Homework

Rationale

  • Homework provides students with the opportunity to revise, consolidate, enrich and extend their classroom learning.
  • Homework needs to reflect students’ 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 applications.

Guidelines

Homework should:

  • Be a pleasurable and rewarding experience for students and parents.
  • Assist in the development of personal home study habits.
  • Be handed in and marked with feedback provided.
  • Relate directly to the learning and teaching programs appropriate to the needs of students.
  • Support the development of the student as an independent learner.
  • Be encouraged through parental engagement and support.

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, meetings and class communications.

In keeping with the homework rationale the type of homework set by teachers will be:

  • Reading for pleasure on a daily basis is encouraged across all year levels.
  • 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.
  • Parents are encouraged to assist students to complete homework within the recommended time-frames.
  • The homework diary is used to develop organisational 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 email.

Years P – K Homework

  • Shared reading to your child, saying nursery rhymes, word games, counting etc is strongly recommended.
  • Practice of skills learnt at school will be on the basis of enjoyment and sharing with the family.
  • Comprehension Literature Packs.
  • Home reading (when applicable).

Years 1 – 2 Homework

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

Years 3 – 4 Homework

  • The emphasis will remain on children sharing their school learning experiences with their family.
  • Reading, Spelling and Maths homework will be set nightly. Some activities will be online.
  • 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 four times per week.

Years 5 – 6 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.
  • Reading, Spelling and Maths homework will be set nightly. Some activities will be online.
  • 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 forty five minutes per session four times per week.