Is Optional Homework A Good Idea?

Mar 15, 2015

The Sydney Morning Herald reported today on the increased incidence of schools adopting an optional homework policy for primary school students. These schools have an “Opt Out” policy allowing parents to make the decision on whether their child completes all of their homework or not, based on other family commitments and time constraints. This is based on research suggesting that there is little evidence that homework lifts academic performance for primary school students.

“A recent OECD report found that students in Australia’s private schools do two hours’ more homework each week than their public school peers but their results were are no better once socio-economic advantage was taken into consideration.” (Sydney Morning Herald, March 15 2015)

Currently there is no standardised guide provided by the NSW Department of Education as to how much homework students should receive in Primary school, instead allowing schools to decide their own policies.

At HSC CoWorks we do believe that homework has it’s place, in both primary and secondary school, and understand too well that the content delivery required by the Board of Studies is such that it cannot be completely covered during school hours. However we are also very clear with our students that they MUST make time for the important study tasks which are going to maximise their results come the HSC. These include;

Memorisation, concentrating on Stretch & Challenge (generating mindmaps, submitting essay building templates for marking)
Submitting practice exam style questions for marking via our website
Submitting practice essays for marking via our website

It is very easy for students to become over burdened with homework and we regularly see students try to complete this in their weekly session at HSC CoWorks. We are quick to stop this. A student’s time at HSC CoWorks is best maximised being stretched and challenged, moved out of their comfort zone and focusing on the study techniques which are going to improve their end of year results.

Link to the full article here.

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PDF of our Mind Map pad for download

“Let’s Talk About the HSC”

The ultimate podcast for students and parents navigating the journey of the HSC. Presented by HSC CoWorks, each episode dives into the challenges and triumphs of the HSC experience, offering expert advice, study tips, and insights into achieving academic success.

Whether you’re preparing for exams, managing stress, or looking for ways to stay motivated, this podcast is your go-to guide for all things HSC. Join us as we chat with educators, students, and professionals to help you thrive during this important academic milestone!

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Your first HSC assessments are just weeks away and what you do NOW can make a huge difference to how confidently you tackle your first assessments and the year ahead.

3 things to focus on RIGHT NOW:

1️⃣ Get organised: Know what’s coming up, plan your workload and stop procrastination before it starts.

2️⃣ Master your content: Daily active recall and spaced repetition, not just writing notes.

3️⃣ Train for the exam room: Practice exam-style questions, work under timed conditions and get feedback on your responses.

Finish Term 4 feeling confident, prepared and ready to enjoy a well-earned summer break ! We have broken down exactly what you should be doing over the next few weeks in our latest blog.

👉 Read: 3 Things Every Year 12 Student Should Do NOW Before Their First HSC Assessments. Link in bio!

#HSCCoWorks #HSC2027 #Year12 #HSCStudyTips #HSCPreparation

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Your first HSC assessments are just weeks away and what you do NOW can make a huge difference to how confidently you tackle your first assessments and the year ahead.
3 things to focus on RIGHT NOW:
1️⃣ Get organised: Know what’s coming up, plan your workload and stop procrastination before it starts.
2️⃣ Master your content: Daily active recall and spaced repetition, not just writing notes.
3️⃣ Train for the exam room: Practice exam-style questions, work under timed conditions and get feedback on your responses.
Finish Term 4 feeling confident, prepared and ready to enjoy a well-earned summer break ! We have broken down exactly what you should be doing over the next few weeks in our latest blog.
👉 Read: 3 Things Every Year 12 Student Should Do NOW Before Their First HSC Assessments. Link in bio!
#HSCCoWorks #HSC2027 #Year12 #HSCStudyTips #HSCPreparation

🎄 The HSC year moves quickly and by Christmas, you’ll already be 25% of the way through your HSC year!

What you do in these early months can make a huge difference to where you end up.

Your 3 Step To-Do List:
✅ Book 2 x Zoom an Expert sessions in your hardest subjects for extra targeted support.
✅ Start a streak in the portal with daily training across flashcards, practice questions and extended responses.
✅ Submit work to our HSC marking team for feedback NOW, before assessment time.

By the time Christmas arrives, we want you looking back at everything you’ve achieved, knowing you’re building the foundations for an incredible HSC year.

Remember....You don’t have to recover from a great start!

#hsccoworks #hsc2027 #hscmotivation

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🎄 The HSC year moves quickly and by Christmas, you’ll already be 25% of the way through your HSC year!
What you do in these early months can make a huge difference to where you end up.
Your 3 Step To-Do List:
✅ Book 2 x Zoom an Expert sessions in your hardest subjects for extra targeted support.
✅ Start a streak in the portal with daily training across flashcards, practice questions and extended responses.
✅ Submit work to our HSC marking team for feedback NOW, before assessment time.
By the time Christmas arrives, we want you looking back at everything you’ve achieved, knowing you’re building the foundations for an incredible HSC year.
Remember....You don’t have to recover from a great start!
#hsccoworks #hsc2027 #hscmotivation

Mount HSC 2027 has begun and by Christmas you will already be 25% of the way through your HSC year🎄

HSC success isn’t about being the smartest student in the room. It’s about building the habits, mindset and resilience to keep making progress, even when things get tough. The summit isn’t reached in one giant leap before the assessment tasks. It’s reached through the daily habits which you show up for every day along the way.

Ready to lock in? Start your FREE 14-Day Trial and we will walk side by side you as you climb Mount HSC.

#HSCCoWorks #HSC2027 #HabitsBeatTalent #HSCMotivation #StudyHabits

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Mount HSC 2027 has begun and by Christmas you will already be 25% of the way through your HSC year🎄
HSC success isn’t about being the smartest student in the room. It’s about building the habits, mindset and resilience to keep making progress, even when things get tough. The summit isn’t reached in one giant leap before the assessment tasks. It’s reached through the daily habits which you show up for every day along the way.
Ready to lock in? Start your FREE 14-Day Trial and we will walk side by side you as you climb Mount HSC.
#HSCCoWorks #HSC2027 #HabitsBeatTalent #HSCMotivation #StudyHabits

Calling all 2027 Year 12 students! Your first Year 12 English assessments will come around so much faster than you expect, so now is your time to get ahead.

Tune in for an episode with Teacher Tim, an English teacher and HSC marker, as he unpacks some of the key points in the texts and human experiences focus area.

In this episode Tim reveals how you can think deeper about what it means to be a human and how you can identify the tensions between agency and conformity, the paradoxes of human motivation and behaviour and how to relate the individual and collective human experience.

#hsc2027 #hscenglish #hsctextsandhumanexperiences #hsccoworks

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Calling all 2027 Year 12 students! Your first Year 12 English assessments will come around so much faster than you expect, so now is your time to get ahead.
Tune in for an episode with Teacher Tim, an English teacher and HSC marker, as he unpacks some of the key points in the texts and human experiences focus area.
In this episode Tim reveals how you can think deeper about what it means to be a human and how you can identify the tensions between agency and conformity, the paradoxes of human motivation and behaviour and how to relate the individual and collective human experience.
#hsc2027 #hscenglish #hsctextsandhumanexperiences #hsccoworks

What should you do in the final 24 hours before an HSC exam?

In this episode of the CoWorks Podcast, Caitlin and Jesse share practical tips for light, targeted revision, practicing under exam conditions, managing burnout, and calming exam anxiety so that you can walk into your final HSC paper feeling prepared and focused.

#linkinbio #hsccoworks #hscstudytips #hsc2026 #hsc

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