sunlight. For example, they learned about business and science in the storybook of “Toothpaste Millionaire.” In reading a storybook about a teacher’s experience in Alaska, they learned about the culture of Alaskan- what games the children play there, what they eat and how the landscape is there. They also read about autobiographies of famous people such as the Wright brothers. Every year, the curriculum focused on history of different countries such as China, United States and Europe.

 

Strong Support Network

“When we first started home schooling, it was a strange idea. Few people home schooled their children in Malaysia back then, so we did not know what to expect,” said Katherine.

But home schooling is becoming more popular today, with strong support networks. Hence, the myth of home school children in having difficulty of adapting socially is really just a myth.

 

Another family who did homeschooling, featured in Stars Online

 

“When families mixed together, the children mixed with everyone regardless of age, such as babies, grandfathers, sisters, aunts and uncles. Hence, I don’t see children feeling uncomfortable carrying babies,” said Katherine.

 

Little peer pressure

Because they mix with all levels of society, there is little peer pressure in how they were expected to be at a certain age. By mingling with people from all facets, they were also exposed to develop their identity and independence.

 

Is it difficult and expensive?

Comparing the expenses for home schooling to tuition fees, Katherine thought that they are more or less the same. None of her children went for tuition.

“Home schooling can be done. You just need to be resourceful and creative. You can use newspapers, second-hand books and story books to teach the children,” said Katherine.

When her children turned 12 years old, they became more independent and resourceful in directing their own learning experiences.

 “They (the children) would even invent games out of cardboard and marbles, and also revise existing games to make them more fun and interesting!” said Katherine.

The core subjects that she focused on since they were young, were English and Math, based on the Saxon and Singaporean curriculum. She believed that having a strong foundation in these two fundamental subjects would assist them to understand other subjects in the future.

“In home schooling, we believe that it’s important to learn to read, so that later in life, they can read to learn,” said Katherine.

 

A strong foundation in reading and writing is important!

 

Home Schooling Works!

“Our journey in home schooling is a testimony that through God’s grace, home schooling works,” said Katherine with a broad smile. 

Thanking God for making home schooling possible, Katherine said,  “I really thank Him for bonding our family through the Word and prayer at the beginning of the day every day. And how God led me and my family. I know that God’s presence would go with them wherever they go…”

What do you think about home-schooling in a Christian home? It is definitely worth considering!

 

From Left to Right of the Phua Family- Alan, Catherine, Petrina and Phileon

 

 

Note: This article has been published on Dec 6, 2012. For the benefit of our new readers, we are republishing this material for homeschooling. 

 

Dear Viewers in Christ, if you do find this article edifying to you, please do not hesitate to use the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article) to bless your friends. The Lord will surely bless you even as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you. Amen.  

 

 

References for pictures beside the Phua’s family pictures:

http://www.eage.org/images/cms/field_trip_3.jpg

http://www.sweetfineday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/reader2.jpg

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/19/education/3675683&sec=education

http://www.homeschool-activities.com/images/Mom-helping-daughter-write.jpg

 

 

 

 

143 Comments

  1. Dear katherine,

    Praise our Lord, all glory to HIs Name. Great to read your testimony on homeschooling. I am one of those rare mums like you who homeschools her children. I started homeschooling my 2 sons 8 eights ago, yes back then, even i was thinking what am i getting my sons into but the Lord told me very clearly to homeschool my sons. I am a graduate myself but had worked before but nothing compares to the grace and love i enjoy homeschooling my sons. No one actually encouraged me and most of them even pastors said i was now going to make it unless my sons are enrolled in a proper school (centers for homeschooling) but with the Lord by my side, we have thus far come a long way with homeschooling. I usually buy my resources from singapore as i live in malaysia and since the resource center was closed down in singapore, i now purchase directly from the US. The church i attend did not know or heard about homeschooling but praise to Jesus, after looking at what i was doing, they had enrolled their children in a homeschooling center. It has been rewarding ever since and i am so glad to see the growth and change in their children. My sons are in the Lord's radar hence i am only following orders from our Lord to homeschool them and return them to the Lord for His kingdom. How gratifying to know that someone out there shares the same passion as I. Again i applause you and your kids for opting homeschooling as a another way of education. fr Linda

