First Education

Maintaining consistency between students and tutors is essential for effective learning and progress. Staying on top of sessions means more than just showing up for sessions, it is about communication, preparation and follow through.

A clear schedule is the foundation. Both tutors and students benefit from predictable and confirmed session times that fit within their weekly routine. Using reminders, and scheduled sessions can help prevent forgotten lessons. Regular confirmation messages such as the day before a session also reduce no-shows and demonstrate reliability on both sides.

Organisation between sessions is just as important. Tutors need to record clearly what was covered, not the students strengths and weakness and outline what the goals are and what is expected for the next session. Sharing a brief summary or homework task keeps students accountable and reinforces learning lessons. Students, in turn, should review this feedback and come prepared with questions or completed work. This simple loop of communication helps each session build naturally on the last rather than starting from scratch.

Flexibility also matters. Unexpected events happen, and the ability to reschedule promptly shows professionalism and respect. Being able to set up make-up sessions can ensure continuity and prevents frustration.

Finally, reflection strengthens the partnership between tutor and student. Occasional check ins and asking what is working and not working/could be improved can encourage mutual feedback and shared responsibility. When both tutor and students feel heard, motivation and engagement increase.

Staying on top of sessions is not just about time management, it is about respect, preparation and communication. Consistent scheduling, thoughtful follow-ups, and clear expectations create consistency that supports learning continuation. When both sides commit to staying organised and proactive, sessions become more productive and meaningful, leading to steady improvement and sustained engagement.

Annie Bulkeley

A lot of multiple choice quizzes and tests might seem simple, but there are a few secrets behind the choices that the test creators make which can help you maximise your marks, even for the questions that are a complete guess!
The questions will often try to throw you off by including other answers that seem right but are just a bit off. Within your four choices this may look like:
1- The inverse of the correct answer (e.g. the negative version, increase instead of decrease)
2- A red herring (the answer that they try and make you think is correct, this could be done with very specific wording that made to confuse you)
3- Factually wrong (the obviously wrong answer you can immediately rule out)
4- The actually correct answer!

Other little tricks to look out for include answers that are too broad/narrow, which may be true but the markers are often just looking for the MOST correct answer. You may also see answers that use familiar or specific terms from the syllabus but applied in the wrong scenarios without answering the question that is asked, as well as the answer that is made to sound fancy as a way to confuse you into thinking it is correct.

By looking out for these strategies that the test makers use, it is easier to rule out answers in an exam. This means that even if you are unsure of the content, you can make an educated guess that has a high likelihood of being the right answer.

Maddie Manins

In classrooms, students are often encouraged to find the right answers. But what if the real key to learning lies in asking the right questions? Curiosity is the starting point of understanding, and the ability to ask thoughtful questions is one of the most valuable skills a student can develop.

When students ask questions, they move beyond memorising facts and start thinking critically. A question like “Why does this work?” or “What would happen if we changed this?” encourages deeper reasoning and exploration. These kinds of questions lead to genuine understanding, not just surface-level recall. For example, in science, asking why a certain reaction happens helps students grasp the underlying principles instead of simply repeating equations. In English, questioning a character’s choices invites richer interpretation and stronger essay writing.

Encouraging questions also builds confidence. Many students hesitate to ask for fear of being wrong, yet those who speak up tend to learn more. Each question is an opportunity to clarify confusion, strengthen understanding and think independently. Tutors and teachers can nurture this by creating a space where curiosity is valued and mistakes are seen as part of discovery.

Parents can do the same at home by engaging children in open-ended conversations. Instead of asking, “Did you finish your homework?” try, “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?” or “Is there something you still don’t quite understand?” These questions invite reflection and keep curiosity alive.

When students learn to value questions as much as answers, they become more active learners. They stop viewing knowledge as something to be received and start seeing it as something to explore. The best thinkers in every field began not with certainty, but with curiosity—and the courage to ask why.

Freddie Le Vay

Hey everyone, today I had the amazing opportunity to watch Sienna’s session.

She did a great job going through exam prep. They worked through a variety of different types of questions that could be in the exam. They looked at the different key words of each question and then looked at the difficulty of each question.

They then looked at the different formulas that needed to be applied to these questions.

They then looked at the students ability to interpret and solve each question. This helped to work out how the student interacted with the question.

Sienna also a great job allowing her student to work through each question independently. When her student got stuck she would then help her. Sienna encouraged her student to detail each part of her working out.

When her student got stuck, Sienna would give her student some hints to help her. Sienna got her student to show all her working out, explaining to her that if she made an error in her final answer she could still get some marks for her working out. She could also get some carry on marks.

Sienna would work out each question at the same time as her student. She would then show her student her solution and her working out. She would go through each step of her working out in detail. When Sienna’s student made an error, she would go through the error helping her to understand where she went wrong. They would then either re-do the question or do a similar question to make sure her student understood her error and that she could apply the correct solution.

They looked at the difficulties of different types of questions and depending on how her student was progressing would influence the difficulty of questions they would then do as well as the difficulty of questions Sienna would give her student for homework.

It was great to see how friendly they were and how comfortable her student was with her. They had a great relationship and they got along really well.

Overall, Sienna did a great job helping her student. It was a great session and such a pleasure to observe. Keep it up!

Ashley Cohen

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. I also give myself small rewards for completing each task, which motivates me to keep going.

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. 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

When the time is ticking at the end of any maths exam for any year level (as well as the HSC), every second counts, particularly in the multiple choice section. This part of the paper is designed to test precision and speed so mastering some time saving techniques can make a real difference.

Firstly, scan the questions before you solve them. Beginning by quickly scanning all questions in the multiple choice section helps you to spot familiar topics. Then, you can answer the easy questions first to build confidence and secure marks. Don’t get stuck; mark tricky questions and come back to them later to keep your momentum!

