Today I had the opportunity to observe Georgina tutor a Standard Maths session, and I was so impressed by her patience and ability to guide her student through financial maths concepts, particularly interest calculations. It was a great example of how effective tutoring isn’t just about knowing the content—it’s about how you deliver it.

Georgina’s approach was calm and methodical. She didn’t rush through explanations but instead stepped through each question carefully, making sure the student understood every part before moving forward. When the student hesitated, she gently prompted them with guiding questions rather than immediately providing the answer. This encouraged independent thinking while ensuring they didn’t feel overwhelmed.

One of the standout moments was when she broke down all the calculations into simple, logical steps. Financial maths can be tricky, especially when dealing with different types of interest and formulas, but Georgina made it accessible, easy to understand, and relatable to daily life concepts. She emphasised understanding over memorisation, reinforcing key principles and explaining why formulas work rather than just how to use them.

It was clear that Georgina’s patience and structured approach helped build the student’s confidence. By the end of the session, they weren’t just solving problems—the student was able to explain her reasoning with much more certainty.

Watching this session reinforced how valuable a good tutor can be. It’s not just about getting the right answers but about creating a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable tackling challenges. Georgina’s approach exemplified that perfectly!! Amazing to observe xx

Shyla Gloster

Today, I had the amazing opportunity to observe a session! The tutor’s calm and welcoming demeanour set the tone for a positive learning environment. Her ability to immediately establish rapport with her student created a space where the student felt comfortable asking questions and engaging with the material. A standout element was the tutor’s use of formative assessment techniques. She regularly checked in with the student, asking probing questions to gauge understanding, and she offered immediate, constructive feedback. This approach not only helped the student stay engaged but also allowed the tutor to correct misconceptions in real time, fostering a deeper learning experience.

Additionally, the tutor was quick to adjust her approach based on the student’s responses and needs, showcasing a deep understanding of how individualised instruction can optimise learning. Whether it was rephrasing an explanation for clarity, providing additional examples, or shifting the focus to a different aspect of the topic, her ability to pivot seamlessly ensured that the student’s understanding was continuously progressing. This flexibility not only enhanced the student’s grasp of the material but also created a dynamic, student-centered learning environment where the focus was always on fostering growth and confidence.

Aside from completing questions regarding the subject being tutored, the tutor also assisted the student in developing an effective study plan, in order to reinforce the importance of time management and enhance organisational skills.

Tira Rustom

Time management can feel impossible when you’re juggling assignments, extracurriculars, and a social life. For many students, deadlines sneak up, procrastination takes over, and suddenly you’re pulling an all-nighter. These are few things you can teach to students who struggle with time management skills.

1. Focus on What Actually Matters
Not everything on a to-do list is urgent. Help students sort tasks using a simple system:

Must-do now: Urgent assignments, upcoming tests.
Schedule it: Important but not due right away.
If there’s time: Things that can wait or be delegated.
Not worth it: Unnecessary distractions.
This keeps them from wasting time on low-priority stuff when big tasks need attention.

2. Plan Ahead
Encourage students to use a planner or calendar—digital or paper, whatever works. Blocking out specific times for studying, assignments, and even breaks makes everything feel more manageable. It’s like putting your life on autopilot for a bit—just without the stress.

3. Break It Down
Big projects are overwhelming, which is why students put them off. Instead of writing “Finish essay” on their list, they should break it into smaller steps: research, outline, write, edit. Checking off smaller tasks gives a sense of progress and keeps motivation high.

4. Beat Procrastination
Distractions are everywhere—phones, social media, Netflix. Suggest the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of focused work, then a 5-minute break. It helps them stay on track without feeling like they’re stuck in a never-ending grind.

5. Make Time for Rest
Students often think time management means cramming in as much as possible. In reality, sleep, downtime, and self-care make them more productive. A well-rested brain works faster and smarter.

Helping students build better time habits now will make their lives way easier in the long run!

Allegra Pezzullo

Since it was the start of the year coming back from holidays, Demi focused on asking about holidays and other activities that her student went on or participated in, before planning out future sessions ahead of the term and year. They also discussed co curricular activities and future subjects that the student would be taking, encouraging her to participate in such activities throughout school life.

Demi was going through stats with her student, particularly interquartile range, mins, maxs and averages. Demi was able to explain a wide array of concepts in good detail, outlining the meaning of each quartile, as well as providing outlier formulae too. Demi was able to also provide good tips regarding unit conversions, explaining how to use certain shortcuts to help with her working. Although the topics of stats were broad, Demi primarily focused on working on the median, explaining a basic concept to help her student attain a better overall understanding before moving onto other more complex concepts.

