Staff Professional Learning Day – Writing Focus
Last Monday our teaching staff engaged in a professional learning day focusing on ‘Writing Across the Curriculum’. The day was a continuation from our professional learning day in 2022 which also focused on writing and was facilitated by literacy expert Mel Dixon.
The aim of the professional learning day last week was to continue the development of a school wide writing culture, share strategies to improve writing across the curriculum, enable departments to reflect on their current requirement and practices in relation to writing and develop strategies to enhance pedagogical writing practices.
The day was a very successful day and concluded with each department presenting their strategies. We are confident that the strategies to be implemented across each department will continue to improve our students’ writing skills.
Managing Homework
Homework is an essential component of education because it provides several benefits that can enhance a student’s academic and personal growth. Following are some reasons why homework is important.
Reinforcement of learning: Homework allows students to practice and reinforce what they have learned in class. This repetition helps solidify concepts and skills in their memory, making them easier to recall later.
Preparation for future lessons: Homework can prepare students for upcoming lessons by introducing new concepts before they are covered in class.
Time management skills: Homework requires students to manage their time effectively and plan ahead. These skills are important for success in all aspects of life.
Responsibility and accountability: Homework teaches students to take responsibility for their own learning and to be accountable for their academic progress. This can lead to greater motivation, self-discipline and a sense of ownership over their education.
Feedback and assessment: Homework provides opportunities for students to receive feedback on their work and to identify areas where they may need more support or practice.
There may be times when you need to motivate your son(s) to complete homework. The following are steps that can be taken to deal with this. These steps have been provided on the Study Skills Samurai website:
- Step 1: Family meeting.
- Step 2: Agree on how much time will be allocated to schoolwork per day or per week.
- Step 3: Agree that during this time homework will be the first priority, then assessments and any remaining time should be spent on independent learning (e.g. reviewing difficult work, making summaries).
- Step 4: Allocate set times for schoolwork and write these out and put them on the refrigerator e.g. Monday 4-5pm, 6-6.30pm.
- Step 5: Agree that in these blocks of time, there will be no personal technology use (preferably phones switched off and put out of sight).
- Step 6: Decide on rewards and consequences if the agreement is not honoured.
* Image from Study Skills Samurai
As a guide, the College recommends:
- Year 7 and 8 could have an average of no more than 1.5 hours per night.
- Year 9 and 10 could have an average of no more than 2 hours per night. Year 11 and 12 are recommended to consider 3 hours per night.
Study Samurai Library
All families have access to the Study Samurai Library. The Study Samurai Library includes the Study Skills Module website which provides advice and resources on developing essential skills for academic success. To access the Study Samurai Library website, go to www.studysamurailibrary.com and login with these details:
Username: edmundrice
Password: 13achieve
Take time as a family on the Time Management: Home Study Environment module. Click here to access the resources.
Dr Gerry Sozio
Director of Learning & Teaching