Pedagogy in a Catholic school enables all to flourish and learn together through authentic partnerships with families, peers and others as well as providing opportunities for real collaboration that involves contribution, exchange, negotiation, communication and collective action  Horizons of Hope: Pedagogy, 2016, p. 9

At Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish Primary School, we believe home learning provides students with the opportunity to reinforce classroom learning, whilst simultaneously providing further time for parents to participate in their child's education. The Home Learning Program encourages students to take further responsibility towards their learning. “The current evidence and research shows that the quality of homework assigned is likely to be more important than the quantity” (Homework Guidelines, 2018, Education Victoria). Home learning experiences should be meaningful and relevant towards content being covered in class.

At Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish Primary School, we acknowledge the importance of family time in an increasingly complex and busy world. We believe in supporting families and showing understanding and sensitivity for those who experience circumstances which may impact the completion of home learning tasks.

The Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish Primary School Home Learning Program aims to:

• Promote daily reading for all students
• Compliment or support classroom learning through opportunities to consolidate or reinforce concepts
• Encourage ‘real life’ applications of home learning through the involvement of family and everyday events
• Increase parent awareness and opportunities for participation in their child’s education
• Strengthen family and school partnerships
• Instil a positive approach and attitude to home learning
• Be accessible to all students, regardless of resources and home environments
• Take into account the personal and developmental needs of a student
• Take into consideration the need for students to have a balanced lifestyle. This includes sufficient time for family, sport and recreation, cultural pursuits and employment where appropriate

At Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish Primary School, we have a whole school approach to the implementation of our Home Learning Policy as outlined below. We encourage all children from Foundation to Year Six, to continue reading during the school holidays and over the weekends.

Foundation to Year 2

Students are expected to read for a minimum of ten minutes each day with parents or a responsible adult, who is also required to complete the child’s Reading Diary. Some students may be directed to comment on the book read in their diary. Some additional learning experiences may be sent home to be completed.

Years 3 and 4

Students are expected to read daily. They are expected to record their reading and ask a parent or a responsible adult to sign their diaries. Additional home learning experiences can be set to extend class work through practising skills or gathering extra information about a topic. This will not exceed 30 minutes a day and not be set on weekends or during school holidays.

Years 5 and 6

Students are expected to read daily. They are expected to record their reading in their diaries and ask a parent or a responsible adult to sign their diaries. Additional home learning experiences can be set to extend class work through practising skills or extending class work through projects or research. Homework will not exceed 45 minutes a day and will not be set on weekends or during school holidays.

Parents are responsible for:

• Taking an interest in their child’s home learning and supporting them when necessary to complete learning tasks independently
• Encouraging a positive approach to home learning
• Providing a designated place and time for home learning and study, where possible
• Contacting class teachers promptly if there are any difficulties

Teachers are responsible for:

• Knowing and understanding individual students’ circumstances so that home learning expectations can be adjusted accordingly
• Differentiating home learning tasks where necessary to cater for a range of students’ needs and abilities
• Clearly communicating the purpose and expectations of all home learning
• Offering a wide range of opportunities for families to engage in their child’s home learning
• Providing support to empower parents/carers to become active partners in home learning
• Giving feedback to students and parents where necessary

 Students are responsible for:

• Managing their time around home obligations, including participation in physical activity and sports, recreational and cultural activities
• Completing and submitting their work on time
• Seeking assistance from teachers or parents when difficulties arise
• Recording and maintaining their diary entries

At Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Parish Primary School, Home Learning is viewed as a way of supporting and fostering life-long learning. It aims to form a partnership between parents and carers with their child and his/her learning.