Demi was engaging and encouraging with her student, always allowing for time to think through her answers and ask questions at free will. Demi encouraged her to critique her reasoning in her answers, and was able to respond to these questions and help develop her understanding further.

Overall, Demi was able to manage a fun and engaging lesson for her student at the start of the schooling year, talking about the new upcoming year and focusing on stats and data. I’ll be looking to implement Demi’s teaching techniques into my tutoring sessions for the start of the year too!

Daniel Rulli

Today, I had the opportunity to observe Olga tutor her Year 12 Standard Math student.

Once Olga and her student had settled in after sharing what they got up to during the holidays, Olga began to focus on the concept of scale drawings. Her student came with questions about the topic from the textbook where Olga guided her student to consider knowledge from the topic of ratios. Once clarifying the questions by using real life examples, her student was then able to successfully complete the questions. This was also ensured through Olga’s encouraging and calm tone as her student felt comfortable asking questions and expressing her worries and concerns about the difficulty of the questions. Olga then began to explain the trapezoidal rule and showed her how it can be applied to different trapeziums. Olga was very patient in explaining the applications of the trapezoidal rule and also explained the importance of using multiple methods to solve questions, illuminating the crossover of content (i.e using Pythagoras to assist in answering area questions). This not only eased the confusion about using the formula in different questions but enhanced the student’s confidence in answering an array of exam style questions. Throughout the entirety of the lesson, Olga ensured that there was a thorough understanding of the content taught and did this by asking her student to explain her thought process and working out back to her. This is highly effective in ensuring that the time is used efficiently as well as ensuring that the student is constantly engaged. Olga concluded the lesson by briefly explaining Networks and all it encompasses. It was amazing to see how the student left the lesson feeling more confident, motivated and excited.

Well done Olga ☺️

Marina Nouris

Student engagement is at the heart of effective learning. When students are actively involved in their education, they retain information more effectively, develop critical thinking skills, and find greater enjoyment in the learning process. To achieve this, educators must create a classroom environment that fosters curiosity, participation, and a sense of ownership over learning.

A fundamental way to engage students is by building strong relationships with them. When students feel valued and understood, they are more likely to participate and invest in their education. Taking the time to learn about their interests, strengths, and challenges can create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere that encourages engagement.

Making learning relevant is another key factor. Students are more likely to be interested in a subject when they see its real-world applications. Connecting lessons to current events, personal experiences, or practical scenarios helps them understand the importance of what they are learning, making the content more meaningful and engaging.

Active participation is essential in maintaining student interest. Instead of passively absorbing information, students should be encouraged to take part in discussions, debates, group projects, and hands-on activities. These interactive methods not only make learning more enjoyable but also deepen understanding by allowing students to apply concepts in a practical way.

Incorporating technology and multimedia can also enhance engagement. The use of videos, online quizzes, gamification, and digital tools caters to different learning styles and makes lessons more dynamic. Similarly, providing students with choices, whether in assignments, project topics, or learning methods, fosters a sense of autonomy, increasing motivation and commitment to learning.

A safe and inclusive classroom environment is equally important. Students should feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and opinions without fear of judgment. Encouraging open discussions and respecting diverse perspectives create a space where every student feels heard and valued.

Ultimtley, timely and constructive feedback plays a crucial role in student engagement. Recognising effort and providing meaningful feedback not only builds confidence but also encourages students to stay motivated and strive for improvement.

Jordan Udler

One of the most valuable yet often overlooked strategies in tutoring is the art of questioning. Effective questioning not only checks for understanding but also encourages critical thinking, builds confidence, and promotes deeper learning. Rather than simply providing answers, guiding students to discover solutions for themselves can make a significant impact on their academic growth.

A well-structured question can turn a passive learner into an active participant. For instance, in subjects like mathematics, instead of asking, “Do you understand?”, which often leads to a simple yes or no response, a more effective approach would be, “Can you explain how you reached that answer?” or “What do you think the next step should be?” These types of questions encourage students to articulate their thought processes, helping tutors identify any misconceptions and address them in real time.

In humanities subjects like English or Legal Studies, open-ended questions can spark analytical thinking. Asking “Why do you think the author used this technique?” or “How does this case impact legal precedent?” prompts students to engage more deeply with the material and form their own interpretations rather than simply recalling information.

Encouraging students to ask their own questions is just as important. A student who feels comfortable questioning a concept they don’t fully understand is far more likely to develop independent learning skills. Tutors can foster this by creating a safe, supportive space where students feel confident to voice uncertainties and explore ideas without fear of being wrong.

