First Education

One of the challenges of teaching the Literary Worlds elective in English Extension 1 is helping students move beyond simply understanding a text and towards understanding how a text creates an entire world. Many students initially focus on plot and character, but Literary Worlds asks them to consider how composers construct realities that reflect particular values, assumptions and perspectives.

In my experience, the most effective approach is to begin with the concept of a “world” itself. Before opening a novel or short story, I ask students to think about the worlds they already inhabit: family, school, online communities and friendship groups. Each has its own rules, expectations and values. Once students recognise that worlds exist beyond physical settings, they are better equipped to analyse how authors create literary worlds through language.

Another strategy that consistently produces strong results is focusing on patterns rather than isolated techniques. Too often students are taught to identify a metaphor here or a symbol there. Instead, I encourage them to look for recurring images, motifs, settings and character types. These patterns reveal what a text values and how readers are positioned to interpret the world being presented.

Close reading is also essential. Rather than racing through a text, students benefit from spending significant time analysing key passages. A single page can reveal the atmosphere, social structures, conflicts and ideologies that underpin an entire literary world. Teaching students to slow down and notice the deliberate choices made by authors develops far more sophisticated analysis than simply summarising events.

Finally, I believe students should write frequently and informally. Analytical paragraphs, reflective journal entries and creative imitations help students explore how literary worlds operate. Creative experimentation is particularly valuable because students quickly discover how difficult it is to establish a convincing world through language alone.

Ultimately, the best Literary Worlds classrooms are those that prioritise curiosity. When students stop asking, “What happened?” and start asking, “Why has the composer constructed this world in this way?”, we see a major difference in how they address the rubric. I hope this helps!

Eleni Nicholas

Today I had the opportunity to observe Annaliese tutoring a Year 11 Mathematics student on the topic of linear equations. Throughout the lesson, she showed such a clear understanding of the content and had a structured approach that helped the student build their understanding and confidence.

At the beginning of the session, Annaliese started by casually chatting about the students week, how they have found the weeks content. They then reviewed the topics they have previously been through to ensure the student had a strong foundation before going into more complex problems. She clearly explained variables, gradients, intercepts, forms of linear equations etc. Her explanations were super easy to follow!!

Annaliese was her able to break down challenging questions into smaller, manageable steps. Rather than simply providing answers, she encouraged the student to think about the process required to solve each problem. She asked guiding questions and prompted the student to explain their reasoning.

Throughout the lesson, Annaliese regularly checked for understanding and adapted her explanations when necessary. When the student encountered difficulties, she used alternative examples and diagrams to clarify concepts. This ensured the student remained engaged and continued to make progress.

The learning environment was so supportive and encouraging. Annaliese consistently reinforced the student’s successes while treating mistakes as valuable learning opportunities. Her positive feedback helped build the student’s confidence and willingness to attempt more challenging questions independently. She finished off the lesson by working through past paper questions which I could tell the student found really helpful.

Overall, the lesson was highly effective. Annaliese used excellent communication skills to create an engaging and productive learning experience. Her ability to scaffold learning, encourage independent thinking and adapt to the student’s needs enabled the student to develop a stronger understanding of linear equations and greater confidence in their mathematical abilities.

Shyla Gloster

Most of the time, studying feels like a massive chore so your brain naturally resists. So, by shifting your focus to small, repeatable habits, you can train your mind to look at studying as a manageable, everyday task rather than something to avoid or dread.

There are a plethora of things that can build up high-impact habits which positively improve willingness to study:

1. Leverage the “Five-Minute Rule”:

The hardest part of studying is almost always simply starting. When an assignment feels overwhelming, tell yourself you only have to do it for five minutes. Open the book, write one sentence, or review one flashcard. Once you break the initial tension, your brain stops viewing the task as a threat, and momentum begins to takes over. More often than not, you’ll find yourself pushing past the five-minute mark because the psychological barrier has been broken and you subconsciously start thinking “just a bit more”

2. Protect your study sanctuary:

Your environment dictates your behaviour. If you try to study in bed, your brain gets confused because it associates that space with sleep and rest. Dedicate a specific spot such as a particular desk, a corner of the library, or even a specific chair that is solely for learning. Keep it clear of non-study clutter, and most importantly, keep your phone out of arm’s reach. Over time, entering this clean space acts as a physical trigger, automatically shifting your brain into focus mode.

3. Anchor study to an existing habit:

Instead of trying to summon motivation out of thin air, attach your study time to a habit you already do without thinking. This is called habit stacking. Tell yourself, “Okay, after I finish this iced latte , I will open my laptop and study for thirty minutes.”

By anchoring the new behavior to an established anchor, you eliminate the decision-making fatigue that usually leads to procrastination.

Building the willingness to study is a practice of consistency. So, start small, protect your focus, and let momentum do the hard stuff!!

