First Education

Homework often gets a bad reputation and is neglected. It’s seen as repetitive and unnecessary. But when you look at how learning actually works, homework plays a much more important role than many people realise, especially when combined with a technique called spaced repetition.

When you first learn something in class, your brain only stores it temporarily. Without revisiting that information, it fades quickly, you forget approximately 70% of all new information that isn’t reinforced with 24hrs of learning it. This is where homework becomes valuable. By reviewing and applying what you learned shortly after class, you reinforce those neural connections and make the memory stronger.

Spaced repetition takes this idea even further. Instead of cramming everything in one long study session, you revisit the material multiple times over increasing intervals, like after one day, then three days, then a week. Each time you review, your brain has to work a little harder to recall the information, and that effort actually strengthens your memory.

Homework naturally supports spaced repetition when it’s assigned regularly. A few problems each day or short review tasks spread across a week are far more effective than a single large assignment. This steady exposure helps move knowledge from short-term memory into long-term storage.

Another benefit is confidence. When you repeatedly engage with material over time, it starts to feel familiar. You’re not just memorising you’re understanding. This makes it easier to recall information during exams or real-life situations.

Homework isn’t just about completing tasks it’s about building lasting knowledge that you will remember. When paired with spaced repetition, it becomes one of the most powerful tools for learning and remembering effectively you can also use online digital tools to help you and automatically set reminders for you to revise such as; Anki.

Olivia Moustakis

The Benefits and Disadvantages of Tutoring

Tutoring has become a common way to support students in their learning journey. It offers a more focused approach than traditional classrooms, but it also comes with some challenges. Understanding both the benefits and disadvantages can help determine whether tutoring is the right choice.

One major benefit of tutoring is personalised learning. Tutors can adapt lessons to suit a student’s individual needs, pace, and learning style. This often leads to better understanding and improved academic performance. Tutoring also helps build confidence, as students can ask questions freely without fear of judgment. Over time, this supportive environment can make learners more comfortable and motivated.

Another advantage is flexibility. Tutoring sessions can be scheduled around a student’s routine, and online options make access even easier. Tutors can also help students develop study techniques, time management skills, and effective exam strategies that are useful beyond a single subject.

However, tutoring is not without its drawbacks. One of the main concerns is cost. Regular sessions can be expensive, making tutoring inaccessible for some families. Additionally, students may become too dependent on their tutor, relying on guidance instead of developing independent problem-solving skills.

Finding the right tutor can also be difficult. Not all tutors match a student’s learning style, which can reduce the effectiveness of sessions. In some cases, tutoring may even add extra pressure, especially if students already feel overwhelmed with schoolwork.

In conclusion, tutoring can be highly beneficial when used appropriately, offering tailored support and boosting confidence. However, it is important to balance tutoring with independent learning and consider factors like cost and student well-being before committing.

Natalie Ha

Margaret Edson’s Wit recontextualises John Donne’s metaphysical poetry to expose a fundamental shift in how society attempts to cope with death, revealing the limitations of intellectualisation in the modern world. Donne, writing within a deeply Christianity framework, seeks to dominate and rationalise death through language, evident in his apostrophic defiance in “Death be not proud,” where paradox and argumentative structure allow him to diminish death’s power and assert spiritual transcendence. His poetry transforms death into a concept that can be reasoned with, ultimately offering comfort through the certainty of an afterlife. Edson mirrors this intellectual tradition through Vivian Bearing, whose academic expertise in Donne’s poetry initially enables her to approach her own terminal illness with the same detached, analytical mindset. However, as the play progresses, this reliance on wit and scholarly interpretation collapses under the reality of physical suffering and emotional vulnerability. Unlike Donne, Vivian exists in a secular, clinical world where death is no longer mediated by religious assurance but is instead experienced as an isolating and corporeal process. Edson critiques the insufficiency of intellectualisation as a coping mechanism, suggesting that while language can attempt to impose order on death, it ultimately fails to provide genuine comfort. Instead, Wit proposes that death must be endured as a profoundly human, emotional experience, where connection, compassion, and vulnerability offer more solace than abstract reasoning. Through this shift, Edson highlights a broader societal movement away from metaphysical certainty towards a more fragmented, experiential understanding of mortality.

Mary Diamond

After tutoring for over two years, I’ve come to realise that no two students learn the exact same way, and what works for one student may not necessarily work for another. Whilst I found this to be a bit of a struggle in the beginning, I feel like it has helped me to become a better tutor and understand that it is about more than just knowing the content but being able to adapt the ways in which that content is delivered, to ensure that all students receive the most from sessions.

