LEARNING MATTERS
Homework and the Curve of Retention
Now that we have well and truly settled into the new school year, students should be in the practice of completing regular homework.
Homework helps students by complementing and reinforcing classroom learning, fostering good lifelong learning and study habits, and providing an opportunity for students to be responsible for their own learning.
Homework may comprise of preparatory work, practice exercises or extension tasks. Tackling work independently enables students to determine how much they have understood and areas in which they need to seek further assistance.
By sticking to a study routine, students become better at planning and monitoring their learning. Newly acquired skills and knowledge can be quickly forgotten if not revisited, practised and reinforced. (Refer to the Curve of Retention on page 17 of the Student Diary).
The following guidelines are taken from the College Homework Policy:
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Year 7 At Year 7, students should be doing between 45 and 60 minutes per night, including Friday night or over the weekend. Year 7 students should also be reading for a minimum of 20 minutes each night. Up to 45 minutes if the student has no other homework. Students are encouraged to read a range of materials and to see reading as an enjoyable pursuit. |
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Years 8 & 9 At Years 8 & 9 students should be doing between 60 and 90 minutes of homework per night, including Friday night or over the weekend. Students should also be reading for a minimum of 30 minutes per night. Up to 60 minutes if the student has no other homework. Students should spend a minimum of 30 minutes a week reading or viewing current affairs. |
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Year 10 At Year 10 students should be doing between 1.5 - 2 hours of homework per night, including Friday night or over the weekend. This should continue to include wider reading, reading and viewing of current affairs texts and specific time set aside for revision. Developing a balance between the competing demands of homework, part time work, recreation activities and also managing effective study time is important. Students can expect that the reading of extended class texts and other tasks will be completed outside of class, including over the holiday breaks. |
Further information on homework and advice for parents can be found at https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/learning/Pages/homework.aspx#link3
Ms Grace Cini - Deputy Principal of Learning and Teaching