Amanda Susanto

At the end of year 11, choosing your HSC subjects can be extremely daunting. Even more daunting can be the choice of extension 2 maths for extension 1 students. E2 maths is considered the most challenging HSC subject available, requiring hours of dedication a week. Even though a third of my classes were dedicated to maths during my HSC, I am incredibly grateful that I chose it in the end.

If you are even relatively comfortable in E1 maths, I would strongly recommend picking up E2 in year 12. While extension 1 is already one of the best scaling subjects, extension 2 has the highest scaling out of any subject. While scaling should not be the sole reason to pick a subject, if you enjoy maths and are comfortable with it, i’d highly recommend. A raw mark of 60-65% can scale to over a 99 ATAR contribution, making it incredibly useful for a high ATAR to get into those difficult uni courses.

Although E2 does not come without its difficulties. It requires you to be on top of your work, studying nearly everyday, and understanding new and difficult concepts. It encourages you to creatively approach unfamiliar questions, occasionally using techniques from multiple topics you’ll learn (vectors, complex numbers, proof, mechanics) in the same question. You may even be entering the HSC not knowing how to do half the questions. Regardless though, the payoff is amazing.

Aside from the HSC mark, E2 maths is great to prepare you for tertiary studies, especially degrees in engineering, physics, maths, computer science, data science etc. Many topics in E2 appear in the first year of these degrees, giving you a great foundation for the remainder of the course. It also forces you to develop your resiliance, logical skills, critical thinking skills and more. For students questions whether extension 2 maths is worth picking or not, do it!

James Xylas

Throughout my experience as a tutor, I have observed a significant shift in the way students engage with learning. Contrary to popular belief, the issue is rarely a lack of access to information. Rather, it is an increasing discomfort with intellectual uncertainty.

Modern students exist within an environment of unprecedented convenience. Answers are available within seconds, explanations are instantly accessible, and digital platforms are designed to minimise waiting. While these advancements have undoubtedly enhanced educational accessibility, they have also reduced opportunities for students to engage in one of the most valuable aspects of learning: sustained cognitive struggle.

The concept of boredom is often viewed negatively. However, boredom, or more accurately, the absence of constant stimulation can serve as a catalyst for deeper intellectual engagement. It is within these moments of uncertainty that students are compelled to analyse, hypothesise, question, and problem-solve independently. Before the rise of artificial intelligence and instant digital assistance, students were often required to rely on their own reasoning when resources were unavailable. Today, tools can analyse texts and generate explanations within seconds, reducing the need for independent thought.

As tutors, we frequently witness students abandon challenging tasks after only a brief period of difficulty. The expectation of immediacy has conditioned many learners to perceive confusion as failure rather than a necessary stage of understanding. Yet educational growth rarely occurs through the passive reception of answers. Instead, it emerges through grappling with ideas, testing possibilities, and refining thinking. It is often these moments of discovery, the “light bulb” moment, that foster genuine curiosity and engagement.

Perhaps the role of educators is not simply to provide answers, but to create environments where students learn to think critically when answers are not immediately available. In doing so, we prepare learners not only for examinations, but for the complexities of the world beyond them.

Vicki Synesios

High school can feel like a juggling act. Between schoolwork, sports, part-time jobs, clubs, friends, and family commitments, not to mention sleep, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But with the right approach, it is possible to find balance and thrive across all areas of life.

Start by recognising that balance doesn’t mean doing everything equally. Some weeks school might take priority, while other times you might focus more on a big sports event or important personal time. The key is being intentional with your time and energy.

Time management is crucial. Using a planner or digital calendar can help you map out your weekly commitments and find windows for study, rest, and fun. Planning ahead also prevents last-minute stress and missed deadlines.

Learn to prioritise. You don’t need to say yes to every opportunity. Choose extracurriculars that genuinely interest you, not just the ones that look good on a résumé. Focus on quality, not quantity.

Make time for rest and wellbeing. Sleep, exercise, and downtime aren’t luxuries, they’re essential. Overcommitting might seem productive at first, but it quickly leads to burnout. Regular breaks and time to relax with friends or family help recharge your mind and boost your academic performance in the long run.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for support. Whether it’s a teacher, tutor, parent, or coach, talk to someone if you feel like you’re slipping behind or stretched too thin. Often, small adjustments can make a big difference.

Balancing a busy schedule is a skill, one that takes practice. But with planning, self-awareness, and a focus on what truly matters, you can succeed academically and enjoy everything else that makes school life fulfilling.

Julian Podgornik

Today, I took the opportunity to observe Raphael tutor one of his year 6 English students. As a maths tutor primarily, I find it especially interesting to observe English sessions to see how they differ in structure. What I first noticed was how quiet the lesson was. Raphael assigned his student a text to read through and allowed him ample time to process all the information and understand the key parts of the text before attempting to ask him any questions. This quiet environment allowed the student to focus well and comprehend the main features of the text himself, rather than constantly interrupting to point out key ideas.