For example, some students learn better from visual examples, like diagrams or images, as it helps them to create a picture of what they are learning. However, this may not work for other students who work better with verbal explanations, like step-by-step examples and properly talking through examples in order to process the information more effectively. Regardless of learning styles, I have found that the best results do come from working through practice questions and reminding students to make mistakes, so that we can correct them as they go and ensure these mistakes aren’t made in the future.

It’s important to be able to adapt teaching styles because it can make a significant difference to a student’s learning and build confidence in the student by reminding them that there are different teaching methods, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. I’ve had experiences where students have been unmotivated and confused in sessions, particularly in the younger years of maths, but when we used diagrams and physical objects to help go through the problems, they had a better understanding of what the material was.

Daisy Brenac

Mathematics should be a compulsory subject in the HSC because it equips students with essential life skills, supports future career pathways, and develops critical thinking abilities that extend far beyond the classroom.

Mathematics provides practical skills that are necessary for everyday life. From managing personal finances and budgeting to understanding interest rates, taxes, and data in the media, numeracy is a fundamental competency. Without a basic mathematical foundation, students may struggle to make informed decisions in adulthood.

Secondly, mathematics is a gateway to a wide range of career opportunities. Many university courses and professions, including fields such as science, engineering, economics, medicine, and technology, require mathematical knowledge. Even careers that are not traditionally seen as “math-based” increasingly rely on data analysis and logical reasoning. By making mathematics compulsory, students are not prematurely closing off potential career pathways.

Furthermore, studying mathematics fosters critical thinking and analytical skills. Mathematics teaches students how to approach problems systematically, recognise patterns, and construct logical arguments. These skills are highly transferable and beneficial across all subjects. Mathematics enables students to critically assess statistics, graphs, and claims they encounter in media and public discourse, contributing to the development of informed and responsible citizens who can engage thoughtfully with societal issues.

While some argue that mathematics should be optional to reduce student stress, removing it as a compulsory subject may disadvantage students in the long term to ensure that students are better prepared for both personal and professional challenges in an increasingly complex world.

Amali Roumanous

We’ve all been guilty of sitting in a classroom or a tutoring session, being taught a foreign concept, and pretending to understand every word being said. And while this is an incredibly understandable part of the learning experience, tutoring sessions should never end with a child walking out only partly understanding a concept, if at all. I have noticed many times that when you ask a student “does that make sense”, oftentimes they will smile slowly and nod their head “yes?” Clearly the concept requires further understanding. However, some students shy away from admitting that they are lost or stuck on a certain piece of information which is why I enjoy employing the ‘teach me’ method.

The ‘teach me’ method is one which my tutors used for me during my time as a student as I struggled to voice that I didn’t understand something. Instead, my first tutor decided to swap our student-tutor roles, and asked me to explain to her how to simplify a fraction or analyse a quote. If I skirted around the edges of an explanation or drew incorrect conclusions, she knew exactly what to fix. This method was incredibly helpful to a student who, despite not being shy, shied away from admitting her weaknesses.

Now as a tutor, I see how powerful that method of tutoring is. As a tutor, my students range from Year 1 to Year 11, their subjects including English, Maths, Science, and Modern History. Within such a large scope of students, each one is vastly unique and requires a different tutoring style. However, no matter what the subject or who the student is, the ‘teach me’ method has helped both student and tutor out on numerous occasions.

For example, recently I tutored a year 9 maths student on angles which can be a tricky topic to grasp at first. However, I kept assigning her more questions until she was able to complete them quickly, correctly, and (most importantly) with confidence, and until she stood at the whiteboard and explained the concepts to me flawlessly, with true understanding – a student who is now ready for any exam question and for further applications of the content.

The ‘teach me’ method may sometimes be confronting to students which is why it’s important to ease the students into the content first before testing their knowledge in a way in which it has never been tested before. But with the correct application of this incredible method, each student can walk out of their tutoring session and be confident that they mastered a new concept in an hour.

Shahaf Liraz

As Term 1 comes to a close, I just wanted to share a few new + simple teaching methods I’ve been trying out with my 7 – 10 maths students. They’ve not made a complete change in the way I teach, but a few thoughtful alterations have made my sessions feel a lot more engaging and productive for both my students and I!!

Instead of relying solely on textbook questions, I’ve been bringing in more real life examples to explain concepts. Things like budgeting, sports and general everyday situations seem to make the concepts feel a lot more relevant and easier to grasp. When kids can see how a concept applies outside the classroom, something always tends to click. They’re more willing to try, ask questions and stick with problems (instead of throwing in the towel so quickly!)

