School Board updated the School Homework policy in 2026 and recognises that homework needs to be purposeful, out of class learning that seeks to enhance the extent to which each child benefits from the school’s curriculum.
At St Peter’s, a variety of purposeful, relevant and well-structured homework tasks are selected to promote the achievement of the desired learning outcomes. We believe parental involvement is imperative to the success of homework, and thus, communication between school and home is essential for its success.
Homework is to positively contribute to each child’s holistic personal development. Homework should help students develop good study habits, promote positive attitudes towards school and communicate to students that learning continues to take place outside the school environment. Parent engagement has a positive effect on student achievement, and homework provides a meaningful link between home and school. Homework at St Peter’s is understood to involve a balance of family life, extra-curricular activities and the consolidation and extension of school-based learning.
Reading is an essential part of a child’s development and therefore should be part of their daily home routines. This is why at St Peter’s we recommend additional time dedicated to developing reading skills along with homework activities as set by the class teacher.
RECOMMENDED HOMEWORK ACTIVITY
YEAR LEVEL
Prep
Year 1/2
Year 3/4
Year 5/6
TIME ON ACTIVITIES
5 mins per night / no more than 30 mins per week
10 mins per night / no more than 1 hour per week
15 mins per night / no more than 1.5 hours per week
30 mins per night / no more than 3 hours per week
TIME READING
10 min parent reading to child
10 min assisted reading
10 min assisted reading/15 min independent reading
30 mins independent reading
Parents are asked to contact their child’s class teacher if their child is unable to complete their homework. If students fail to complete homework to a suitable standard, without parental explanation, appropriate consequences will be imposed. The teacher is to inform parents if homework is consistently not completed to a high standard.