Homework provides students with opportunities to consolidate their classroom learning, pattern behaviour for lifelong learning beyond the classroom, and involve family members in their learning.
Homework Club
The Homework Club is for students who require help in completing homework and assignments or general support in completion of their studies. Homework Club runs weekly on Wednesday afternoons from 3pm to 4pm in the school library. This program is supported by Mitchelton High School staff who have volunteered their time.
Purpose of homework
Homework can engage students in independent learning to complement work undertaken in class through:
revision and critical reflection to consolidate learning (practising for mastery)
applying knowledge and skills in new contexts (a topic of interest, an authentic local issue)
pursuing knowledge individually and imaginatively
preparing for forthcoming classroom learning.
Homework that enhances student learning
is purposeful and relevant to students needs
is appropriate to the phase of learning (early, middle and senior)
is appropriate to the capability of the student
develops the student’s independence as a learner
is varied, challenging and clearly related to class work.
Students can take responsibility for their own learning by:
Discussing with their parents or caregivers homework expectations
Accepting responsibility for the completion of homework expectations within set time frames
Following up on comments made by teachers
Seeking assistance when difficulties arise
Organising their time to manage and balance home expectations, participation in physical activity and sport, cultural and recreational activities and part-time employment.
Teachers can help students establish a routine of regular, independent study by:
ensuring their school’s homework policy is implemented
setting homework on a regular basis
clearly communicating the purpose, benefits and expectations of all homework.
checking homework regularly and provide timely and useful feedback.
using homework that is varied, challenging and directly related to class work and appropriate to students’ learning needs.
explicitly teaching strategies to develop organisational and time-management skills and providing opportunities to practice these strategies through homework
giving consideration to other academic and personal development activities (school based or other) that students could be engaged in when setting homework
discussing with parents and caregivers any developing problems concerning their child’s homework and suggesting strategies to assist with their homework.
Parents and caregivers can help their children by:
reading to them, talking with them and involving them in tasks at home including shopping, playing games and physical activity
helping them to complete tasks by discussing key questions or directing them to resources
encouraging them to organise their time and take responsibility for their learning
encouraging them to read and to take an interest in and discuss current local, national and international events
helping them to balance the amount of time spent completing homework, watching television, playing computer games, playing sport and engaging in other recreational activities
contacting the relevant teacher to discuss any concerns about the nature of homework and their children’s approach to the homework.
Implementation
The school’s homework policy will be distributed to parents and students at enrolment.
All students will be allocated student diaries at the start of the school year.
Classroom teachers will issue homework appropriate to each curriculum area and age group.
The setting of homework takes into account the need for students to have a balanced lifestyle. This includes sufficient time for family, recreation, cultural pursuits and employment where appropriate.
It is commonplace for teachers to assign unfinished classroom activities as homework tasks.
All homework activities must be checked or, where appropriate, assessed with feedback by teachers.
Teachers make use of the intranet to post online class and homework activities for students to access. They provide opportunities for students to submit homework tasks electronically too.
Some homework can be completed daily or over a weekly or fortnightly period, during weekends and vacations.
Parents will have opportunities to discuss homework issues with the school.
Students will be provided with formal opportunities to build organisation and planning skills.
As a guide:
In the Senior Phase (Years 10, 11 and 12) the amount of time devoted to homework and independent study will vary according to the student’s learning needs and individual program of learning, determined through their Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan. While teachers may provide students with additional work relevant to their learning which the student may undertake at home, young people during this phase should generally be independent learners exercising their own judgement as to the out-of-hours time they devote to their studies. Of course, care should be taken to ensure that a balance is maintained between the various demands of study, sporting, recreational, cultural or part-time employment activities.