Another little change I’ve made is asking my students to explain their thinking to me out loud. Rather than just focusing on whether their answer is right or wrong, I get them to walk me through their thinking process. This has really been surprisingly effective – it helps me spot where they might be getting stuck, and encourages them to think more clearly about what they’re doing. I’ve noticed their confidence grow a lot when they realise they can actually explain the work themselves, rather than always relying on me explaining it to them.

Finally, I’ve also started incorporating short time challenges into my sessions as well. These aren’t overly stressful, they just help to keep things interesting and give my students a chance to apply what they’ve learned under some psychological pressure. When it comes to exam time, these kind of exercises undoubtedly help out a bunch.

Overall, these little changes have made my sessions feel a lot more interactive and rewarding. My kids seem much more comfortable participating, and I feel way more connected to how they’re learning. It’s been a really positive shift so far, and I’m looking forward to continuing to refine it next term!!

Thomas Koutavas

Students often think that learning is just about academics but it encompasses so many more valuable life skills. One thing I think that is integral for students is the value in showing up for yourself, especially when study gets hard, because it is guaranteed to at some point. Showing up for yourself is one of the most powerful habits you can build, not just in tutoring, but in every area of life. It means committing to your own growth, even on the days when motivation is low or self-doubt is overpowering confidence. It is commitment to yourself, always. Sometimes we also often rely on others i.e parents, teachers or academic marks to boost our confidence but our main source of confidence must be ourselves as that is the most reliable long term.

Self-confidence doesn’t appear out of thin air though. It’s built through small, consistent actions that prove to you that you are capable. Every time you try a challenging problem, ask a question, or push past discomfort, you reinforce a belief in your own ability. Confidence is less about always being right and more about trusting yourself to figure things out.

In tutoring, students often wait until they “feel ready” or “feel confident” before fully engaging or sharing their point of view. But confidence often actually comes after action, not before it. Showing up, imperfectly, scared, or uncertain is what creates progress. When you start to see improvement, no matter how small, your mindset shifts dramatically and that’s where tutors can be of help to increase motivation and confidence, but, it should also come intrinsically.

Growth and self confidence involves making mistakes, and those moments are not failures, they’re evidence that you’re trying and doing your best. Ultimately, instead of criticising yourself, reflect on what you’ve learned and how you can improve next time and show up for yourself because it will be worth it longterm!!

Jessica Ciappara

One thing I have noticed while tutoring is that confidence often matters more than getting the right answer. A lot of students already have the ability to solve problems, but they hesitate because they are scared of being wrong. This can stop them from even attempting the task.

During a recent session with a Year 3 student, I saw this happen clearly in a spelling activity. Before trying, they would shut down and assume they could not do it. However, once encouraged to give it a go, they were usually able to spell most of the word correctly. This showed that the real issue was not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of confidence.

This made me reflect on how important mindset is in learning. When students feel comfortable making mistakes, they are more likely to participate and challenge themselves. As a tutor, creating a safe and supportive environment is really important. Small things like recognising effort, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and being patient can make a big difference.

Focusing on progress instead of perfection also helps students feel more capable. When the pressure to be correct is reduced, students are more willing to try, and this is where real learning happens. Over time, this builds resilience and helps them approach new tasks with a more positive attitude.

Overall, tutoring is not just about improving academic skills. It is also about helping students feel confident in their abilities. Once that confidence starts to grow, their learning tends to improve naturally.

mia paras

Easter is one of the most significant celebrations in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Its importance lies primarily in its central message of hope, renewal, and the triumph of life over death. For Christians, Easter represents the foundation of their faith, as the resurrection is seen as proof of Jesus’ divinity and the promise of eternal life.

Beyond its religious meaning, Easter also holds broader cultural and symbolic significance. It occurs in spring in many parts of the world, a season associated with new beginnings, growth, and renewal. This connection reinforces themes of rebirth and transformation, making Easter meaningful even for those who may not observe it धार्मिकly. Traditions such as decorating eggs and the symbolism of the Easter egg itself reflect fertility and new life, further emphasizing this idea.

Easter is also important for its role in bringing people together. Families and communities often gather to celebrate through meals, church services, and shared traditions. These gatherings strengthen social bonds and create a sense of unity and belonging. For many, Easter provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with loved ones.

Additionally, Easter encourages reflection on deeper moral and spiritual values such as sacrifice, forgiveness, and redemption. The story of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection highlights themes of suffering followed by renewal, which can resonate with individuals facing personal challenges.

In summary, Easter is important not only for its religious significance but also for its universal themes of hope, renewal, and community. It serves as a reminder of new beginnings and the enduring possibility of positive change.

Charlotte