At Geelong Baptist College, we believe that home learning is a valuable aspect of the learning process and it contributes to the development of sound study habits. Some students regard home learning as work set by the class teacher which is due to be checked by that teacher within a given time frame. However, homework should be viewed as learning activities of any sort that take place outside of the class contact time.

Learning is enhanced through the provision of opportunities to review, reinforce and apply what has been learned at school. Homework also enables parents to become aware of what students are studying at school and monitor student ability in various areas of study.

A distinction should be drawn between study and homework.

• Homework is general work set by a teacher for completion at home.
• Study is revision and reinforcement of work covered.  
• If students are not assigned homework, it is advised that students use their time to study the coursework.

1)  There are two main categories of homework in which students will be involved:

     i.  Review Work

This may be initiated by the students as study or revision of topics covered in class or for a specific assessment. This is an important part of the learning process as it helps students to reinforce skills, knowledge and understandings from class work. It also enables students to reinforce and perfect their study techniques and build their confidence as they master specific units of work.

     ii.  New Learning

This type of work may be initiated by the student or the teacher. The aim of this work can be twofold:

• to introduce a new topic or piece of knowledge e.g. An explanation of a time period in History.
• to acquire new skills and understanding based on work already covered e.g. a new Mathematics concept that builds on the skills and principles already learned over time. This type of work is often set as a challenge for students and helps them to learn through a process of prior knowledge and problem solving.

2)  Students are expected to complete home learning on a regular basis. This incorporates:

• Work set by the teacher, usually on a weekly basis.
• Revision.

3)  The following is a guide to the quantity of home learning to be undertaken at each Year level. There will be times when these suggested timings are exceeded especially prior to examinations and the submission of major assessment work.

1)  All homework should be written in the College diary. Set homework that is not completed will be followed up and if necessary, the parents are informed of regular or repeatedly missed and incomplete work.

2)  Management of study and homework time is a crucial factor in academic achievement. Students are encouraged to create a study/home learning timetable. Students receive instruction in class groups on study and home learning planning. Parents are encouraged to read the students’ diary pages and become familiar with set homework as well as due dates for assessments.