    • Hi Linda,

      Thank  you for sharing. Indeed, it has been a journey of faith for all of us. We didn't know what the future holds for our children, whether they could enter college or how they would fare compared to school going children. Many of us were 'persecuted' because homeschooling was unheard of in those early years.  Now, homeschooling has taken the nation by storm. ( Though I'm not sure if its the same type of homeschooling we practised in our time)

      The pioneer groups did not go to centres. The home was where our children studied and networked for activities. To all the mothers who were courageous enough to boldly step into homeschooling, I salute you. May your children arise and call you blessed!

      • Dear Katherine,

        Is there anyway that I may contact you to ask about homeschooling?

        BTW, I have met you personally many years ago.

        Regrads

        SY Lim

         

        • Hi Suet Ying,

          We do not have the contact info for Catherine. But we know she worships in FGAKL. Maybe you can try calling FGAKL to gather more info for her homeschool?

          Thank you,
          Adeline

  2. I would like to homeschool my son,15+  & I am looking for a centre or group of homeschoolers for this age group in P.J. where my son could join. Is there any? Thank you. 

  3. My sister & I would like to homeschool our children, aged 14+ and 15+. Please share: how to begin, where to go. Thank you.

    • I have a homeschool centre in Prai, Penang with 3 teachers and eleven students including my 8 year and 11 years old daughter.  Interested please e.mail lplim60@gmail.com.  Thank you and God bless.

       

      • Dear Lim, I’m very interested in home schooling.
        I’m looking home schooling for my kids too, they are age 5&7.
        May I know where is your center, course I stay near my prai, butterworth here only.tq

      • Dear Mr Lim,

        May I have your address of the your centre and phone number. I have a friend who is interested to consider Home schooling for her grandson. They live in Bukit Mertajam. 

        Blessed thanks,

        Charlie Wan

         

    • Hi there,

       

      Sorry for the late reply. May I know where you are staying so that I could refer you to the nearest centre?

       

      James Hoh

  4. My son is 6 years old. I am looking for a centre or group of homeschoolers for this age group in P.J. where my son could join. Is there any? Thank you

  5. I am loking for a home schooling centre near by my house,I would like to start home schooling for my 14years old boy,any centre near around Kepong area or Jalan Ipoh?How much I need to pay for every month?I really need more information,thank you !

  6. I  wish to send my son age 8 to home schooling centre in seremban 2 or any centre in seremban. I need more information of home schooling. kindly reply me.

    Thank you

    • Hi Vivian,

      A reader of Christianity Malaysia shared this info:

      There is a Dunamis Life HomeSchool in Seremban 2. Please contact Mr Joseph @ 016-348 2561.

      Hope this helps,
      Adeline

  7. Am interested to send my daughter to a homeschooling centre to further her secondary studies… i am staying in Kuala Ampang… have been looking around, think Metro Tabernacle is the nearest centre available… can give an insight on the cost and time commitments? Thank you in advance…

    • Dear All,

      I wanted to send my 11 years old daughter to home study. I am staying at Taman Sri Sinar, Segambut.  Any nearest branch near Kepong, Mont Kiara, Sri Hartamas? May I know the cost and time of schooling?

      I am total zero about home study. Did goverment reconise the exam or can she enter local University later?

      Thank you.

       

       

      • Hello.

        I do apologise if you find this private email inappropriate and I assure I won't repeat this.

        My name is Miss Ang and I am one of the owners of Science Bytes. We are a science & maths education resource center in Damansara Uptown and we deliver to Singapore.

        The common feedback from homeschooling parents is the lack access to science practicals. We will be selling and developing science kits for home schoolers. We are also bringing to Malaysia & Singapore international science kits.

