Homework Policy
How much homework St Mary's College students should expect at each year level, how it is set and supported, and what to do if your child is struggling to complete it.
Homework at St Mary's College is intended to be purposeful, age-appropriate and manageable for busy families. It reinforces classroom learning and builds independent study habits, but should never come at the expense of sleep, family time, sport, faith life or play.
Purpose
This policy sets out the College's expectations for the amount, type and purpose of homework from Prep to Year 12, how homework is communicated, and how students and families can access support when it becomes difficult.
Scope
This policy applies to all students in the Junior School (Prep–Year 6) and Senior School (Years 7–12), their parents and carers, and all teaching staff who set homework.
Policy statement
Homework is set only where it has a clear learning purpose: consolidating skills, completing unfinished class work, preparing for upcoming learning, or working on longer-term assessment tasks. Tasks are explained in class and marked or acknowledged by the teacher. No homework is set on weekends for Junior students, and no new homework is set over term holidays for Prep–Year 8. Students with additional learning needs may have homework adjusted through the Learning Diversity Leader, Mr Sam Devlin.
Procedures
Recommended time by year level
| Year level | Nightly guide (Monday–Thursday) | What it usually looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Prep–Year 2 | 10–15 minutes of reading | Take-home reader, sight words, simple Maths games |
| Years 3–4 | Up to 20 minutes | Reading, spelling, times tables, occasional project work |
| Years 5–6 | 30–40 minutes | Reading, Maths practice, inquiry tasks, camp preparation |
| Years 7–8 | About 60 minutes | Set tasks across subjects, reading, assignment work |
| Years 9–10 | About 90 minutes | Subject tasks, revision, extended assessment tasks |
| Years 11–12 (VCE) | 2–3 hours | Study, SAC preparation, practice exams, holiday revision |
These are guides, not targets. If your child regularly exceeds them, contact the class teacher (Junior) or Homeroom teacher (Senior).
How homework is set and communicated
- Junior School: teachers record homework in the homework diary (Years 3–6) and post a weekly summary in the class notes on the Parent Portal each Monday. Prep–Year 2 readers are changed daily.
- Senior School: all homework and assessment tasks are posted on the Learning Hub with a due date; students check it every school day and parents have their own login. Assessment tasks appear on the calendar at least two weeks before they are due.
Extensions and incomplete homework
- Junior: if homework cannot be completed, a short diary note or Portal message to the class teacher before the due date is all that is required.
- Senior: for assessment tasks, students submit an Application for Extension on the Learning Hub at least 2 school days before the due date. A medical certificate is required where illness is the reason. Routine homework that is not completed is followed up by the subject teacher; repeated non-completion is referred to the Year Level Coordinator and parents are contacted.
- VCE students must follow the authentication and submission rules in the VCE Handbook.
Homework support
- Homework Club runs Monday–Thursday, 3:30–4:30pm in the Library. It is free, teacher-supervised and needs no booking. Years 3–12 are welcome; Junior students must be collected by 4:30pm.
- Senior students can also access study skills sessions.
Responsibilities
Parents and carers
- Provide a quiet, regular time and place for homework; read with Prep–Year 2 children nightly and sign the reading log.
- Check the diary or Learning Hub weekly and contact the teacher early if homework is causing distress.
- Guide rather than do the work for your child.
Students
- Record homework accurately, complete it to the best of their ability and ask for help before the due date.
- Manage their time around sport, music and part-time work (Senior).
Staff
- Set homework with a clear purpose, keep the diary/Portal or Learning Hub up to date and coordinate due dates to avoid overload.
- Provide timely feedback and contact parents when non-completion becomes a pattern.
Related documents
- Junior School Homework
- Study Skills and Homework Club
- Learning Hub Guide
- VCE Handbook
- Assessment & Reporting Policy
- Digital Learning & AI Policy
Review
Policy owner: Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching. Approved by the College Leadership Team February 2026; ratified by the College Advisory Council; next review February 2028.
Frequently asked questions
My Year 2 child has no written homework – is that right?
Yes. In Prep–Year 2 the only regular homework is 10–15 minutes of nightly reading with an adult, plus sight words or a short Maths game where set. Research and our own experience show this is what makes the biggest difference at this age.
What if my child has sport or music training most nights?
The nightly guide is designed to fit alongside co-curricular commitments. Homework can be spread across the week, and Homework Club (Monday–Thursday 3:30–4:30pm, Library) is a good option for students who train later in the evening. Please tell the teacher if the load is not working for your family.
Is homework set over the holidays?
No new homework is set over the term holidays for Prep–Year 8. Years 9–10 may have long-term assignments that span a break, and VCE students are expected to use holidays for revision and SAC preparation.
Can my child use AI tools to help with homework?
Senior students may use approved AI tools where the teacher permits and must acknowledge that use. Submitting AI-generated work as their own breaches the Digital Learning & AI Policy.
Who do I speak to if homework is causing stress at home?
Start with the class teacher (Junior) or Homeroom teacher / Year Level Coordinator (Senior). If the concern is across several subjects, contact the Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching, Mr David Okafor, via the office on (03) 9555 0100.