First Education

Today I had the opportunity to observe Evanna’s Year 11 Advanced Maths session, with Maggie. As this was the first session back for the year, Evanna and Maggie focused on revision of domain and range, graphs and equations.

When focusing on drawing graphs, Evanna showed her student the difference between quadratic and cubic graphs. She explained slowly the key features of the graphs; stationary point, point of inflictions and turning points. She effectively used the whiteboard to demonstrate these key features, and constantly engaged her student by asking her questions to test her knowledge. When the student did not know or was not confident with her answer, Evanna gently directed her to the correct answer while providing constructive criticism. By doing this, she was able to identify learning gaps and forgotten content, which they then focused on more thoroughly during the session. This allowed her student to feel more confident in drawing graphs, which could be seen through her student becoming more confident in completing questions by herself.

Evanna also challenged her student to do enrichment questions in the textbook, which ensured the student could apply her knowledge to domain and range questions. When her student didn’t originally want to do the challenge, Evanna told her student the importance of challenging herself and testing her understanding of content as she is now in senior school.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable session to observe and was very well structured as a revision session for the student. Evanna’s attention to detail to the students work and communication techniques helped the student feel comfortable in asking questions and voicing when she had forgotten content.

Great work!!

Emma Birrell

I had the opportunity to observe Jordan’s tutoring session with his Year 12 English Advanced student today! It was great to see how comfortable the student was with asking him questions and when she didn’t understand, she would make sure there was extra clarification by asking him more questions so that she fully understood the concepts they were working through. The first thing they went through was how to find themes in texts, as the student said her teacher hadn’t really provided them with enough knowledge on how to do this. Jordan was great at properly explaining how to find themes by going through the characters and events of the texts in depth and then considering what the author’s purpose was for their text. He also explained that it’s important to understand the themes of a text as it can give greater depth to an essay, rather than just writing about surface level ideas which are more common. He then spent majority of the session discussing Module C: The Craft of Writing, as the student was quite nervous for her upcoming assessment. Particularly, they focused on how to write reflections for one’s own piece and also other prescribed texts, as the student hadn’t learnt how to do this until now. Jordan did a great job at summarising reflection structure in the most understandable way, and showed the student his own reflection as a reference so that she could see exactly how to write one, rather than just assuming she knew what he was talking about. It was great that he also explained the importance of analysing the techniques from prescribed texts, rather than simply just one’s own work, as this is a major part of reflections which I’ve found students often struggle with. Overall a great session to observe!

Daisy Brenac

I’ve recently been implementing breaks differently throughout my sessions than I’ve done so in the past.

When I first started, I thought that taking a break at the end of sessions was the best way to do them. I found, however, that especially the students who had grown quite comfortable with me would slack off in the final fifteen minutes or so and continually ask if we could “play UNO a little bit earlier today.” This style of break became counterproductive, especially considering that the first quarter of my sessions are dedicated to making sure all of my students’ homework was completed and that everything made sense to them.

As of late, I’ve still been starting my sessions going through each student’s homework with them, and then beginning to chip away at the next topic. Once they’ve had a decent crack at a couple of examples and I can see that they’re feeling relatively confident with the material, I commend them and we take a 2 game UNO break (these go by fast). On an ideal day, we win one game each and this sets up our tiebreaker at the end, depending of course on how focused they are for the remaining half hour.

In my opinion, this is highly effective for a couple of reasons.

1. It breaks the session into two halves, bringing the checkpoint until some sense of “macro-accomplishment” is felt much closer (twice in one hour instead of once at the end).

2. It allows the students’ batteries to recharge midway through, and so I’ve seen much higher spirits on their ends, especially as we get closer to the end of the sessions; instead of being flat and over it, they’re still energised, plus they’re looking forward to winning the final match of UNO.

Give it a try and see how you go!

Thomas Koutavas

Many students struggle with the overwhelming nature of studying. However with the right approach, you can study smarter and achieve better results without it consuming your life.

1. Create a Study Schedule
Organise your time by breaking study sessions into blocks (e.g., 25-30 minutes) with short breaks in between. This keeps you focused and prevents burnout.

2. Set Clear Goals
Instead of vague plans like “study math,” set specific goals, such as “complete 10 algebra problems” or “understand chapter 3.” This makes your sessions more purposeful.

3. Eliminate Distractions
Find a quiet place, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and turn off any distractions. A focused environment improves concentration.

4. Use Active Learning
Engage with the material rather than passively reading. Summarize concepts in your own words, create flashcards, or teach the material to someone else.