        Our products also make really good toy gifts!

        If you think my company can be of service to you, please like my Facebook page and share it with your friends.

        Yours truly, Miss Ang

        My facebook page is

        https://www.facebook.com/sciencebytesteaching

      • Dear Susie

        I am staying in Taman Sri Bintang, near your place.  I would like to know if you have been successful in finding a homeschool nearby for your daughter.  I would appreciate if you can share some information.  

        Thanks

        Bettina

    • Hi Iris,

      We do not know the cost and time commitment to Metro Tabernacle, but we hope that you have already placed your daughter in a good homeschool.

      God Bless and thank you,
      Adeline

  8. Dear person in charge
    I  wish to send my son age  9 to home schooling centre in seremban 2 or any centre in seremban. I need more information of home schooling such like syllabus , centre address , and fees.  kindly reply me.
    Thank 

    • A reader of Christianity Malaysia shared this info:

      There is a Dunamis Life HomeSchool in Seremban 2. Please contact Mr Joseph @ 016-348 2561.

      Hope this helps,
      Adeline

    • A reader of Christianity Malaysia shared this info:

      There is a Dunamis Life HomeSchool in Seremban 2. Please contact Mr Joseph @ 016-348 2561.

      Hope this helps,
      Adeline

  9. If u stay in kepong o sri sinar,u can try the homeschooling church in desa park city o aop centre in metro prima kepong.

  10. Hi, Katherine

    How can I contact you?  I'm new in this and would like to start my kids with homeschooling.  Hope you can help me out.

     

    Thanks

  11. Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening.
    I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put
    this article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time
    both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  12. Hi i m staying in cheras m lookin forward to send my son to homeschooling is there any centres around kl or cheras area.. tq

  13. Hi, my 9 yr old son was in China for two years and never did experience much of public school (7 months only). While in China, he attended a school that catered to those who have special needs. He is a high functioning child with mild developmental issues. He is used to attending classes with only 5 children. So, going back to public school is not possible, especially since he has almost zero BM. We have just returned and I will be going back to work, while he needs a school to go to. Perhaps a homeschool centre will be suitable as the setup is much smaller, and the curriculum uses English as a medium of instruction. Could you or anyone else please advise? Please email me at puan.chris@yahoo.com 

    Thanks.

  14. hi, I would appreciate it if you can guide me to any resources to homeschool my 7 year old daughter who is non verbal and has autism. I am working, but I am also teaching her after work. She is in a mainstream primary 1 but not coping at all.

  15. Hi Katherine,
    I’m interested in your homeschooling & I’m stay in bukit mertajam, can you send me your center address & contact number ?

    • Hi Kong,

      We do not quite know a homeschool in Bukit Mertajam. Much apologies, hope that you can find a homeschool that is suitable for your children.

      God Bless and thank you,
      Adeline

  16. Dear Katherine,
    Can you recommend me a home school for my son who is now 14 years old. We are staying in Penang, Tanjung Bungah
    Thank you

  17. Hi, i am looking for a good homeschooling for my son age 8, has mild autism whereby he can read and write with for kindergarden level. Intend to start for primary level. He is lack of communication and social skill. Wants him to join in with normal kids so that he could improve in his communication and social wise.

    Hope to find a nearest place located in Puchong or Petaling Jaya.

    Thank you.

  18. pls i will like to send my children to your home school soon, they are about 7 and 9 years old thanks

  19. i need a good home school my child can go here near in Kepong or can you send me your center address & contact number ? i need your reply soon

  20. Hi my name is Raymonde Das and I would like to send my daughter Rachel Das to Christian home-school next academic year in 2016. Rachel currently studies at Infant Jesus Convent, Melaka in 2J (Jesus) (the 2nd class after I(Infant) with K(Konven) being the last class). On a last examination, her percentile was 81.2% that is considered a lower A as Infant Jesus Convent is a high performance school. My home is in Ampang (opposite TESCO Ampang on the MRR2) and at 1st I was considering Pudu English Primary Girls Schools as this is also a mission school under the Anglican Church and the number of students in each class is around 10 (there are only 85 student in the entire primary school). Please assist me.

