Homework Survey

At a recent management meeting the topic of homework came up. This discussion was prompted by a series of letters from students on why they don’t like homework. Ironically the letters were part of a homework exercise. The students made many valid points and certainly has us thinking.

Almost arrogantly schools have always held up school work as the most important thing children do in their school years so when it comes to homework all other out of school activities must take second place. The reality is that if we are to create well rounded young people, students need opportunities to participate in a variety of out of school activities.

Both students and parents mentioned that homework often brings a lot of stress to families. With busy working parents, family time in the evenings is very important and time might be better spent playing games or just talking then stressing over unnecessary homework activities.

So what is the purpose of homework? You could argue that homework helps students learn the work and study skills necessary for later years in their schooling. It is a good thought but to learn a skill you actually have to teach it and really that is something that should happen at school. Another argument would be that homework reinforces classroom learning. This is certainly the case for reading and maths but in many areas the activities are unnecessary and simply further frustrate the students who find school a challenge.

I do believe that reading, spelling and basic facts should be part of all student’s regular homework routine as these provide vital reinforcement to core subjects. As for all other areas of homework, the jury is still out and I feel more discussion needs to go on. We need to consult with all the major stake holders which include, obviously parents and students, but also with the intermediate / prep schools to see what their homework expectations of students are.

Nelson Intermediate has recently reviewed their homework policy and it was interesting to read about the changes they are going to make. It certainly dispels the myth that we do homework to prepare the children for the demands of intermediate schooling.

Thanks to everyone who completed our online survey.  Please click here to see the results.

Don

Name: Dennis Christian
Role on the Board: Board Member
Number of years on our board: Commenced May 2010
Occupation: Company Director
Parent of: Sam and Matthew
Brief description of why being a BOT member interested me: I want to ensure that the Board support the management and staff of the school to provide a quality education in a safe and supportive environment and enable our children to be the best they can be. An ongoing challenge is to juggle the finances amongst competing projects, maintenance and new facilities to position our school for future requirements.

Name: Elizabeth Bean
Role on the Board: Board Member
Number of years on our Board: First year 2010
Occupation: Writing, analysis and research on a consultancy basis and Mother.
Parent of: Kate and Jack Greenaway
Brief description of why being a BOT member interested me: The primary education sector is challenged by funding limits and the high expectations of children, parents, staff and the Ministry of Education. I want to assist the school to develop its short and long-term strategies. My vision is a school where all children can reach their potential. One thing that is important to me is to develop a strong Hampden Street community that everyone feels that they are a part of.

Name: Dean Francois
Role on the Board: Teacher rep
Number of years on our board: First year 2010
Occupation: Teacher/syndicate leader
Parent of: Harry (only 2 so yet to attend HSS!)
Brief description of why being a BOT staff rep interested me: I'm interested in the behind the scenes work that goes on in the running of a school particularly around budgets and governance. As a teacher at HSS for 8 years I think I have a well-rounded ‘feel’ for what is expected by parents, children and teachers in education at this school.