Next, eliminate multiple choice options strategically and watch out for subtle traps. These could be: units that don’t match the question, values too large or small to be realistic or options that forget key steps. Using this logic could assist you in eliminating at least 2 options, then you can focus your working on the remaining answers.

Another important step is the use the clock wisely, especially for multiple choice questions. Set mini time goals such as 30 seconds – 1 minute on multiple choice questions. If you exceed the goal, progress to the next question and return later. Many students lose marks by spending too long on one question.

Additionally, it is very important to trust you first instincts when answering multiple choice questions. Unless you spot a clear error, your first answer is often correct! Avoid second guessing unless you have the time to complete working out again.

These techniques not only save time but help to build confidence in answering multiple choice questions, which can be a tricky section in maths exams for many students. With practice, these strategies become second nature and help students to stay calm while answering multiple choice questions in maths exams.

Sophia McLean

When it comes to learning, consistency isn’t just helpful, it’s transformative. Homework isn’t meant to be a chore; it’s an opportunity to reinforce what’s learned in class and build the habits that lead to long-term academic success.

One of the biggest benefits of keeping consistent with homework is knowledge retention. The brain thrives on repetition. Revisiting material in short, regular bursts strengthens neural pathways, helping students move information from short-term to long-term memory. When homework becomes a routine rather than a rush, understanding deepens and confidence grows.

Consistency also develops time management and self-discipline, two skills that extend far beyond school. Setting aside a regular time for homework encourages students to take ownership of their learning, reduce procrastination, and learn how to prioritise tasks. These small daily efforts cultivate independence and resilience, the foundations of lifelong learning.

Furthermore, doing homework consistently helps teachers and tutors identify areas of weakness early. When assignments are done regularly, it’s easier to spot patterns of misunderstanding and provide targeted support before small gaps turn into larger learning hurdles.

Finally, steady progress builds a sense of momentum. When students see their effort pay off, an improved mark, an easier test, or simply the satisfaction of understanding, they’re more likely to stay motivated and engaged.

In short, homework isn’t just about getting the answers right; it’s about creating structure, confidence, and self-belief. Staying consistent, even when it’s challenging, is the key to turning learning from something temporary into something truly lasting.

Allegra Pezzullo

Today, I had the opportunity to reflect on how my tutoring approach has to adapt for different students in terms of their ages, subjects and personal needs. When comparing my tutoring methods for primary school kids vs high school students, I found that a common thread was the value in creating a positive and supportive learning environment for my students. This allows for the lesson to be engaging and encourages the students to connect with their learning and feel comfortable in the First Education space. Additionally, for my younger students I have found it important to develop the ability of switching activities and teaching styles frequently enough to maintain their focus and engagement, due to these students commonly having a shorter attention span. This is contrasted to my high school students, who, depending on the individual student, often benefit from more discussion-based learning and also lead where they would like us to go in each session. Despite these differences, I have found the central focus remains on fostering confidence, curiosity and a sense of progress. This has been important for me to develop a cohesive and consistent tutoring approach where all my students feel supported and motivated to learn.

Overall, I’ve really enjoyed working with a range of different students so far, as it has allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of how to adapt my teaching style to suit each student’s age, personality and learning needs. Through this experience, I’ve learned the importance of being flexible, patient and responsive — whether that means adjusting the pace of a lesson, incorporating more interactive activities, or allowing older students to take greater ownership of their learning. Each student has taught me something new about how to build engagement and confidence, and I’ve found a lot of fulfilment in being able to provide meaningful support across these different areas. This variety has not only strengthened my tutoring skills but has also reinforced my passion for helping students grow, both academically and personally.

Annabelle Molloy

The HSC can be the most challenging and demanding time of your school life. It might feel that your 13 years of studying has led to this very moment, so it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious or even lose motivation during this time when tackling the endless studying, workloads and the pressure. A lot of students struggle with motivation during this time as you feel like you have been studying all year but if you want to achieve the results you want you need to stay motivated and keep calm. Here are some practical tricks to help keep you focused and motivated during this time.

1. Set clear and realistic goals
Break down your tasks into small and manageable bits. Rather than focusing on cramming in the whole syllabus, set weekly or daily goals. This will help you track what you have done as well as keeping you focused on the immediate task.

2. Create a study schedule
Have a structured plan of what you want to study and when/for how long. Allocate time for each subject and focus on the subject that you may need additional study in. But be sure to include breaks and personal time.

3. Reward yourself
To stay motivated you want to celebrate small victories, after completing a task take the time to reward yourself, whether it’s with a fun snack, hanging out with friends or watching a movie. These incentives will give you something to work towards keeping your motivation high!

4. Take breaks and look after your wellbeing!
Make sure you get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals and incorporate physical activity into your routine. It’s extremely hard to continuously study without taking a break and can lead to you feeling burnt out, exhausted and unmotivated. So make sure you prioritise your wellbeing throughout this time!

Daniella

Today I had the chance to observe Kieran’s Year 12 maths session. Together they went through past questions on previous HSC papers, allowing Kieran to assess the student’s understanding and identify any gaps in their knowledge. Kieran carefully guided the student through each question. When the student made an error or seemed unsure, Kieran used hints or asked questions to lead them towards the right answer. Kieran also explained alternate methods of solving questions. Throughout the session, Kieran maintained a calm and supportive tone, creating an environment where the student felt comfortable.

Going through these exam questions demonstrates the value they have to strengthen knowledge. Moreover, it demonstrated the effectiveness of active engagement, encouragement and guided questioning in prompting confidence in the student.

Overall, a great session to observe.

Alexander Nikitopoulos