Homework at St Benedict’s

You may have seen a report on ‘The Project’ this week about a school that has a ‘No Homework’ approach the same as we do.  As we have many new families who join us each year who weren’t part of this decision, I thought I might explain the rationale behind it. At St Benedict’s, we believe that engagement (not entertainment) is the key to learning. By focussing on engagement,  we consider the learning and teaching experiences (curriculum and pedagogy) we provide, we think deeply about our expectations for respectful, responsible relationships with each other (behaviour) and we ensure that staff and student wellbeing is paramount. 

When we think about ‘Engagement’ from this lens, it means we can provide a supportive learning environment that addresses the needs of all our students, allowing them to work to the best of their ability throughout the day. Therefore if we have our students working to the best of their ability throughout the day, whether they are four years old or 12 years old, they have done a 6 hour day and that sounds like enough to us. Students need their after school time for many other important things that nurture and support them to become fully fulfilled human beings; whether that is having some down time, engaging with sport and or music or participating in family activities and chores; all are valuable experiences for our children.

Traditional homework in most primary schools is about sight words or spelling practice, basic maths facts practice and worksheets loosely linked to classroom learning. Research tells us that the main benefit of homework in a primary school setting is the communication between home and school about what students are learning. We do this by having class newsletter from teachers that provide information about the learning that is happening at school each fortnight. Teachers will generally provide some ideas about what you could do at home to ‘practice’ what is being taught at school but this is generally conversational or incidental type opportunities as opposed to formalised ‘write outs’ (very hard to engage with).

Reading at home, however, is highly valued at St Benedict’s and supported by teachers sending home books around the student’s instructional level. There is no expectation for parents to teach children how to read as this happens at school, but engaging in the opportunity to read to children, read with children and then have children read to you is a lovely experience that promotes and nurtures a love of reading. Reading provides opportunities for students to make connections with the word study (not just spelling and sight words) they are doing in class. Through reading, students can develop their academic confidence and deepen their learning in all areas of the curriculum. 

End of school day

Please be reminded that school concludes at 3.00pm. We have many parents regularly picking up from 2.30pm onwards. It may only feel like 10 -30 minutes a day or a couple of times a week but it does add up and impacts student learning directly, as it disrupts the class and creates more unnecessary work for our office staff. Students leaving early for valid appointments is acceptable and understandable but the number we have is probably more representative of some people trying to avoid the traffic which is unfair to everyone impacted, including those students.

Burgers by the Billabong

Thank you to all our families who were able to come along for Burgers by the Billabong last Saturday afternoon. We had a terrific time and most of the kids wore themselves out with lots of playing and running around while parents relaxed and chatted with each other. Our P&F volunteers provided us all with wonderful food; burgers and a cake stall that went down a treat. Without these volunteers, we certainly can't run events like this so please get involved with the P&F if you are interested in helping out. While we are not really into fundraising, we do love planning a great family event for our community.

Have a fabulous week. 

Cheers

Penny Collins