Homework

Castle Cove Public School Homework Policy

While there is little conclusive evidence of the learning benefits of homework in infants and primary schools, quality homework in these stages may help students to develop effective study habits and broaden their understanding and skills across the curriculum.

(Homework Policy Guidelines, Public Schools, NSW, May 2012, p.5)

The purpose of homework

Castle Cove Public School have developed evidence based homework tasks to provide strong support for student learning.

K-4 Homework

Homework in K-4 focuses on skills mastery. Home reading and rote learning of basic facts assist students master the basic skills required to successfully participate in literacy and numeracy based tasks at school. The badge system, beginning in Year 1, allows students some choice in their learning as well as incentives and recognition for achievement. This approach, based on the recommendations of the NSW Quality Teaching Framework, encourages high student engagement and self-directed learning.

Optional enrichment tasks for Years 2-4 are provided by teachers at the start of each term. These allow students to deepen their knowledge and explore areas of personal interest.

Stage 3 Homework

In addition to continued skills mastery, homework for students in Years 5 and 6 is designed to develop responsibility, time-management skills and independent learning. 

View our Scope of Activities K-6.

 Communication

Each Monday a class email is sent home by each teacher which includes any homework tasks that will support learning programs for that week.

Students in Years 1-6 receive a Maths Mastery badge album at the start of the year to collect the badges earned for each set of skills mastered throughout the year.  Teachers also keep a record of badges at school.

To find out more about what the research says about homework, read the NSW Department of Education and Communities research scan.