St Bede's College News

Teaching and Learning

Home Learning Guidelines

In support of learning that takes place in the classroom, it is common practice that expectations of repetition and rehearsal are necessary outside class time. These are often referred to as ‘study’, ‘homework’ or ‘home learning’ and serve to meet a number of goals. These include building consistent habits that improve learning, consolidating what has been learnt in class and pre-learning content that is built upon in class. In support of this, St Bede’s College has recently developed and implemented Home Learning Guidelines that identify the role of the teacher, student and parents/carers to ensure that students achieve their personal best.

 

As parents and carers, supporting students in their endeavours is an important one. Whilst many students want to do well and be organised, they often find the discipline required difficult to establish and maintain. As adults, we better understand what it means to develop and stick to a routine and are in a position to help those in our care in developing practices that are beneficial. From a home learning perspective, the guidelines promote three responsibilities for parents and carers. These are;

  • To ensure that there is time set aside for home learning and assist in developing a routine; 
  • To provide, where possible, a dedicated place for home learning, and encourage students to also utilise other locations such as school and local libraries, and
  • To support students to complete their home learning and provide any necessary guidance and/or support.

We will continue to encourage students to develop their skills in this regard. The demands of the Senior Years of schooling increase and culminate in Year 12. In order to achieve an outcome at this level that provides a range of options beyond secondary school for any student, it is nigh on impossible with a large degree of application outside the classroom. 

 

From a Middle Years level, establishing a consistent approach- which underpins all effective learning- is crucial and is to be built upon in these later years. As such, the recommendations outlined in the Guideline are as follows:

 

It is recommended that students in Year 7 to 10 complete home learning/study five times per week following the guidelines below: 

Year 7: 30 Minutes – 1 hour 

Year 8: 45 Minutes – 1 hour 

Year 9: 1 – 2 hours 

Year 10: 1 – 2.5 hours 

 

It is recommended that students undertaking VCE studies complete the following amount of home learning/study per week: 

Units 1 & 2: 2 – 4 hours per subject per week 

Units 3 & 4: 2 – 5 hours per subject per week

 

St Bede’s College staff will continue our work with students in assisting them to develop effective habits in this regard, however commitment from all parties- parents/carers, students and staff- increases the likelihood that students develop habits and practices that will serve them well into the future.

 

The complete Home Learning Guidelines document is available via the College Policies page on the St Bede’s College Website; it can also be accessed here. St Bede’s College staff will work with students in assisting them to develop effective habits in this regard, however commitment from all parties- parents/carers, students and staff- increases the likelihood that students develop habits and practices that will serve them well into the future. 

Learning Habits

In the coming weeks weeks, all students and their families will receive feedback regarding student learning habits. Students have been assessed against a rubric in all subjects across all year levels; the rubric has been shared previously however it is attached below. The endeavour is to ensure there are consistent expectations across the school as well as maximise learning that is occurring in every class.

 

Each student will receive feedback in four areas, namely Preparedness for Learning, Engagement in Learning, Application to Learning and Learning Progress. Results will be collated prior to the end of Term 1- and the end of each term thereafter- with results expressed in percentages of positive and negative learning habits in the Pastoral Report.

 

Negative and Positive Habits

  • The two left columns of the rubric (‘Unacceptable’ and ‘Below Expectations’) marked up in red are considered negative habits and affect learning in a negative way.
  • The behaviours outlined in the right-hand column (‘Commendable’ and ‘Excellent’) marked up in green are considered to have a positive effect on learning. These behaviours are research-based and have been found to positively influence student outcomes.
  • Our endeavour is to change behaviour so that as many students as possible are able to demonstrate positive learning behaviours.
  • The centre column (‘Minimum Standard’) is neither positive nor negative. Rather, it is a base standard that is deemed acceptable.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to make contact with the College. We are here to support students with their learning and enable them to achieve the results that best reflect their abilities.

 

Brenden Mair

Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning