Sunshine Heights Primary School
HOMEWORK POLICY

Policy to be reviewed annually

RATIONALE

Homework is seen as one way of supporting and fostering lifelong learning and connecting families with the learning of their children. There are a variety of activities that complement classroom teaching and help students to be responsible for their own learning.

 

EXPECTATION

All students will be provided with books each week to take home as well as other homework suggestions throughout the year. We understand the importance for families to have sufficient time for family, cultural pursuits, sport and recreation, and while our school encourages and supports homework practices, homework is optional. Parents should contact their child's teacher if they have questions or concerns about this or anything else to do with homework.

 

AIMS

• To build on the school/home partnership

• To support, extend and apply classroom learning

• To develop the responsibility for self-learning.

 

IMPLEMENTATION

The Homework Policy will be made available to parents at the commencement of each school year.

 

Parental Involvement:

At Sunshine Heights Primary School, we encourage parents to play an active role in their child’s education.

Homework is an opportunity for parents to learn more about what their child is doing at school and for students to share their learning with their parents. The homework policy allows parents to play an active role in their child's learning.

To support your child with their homework and learning you can:

• Read and write in front of your child or with them

• Involve them in learning opportunities during everyday household routines and physical activity

• Play a game with your child that allows them to practice what they have learned at school

• Go to the library with your child

• Help your child set up a consistent, organised place for homework to be done

• Help your child develop a consistent schedule for completing homework

• Encourage, motivate and prompt your child. Remember that the purpose of homework is for your child to practise and use what he/she has learned

• Contact your child's teacher for advice if your child is consistently having difficulties completing their homework

• Ensure there is a balance between the time spent on homework and recreational activities

• Discuss homework with your child in your first language and link it to previous experiences

• Link homework and other learning activities to your families' culture, history and language, linking with relevant services, clubs, associations and community groups

• If your child is practising a skill, ask them to tell you which steps are easy, which are difficult, or how he/she is going to improve. If your child is doing a project, ask them what knowledge he/she is applying in the project. If your child is not able to consistently talk about the knowledge they are practising or using, contact your child's teacher

• If bedtime comes before your child has completed their homework, finish up the homework to ensure your child gets a good night's sleep

 

Students:

• Students can take responsibility for their own learning by:

• Accepting responsibility for the completion of homework tasks within set time frames

• Following up on comments made by teachers

• Seeking assistance when difficulties arise

• Discussing homework expectations with their parents

• Organising their time to manage home obligations, participation in physical activity and sports and recreational and cultural activities.

 

Teacher's Role

• To provide homework as per the policy.

• Monitor the homework. This includes providing feedback to students. The type of monitoring and feedback will vary depending the task, purpose of the task, expected outcome, student etc. Prep, Years 1 & 2 teachers may use the reading log to communicate with parents.

• Teachers will be sensitive to the family's circumstances that may impact on a student completing their homework.

• Each teacher sets their own homework so the amount may vary between classes and subjects.

 

Year Prep - Two

Homework tasks may include:

• Reading activities to, with and by parents

• Suggested enrichment activities for parents to engage in with their children

• Tasks may be modified for students requiring Individual Learning Plans

• Activities will generally not exceed 15 minutes per day.

 

Year Three and Four

The purpose and the expected outcome of homework tasks will be clearly communicated.

Homework tasks may include:

• Independent reading on a daily basis.

• Spelling tasks - the words will be selected from the student's writing.  The students will select the words and practice them using Look, Say, Name, Cover, Write, Check.  Words that students spell incorrectly will be included in their new list.

• Activities will generally not exceed 20 minutes per day.

 

Year Five and Six

The purpose and the expected outcome of homework tasks will be clearly communicated. The purpose of homework in Year 5 and 6 is to develop good work habits, time management and organisational skills in order to prepare students for secondary education. A homework diary will be used to provide regular communication between the parents and the school.

Homework tasks may include:

• Independent reading on a daily basis

• Literacy based tasks to support classroom learning

• Numeracy based tasks to support classroom learning

• Projects/research

• Tasks may be modified for students requiring Individual Learning Plans

• Activities will generally not exceed 30 minutes per day.

Teachers may suggest students complete unfinished classroom activities at home. When students complete their work, it gives them a sense of achievement and builds on their self-esteem for future learning. We value and celebrate all students’ attempts at continuing their learning outside of school.

 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF MY CHILD DOES NOT COMPLETE THEIR HOMEWORK?

While the school encourages and supports homework practices, it is optional for students to complete. Students will not be kept inside during recess or lunch to complete unfinished homework tasks. Teachers will contact parents if they have any concerns regarding homework tasks.

Support is provided to students and their families throughout the year via conversations with teachers, during parent and teacher interviews, newsletters, Literacy and Numeracy tips, parent information sessions etc.

 

EVALUATION

This policy will be reviewed as part of the school's review cycle

Policy ratified by School Council in November 2020

Policy to be reviewed in 2020