5. Memory Retrieval Method
Instead of rereading notes, close your book and try to recall key points. This boosts memory and helps reinforce what you’ve learned.

6. Prioritize Health
Exercise, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep. Your physical and mental well-being must be prioritised plus if it isn’t it can affect your mental performance, so take care of your body!

With the right strategies in place, studying becomes more manageable. Stay consistent, and you’ll see improvement!

Olivia Moustakis

Studying for exams can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with a large amount of content. The Red, Green, and Orange Light Method is a simple yet highly effective strategy to help students prioritise their revision and focus on the areas that need the most attention.

How It Works

This method involves categorising topics or concepts into three colour-coded groups:

1. Red Light (Needs Urgent Attention) – These are the topics you struggle with the most. You find them confusing, often avoid them, or consistently make mistakes when answering related questions. These should be your top priority during study sessions.

2. Orange Light (Some Understanding, Needs More Work) – These are topics you have a basic grasp of but still make occasional errors or lack confidence in. These require revision and practice but aren’t as urgent as red topics.

3. Green Light (Well Understood) – These are topics you feel confident with and can explain or apply easily. While they still need review, they require less time compared to red and orange topics.

Why It Works

This method prevents students from wasting time on material they already know well while neglecting weaker areas. It also breaks down studying into manageable steps, making the process less stressful and more structured.

How to Apply It
1. Start by listing all topics or concepts that will be assessed.
2. Categorise them into red, orange, or green. Be honest with yourself—this method works best when you accurately assess your understanding.
3. Prioritise red topics first. Spend most of your study time strengthening these areas through active learning techniques like practice questions and teaching concepts to others.
4. Revise orange topics next. Use past exams, quizzes, or summarisation techniques to reinforce your knowledge.
5. Review green topics briefly. This ensures you maintain a strong understanding without overcommitting time to them.

By using the Red, Green, and Orange Light Method, you can study smarter, not harder, ensuring you’re fully prepared for your exams.

Emily Mackay

Tutoring plays a crucial role in shaping young minds by providing personalised learning experiences, boosting confidence, and fostering a love for education. Unlike traditional classroom settings, tutoring offers one-on-one or small-group instruction, allowing students to receive individualised attention tailored to their unique learning styles and needs. This personalised approach helps students grasp difficult concepts at their own pace, reinforcing their understanding and retention of material.

At First Education, tutoring goes beyond simply helping students with their schoolwork—it focuses on building a strong foundation for lifelong learning. With experienced educators who tailor lessons to each student’s needs, First Education ensures that every learner is given the support and guidance they require to excel. Whether a student is struggling with a particular subject, preparing for exams, or seeking to extend their knowledge, the tutors at First Education provide expert assistance in a supportive and engaging environment.

One of the key benefits of tutoring is the confidence it instils in students. Many children struggle with self-doubt when they find certain subjects challenging. A tutor provides guidance, encouragement, and positive reinforcement, helping students build self-esteem and develop a growth mindset. As they begin to master difficult topics, their belief in their abilities increases, leading to improved performance in school and beyond.

Tutoring also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic and personal growth. By encouraging students to think independently, ask questions, and explore different solutions, tutors help cultivate intellectual curiosity. This not only improves their academic achievements but also prepares them for future challenges in higher education and the workforce.

Beyond academics, tutoring helps students develop essential study habits, time management skills, and a disciplined approach to learning. At First Education, students are equipped with the tools they need to succeed, ensuring they become confident, capable learners ready to tackle any challenge.

Mia Paras

When it comes to studying effectively, I’ve learned that it’s not just about the amount of time you put in, but how you manage your time and energy. Over the years, I’ve developed a few key strategies that have made a huge difference in my learning experience.

First, I always start by setting clear, achievable goals. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of material to cover, but breaking everything down into smaller tasks makes it manageable. I like to write out what I need to accomplish for the day, and then prioritise the most important tasks. This helps me stay focused and avoid procrastination.

Another strategy that works for me is creating a dedicated study environment. I make sure my space is quiet, organised, and free from distractions. This environment signals to my brain that it’s time to focus. I also make sure to eliminate digital distractions by turning off my phone or using apps that block social media during study sessions. This way, I can stay fully immersed in the material and avoid the temptation to check my phone every few minutes.

