Today I had the opportunity to observe Freddie’s Yr 12 Math Ext session.
I was impressed by Freddie’s effective initial rapport with the student. He maximised the use of the whiteboard, methodically working through complex problems while maintaining the student’s engagement. Rather than simply presenting solutions, he demonstrated each step visually, allowing his student to follow the mathematical reasoning process in real-time. This approach proved particularly effective when tackling challenging calculus problems that required multiple steps.
I particularly noted Freddie’s commitment to critical engagement. He consistently prompted his student with thoughtful questions that encouraged deeper analytical thinking. When the student proposed a solution approach, the tutor would ask “Why does this method work?” or “How could we verify this answer?” This teaching style fostered active participation rather than passive reception of the information.
During the session, they worked through a recent test his student completed. They carefully analysed each question, identifying patterns in the student’s approach and highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement. When discussing a question where the student had made calculation errors, Freddie demonstrated an alternative solution that didn’t diminish the student’s initial attempt but extended it to help them avoid similar mistakes in future.
A significant portion of the session addressed the student’s recent exam performance, which had fallen short of their expectations. Freddie handled this sensitively yet constructively, emphasizing specific concepts that needed reinforcement while maintaining an encouraging tone. His supportive attitude clearly helped rebuild the student’s confidence. Before concluding, he offered practical advice about study intensity, emphasizing that math requires more practice than one would typically anticipate, recommending them to “study more than they think they should”. This realistic guidance about the effort required for mastery was delivered with sincerity that resonated with the student.
Great job Freddie!
Thea Macarthur-Lassen
