Every student learns maths differently. Some students find it easier to have questions broken down step by step in a formulaic way, while others grasp concepts better through patterns and intuition. In a recent tutoring session, I was reminded of just how important it is to adapt to a student’s learning style.
My student was struggling with trigonometry, particularly understanding sine and cosine beyond just plugging numbers into equations. At first, I explained the unit circle in a structured way, defining angles, coordinates, and key values. However, even as my student said that they understood, I noticed that when trying to apply the knowledge to new problems on their own, they were not able to use the concepts.
So, I shifted my approach. Instead of numbers and formulas, I took a different approach. By explaining, it as a wave in a more graphical form, my student quickly was able to grasp the new concepts and after some practice, was able to apply it to new problems.
Furthermore, once he visualized the concept, the equations made more sense. We then graphed sine and cosine together, reinforcing the connection. By the end of the session, he wasn’t just solving problems—he was predicting patterns before even using his calculator.
This session was a reminder that maths isn’t just about numbers; it’s about seeing connections. Some students need real-world analogies, others need visual aids, and some learn best in a purely formulaic way. No one way is incorrect, they are all paths to the same solution. A good tutor doesn’t just teach a topic—they find the right language for each student’s mind.
In the end, the best teaching isn’t about making students memorize facts. It’s about making them see maths in a way that feels natural to them. Once that happens, the numbers start to make sense on their own.

Samuel Lotter

Why Homework is Essential in Tutoring Younger and Older Students
Homework is a crucial component of effective tutoring, reinforcing learning beyond the tutoring session and fostering independence. Whether working with younger or older students, assigning meaningful homework ensures that key concepts are retained, skills are practiced, and long-term academic growth is achieved.

For Younger Students: 
Younger students benefit from homework that reinforces their fundamental skills e.g reading, writing, maths etc. These tasks help solidify concepts learned during tutoring sessions and prevent knowledge gaps. Homework also encourages consistency, teaching children the importance of routine and responsibility. By engaging in short, targeted exercises, students strengthen their foundational knowledge, making future learning smoother and more effective. Additionally, homework can involve creative and engaging activities, such as spelling games, reading comprehension exercises, or hands-on math problems. These not only make learning enjoyable but also develop critical thinking skills from an early age.

For Older Students:
As students grow older, homework takes on an even more critical role in reinforcing complex topics and preparing them for exams. Independent practice allows students to apply their knowledge in different contexts, deepening their understanding. It also encourages problem-solving and time management—skills essential for academic success.
For subjects like math, science, and writing, regular homework helps identify areas where students struggle, allowing tutors to address these gaps in the next session. Essays, research assignments, and practice problems encourage deeper engagement, ensuring that students not only memorise concepts but also learn how to analyse and apply them effectively.

However: it is so important to strike a balance! While homework is essential, it should be purposeful and manageable. Overloading students can lead to frustration and feeling overwhelmed, while meaningful, structured assignments enhance learning and confidence. By assigning targeted homework, tutors empower students of all ages to take control of their learning journey and achieve academic success.

Shyla Gloster

I had the pleasure of watching Sam and his student Felix in their Maths session. Sam kept Felix constantly engaged during their session, using the whiteboard to great effect, demonstrating various financial principles like annuities and loans. His student asked many questions, and it was clear he was wanting to learn from Sam. Sam answered these questions in a very open way, not only answering the question but providing justification and demonstrating how he came to the answer. Thus helping guide his students work process, segmenting equations into smaller, more manageable mathematical problems.

He broke up the session and used his time wisely, designating time to explain a mathematics principle, then give Felix a problem related to the principle, then allow Felix to work it out in his book before finally going over his answer and explaining where he may have gone wrong or what he did strongly. Overall, it seemed like a great session full of engaging discussion and mutual respect. Well done Sam!

Finnegan Bodey

One of the greatest advantages of tutoring is the ability to tailor learning to the individual needs of a student. Unlike the traditional classroom setting, where a teacher must cater to an entire group, tutoring provides a personalised approach that allows students to learn at their own pace.

A common challenge in schools is that students often feel lost in subjects they struggle with, leading to frustration and disengagement. However, in a tutoring session, a tutor can identify specific gaps in knowledge and focus on reinforcing those areas. This not only boosts a student’s confidence but also makes learning more enjoyable and effective.

For example, a student struggling with essay writing might simply need a structured approach rather than a complete overhaul of their skills. By breaking down the process—brainstorming ideas, organising thoughts, and refining arguments—a tutor can demystify the task, making writing less daunting. Similarly, in maths, a concept that seemed impossible in class can suddenly ‘click’ when explained in a way that resonates with the student’s learning style.

