Homework is set regularly and students are encouraged to establish an effective home study routine. Homework is important because it encourages independent learning skills which are vital for upper secondary and tertiary studies. Further, it helps students establish effective work habits including a regular and consistent approach to study. Homework which involves practice helps to consolidate learning.
Homework should be set in the context of all other worthwhile activities in which students can participate after school hours. These include team sports, animal care, learning and practising a musical instrument, jobs to earn money, family outings, hobbies, clubs and organisations. The importance of these activities in the personal growth and educational development of each individual should not be underestimated. Regular and effective home study should be balanced in relation to a student’s life outside the school.
Advice on study methods and the effective use of study time is given by Homestead tutors, class teachers and the Careers Counsellor.
Homework may involve:
- set tasks required for subsequent lessons
- repeating or completing work given in class for the day
- organising folders of work
- continuing work on major long term assignments
- revision
- wider reading to cover both novels and further research
- practising a musical instrument
Recommended times for homework are published in the Student Planner and are provided below. They should be seen as a guide to the amount of homework students at a particular year level will be required to complete.
- Year 7 - 5 hours per week
- Year 8 - 5 hours per week
- Year 9 - 6 to 8 hours per week
- Year 10 - 10 hours per week
- Year 11 - a minimum of 12 hours per week
- Year 12 - a minimum of 15 hours per week
We stress that this is an approximate guide and time spent on home study will differ with the needs of individual students. The amount of homework should be related to the specific tasks to be completed rather than to an arbitrary time.
