| home | our school | students | parents | newsletter | oshc | history |

Homework         | back |  
      

INTRODUCTION

Homework is a means to give individuals practice, and strengthen, the lessons learnt within the school environment.

Homework may include any work, set by a teacher, to be completed by students outside normal classroom hours. Homework may include:

Ø             Reading.

Ø             Practising skills; eg learning words, tables, number facts.

Ø             Information gathering or continuing with a project.

Ø             Set homework tasks; eg contracts, varied activities from all curriculum areas.

Ø             Finishing or continuing work set in class.

Regular reading and related activities are strongly recommended for all students.

RATIONALE

School policies and practices are based on the Regulations devised by the Department of Education and Children’s Services, and prescribed under the Education Act (1972) :

Reg. 164 :      (1) Teachers may require that homework appropriate to the age and ability of a child shall be done by a child attending a government school.
(2)     Every teacher shall give sympathetic consideration to any objection from a parent regarding the amount of homework expected by the teacher from a child of that parent.

Reasons for Homework

Ø             Doing homework encourages students to accept responsibilities for their own learning.

Ø             It enables them to develop skills as independent learners.

Ø             Students are able to extend or consolidate their learning by doing extra work at home, eg reading, practising tables, learning words, researching a topic.

Ø             It provides an opportunity for students to develop time management and organisational skills.

Ø             Homework enables parents to be involved with what their children are learning at school.

HOMEWORK POLICY AIMS

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for staff, parents and students, in accordance with DECS.

HOMEWORK STRATEGIES

Ø                Homework expectations, and the ways parents can support their children with homework, need to be clearly outlined to both students and parents early in the school year.  Student night, welcome letters and newsletters shall be used to disseminate this information.

Ø                It is important that students are involved in some after school activities. Where possible students are given the opportunity to plan their homework timetables over a few nights, so they can work around extra curricular activities; eg. Sports practice, music lessons, family outings.

Ø                Students who do not finish their work in class or homework may be expected to catch up work at lunch times.  If finishing set work within time class allowances is a persistent problem for an individual student, teachers may negotiate with parents to have work to be completed at home.

Ø                Students may choose to work longer periods on some activities. Teachers of specialist classes (eg French, Unit) need to try to negotiate homework requirements with class teachers to avoid overloading students.

Homework Time Guidelines

Homework should be set that is appropriate to the age and ability of the child.  The following times are recommendations only:

     Year R–2       Sufficient time (eg 10 mins per night) to read their reader-books taken home and to practice any word lists.

      Year 3-5       30 - 60 mins per week (eg 3 nights of 10-20  mins).

      Year 6-7       60 – 120 mins per week (eg 4 nights of 15-30 mins).

RESPONSIBILITIES

Class Teacher

Is responsible for setting homework for students, providing time to record homework details and to check student’s diaries (where appropriate).

Students

Are responsible for recording homework, completing homework and obtaining a note from parents/caregiver if there was a reason why homework could not be completed. The student should bring to the attention of the teacher any notes from the parents, and to the parent any notes from the teacher.

Parents

Are responsible for supporting students with their set homework and for writing notes to the class teacher regarding homework performance or issues.  Parents are also responsible for signing student diaries (where appropriate) at least once a week to ensure communication is regular and effective.

OUTCOMES

It is envisaged that adoption of this policy, and associated strategies, will result in students developing successful study habits which will be useful in future studies, and increase the opportunities for improved student learning outcomes.  It is further envisaged that a strong partnership link will be forged between the school and home. 

This policy has been developed by the Governing Council, in consultation with staff and parents, of students attending Paringa Park Primary School.

This policy will be reviewed and evaluated regularly by both staff and the Governing Council, and modified as required to ensure continued relevance for the School.

BACK to the TOP