  21. Hello
    I am from Prai currently reside in United States. We are relocating back to Prai next year. Looking into home school as an option for my 6 yo. Do you have a chat group/ forum I can join to meet the parents who is homeschooling at Prai area? And of course I would love to touch base with you if that is possible. Thank you.

    • Hi Jacqueline,

      We don’t know any good home schools in Simpang Ampat or Penang. Much apologies, we hope that you can find a suitable school for your daughter. Perhaps, you can connect with other readers of Christianity Malaysia to find out if there are home schools. We have quite a few who are looking for home schools in the same area.

      God Bless,
      Adeline

  22. Hi Katherine praise the Lord im from simpang ampat penang n would like to homeschool my only daughter n im very much interested in yr homeschool center how can i get in touch with u thanks in advance for yr reply

  23. Hi to all Managements & Staff,
    I praise yr great work n effort. My family has been considering home schooling for my son Form 1 next year. I have but only 1 main concern will your establishment convert our children’s religion, we are Buddhist. Though I am open about the religion my son choses in his future but I am against parties that takes advantage of the weaker ones….conditioning their mind to their religion. Our family has been a victim….family members being converted to Christianity before death with ridiculous ideologies. I have observed that Muslims n Christians especially have great motivation to convert others…like MLM recruitment. Please forgive me for my frankness but I am very keen to find out more about your establishment and how it can fit into our family values. Please call me if you are interested, 012 692 1233.

    Thank you & Regards,
    Rick

  24. Dear Parents,

    Brixsten Academy is an International Learning Center and we provide courses for Foundation IGCSE and IGCSE (Science and Arts). Our courses as cost efficient and we guarantee to deliver our results. With a very student friendly environment and experienced teachers, we look forward to deliver the best form of IGCSE education to your children. All we want for our scholars is ti be educated and not taught! For more information, or a free consultation, please contact us at:

    Brixsten Academy,
    No.69,71,73 (Mezzanine Floor),
    Jalan SS22/19, 47400,
    Damansara Jaya(Beside Maybank)

    0377326554/ 0162080945

  25. HI Katherine,
    Do you know of any home schooling center in Seremban? I wish to explore this option with my 2 boys who are turning 7 and 4 next year. Thank you.

    Please do contact me, appreciate it.

  26. My son has just completed his PT3 this year (age 15). Would like to know where is your home school. I am staying in Sg Long, Cheras and looking for 1 nearby. Can you help.

  27. Hi Katherine,

    I would like to get more information about home schooling for my daughter (14 years old). I am staying in Setapak.

    Thanks // Dodo

    • Brixsten Academy is an International Learning Center and we provide courses for Foundation IGCSE and IGCSE (Science and Arts). Our courses as cost efficient and we guarantee to deliver our results. With a very student friendly environment and experienced teachers, we look forward to deliver the best form of IGCSE education to your children. All we want for our scholars is ti be educated and not taught! For more information, or a free consultation, please contact us at:

      Brixsten Academy,
      No.69,71,73 (Mezzanine Floor),
      Jalan SS22/19, 47400,
      Damansara Jaya(Beside Maybank)

      0377326554/ 0162080945

    • Hi Angie,

      A reader of Christianity Malaysia shared this info:

      There is a Dunamis Life HomeSchool in Seremban 2. Please contact Mr Joseph @ 016-348 2561.

      Hope this helps,
      Adeline

    • Hi Angie,

      A Christianity Malaysia reader shared:

      There is a Dunamis Life HomeSchool in Seremban 2. Please contact Mr Joseph @ 016-348 2561.

      Hope this helps,
      Adeline

  28. Hi Katherine

    I would like to get more info about homeschooling for my 5years old son and 6 years old daughter. I’m stayed in sri petaling

  29. Hi Katherine

    I would like to get more info about homeschooling for my 12years old son. I’m stayed in Butterworth. Thank you

    • Hi Cindy,

      We don’t quite know a good homeschool in Butterworth. Hope that you can find a good one for your child.