Tutoring is not just about improving grades; it’s about developing skills that last a lifetime. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning are all nurtured in tutoring sessions, equipping students with the ability to approach challenges with confidence. Many students who have benefited from tutoring find themselves applying these skills beyond school, whether in university, the workplace, or everyday problem-solving.

As educators, we see firsthand the impact of one-on-one learning. It’s not just about helping students pass their exams—it’s about instilling a love of learning, giving them the tools to succeed, and helping them recognise their own potential. This is why personalised learning is at the heart of effective tutoring.

Eireyna Papinyan

Emily kindly let me observe her mixed Maths/English session with Ciaran today, who is in Year 6. She started with checking his homework and asking if he had struggled with anything, while also maintaining friendly conversation with him in order to build rapport and make him feel comfortable. She then noticed that his homework task, which had been to complete a creative story had not been attempted over the week and she asked him whether he had forgotten about it. She appropriately noted to him that she would mark it down as having not been completed in his spreadsheet, which she had been keeping up on her screen so that he could view the edits she would make to it. She also told him that his homework for this week would be whatever she sets for him as well as that previous uncompleted homework, which I believe is an effective way of getting students to take responsibility for work that is fallen behind on, not allowing them a ‘way out’ of doing it. The fact that he has to complete it anyway, despite not doing it for homework teaches him that work cannot be simply ‘skipped’ and that he only increases his homework load by neglecting it. She kindly but seriously reinforced this to her student, pointing out that the missed homework was “not good”, and she pointed out the ‘Homework Rules’ which display direct consequences and would communicate the seriousness of the matter. This is an excellent way of disciplining students and instilling in them the importance of work completion that takes place outside of school and tutoring, as she also went on to explain why it is essential as it has an impact. Her words were paired with continuous encouragement as she told him that she believed he was absolutely capable of doing it. It is easy to overlook the importance of homework disciplining in favour of maintaining friendly rapport with students however it is critical to reaping results in their learning and seeing hard work come to fruition. Information learned in an hour, on one afternoon a week at tutoring can easily slip away in their minds, so homework serves to help them retain what they’ve learnt but also allows them to find areas that they struggle with and bring them into tutoring the next week. The rest of the session consisted of reading comprehension & maths, which saw Emily ask engaging and valuable questions instead of just giving her student the answers. Overall, it was an excellent session to observe, thank you Emily.

Sofala Vogt

Observing Riva’s English tutoring session with a primary school boy highlighted her ability to create engaging and structured learning experiences. She had a keen understanding of how to sustain his attention, tailoring tasks to his interests while reinforcing key literacy skills. For example, when encouraging him to practice creative writing, she prompted him to describe what his future house would be like. This open-ended yet structured task allowed him to explore his imagination while practicing sentence structure, descriptive language, and idea development. He remained focused and enthusiastic, clearly engaged by the task’s personal relevance.

Riva balanced patience with firmness throughout the session. When he struggled to articulate his thoughts or hesitated over spelling, she gave him time to think, gently prompting him rather than supplying answers outright. However, she also maintained clear expectations, ensuring he remained on task. If he became distracted she redirected him with a calm but authoritative tone, reinforcing the importance of effort and focus. This balance helped create a productive and supportive learning environment.

I personally find English tutoring with primary school students the most challenging sessions. Unlike structured high school curricula, which follow clear guidelines and assessment criteria, primary school English focuses on foundational skills, and often the student doesn’t know what they’re working on at school. This makes it hard to gauge what requires immediate attention and how best to pace the session. Watching Riva, however, showed me how adapting to a student’s interests and energy levels can make these sessions more effective. Her ability to make learning feel both structured and enjoyable is something I would like to incorporate into my own approach.

Sophie McGrath

Why Past Papers Are the Best Way to Prepare for Exams

If you’re not using past papers to study, you’re making life way harder for yourself. Going over your notes is great, but nothing prepares you for an exam better than actually practising the real thing. Whether you’re in Year 7 or Year 12, past papers help you get familiar with the types of questions you’ll face, the way they’re worded, and how much time you’ll need to answer them.

One of the biggest benefits of doing past papers is that they show you exactly what examiners are looking for. Instead of guessing what might be on the test, you can spot patterns in the kinds of questions that come up year after year. This is especially useful for subjects like maths, science, and business, where certain concepts are tested repeatedly.

