FAQs
ABOUT THE PORTAL
What is the HERRD Kids' Learning Portal?
The HERRD Kids' Learning Portal is open to all Australian homeschooling families, with a special focus on regional and rural learners. Through the portal, children can join live online workshops, activities, and events — making it easy to connect with like-minded students no matter where they are.
What age groups are the workshops for?
Most workshops are designed for primary (Year 3) through to high school students, with some activities available for younger siblings. Each workshop shows its recommended age range so you can find the right fit. Children are welcome to join older or younger groups — just keep in mind the content is tailored for that age group, so use your own judgment as a parent.
Are workshops suitable for neurodiverse learners?
Yes. We welcome students of all ages and abilities. Our community is supportive, and we aim to create inclusive, flexible, and respectful learning spaces. If your child has specific needs, please reach out so we can help support your experience.
SCHEDULE & SESSIONS
How often are workshops held?
Term 2 2026 runs for 8 weeks: an orientation week, 7 weeks of live workshops, and a bonus catch-up week (week 9). Most sessions run Monday to Thursday. Note that session details may change.
What time zone are the workshops in?
All workshop times are listed in AEST (Brisbane time). Please convert to your local time zone, including daylight saving where applicable.
Tip: If you save an event to Google Calendar, it should automatically convert to your local time zone.
What do I need to join a workshop?
You'll need a stable internet connection and a device (computer or tablet). Most workshops run via Zoom or Microsoft Teams with nothing extra required. Some workshops use additional tools — Code Club students will access Scratch or Godot Engine, while Newspaper Club and Sketch Wednesday use Canva. A free Canva account is all you need; no paid subscription is required.
LIVE VS RECORDED
Are workshops live or pre-recorded?
Most workshops are live and interactive — children can ask questions and connect with other learners in real time. Many sessions are also recorded for later viewing, but not all.
These workshops are not recorded for student safety and privacy: Sketch Wednesday, Lego Legends, Book Club, and Story Factory.
To check if a specific workshop is recorded, open the event in the portal. Near the booking button, you'll see text confirming whether a recording will be available.
Do I need to book if I only want to watch the replay?
No — you don't need to book just to watch the recording. Replays are available to everyone after the event. If you're unsure whether you can attend live, go ahead and book just in case.
How do I watch a replay?
After an event has taken place, the booking button on the event page is replaced with a Watch Replay button. To find it: go to the portal menu → Calendar → find the past event → select it → click Watch Replay (if a recording is available).
Watch the Welcome to HERRD Kids webinar for a full walkthrough of how to navigate the portal and find replays.
EMAILS & ACCOUNT
I'm not receiving your emails — what should I do?
Check your spam and promotions folders first. To make sure future emails land in your primary inbox, save our email address to your contacts.