The subject of Homework has once again featured in the media as school began for the new year. We continue to believe in the importance of homework. “A reasonable amount of homework, when set with common sense, is an essential part of both academic and life education.” Homework remains one of the most public means by which staff members demonstrate their accountability but more importantly, it plays a critical role in your son’s learning.
Belief Statement
Homework is an integral part of the academic program. It provides students with an opportunity to reinforce through practice their learning at school and to establish appropriate attitudes, habits and commitment to learning.
Students are expected to undertake various tasks. In some cases they are to consolidate work done in class or to prepare for the following day. Homework exercises of this kind require prompt attention if they are to be effective. On other occasions, students have considerable freedom to plan their own program of work and to organise their own time.
Homework activities are an important means for teachers to check a student's understanding and application of knowledge and skills. Part of the purpose of homework is to encourage organisation, planning and self-discipline in each student; it also allows boys to demonstrate their commitment to academic work.
It is important that each student keep a record of homework set and planned. To this end students must carry their diaries with them to every lesson. In Years 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 there is a timetable in accordance with which teachers are expected to set homework. Such a timetable should help to establish the important sense of routine in students' minds.
Sometimes homework tasks will leave room for students to work beyond minimum requirements; on some occasions tasks will be quite specific and on others, fairly general.
When no specific tasks have been set for recent work, students should use the time review recent work, to bring notebooks up to date, to read widely on extension topics, or to deal with areas of difficulty.
Tutors in Years 8, 9 and 10 and class teachers in Years 6 and 7 will endeavour, to maintain an overview of an individual student's homework program and to detect areas of difficulty.
It is important that parents take a regular and informed interest in their son's work. Discussions, advice and the exchange of views are often very valuable.
Students at any age should be dissuaded from working too late into the evening, as this is detrimental to performance on the next day.
Purposes of homework
Provides students with an opportunity to engage in activities that will reinforce and consolidate their learning.
Establishes appropriate attitudes, habits, expectations and a commitment to learning that will ensure continuity of learning between the Preparatory and Senior School.
Provides a link between the home and school by assisting parents to understand the scope and standard of work required within each level.
Assists teachers to check student understanding and application of knowledge and skills introduced at school.
Encourages the development in each student of responsibility, independence, selfdiscipline, organization and planning skills.
Homework will be most successful if:
Student work is marked and returned to students as soon as possible.
There are clearly communicated instructions which identify the purpose and required product.
It is motivating, varied and purposeful.
It is consistently set to assist students to plan their time and commitments.
Children's individual differences and abilities are taken into account when setting assignments.
Boys are encouraged to put quality into their homework, not just quantity. homework, students should use the time to review.
Time is negotiated by specialist teachers with classroom teachers (in Years R-6) for the setting of specialist homework.
Homework Guidelines for Parents
These guidelines are to assist parents in the monitoring and/or supervision of their boy's homework. Parents can encourage and support their sons by:
Taking an interest in their learning and other activities at school.
Supporting and communicating with teachers by using and signing the report book once per week. (It is important to communicate aspects of the boy's work parents have valued, or any difficulties experienced.)
Encouraging their sons to take responsibility for completing homework and reminding them it is a contract between themselves and their teachers.
Providing a quiet place/time for the completion of homework.
Encouraging their sons to read at home, reading to them and providing a model by reading themselves.
Maintaining a routine which encourages regular practice by boys undertaking instrumental studies.
Assisting in the provision of resources both within the home and those available in the community, e.g. encyclopaedias, dictionaries, the internet and local library.
Understanding that there will be frustrations and providing time to talk these through with their sons.
Celebrating and sharing their son's efforts and achievements.
Helping their sons to plan their homework and to manage their time effectively as part of a balanced evening routine which ends positively.
Homework should not take the whole evening—see time guidelines below.
Time Guidelines
Homework is set regularly on a class basis from Year 4 to Year 12 and will be given on every week night (Years 8-12). The nominal time allowance each night is:
Year 8 75-90 minutes
Year 9 90-105 minutes
Year 10 105-135 minutes
Year 11 120-180 minutes
Year 12 150-210 minutes
If a student regularly goes over these times the teacher should be advised. If several subjects are set on one night then the time allocated to each can be averaged as a guide.
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