Lastly, unless I am doing a practice exam, I make sure to take regular breaks. I utilise a method called the Pomodoro technique, which involves studying for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. It is imperative however, to not just scroll on social media during the break because that does not rest the brain but to instead do something active like going for a little walk or something similar. This helps me maintain focus and avoid burnout, as I give myself time to recharge and refresh my mind before diving back into work.

In the end, effective studying is all about consistency and finding what works best for you. By staying organised, engaged, and disciplined, I’ve found that I can retain more information and perform better in my studies. The key is to keep experimenting and adjusting until you find the study routine that suits you best.

Michael Fry

I got the opportunity to observe Celdric and his student’s session today!

They first revised the content they had gone through last session, which helped the student to consolidate previously learned knowledge and prepare for learning new content. When completing the questions, Celdric prompted the student to talk through his thinking and provided guidance when the student was not sure of the next steps. He also provided verbal encouragement when the student completed correct steps. Using illustrations and graphs helped the student to better understand questions relating to coordinates and direction.

Towards the end of the session, Celdric checked in with how the student was progressing at school. He made sure that they had covered all topics that have been done at school, and confirmed the upcoming topics. In preparation for next session, Celdric ran through the terminology of the next topic and made sure the student was equipped with the foundational knowledge to understand the content that will be taught at school.

Thanks for letting me observe!

Derus Kung

Today, I had the opportunity to observe Alexander’s Year 3 English and Mathematics session with his student from 4-5 pm. The lesson was well-structured, beginning with English and later transitioning into Mathematics, ensuring a balanced focus on both subjects which the student really enjoyed. Alexander maintained an engaging and approach throughout, helping the student refine key skills.

The session started with English, where Alexander introduced the student to the skill of highlighting key points in a text. He guided the student through this process, demonstrating how to identify essential information efficiently. This skill not only helped with reading comprehension but also prepared the student for more structured responses in future assessments.

Following this, Alexander worked through various language conventions activities, using clear explanations and relatable examples to reinforce important grammar and sentence structure rules. He incorporated NAPLAN-style questions to familiarise the student with the format of these assessments, ensuring they felt comfortable. This approach was highly effective, as the student demonstrated strong language skills and showed confidence in applying what they had learned to their own homework and class tasks.

Toward the end of the session, Alexander smoothly moved into revision on Mathematics, focusing on telling the time and addition/subtraction. He ensured that the student fully grasped the fundamentals before introducing more challenging problems. His methodical approach allowed the student to break down each question logically, and see its relevance in everyday life.

Throughout the lesson, Alexander created a comfortable and encouraging learning environment, ensuring that the student remained engaged and motivated. His supportive teaching style, combined with well-structured activities, helped the student strengthen their skills in both subjects. By the end of the session, the student not only demonstrated a strong grasp of key English and Mathematics concepts but also left feeling more confident in their abilities. Well done, Alexander!

Eleni Nicholas

Today I had a the opportunity to observe my fellow tutor Natasya teach her Year 11 English Advanced student, Alice. Today, there were covering the legislation surrounding criminal age responsibility targeting young adults and the consequences surrounding the crime they inflict. While observing Natasya, I picked up various methods of teaching that I will keep in mind and learn from in my future sessions. This includes Natasya’s positive attitude and demeanour towards her student as they delved into deep conversation about legal advancements in different countries and the way in which criminal policies and consequences worldwide have an effect on their population. This allowed for an extremely free flowing conversation between the tutor and the student that elicits the student to ask any questions that arise. Furthermore, Natasya thoroughly embedded the concepts around writing techniques and styles to her student so that there was a full comprehensive understanding, assisting her in exam style questions that will inevitably come up in future exams. Natasya gradually built her students understanding and frequently checked in to ensure her student was following by asking questions like, “Does that make sense?”. She also portrayed a distinct amount of attention to the students understanding about the debate around changing Australia’s criminal age responsibility so that she is confident the student knows exactly how to employ her ideas into text. This was shown through her conversational cues and intense online investigation to find supporting information for their claims. They also ensured to reveal both sides of the argument so that they could draw meaningful conclusions surrounding the justification around the age of criminal responsibility. The student portrayed a calm and relaxed attitude in response to Natasya’s tuition allowing her to grasp the information and informative questions Natasya was asking her related to the topic of her investigation. By the end of the lesson, the student was confident in the content surrounding legislation of criminal age responsibility in certain countries especially Australia after being exposed to multiple facts, examples and statistics that they unveiled throughout the lesson.
Overall, I profoundly enjoyed observing Natasya tutor Alice and learnt some very valuable lessons!
Thank you

Rheanna