Past papers also help with time management. A lot of students know the content but struggle to finish their exam on time. When you practise under timed conditions, you train yourself to work quickly and efficiently, so you don’t get stuck on one question and run out of time for the rest.

Another major perk is that you get to test yourself properly. It’s easy to feel like you understand something when you’re just reading notes, but actually answering a question under exam conditions is a whole different story. By marking your answers against the official solutions or examiner reports, you can see where you’re going wrong and fix your mistakes before the real exam.

At the end of the day, past papers are one of the easiest ways to boost your confidence and improve your results. If you’re not already using them, grab some past exams, set a timer, and start practising. It’ll make a huge difference!

Eireyna Papinyan

Shyla began by reviewing a topic that the student had learned earlier in the day (Cartesian Plane), carefully guiding her through her homework to ensure she fully understood the content before moving forward. Shyla encouraged independent thinking by allowing the student to attempt each question on her own first. If the student struggled, she provided subtle hints and guiding clues rather than simply giving away the answer. This approach was highly effective, as it not only built the student’s confidence but also strengthened her problem-solving skills so she was able to tackle a similar problem independently in the future.

Once the student had fully understood the current content, she pivoted towards NAPLAN prep and began going through a practice exam with her. She introduced relevant practice questions, reinforcing key concepts while adapting her explanations to fit the student’s level of understanding. She guided the student through problem-solving strategies for particularly harder questions, helping the student build confidence in tackling more complex problems.

Additionally, I appreciated Shyla’s ability to make sure the student stayed on track as she was particularly chatty considering she had just started a new school and had lots of stories she wanted to share ! Whenever the student began to go off-track, Shyla redirected her attention back to the task, remaining firm yet patient and understanding. She made the student finish her work first before making her choose one story to tell, which gave the student incentive to finish the work and made sure she wasn’t distracted.

Overall, it was a great session ! Good job !

Annaliese Lakis

Observing James as he works with his Year 7 student in the Maths session was an insightful experience in the art of effective teaching. James had a clear, structured approach to teaching, blending methodical explanations with student interaction to ensure that is engagement and comprehension of the material.

Throughout the lesson, James is highly interactive, continuously checking for understanding and asking the student to explain their thought process. This practice helps the student solidify their understanding and encourages them to think critically about how they approach problems. James doesn’t just focus on getting the right answer; he emphasises the reasoning behind the solution, which strengthens the student’s problem-solving skills and deepens their grasp of mathematical concepts.

Another strength of his teaching style is his patience. He doesn’t rush the student through challenges; instead, he allows time for exploration and encourages mistakes as part of the learning process. When the student struggles with a concept, James offers gentle guidance, often rephrasing or offering different examples until the student feels more confident in their understanding. This supportive, low-pressure environment fosters a growth mindset, where the student feels safe to take risks and ask questions without fear of judgment.

By the end of the session, it’s clear that James’s approach isn’t just about teaching math; it’s about fostering a love for learning. The student walks away not only with a deeper understanding of the material but also with a renewed sense of confidence and motivation to tackle future challenges.

Tira Rustom

I wanted to talk about how AI, and ChatGPT can greatly enhance tutoring by automating the creation of worksheets, questions, and study plans tailored to each student’s needs. For example, by typing in a few easy prompts of exactly what you need, ChatGPT can generate customised worksheets that target those areas for improvement, create a range of questions, easy to hard. This can save us so much time and provide a steady stream of relevant practice materials without too much outside /extra time and manual preparation. I found this particularly useful with a year 1 English comprehension student I had last year. I would ask ChatGPT to create a short paragraph using his key spelling words, and this made it really easy to create targeted reading practice that reinforced his vocabulary/school spelling lists while keeping him engaged. It streamlined my lesson preparation, allowing me to focus more on guiding his understanding of the content rather than wasting time crafting my own paragraph from scratch. This approach supported creating a customised lesson that was both effective and enjoyable for him.
AI can generate questions at various difficulty levels, to adapt to a student’s progress. It also can assist with providing tutors with a roadmap for each session, to ensure we get through all the content in the term, and ensures all time is used effectively. Instead of wasting anytime planning the next few weeks out / searching for resources, a few minutes typing prompts into AI, and it is done. This means we can spend more quality time working through questions together, teaching content and preparing for exams.
By automating these resources, AI allows tutors to focus on interactive teaching and addressing complex concepts rather than preparing repetitive tasks. AI-generated materials also help maintain consistency in learning, providing an accessible and flexible framework that complements the tutor’s guidance and support.

Shyla Gloster