Policies - Homework

RATIONALE

  • Homework provides students with the opportunity to revise, consolidate, enrich and extend their classroom learning.
  • Homework needs to reflect student’s phase of development and the context of the school.
  • Homework can support higher levels of student achievement by extending the time available for students to consolidate skills and concepts learned at school. It also extends the time available for the exploration of new ideas and new situations.

GUIDELINES
Homework should:

  • Be a pleasurable and rewarding experience for students and parents.
  • Never be a non-negotiable element of the delivery of the school curriculum.
  • Assist in the development of personal home study habits.
  • Be marked and feedback provided.
  • Relate directly to the learning and teaching programs appropriate to the learning needs of students.
  • Support the development of the student as an independent learner.
  • Parental engagement and support of student’s homework is encouraged, however unreasonable levels of parental assistance or resources should be avoided.

PROCEDURES

  • All teachers will communicate the homework requirements consistent with the school's policy guidelines. Parents will be advised of the class homework policy through such means as parent interviews, parent meetings and distribution of class policy statements.
  • In keeping with the homework rationale the type of homework set by teachers will be:
    • practising a skill or reinforcing knowledge learnt at school;
    • practising those skills which require daily exercises, especially English and Mathematics;
    • providing the opportunity to enrich and extend their school learning activities.
  • Some activities require students to manage their time as some tasks will take more than one session.
  • Parents are asked to “sign off” to cater for students taking longer then the recommended time for homework.
  • The homework diary is used to develop organizational skills and communicate with parents. There is an expectation that parents check diaries so they can support student learning and supervise research.
  • Communication between students, staff and parents is maintained through the e - mail.
  • For projects over time, a check list and information will be provided to support parents and children.
  • Reading for pleasure on a daily basis is encouraged across all year levels.

Years K- P Homework

  • No formal homework will be set. Shared reading to your child, saying nursery rhymes and word games etc is strongly recommended.

Years 1 – 3

  • Practise of skills learnt at school will be on the basis of enjoyment and sharing with the family.
  • Oral reading, spelling, occasionally collection of materials and parent supervised research.
  • Recommended time allocation: On average ten to twenty minutes per session three to four times per week.

Years 4-5 Homework

  • The emphasis will remain on children sharing their school learning experiences with their family.
  • Revisionary practise of English and Mathematical skills and knowledge will be planned at this level.
  • Class teachers will ensure coordination of homework commitments asked of children by different teachers to ensure reasonable and achievable time lines.
  • Enrichment and extension of school learning activities will be encouraged.
  • Recommended time allocation: On average thirty minutes per session three to four times per week.

Years 6-7 Homework

  • Children at this level will be taught to practise effective home-study skills.  eg. homework diary, set homework time, plan, setting timelines and meeting commitments.
  • Class teachers will ensure coordination of homework commitments asked of children by different teachers to ensure reasonable and achievable time lines.
  • Revision, consolidation, enrichment and extension activities to meet individual student needs will be the basis for the homework set at this level.
  • Recommended time allocation:  On average thirty to forty five minutes per session three to four times per week