Homework framework
Implementation: 2015
Last revision: 18 October 2024
Purpose
The purpose of this homework framework is to outline the expectations and guidelines for homework assigned by the teaching staff at Quakers Hill High School. This framework aligns with the NSW Department of Education’s Homework policy to ensure homework is meaningful, manageable, and beneficial to student learning.
Why do homework?
Homework is essential because it:
- reinforces and consolidates classroom learning
- provides opportunities for students to practice skills being developed and content covered in class
- allows students to develop topic summaries and a deeper understanding of concepts
- fosters self-discipline and independent study habits
- builds links between school and home, enabling parents/caregivers to engage in their children’s education and monitor their progress
- is positively correlated with student achievement1.
Types of homework
Students should expect the following types of activities as part of their routine homework:
- Specifically set tasks: Assignments designed to follow class activities.
- Incidental homework: Completion of tasks begun in class.
- Self-study: Reviewing learning, preparing study notes, refining understanding, and developing topic summaries.
Time expectations
The following time expectations are indicators only. There will be times when the indicated time is insufficient, such as prior to and during examination weeks or when assessment tasks are due.
- Years 7- 8 | 30 mins – 1 hour
- Years 9-10 | 45 mins – 2 hours
- Years 11-12 | 3 hours – 4 hours
Please note the following:
- The times indicated are per day across all key learning areas.
- Not all subjects will include weekly homework, such as TAS, CAPA and PDHPE; which require students to develop their skills at school.
- Teachers will, where possible, issue weekly homework to support students with extra-curricular commitments and help them develop organisation and time management skills
Staff responsibilities
Teaching staff aim to:
- set homework regularly, ensuring it is checked, and where possible, provide feedback
- provide challenging and purposeful homework, including:
- Practice exercises: Apply new knowledge and reinforce skills.
- Preparatory homework: Gain background information for upcoming topics.
- Extension assignments: Pursue knowledge individually and creatively.
- consider students’ out-of-school commitments, and ensure technology access does not disadvantage any student
- record and maintain a homework register
- apply appropriate measures for incomplete homework and use established rewards where appropriate
- use the SMART expectations listed on school reports to record students’ completion of homework
- contact parents where non-completion of homework is impacting student understanding and skill building.
Parent/caregiver responsibilities
Parents and caregivers are asked to:
- check completed homework regularly
- ensure a routine time and dedicated place for homework
- encourage and support the completion of homework
- communicate with teachers about any concerns.
Student responsibilities
Students are expected to:
- record all homework in their student diary
- take responsibility for homework completion and seek help as required
- complete homework on time and to the best of their ability
- keep parents/caregivers informed about homework and show completed work
- develop time-management skills to balance homework with other commitments.
Review and evaluation
This framework will be reviewed annually in consultation with key stakeholders to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.
1 See Wu, X., et al. (2023). How to better balance academic achievement and learning anxiety from time on homework? A multilevel and classification and regression tree analyses. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1130274