Homework
Rationale:
Homework provides an opportunity for children to be involved in maintenance work that directly relates to the classroom programme at the time. It is also an opportunity to provide a link between home and school so that parents and caregivers are familiar with the topics and skills being covered at school. Regular homework helps foster positive study skills and work habits for the future. As a school we also believe in the importance of children’s involvement in extra curricula activities and that this is an essential component to a child’s education outside of school hours also.
Guidelines
Time to spend on homework each night as a guide:
- Year 7-8 students should spend up to 30 minutes per night on their homework
- Year 5-6 students should spend 20-30 minutes per night on their homework
- Year 3-4 students should spend 15-20 minutes per night on their homework
- Year 0-2 students should spend 10-15 minutes per night on their homework
Because homework is linked to what is happening in classrooms, there will be an expectation that it is completed. However, we have a school wide understanding that on some occasions children will not be able to complete it – parents are required to inform the teacher if this is the case through a written note.
We do not give out homework to be done over the weekend.
The focus of homework time should be in Literacy and Numeracy tasks.
Homework is maintenance of concepts being taught at school, not new learning. The child should be able to complete the tasks independently without parental assistance.
Please note: We are working on our approach to the teaching of spelling as a school also. In the meantime any form of spelling programme being delivered is up to the teacher but we will be reviewing this. If your child is receiving spelling words for homework at present, there will be a specific reason for these words such as learning a certain spelling rule or words based on an essential word list.