Teaching and Learning
Homework and Home Learning
The following table is a reproduction from the student record book. It serves as a guide to the time recommended for students at each year level to spend on home learning, homework or study.
Prep & Year 1
Children are expected to read to their parents for approximately ten minutes each night.
Year 2
Children may occasionally be set 20 minutes of home learning to complement their nightly reading. (Monday to Thursday)
Year 3
30 minutes per night (Monday to Thursday)
Year 4
40 minutes per night (Monday to Thursday)
Year 5
50 minutes per night (Monday to Thursday)
Year 6
60 minutes per night (Monday to Thursday)
Year 7 & 8
1 ½ hours per night
Year 9 & 10
2 hours per night
Year 11
Up to 3 hours per night
Year 12
At least 3 hours per night
Homework is essentially about students developing a good work ethic. Success at study generally requires hard work and commitment – but most of all it takes a time commitment and good study habits at home. It is important for students to develop these habits early. Blocking time (ie. setting aside regular time at home e.g. 1 ½ hours per night) is an important study habit to get into. We encourage all students to block their study time at home on a regular basis. The blocking of study time ensures that students can balance activities such as “hanging out” with friends, texting, surfing the net, TV, iPads, DVDs, sport, home chores and family commitments. 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.
Class Teachers and Mentors can support students by providing explicit teaching strategies to develop organisational and time-management skills and providing opportunities to practice these strategies through homework.
Parents can support their child by checking the record book regularly and asking those critical questions such as: “What homework do you have tonight? When is this assignment due? Why did you wait so long to start this assignment?”
Students can help themselves by ensuring they record in their Record Book details of all homework tasks set and due dates for homework and assessment tasks.
Please discuss with your child’s Class Teacher or Mentor if you have any concerns regarding homework.
Headphone Use at School
The issue of using headphones during class time has been raised again recently. Several years ago, it was decided that students were not to individually listen to their leisure music in the classroom or during Academic Assistance.
The evidence behind this decision related to multitasking and modelling assessment conditions. Research suggests that multitasking i.e. studying or reading while listening to music, especially music with lyrics, impairs comprehension. In addition, given the fact that students sit assessments, tests and examinations (both internal and external) in silence, it was decided that it is important to model these conditions in the classroom setting.
Teachers may give permission to use headphones for specific learning tasks – such as listening to video clips, music analysis etc.
Mrs Rebekah Bonnett
Acting Director of Teaching and Learning