Curriculum News and Class Homework Expectations
As a part of our school's homework policy, students are expected to read at home. As simple as this sounds, helping students to read is not as easy as we think.
In the weeks ahead, I will post tips that you can use at home to encourage and assist your child with the skills required to read successfully.
Libby
Homework Expectations for Each Class in 2026
With the excitement of the School Swimming Carnival now behind us, it has been wonderful to see all students settling well into their daily classroom rhythms. As we establish our academic routines for the year, while homework has already commenced in some classes, it will soon be starting across all grades to help reinforce what is being learned at school.To keep everyone informed, we have provided a brief outline below of what homework expectations will look like for each class this year.
Kindergarten:
Home readers will commence term 2.
This term will be just a reading log, where parents read to their child. Information will be provided by Ms Wilson soon.
Year 1-2: Homework will commence in Week 3. Homework will be sent home each Monday and is to be returned every Friday. Inside each folder will be a Home Reading Diary and some readers. The Home Reading Diary has sight words and activities in the back that you can complete with your child.
Stage 2 Homework: Kicking Off in Week 5!
Get ready to sharpen those pencils and open those books—Stage 2 homework officially commences in Week 5. Our goal this year is to build consistent habits that support classroom learning without overwhelming your afternoons. We want to keep things focused, effective, and manageable for busy families.
The "Must-Dos"
Every Stage 2 student is expected to complete two core tasks daily to keep their fundamental skills sharp:
- Daily Reading (15–30 minutes): Whether it’s a gripping novel, a comic, or a non-fiction book about space, we ask that students read every single day. This is the single best way to improve vocabulary and comprehension.
Times Tables Recitation: Quick-fire mental math is a superpower! Spending a few minutes reciting times tables helps students tackle more complex math problems with confidence later on.
Looking for an Extra Challenge?
We understand that some students (and parents!) are eager for a bit more academic rigor. If you would like your child to receive extension homework beyond the daily reading and tables, we are happy to provide it.
Note to Parents: Extra homework is optional and will be sent home only upon request. Please reply directly to Mrs Pittman if you would like your child to be included in the extra homework loop.
We are looking forward to a fantastic term of growth and learning!
Year 5-6: In Year 5/6, homework is kept purposeful, manageable and as stress-free as possible. The aim of homework at this stage is to support learning through revision, build positive study habits, and gently prepare students for the expectations of high school — not to overwhelm students or families.
The only compulsory homework for all students is:
- 15–30 minutes of reading each night, and
Regular recital of times tables to support fluency and confidence in mathematics.
These tasks are designed to reinforce key skills, encourage independence, and promote consistent learning routines at home.
For families who would like additional optional practice, a printed homework sheet will be available upon request. Parents can notify Sally in the office if they wish to receive this. Please note that this additional work is entirely optional and not required.
Overall, homework in Year 5/6 is intended to be supportive, achievable, and balanced, allowing students to maintain a healthy routine while developing responsibility and readiness for future learning.
The following is the first part in a three part series designed to help you the parents help your children with reading at home.
Please feel free to contact me or your child’s class teacher if you have any questions about the information provided.
Libby Makeham
HOME READING (Part 1) - Reading with your child
What are "Decodable Books"?
You may hear us mention decodable texts or books. Simply put, these are books designed to act as training wheels for beginning readers.
Here is how they work and why they matter:
- They Stick to the Rules: These books are written using specific words that your child can sound out based on the phonics lessons they have already had.
- No Guessing Required: Because the words follow the rules your child knows, they don’t have to guess based on pictures or the first letter. Instead, they can look at the letters, match them to sounds, and read the word successfully.
- Building Independence: Beginners need to learn how the inside of a word works. These books force them to pay attention to letter patterns, which is the key to reading new, unknown words on their own.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Just like learning a sport or an instrument, reading requires practice. Decodable books provide a safe space for your child to apply what they learned in class to a real story, helping them become faster, smoother, and more confident readers.
How to Help Your Child Read Decodable Books
Supporting a beginning reader can be tricky. It is natural to want to jump in and "save" them when they struggle, but decodable books are designed to help them do the work themselves.
Here are some tips on how to guide your child when they get stuck:
- Don't Jump in Too Soon: It is tempting to simply give your child the word when they pause, but try to avoid doing the "heavy lifting" for them. Give them a moment to try to work it out. The struggle is actually where the learning happens!
- Focus on the Sounds, Not the Word: If they are stuck, or if they say the wrong word:
- Point to the specific letter or sound they missed.
- Ask, "What sound does this make?"
- If they don't know, tell them the sound (not the whole word) and have them try blending it together again.
- Keep Eyes on the Page: When children get stuck, their first instinct is often to look up at you for the answer. Gently direct their eyes back to the word. Remind them, "You have the tools to read this. Look at the letters."
- Stop the Guessing Game: If your child looks at the first letter and guesses the rest of the word, pause them. Remind them that every letter matters, not just the first one. Encourage them to sound it out all the way through, from left to right.
- Try a "Warm Up": Before reading a sentence, look at the words together. Ask your child to hunt for the new patterns they learned in school (like a silent 'e' or a 'sh' sound). They often get excited to spot these "special sounds" before they start reading!
- Use the "I Do, We Do, You Do" Method: If a word is really hard:
- I Do: You sound it out clearly for them.
- We Do: You sound it out together at the same time.
- You Do: Have them try it on their own one last time.
The video below demonstrates effective reading with a new reader.