Rationale
Our school strives to partner with parents to provide a holistic education of our student. Homework, work undertaken by the student beyond the hours of formal schooling, is a useful strategy in pairing home and school and creates a practice that will serve students throughout their lifetime of learning. It also reinforces the fact that learning does not only occur within the school, but occurs at home with the help of parents and caregivers. Homework provides parents and caregivers an insight into what is being taught within their childís classroom and an idea of the progress of their child.
Principles
- Homework includes all work that is to be carried out by students outside of the regular school hours. This includes: assignments, readings, practice, study skills and revision, research and report writing.
- Homework will be a regular component of the teaching curriculum
- Homework will be regularly marked and observed by staff
- Homework will be relevant to the subject areas currently being undertaken by students.
- The volume of homework will be linked to the childís development and ability.
- When assigning homework teachers will be mindful of the program of formal assessment in other areas of the curriculum.
- Non-completion of Homework will need parental authorisation. Non- completion of homework that forms a component of formal assessment items will be subject to the procedures outlined in the Assessment Handbook.
Expectations
Parents and caregivers can help by:
- Taking an interest in their childrenís homework. This may include ensuring that there is a set time for their children to complete their homework and encouraging students to complete their homework.
- Talking to their children about both their class work and homework and reading.
- Being aware of the amount of homework that is set
- Communicating with teachers any concerns about the nature of homework and their childrenís approach to the homework.
- Making the school aware of any domestic or extracurricular activities which may need to be taken into consideration when homework is being set or corrected.
- Discussing the news and television shows with their children, allowing them to practice forming, expressing and supporting a point of view.
Students can help by:
- Being aware of the schoolís homework policy and the importance of homework
- Completing homework and submitting it within the given time frame.
- Communicating with parents about their homework and seeking their assistance when difficulties arise.
- Organising their time to ensure that enough time is given to allow quality homework to be completed within the set deadlines.
Teachers can help by:
- Communicating to both parents and students the purpose of homework and ensuring they are aware of the schoolís homework policy.
- Relate homework activities to classwork.
- Ensuring that students are aware of what is expected of them and are given sufficient time to complete the assigned homework.
- Marking homework promptly, providing feedback to students and parents. This includes alerting parents to any developing problems concerning their childrenís homework and suggesting strategies that may assist their child.