Rationale
At Campbell Primary School we believe that homework is a valuable part of schooling. It provides opportunities to practise skills, review content and deepen understanding of concepts learned. Homework can also assist students to develop self-regulation processes, such as goal-setting, time management and study skills. Homework also supports school-home relationships through connecting families with the learning of their children.
We believe that the setting of homework needs to take into consideration the need for students to have a balanced lifestyle. This includes sufficient time for family, sport and recreation and cultural pursuits.
For the purpose of this policy document, it is important to note that at Campbell Primary School we expect that regular home reading will form part of students’ daily routine and is considered an essential home activity.
Principles
Homework should:
- only be used to facilitate the achievement of learning outcomes;
- complement and reinforce classroom learning and teaching programmes and be appropriate to the needs of the students;
- support the development of the student’s independence as a learner;
- further the partnership between school and home;
- avoid dependence on unreasonable levels of parental assistance or resources that are not readily available to the student;
- be set without impinging on reasonable time for family, recreational, cultural and employment pursuits relevant to the student’s age, development and educational aspirations;
- be balanced across learning areas so as to avoid stress and overload;
- be consistently applied, monitored and assessed in a whole-school approach that is responsive to individual needs and learning area requirements;
- form part of a developmental learning program that is responsive to individual needs, clearly relevant, supported by classroom practice and, where appropriate, developed in collaboration with students;
- linked with prompt, marking and feedback; and
- be disassociated from any form of punishing students or means of securing discipline.
Responsibilities of Teachers
- be aware of the school’s homework policy and ensure it is implemented and followed;
- ensure parents/carers are aware of the school’s homework policy;
- clearly communicate their expectations for homework to parents and students at the beginning of each year;
- ensure homework that is set is understood and is able to be completed by the student;
- if required liaise with English as an Additional Language or Dialect support staff in order to develop suitable homework tasks;
- refrain from setting tasks for homework that will be used for assessment;
- ensure that students are given enough time to complete set homework;
- provide opportunities for students to discuss any difficulties they are experiencing with homework;
- monitor the homework practices of their students;
- help students to develop organisational and time-management skills;
- mark homework and provide timely and practical feedback and support;
- contact parents/caregivers to discuss any concerns regarding homework;
- be mindful of circumstances that may prevent a child from completing homework tasks;
- seek feedback from students about set homework tasks, including frustration levels;
- setting homework that is varied, challenging, meaningful and directly related to class work and appropriate to students’ learning needs; and
- provide flexible options for students to cater for varied access to resources and technology.
Teachers are not required to set homework over holiday periods or at times where students are taken on in-term vacation breaks.
Responsibilities of Students
- be aware of the school’s homework policy;
- write homework tasks into their diary (if provided) and track progress and completion of tasks;
- demonstrate responsibility by caring for materials required to complete homework, such as books, pens and pencils.
- submit any completed homework, according to the instructions of the teacher, when expected;
- discuss any difficulties they are experiencing with homework with their teacher/s; and
- follow up on comments made by their teacher.
Responsibilities of Parents
- be aware of and support the school’s homework policy;
- encourage their child to complete homework and check their daily diary;
- discuss homework activities and expectations with their children in their first language, if English is not the main language spoken at home, and linking it to previous experiences;
- providing a work area (with resources e.g. pens, pencils, ruler, eraser etc.) and a supportive environment (e.g. free from major distractions), together with a routine that fits with the family;
- supervising ‘eLearning’, including ICT tools and usage;
- support your child to develop an age appropriate level of independence in completing homework;
- encourage, praise and provide guidance and support as is required; and
- contact the relevant teacher/s to discuss any concerns about homework.
Where students are continually out of class for additional programs (e.g. PEAC and IMMS ), students and / or parents should negotiate with the teacher what work needs to be completed.
Guidelines
Homework can be completed daily or over a weekly or fortnightly period. The table below provides suggested time to be allocated to homework.
| Year Level | Approximate Time per night |
| Kindergarten | 10 mins |
| Pre-primary | 15-20 mins |
| Year 1 | 15-20 mins |
| Year 2 | 15-20 mins |
| Year 3 | 20-30 mins |
| Year 4 | 20-30 mins |
| Year 5 | 20-30 mins |
| Year 6 | 30-40 mins |
For the purpose of this policy document, it is important to note that at Campbell Primary School we expect that regular home reading will form part of students’ daily routine and is considered an essential home activity.
Homework options in Kindergarten to Year 2 may include the following:
- Sight words
- Phonics
- Spelling
- News preparation
- Oral language
- Basic number skills and facts
Homework options in Year 3 to Year 6 may include the following:
- Phonics/Spelling
- Word study
- Maths fluency and problem solving
- Research Projects
- Novel Studies
- Oral language reports
- Specialist Area Tasks
The above lists are not exhaustive.
Staff Review: May 2022
Ratified by School Board: June 2022
Next Review: 2024