About Home Learning

SO... WHAT IS IT?

Home learning is an exciting learning area we invite all year 1-6 students to take part in.

Research by Victoria and Harvard Universities and Windsor School in Christchurch has proved that old-fashioned homework sheets have little academic benefit. Also, as many of you know, making sure homework is completed every week can place unnecessary stress on families. 

Instead of traditional homework sheets, we have carefully selected home learning challenges for each year level that fit the key competencies of the New Zealand curriculum. They are designed to be exciting, fun, challenging and meaningful to children. They aim to teach children to be responsible citizens, and promote a real love of learning.

Students will choose whether or not they want to take part in the programme and will need to be responsible for completing the allocated number of challenges by the end of the year.

Challenges are based on 5 key areas:

• Giving
• Service in School and the Community
• Physical Activity & the Outdoors
• Academic Excellence
• Excellence in the Arts

 A sample of some of the challenges:

• Give to those in need: Raise some money or collect items for charities such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, SPCA or a food bank
• Be a reporter: Report an event in writing and present it to your class
• Improve your swimming skills: Swim a total of 600m non stop
• Care for the younger children: Organise a series of five lunchtime games or activities for Year 1 and 2 pupils
• Improve your science and technology skills: Design and build a model glider
• Give of your time: Visit an elderly person at least six times over two terms
• Explore the outdoors: With a family member or a family friend complete an overnight tramp

Children who complete home learning tasks will be challenged physically, academically and in the Arts. They will learn to give and serve others as part of being a positive member of the community They’ll also have a lot of fun along the way!