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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Year 11 is all but over. Year 12 HSC Exams are still 30 days away.

So what does a CoWorks session look like right now?

For our Year 11s, prelims might be over but that doesn’t mean there’s “nothing to do”! This is the perfect window to get proactive: review what you learnt from prelims, understand your Year 12 syllabus, look at past HSC papers and start building the knowledge and exam skills you’ll need when Year 12 begins on 12 October.

For our Year 12s, it’s all about turning the lessons from Trials into action. Filling knowledge gaps. Refining and resubmitting responses. Closed-book recall. Exam simulation. Targeting those subjects and tasks you’d rather avoid and making every remaining moment count.

No wondering “What should I work on today?”

Students walk into their CoWorks session with a clear plan designed around exactly where they are in their HSC journey 💪

#HSCCoWorks #HSC2026 #HSC2027 #examprep

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Open post by hsccoworks with ID 17968183743172985
Year 11 is all but over. Year 12 HSC Exams are still 30 days away. So what does a CoWorks session look like right now? For our Year 11s, prelims might be over but that doesn’t mean there’s “nothing to do”! This is the perfect window to get proactive: review what you learnt from prelims, understand your Year 12 syllabus, look at past HSC papers and start building the knowledge and exam skills you’ll need when Year 12 begins on 12 October. For our Year 12s, it’s all about turning the lessons from Trials into action. Filling knowledge gaps. Refining and resubmitting responses. Closed-book recall. Exam simulation. Targeting those subjects and tasks you’d rather avoid and making every remaining moment count. No wondering “What should I work on today?” Students walk into their CoWorks session with a clear plan designed around exactly where they are in their HSC journey 💪 #HSCCoWorks #HSC2026 #HSC2027 #examprep

🚨 ONE SPOT LEFT at Bondi Junction!

Our Final HSC Study Bootcamp this September/October is almost full at Bondi Junction with just 1 place remaining.

What to expect:
✓ 4 hours of focused, structured exam preparation each day
✓ Dedicated exam simulation
✓ HSC Marker feedback
✓ Support from our experienced coaching team
✓ Accountability to tackle your toughest subjects & tasks
✓ A productive environment alongside other motivated HSC students
✓ Build confidence and momentum heading into the final exams

📍 Bondi Junction — 1 spot left
📍 Places still available at Mosman, Balgowlah & Chatswood

📅 Bootcamp Dates
Week 1: Monday 28 September – Friday 2 October
Week 2: Tuesday 6 October – Friday 9 October
⏰ 10am–2pm daily

Don’t miss out on the final Bootcamp of your HSC campaign🔥

https://hsccoworks.com.au/bootcamp/

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Open post by hsccoworks with ID 17931430218141943
🚨 ONE SPOT LEFT at Bondi Junction! Our Final HSC Study Bootcamp this September/October is almost full at Bondi Junction with just 1 place remaining. What to expect: ✓ 4 hours of focused, structured exam preparation each day ✓ Dedicated exam simulation ✓ HSC Marker feedback ✓ Support from our experienced coaching team ✓ Accountability to tackle your toughest subjects & tasks ✓ A productive environment alongside other motivated HSC students ✓ Build confidence and momentum heading into the final exams 📍 Bondi Junction — 1 spot left 📍 Places still available at Mosman, Balgowlah & Chatswood 📅 Bootcamp Dates Week 1: Monday 28 September – Friday 2 October Week 2: Tuesday 6 October – Friday 9 October ⏰ 10am–2pm daily Don’t miss out on the final Bootcamp of your HSC campaign🔥 https://hsccoworks.com.au/bootcamp/

🔥 FINAL HSC STUDY BOOTCAMP

Finish your HSC campaign with zero regrets, knowing you gave it everything you had.

Our final Study Bootcamp of the year is all about making those last few weeks count.

🔥 Boost your productivity with focused, structured exam training.
💡 Stay motivated alongside other students pushing towards their goals.
✅ Get exam ready with unseen questions, practice under pressure and accountability to tackle those ‘frog’ subjects and tasks you’d rather avoid!
⏰ Four focused hours each day, supported by HSC CoWorks coaches who know what it takes to navigate the final stages of the HSC.

📅 Monday 28 September - Friday 2 October (ALMOST FULL) and Tuesday 6 October - Friday 9 October
⏰ 10am–2pm
📍Balgowlah, Bondi Jct, Chatswood, Mosman

4 0
Open post by hsccoworks with ID 18115732673054305
🔥 FINAL HSC STUDY BOOTCAMP Finish your HSC campaign with zero regrets, knowing you gave it everything you had. Our final Study Bootcamp of the year is all about making those last few weeks count. 🔥 Boost your productivity with focused, structured exam training. 💡 Stay motivated alongside other students pushing towards their goals. ✅ Get exam ready with unseen questions, practice under pressure and accountability to tackle those ‘frog’ subjects and tasks you’d rather avoid! ⏰ Four focused hours each day, supported by HSC CoWorks coaches who know what it takes to navigate the final stages of the HSC. 📅 Monday 28 September - Friday 2 October (ALMOST FULL) and Tuesday 6 October - Friday 9 October ⏰ 10am–2pm 📍Balgowlah, Bondi Jct, Chatswood, Mosman

For most Year 12 students, Trial Exams are officially behind you! 🎉 Take a few days to switch off, reset and enjoy the feeling of having made it through!

Then it’s time to turn your attention to the final stretch. Trials aren’t meant to be perfect. They’re exactly what the name suggests, a trial run for the real thing.

So embrace the mistakes. Look closely at where marks were lost. Get feedback. Work out what needs to change and adjust your approach.

The next few weeks aren’t about starting again. They’re about refining, improving and building confidence from everything you’ve already done.

You’ve come this far. You’ve got this. 💪

#HSC2026 #HSCTrials #HSCStudy #Year12 #HSCTips

4 0
Open post by hsccoworks with ID 17887635177450005
For most Year 12 students, Trial Exams are officially behind you! 🎉 Take a few days to switch off, reset and enjoy the feeling of having made it through! Then it’s time to turn your attention to the final stretch. Trials aren’t meant to be perfect. They’re exactly what the name suggests, a trial run for the real thing. So embrace the mistakes. Look closely at where marks were lost. Get feedback. Work out what needs to change and adjust your approach. The next few weeks aren’t about starting again. They’re about refining, improving and building confidence from everything you’ve already done. You’ve come this far. You’ve got this. 💪 #HSC2026 #HSCTrials #HSCStudy #Year12 #HSCTips