First Education

In Natasya’s lesson, I saw how she tailored her approach to help the student improve their spelling. She started by having the student spell a few words aloud, which allowed her to quickly spot patterns in the mistakes, such as confusion between similar vowel sounds or added letters. Instead of just correcting the errors, Natasya encouraged the student to think about the logic behind the words and used mnemonic techniques to help them remember the correct spellings. Her patient and supportive style made the student feel comfortable and open to learning. Natasya also incorporated visual aids and interactive exercises, like writing the words in different colors and using them in sentences, which kept the lesson engaging. I learned that Natasya’s method is not just about teaching spelling rules; it’s about building the student’s confidence and helping them develop strategies for independent learning. Her creative approach showed me that learning doesn’t have to be about rote memorization, but can be more effective when it’s personalized and enjoyable. The lesson demonstrated how important it is to foster a positive and patient learning environment, where students feel supported and motivated to improve.

Nabil Harrar

Today, I had the opportunity to observe Demi R’s lesson with her primary school math student. I was immediately impressed by her effective and engaging teaching techniques while guiding the student through the process of telling the time on an analog clock. Demi created a calm and supportive environment, ensuring the student felt comfortable and confident.

She began the lesson by explaining the basic components of the clock, such as the hour and minute hands, using clear, simple language that the student could easily understand. Demi also employed visual teaching techniques by drawing four large clocks on the whiteboard to demonstrate the four quarters of a clock. This helped the student visualize the relationship between the hands and the numbers on the clock face.

Demi adopted a hands-on approach, involving the student by asking them to draw the hands of the clock at different times. She also integrated technology into her lesson by using an online program featuring an interactive clock. This interactive method encouraged active learning, and the student responded positively, showing increased engagement and enthusiasm. Demi remained patient, giving the student time to think and respond while gently guiding them when necessary.

Throughout the lesson, Demi asked open-ended questions to check for understanding and encourage critical thinking. For example, she asked, “What happens to the hour hand when the minute hand moves from 12 to 6?” This question prompted the student to reflect on the movement of the clock hands and reinforced their understanding of time-telling concepts. Demi further engaged the student by using a real clock to test their understanding, moving the hands around for a more tactile and practical approach.

Demi’s use of positive reinforcement was another highlight of the lesson. When the student answered a question correctly or demonstrated improvement, Demi praised their efforts, boosting their confidence and motivation.

Overall, Demi’s lesson was a model of patience, clarity, and engagement. She tailored her approach to the student’s needs, ensuring the student not only understood how to tell the time but also felt encouraged and supported throughout the lesson.

Jenna Freed

As tutors with students from diverse backgrounds, ages and, inherently, different learning styles. Using different tools to tailor to each student to make sure they get the most out of the lesson is. I think it is very important.

1. Visual Learners
Visual learners process information best through images, charts, and diagrams. For these students, clear visual aids, like slides or infographics, can make complex concepts easier to grasp. Teachers can use tools such as mind maps to demonstrate relationships between ideas, ensuring lessons are visually engaging and organised.

2. Auditory Learners
Auditory learners thrive on spoken explanations and discussions. For these students, storytelling, podcasts, or verbal repetition are particularly effective. Having open discussions, n or question-and-answer sessions also allows them to process ideas through listening and verbalising.

3. Kinaesthetic Learners
Kinaesthetic learners learn by doing, making hands-on activities essential. By incorporating, to the extent possible role-playing, experiments, or physical models to make lessons more interactive. By pairing these activities with verbal instructions, kinaesthetic learners are able to stay engaged and absorb the material effectively.

4. Reading/Writing Learners
These students excel through text-based learning. Clear written instructions, extensive reading lists, and opportunities for written reflection or note-taking can help them thrive. Providing handouts, study guides, or online resources further supports this learning style.

5. Multimodal Learners
Some students benefit from a combination of these techniques. For multimodal learners, we should blend visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic methods within lessons to offer variety and reinforcement.

By understanding and adapting communication techniques to our individual students, not only will a more personalised and productive educational experience materialise, but we will be able to provide more impactful help, no matter the student and how long we have tutored them for.

Katherine Petsoglou

I had to privilege of observing Briana and her student Ava. They spent the majority of their time working on English and there were many elements of this session that I plan to implement myself moving forward.

Firstly, Briana’s utilisation of multiple mediums. Her rotation between using the whiteboard, computer and hand writing proved to be quite effective in allowing her student to remain engaged while also managing to complete all assigned work. This is something unique that I believe would be beneficial for many of my own students in the future.

Additionally, remaining aware of her tone of voice throughout the lesson was a critical element, fostering the comfortable and productive environment. This allowed for a positive tutor-student relationship to be maintained.

Finally, allowing Ava to attempt the work herself prior to giving her feedback was a very useful strategy as it allowed for the most in-depth correction while also highlighting the areas needing improvement to the student herself.

Katerina Vrahnos

Connecting with younger students can at times be challenging especially in a tutor/student dynamic. Younger students however need to be able to connect with their tutor for a multitude of reasons. This connection can help students truely engage within the session allowing them to learn more efficiently. Teaching isn’t simply about teaching. Teaching is about understanding who your student is and what they need in order to learn effectively.

The first way I like to connect with my students is to show genuine interest in their lives outside of learning. I ask my students about their hobbies, interests, and daily routines. Showing that you care about the student beyond academic content can help build trust and make the student more comfortable with you. This is vital in forming a connection with your student.

Creating a positive and friendly environment within the session can also help to form a bond with a student. By avoiding a strictly formal demeanour can help the student especially younger ones from feeling intimidated. Beginning tutoring and can already be nerve racking enough for younger students.