Ultimately, effective questioning is a powerful tool in any tutor’s toolkit. It transforms sessions from passive instruction to interactive learning experiences, equipping students with the skills to think critically, problem-solve, and apply knowledge beyond the classroom.

Demetria

Constructive criticism works best when it’s clear, specific, and delivered in a supportive way. Start by highlighting what the person did well, so they feel acknowledged before discussing areas for improvement. For example, “I really liked how you explained your ideas here.” When pointing out areas to work on, focus on the actions, not the person. Instead of saying, “You’re not organized,” you could say, “It might help to arrange your points in a clearer order.” Using “I” statements helps avoid sounding accusatory, like saying, “I think this part could use more clarity,” instead of “You didn’t explain this well.” Offering practical suggestions for improvement is key, such as, “Maybe try breaking this task down into smaller chunks.” Keep your tone positive and encouraging so the person doesn’t feel discouraged. Lastly, end by reaffirming their strengths and showing confidence in their ability to improve, like, “You’re on the right track, and with a little more focus here, I know you’ll do even better.” This kind of feedback helps people feel motivated to grow rather than defensive or discouraged.

Olivia Moustakis

Today, I observed Demi working with Saffron, a Year 10 student, on data topics, specifically the five number summary. It was evident throughout the session that Demi had built a strong rapport with Saffron, fostering a comfortable and engaging learning environment.

Demi made great use of the board as a visual tool to break down complex ideas. She carefully outlined the steps involved in identifying quartiles, ensuring Saffron could follow along easily. By drawing diagrams and annotating key points, Demi provided a clear, structured approach that allowed Saffron to visualise the concepts rather than just memorise formulas. This interactive method helped reinforce understanding and encouraged active participation.

Their strong tutor-student relationship was apparent in the way Saffron confidently engaged in discussions, asked questions, and responded to prompts without hesitation. Demi’s approachable and encouraging nature made it clear that Saffron felt comfortable expressing any uncertainties. Demi also adapted her explanations based on Saffron’s responses, using different methods such as real-world examples and step-by-step reasoning to ensure complete comprehension.

A key highlight was Demi’s patience and encouragement. When Saffron initially struggled with interpreting data sets, Demi guided her through the problem without rushing, allowing her time to think and apply concepts independently. This approach not only strengthened Saffron’s confidence but also reinforced problem-solving skills that will be valuable in future lessons.

By the end of the session, Saffron demonstrated a much stronger grasp of the topic, successfully solving practice questions with greater independence. Observing this session reinforced the importance of a strong tutor-student relationship, the effective use of visual tools, and adaptive teaching strategies, key elements I aim to incorporate into my own tutoring approach.

Demetria Koutavas

Today, I had the pleasure to observe Mica’s Year 3 English session with her primary student Angus from 4-5 pm. Given that this was the first lesson of the term, Mica focused on refreshing key English skills the student may have forgotten, while also introducing new concepts in a structured and engaging way. The session effectively blended foundational skills in spelling and reading, ensuring that the student felt prepared and confident for the term ahead.

Mica began with brief spelling activities, using a NAPLAN-style test to familiarise the student with common word patterns and spelling conventions. She guided the student through tricky words, prompting them to identify common vowel combinations and sound out unfamiliar words. When the student struggled, Mica provided helpful hints rather than immediate answers, so the student could find these on their own. This approach helped reinforce long-term retention while building the student’s knowledge in tackling spelling challenges.

Following the spelling activity, Mica conducted a quick review of key English vocabulary that the student may have missed or forgotten. She covered essential grammar rules, sentence structure, and punctuation, using simple examples to make these concepts easy to grasp. Her explanations were clear, ensuring the student could apply these skills in their own writing.

She then transitioned into reading comprehension, where the student practiced answering passage-based questions. Mica selected different narrative texts to expose the student to a variety of writing styles, and at times even let the student pick their own texts which they thought were the most interesting, making them enjoy the excercise a little more. When the student encountered difficult vocabulary or multiple choice, Mica broke down the text into manageable areas, using guiding questions to lead them to the correct answers.

Throughout the lesson, Mica’s supportive and structured approach ensured that the student remained engaged and actively participated in each task. By the end of the session, the student had not only refreshed core skills from last year, but also gained a stronger grasp of reading comprehension techniques. Her thoughtful lesson structure ensured that the student left the session feeling more prepared. Thank you Mica!

Eleni Nicholas