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School Policies - Homework

RATIONALE

Homework is considered to be an integral part of the school experience. It is considered complementary to class. Homework can also reinforce the notion that school and learning are very important and that work completed at home is recognised, appreciated and praised.

AIMS

To assist students to develop worthwhile study habits, which will equip them with strategies to promote independent learning.
To provide valuable opportunities for students to develop responsibility, perseverance, self-discipline and time management skills.
To provide opportunities for positive support roles for parents to assist their children.
To be conscious that homework does not encroach on extra-curricular experiences that students enjoy and from which they gain considerable benefit.

PROCEDURES

Students are expected to allocate time at home to complete unfinished class work, to complete research for projects and to practise their reading skills.
Reading daily is considered to be one of the most important homework elements for all students.
Parents may be expected to assist but not to do homework for their child.
There is an expectation that, if there is no reasonable reason provided by parents for students failing to complete homework, that tasks set for homework would be completed during part of designated playtime.

Prep to Year 2

Homework will be routinely set during the week.
Students are encouraged to learn words and basic number concepts and to pursue reading and spelling programs.
Students should not spend more than 20 minutes per night on homework.
Occasional completion of work, research activities and collection of items relevant to particular areas of study may be given on an informal basis at the teacher’s discretion.
Children of this age may benefit from 1:1 support with homework tasks, especially reading for meaning.

Years 3 to 6

Homework will be routinely set during the week.
Depending upon the type of tasks being required to be completed at home, homework may be set:
- At the beginning of the week for completion by the end of the week
- For completion by the next school day
- As a short or long term the teacher nominates a project where a completion date is set.
Each student has a homework diary, which is used as a means of communication between home and school. Students are expected to use the diary appropriately and regularly.
Students are expected to demonstrate pride in their homework by completing the work neatly and returning it on time.
Guidelines for duration of homework are:
- Years 3 & 4: up to 30 minutes, including reading, four nights a week.
- Years 5 & 6: up to 40 minutes, including reading, four nights a week.

Responsibilities of Teachers

Homework that is set has clear and full directions for the students and is relevant and complementary to class work.
Teachers are responsible for reviewing, marking and speaking with students about their homework.
Teachers return homework promptly to students.
Teachers are responsive to parents’ concerns about circumstances, which may impact on the completion of their children’s homework.

Parents and Homework

Parents can support their child’s learning by:

Making homework time as pleasant as possible.
Providing a suitable quiet, well-lit area for homework completion.
Establishing a homework routine.
Encouraging children to work reasonably quickly and efficiently – adhering to recommended time frames and liaising with teachers if time limits are difficult to meet or the student is overwhelmed by a task.
Keeping explanations simple and practical when actively helping with a particular task.
Demonstrating, encouraging and where possible expressing approval and satisfaction.
Notifying class teachers if family constraints make it difficult for a homework task to be completed and discuss alternatives and options.