Homework

At Hercules Road State School, we believe that homework is an important part of the school curriculum. Homework provides students with opportunities to consolidate and revise their class learning and develop good study habits. All students are expected to make a reasonable attempt to complete set homework. Homework should not be onerous or excessive, nor cause extreme angst in the home. If issues arise special consideration may be negotiated with the class Teacher.

Guiding Principles

Homework is a critical component of the education process. Homework is most effective when it:

• Is clearly related to class work.
• Consolidates, revises, and/or applies student’s classroom learning.
• Is appropriate to the year level of schooling.
• Is varied and differentiated for learning needs (including individualised programs).
• Is monitored and marked with useful feedback to students.
• Clearly communicates expectations to student and home.

General Guidelines

• Nightly homework may include reading, written tasks and/or other learning tasks.
• Homework expectations need to consider the individual needs and ability of the student.
• Homework tasks must consist of activities that are within the student’s abilities.
• Students must be able to complete tasks generally unaided. No new work should be set for homework.

Approximate times per day

• Prep approximately 10 – 15 minutes
• Year 1 – 4 approximately 20 minutes
• Year 5 - 6 approximately 30 minutes

Teacher Responsibility

• Set suitable homework.
• Ensure homework is closely related to in-class learning.
• Correct completed homework.
• Provide effective feedback to student on homework.
• Communicate homework expectations to students and parents/carers.
• Positively reinforce learning behaviours demonstrated through homework completion.

Student Responsibility

• Organise themselves to ensure homework is taken to and from home.
• Work diligently at completing tasks in the appropriate timeframe.
• Complete homework tasks to the best of their ability.
• Seek assistance from teachers or parents when experiencing difficulty.
• Listen to and apply feedback received from teacher.

Parent/Carer Responsibility

• Support the school’s homework policy.
• Encourage students to complete homework to the best of their ability.
• Communicate with the class teacher if student is experiencing difficulty completing tasks.
• Provide student with an appropriate time, resources and space to complete homework.
• Contact the class teacher, in the first instance, if there are any concerns regarding homework, especially if it is creating conflict or distress for the student.

Learning Support at Home

Families can access additional resources through the Department of Education’s learning@home website.

→ View learning@home resources​​