      God Bless,
      Adeline

    • Hi Cindy,

      We don’t quite know a homeschool in Butter worth. Hope that you can connect with the other parents also looking for home schools in Penang and Butterworth, to get more info.

      God Bless and thank you,
      Adeline

  30. I am trying to enrol my nephew into a good homeschool as i had read about bro alan pua, how i do it in amoang area? Please advice. Thank you

  31. Good day,

    I am a Filipino expat and I have 11yo daughter and 7yo son that I would like to enroll to a homeschooling program. We stay in Petaling Jaya. Hope you can recommend one for us. Thanks!

  32. Brixsten Academy is an International Learning Center and we provide courses for Foundation IGCSE and IGCSE (Science and Arts). Our courses as cost efficient and we guarantee to deliver our results. With a very student friendly environment and experienced teachers, we look forward to deliver the best form of IGCSE education to your children. All we want for our scholars is ti be educated and not taught! For more information, or a free consultation, please contact us at:

    Brixsten Academy,
    No.69,71,73 (Mezzanine Floor),
    Jalan SS22/19, 47400,
    Damansara Jaya(Beside Maybank)

    0377326554/ 0162080945

  33. Hi Katherine,
    I would like to send my daughter to homeschooling, any recommend home school in area Kepong? Thank you

    • Hi Yvonne,

      Katherine’s homeschool is in Kuchai Lama, if we are not wrong. We don’t quite know a homeschool in Kepong.

      But if you don’t mind, you can check out:

      ARROWS RESOURCE CENTRE
      Address: D-G-8, Jalan PJU 1a/3k, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
      Phone: +60 3-7831 2489

      Here’s a little more info:
      http://www.myprivatetutor.my/training-center/234/petaling-jaya/Arrows_Resource_Center.html

      Hope this helps! Also, there are a number of parents looking for homeschooling in Kepong in this page. Perhaps, you can connect with them? We hope that you can find a suitable school for your daughter.

      Adeline

  34. Hi Katherine
    I am looking for home schooling centre for my 9 years old son who currently study in SJKC Bandar Sungai Long. And his don’t like to do homework. I really don’t know how to teach and guide June on his homework. Everyday he keep telling me no homework from school. But his school teachers complaints that he not listening in class and keep talking to his classmates and no respond to teachers when teachers ask him to take out activities books.
    Hope you can guide to find a homeschooling nearby Bandar Sungai Long. Thanks

    • Hi Mau Keng,

      Katherine’s home school is in Kuchai Lama, if we are not wrong. Perhaps, connecting with the other parents looking for homeschooling in Kepong helps? There are a few parents here. Hope this helps! 🙂

      God Bless,
      Adeline

  35. Hi…. I plan to send my 2 kids to homeschool too and I’m also from Kepong. I’ve done some research and filtering and would be happy to share and further discuss with parents from Kepong area too. My main problem is after school transportation.

  36. Hi katherine, i live at cheras, any home school recomendation for my son turn to 13yrs old next year? I also has problem with transportation. Ur assistance is very much appreciated.

  37. Hi @jane I am from Kepong area too, intend to send my son next year to homeschool for IGCSE Y7. Will be happy to exchange note on research. How to reach you?

    • For a homeschooling centre in Kepong, you can check out Lifeway. The person to contact is Amanda Khoo 012-3832772.​⁠​

  38. I have two children, age 12 & 10 this year. I’m looking for a homeschooling in Kepong. I live in Bandar Sri Damansara. My wife and I both work.What do I need to do?

    • For a homeschooling centre in Kepong, you can check out Lifeway. The person to contact is Amanda Khoo 012-3832772.​⁠​

  39. Hai Sheldon, Are u manage to find a good home school for your children. I m also looking for it for next year. Any recommand?

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