Raphael also broke up the lesson with a quick game of UNO to keep his student focused for the remainder of the session. After reading through the text, Raphael ensured the student had a thorough understanding of the story by testing his knowledge with various questions involving the characters, as well as figuring out definitions of unfamiliar words together with his student. He did this by breaking down the words and focusing on their context within the text to see if his student could roughly guess the meaning. He would then clarify the exact definition and provide specific examples to help the meaning stick. Raphael took his time and listened to his student’s responses carefully, whilst encouraging him to add additional details in his answer to make it more sophisticated.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed observing this session and will implement some of the strategies shown.

Katherine Mavrolefteros

One of the biggest mistakes I see my students make when exams are approaching is creating a study schedule that is trying to fit too much into it. While it can feel productive and tempting to create a schedule that has you studying several hours everyday, unrealistic plans often lead to frustration and can overwhelm you. The key to creating a successful study schedule is making one that works for your lifestyle and afterschool commitments, which allows you to maintain consistency. Ive seen many students create timetables that are extremely ambitious, and when they arent checking off every task by the date they set, the unfinished tasks snowball until they become overwhelmed and quit studying altogether. A study schedule should challenge you, but it should also be realistic.

I first tell my students to block off any commitments that they have during the week. This includes any sport, extracurricular activities or family commitments that are non-negotiable. Once these are added to their schedule, you can see where study sessions realistically fit. Next, i try and break the time they have into manageable blocks. Rather than placing in the timetable to study for 3 hours straight, I tell them to aim for 30-60 minute sessions with breaks in between. It is also important to prioritise subjects. Spend more time on topics you find challenging and less time on areas where you already feel confident. I also encourage my students to be specific when they create their timetable and outline the specific tasks they want to complete that day, which makes sure that you have clear goals to work towards and can measure how you are tracking. Another really important point to remember when making a study schedule is to make sure to leave time for leisure and rest! Finally, remember that a study timetable is not set in stone. If something is not working, adjust it. The most effective timetable is one that is flexible and realistic.

Annaliese Lakis

The secret to feeling confident on exam day isn’t pulling all-nighters or re-reading every textbook. It’s having a simple, steady plan for the week ahead. Here’s your go-to checklist.

1. Know What’s Coming
Before anything else, get clear idea on what’s actually in the exam. Read your notification, double check the topics with your textbook, look at past papers, or any study guides your teacher has provided. Write down the topics you feel confident about and the ones that you know might need some more practice. This takes the guesswork out of the whole week.

2. Focus on Your Weak Spots
Start with the topics that feel tricky. Work through practice questions slowly. The goal isn’t to rush through them, it’s to actually understand where you’re going wrong. If you’re stuck, this is the perfect time to ask your teacher or tutor for help.

3. Practice Under Exam Conditions
Pick a past paper and set a timer. Sit somewhere quiet, put your phone away, and treat it like the real thing. This builds familiarity with the format and helps ease exam-day nerves.

4. Review and Fill the Gaps
Mark your practice paper honestly. Go back over any questions you got wrong and figure out why. Was it a silly mistake or a concept you need to revisit? Spend this session tying up loose ends.

5. The Day Before: Light Review Only
Keep it easy. Flick through your notes, review key formulas, and remind yourself of what you already know. No heavy lifting today. Our brain needs space to consolidate everything.

6. The Night Before: Rest
A good night’s sleep does more for your exam performance than any last-minute study session ever could. You’ve put in the work, trust yourself!

Preparation isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things at the right time.

Emma Birrell

The tutor was welcoming to the student and checked what topics the student wanted to work on/learn, which effectively ensures that the student actually gets what they want out from the tutor and learns what is most urgent/important. The tutor went through practice questions provided by the student and slowly worked through them, explaining the thought process behind the questions every time. Some of the topics addressed was combinatorics, binomial distribution and other probability concepts such as Pascal’s Triangle. It is important the student also has questions for the tutor and shows their eagerness to learn and improve. Students, particularly at a more mature age, need to take responsibility for their learning so they can target the areas that require the most work with their tutor. They can always be doing practice questions throughout the week as well as tutoring homework to be certain to have questions to ask tutors. This also reinforces concepts learnt in sessions/classes.

Additionally, practice questions are effectively the best method of learning. This is because it is a form of active recall, or rather, the retrieval of information from the brain. This is psychologically proven to be an effective study method known as retrieval practice. The students action of retrieving information from their brain solidifies the information into longer term memory. This was emphasised by the tutor, telling his student that after completing many questions, you will gain better pattern recognition, and understand what to do in different situations regarding a single topic.

Other effective study methods which will minimise study time include spaced repetition and elaboration. Spaced repetition combined alongside active recall (practice questions, flashcards etc.) allows for the stabilisation of memories/information in the brain and is much more effective compared to a common study technique of cramming all of the content in one night. Elaboration involves drawing connections between different contextual points, whether it is involved in examinable content or the real world, allows for further consolidation of information in a students mind.

Erynn Marlowe