By fostering a supportive and engaging environment, you’ll build a strong relationship with younger students, helping them feel more confident and capable in their studies.

Olivia Moustakis

I got the opportunity to observe Olga and her student Marcus. Working efficiently throughout the session, 3 things stood out to me that I will remember and utilise moving forward.

They worked on a variety of content, working strictly while also taking multiple short breaks to keep productive and maintain focus throughout the session. This balance was very effective in ensuring Marcus was consistently giving his best effort while also not losing motivation or getting bored.

Additionally, Olga’s personal interest in her student and his progression was lovely to see. Her consistent reassurance and advice, whether that be specifically related to the content at hand or a broader concept that has been learned throughout the year. All of which fosters an environment of growth and development.

Finally, Olga’s use of time management. Specifically, the stable structure of the lesson. She always made sure to leave enough time for the student to finish the work provided while also allowing enough time to allocate sufficient homework.

Katerina Vrahnos

School holidays are a time for students to relax, recharge, and enjoy a break from academic pressures. However, an extended period away from study can sometimes result in “learning loss,” making it harder to re-engage when school resumes. To prevent this, students can use simple study hacks to stay sharp while still enjoying their time off. One effective strategy is to create a light study schedule. Unlike the intensity of term-time learning, holiday study should be short and purposeful. Dedicating just 30 to 60 minutes a few times a week to review key concepts can help students retain knowledge. This approach is especially useful for revising weaker areas in preparation for the next term.

Another way to make learning more engaging is to gamify it. Apps like Quizlet or Kahoot allow students to create custom quizzes, turning study into an enjoyable challenge. Flashcards are another effective tool that can be used with friends or family to make learning feel like a fun game. Beyond games, students can also apply learning to real-life situations. For example, maths skills can be practised by calculating travel expenses, measuring ingredients while cooking, or working out time differences when planning holidays. These activities make academic concepts more practical and memorable.

Educational videos and podcasts are also excellent tools for keeping the brain active without the formality of textbooks. Channels like CrashCourse or Numberphile on YouTube present academic content in an engaging way, while educational podcasts introduce students to new ideas and perspectives. Finally, holiday reading shouldn’t be overlooked. While it’s important to read for pleasure, students can challenge themselves with more complex texts, improving vocabulary and comprehension in the process. By incorporating these simple but effective study hacks, students can maintain their academic skills, avoid learning loss, and return to school feeling confident and prepared for the next term. Holiday study doesn’t have to be intense—it’s about staying curious, engaged, and ready to learn.

Freddie Le Vay

I got the opportunity to observe Thomais in the big room with her Year 1 student Gregory. Today they worked on shapes and writing sentences with “sh” words. She kept things simple and interactive, making sure Gregory felt supported and stayed focused.

In the first part of the session, they worked on recognising 2D shapes. Thomais introduced one shape at a time, starting with the easier ones before moving to slightly trickier ones. She used prompts to show each shape and talked about its features, getting Gregory to repeat the names.

They then worked through a worksheet where Gregory had to identify and circle specific shapes. Thomais guided him by breaking the questions down and asking about the shape’s features. She gave Gregory hints when needed and encouraged him when he answered correctly, helping him feel more confident as they went along.

For the second part of the session, they practised writing sentences with “sh” words. Thomais started by going over the sounds, helping Gregory read the words and get comfortable with them.

After that, they moved on to writing sentences. Thomais gave Gregory some help getting started and guided him to sound out the words as he wrote. She let him try on his own but was ready to step in if he needed extra support.

Thomais kept the session positive and engaging, making sure Gregory was involved and encouraged the whole time. By the end, he’d made good progress with both recognising shapes and practising his writing.

Eric Mihas

Many students come to math tutoring with an ingrained fear of making mistakes. They’ve internalised the idea that mathematical ability is fixed and that errors reflect a lack of talent rather than part of the learning process. I’ve noticed that deliberately creating safe spaces for students to work through problems incorrectly can transform their relationship with mathematics.

When a student attempts a problem and reaches an incorrect conclusion, rather than immediately pointing out the error, I’ve found it valuable to suggest exploring their thinking. By walking through their reasoning step-by-step, students often discover their own mistakes. More importantly, this process helps them understand why they made those mistakes and how their thinking evolved. The key is maintaining genuine curiosity about their problem-solving approach, treating their incorrect solutions as valuable windows into their understanding rather than failures to be corrected.

This approach does more than just help students learn from mistakes – it fundamentally shifts their perception of what mathematical thinking entails. They begin to see that even incorrect approaches contain valuable insights and that the process of analyzing errors deepens their understanding. Students who initially apologized for every mistake gradually become more willing to take risks, share incomplete thoughts, and engage in mathematical exploration.

The most rewarding moments come when students who once feared being wrong begin to say things like “I think I made a mistake here, but I understand my struggle; could you aid me in that step?” This shift from avoiding errors to embracing them as learning opportunities marks a crucial transformation in their mathematical journey and often leads to accelerated progress in their understanding.

Thea Macarthur-Lassen

I had the great opportunity to observe Thomias’s session with her student Mitchel! They thoroughly worked on times tables specifically 6,7,8 times tables. Thomas also explained in detail to Mitchel the basis of fractions and the understanding of simplification.

She assisted Mitchel extremely for him to grasp the understanding of this topic by using multiple examples and practice questions while also showing Mitchel some tricks to simplify fractions quicker and easier with bigger numbers.

It was great to watch Thomias tutor Mitchel as now I have new ideas in order to teach my primary school students certain tricks and concepts on fractions and simplifying difficult numbers, she is an amazing tutor with great patience and skills by also diving into long division with 2 digit numbers and helping Mitchel reach the answer with breaking down step by step how to figure out this equation .

Elise Petritsis