First Education

I dont really know what to say. But this is my insightful blog. 1. James Tedesco- 10/10- Goat back at it again

2. Danieltupou- 8/10- Savala stole the show, he didn’t get much ball.

3. Hugo Savala- 9/10- Played very well and scored twice

4. Robert Toia-8/10- Fletcher hunt destroyed him but still played alright.

5. Mark Nawaqanitawase- 9/10- Played well and scored twice. Good run metres out of his own half

6. Daly Cherry Evans- 8.5/10- Been consistent in our past three wins. A couple great moments and is looking more solid in the halves with walker. Still think he should play seven though.

7. Sam Walker-7/10 On and off this year. He has exciting attacking moments, but he’s prone to errors or making the wrong decision by doing too much.

8.Nafahu Whyte-8/10- Started really strong and has been our best forward for the past two years. Great ball runner and needs 4-5 defenders to take him down.

9. Reece Robson- 7.5/10- A couple artful runs especially in the opening 10 minutes. Very strong, but then wheeled off. Still an underwhelming signing from the roosters and probably not needed especially as Watson has been very well.

10. Lindsay Collins- 8.5/10- Enforcer with strong runs and extremely powerful tackles. Cult hero. He’s going to be huge for us this year as he looks to be back in form.

11. Angus Chricton- 7.5/10- He has been off form this year. He shouldn’t be picked this year for origin, him and saw walker seem to be on form at the same time.

12. Siua wong- 8.5/10- Scored an early try and played very well. Turning into a really great young player.

13. Victor Radley- 7/10- Barely saw him, it’s like he ghosted and didn’t play any minutes. But he was strong a couple weeks ago.

14. Connor Watson- 8.5/10- Changed the game when he came on the field and turned the game around.

15. Spencer Leniu- 5/10-Not as impactful as I would hope. Went off with a HIA. Not great

16. Nat Butcher-8/10- Ive been hating on him and wanted him gone but he’s proved me wrong and has made his tackles and run well.

17. Salesi Foketi-6.5/10- Should get more minutes as he is a gun young player

Charlie Currell

Hi all, I had the opportunity to observe Eireyna tutor her year 4 student William. Today’s lesson was centred around the topic of long division. Eireyna began the lesson explaining what division is (the opposite of multiplying two numbers together), the different forms of long division (both in fraction form and in ‘sentence’ form), and how to set up and complete the division using the long division method.

After William understood the usefulness and purpose of division, Eireyna went on to explain how long division works. She taught that you need to count how many times a number will go into the first digit being divided (i.e. how many times 2 goes into 5). The highest multiple of the divisor that was found would be subtracted from the number being divided and if there is a remainder, the remainder will be carried over to be divided by the following number by bringing that number down.

After explaining it and going over a few examples, she had William try to work a few out with her support. For where he made errors, she helped identify the error and showed him the correct method of how to complete the question. Overall it was a great lesson to observe. Well done Eireyna.

Alex Stamoulis

Why Maths Isn’t Just About Getting the Right Answer

When most people think about maths, they think about getting the answer — preferably the correct one. But what’s often overlooked is that maths is just as much about the process as it is the final number written in the box.

In reality, maths is a way of thinking. It teaches us how to break problems down, identify patterns, reason logically, and make decisions based on evidence. These skills are incredibly valuable — not just in exams, but in everyday life and future careers.

Focusing only on the final answer can lead students to rush, guess, or memorise without truly understanding. But maths isn’t about speed or shortcuts — it’s about understanding why something works and how different methods connect. This kind of deep thinking takes time, but it’s what builds confidence and long-term success.

That’s why in tutoring, I often ask students to explain their thinking, even when they’ve made a mistake. In many cases, the reasoning behind an incorrect answer shows far more understanding than a lucky guess. It’s not about being perfect — it’s about being curious and reflective.

Exams and assignments certainly require correct answers, but the real learning happens during the journey: exploring different methods, correcting errors, and applying concepts to new situations. That’s where growth happens.

So next time you’re working through a tricky problem, remember — the goal isn’t just to reach the answer. The goal is to understand the path that gets you there. Because in maths, as in life, the process matters.

Julian Podgornik

Lately I’ve been thinking about how much pressure students put on themselves to “get it” or simply understand things straight away. There’s this expectation that if you don’t understand something quickly, it means you’re behind or not good at it. However, most of the time it just means you haven’t spent enough time sitting with it yet.

Something I’ve noticed is how quick students are to give up the second something feels unfamiliar, not even hard, just unfamiliar. The moment it doesn’t look like what they’ve seen before, there’s this automatic reaction of “I can’t do this.” or “I’ve never seen a question like this before, how am I supposed to know?”. And once that mindset kicks in, it’s really hard to move forward.

What actually seems to help as a tutor is changing how we respond in that moment. Telling them, well what part of this do you recognise? What’s one small thing you can do here? It doesn’t have to be the full solution. Even just starting somewhere makes a difference.

I’ve also realised that confidence doesn’t come from always getting the right answer. It comes from knowing you can keep going even when you’re unsure. That feeling of working through something messy and eventually making sense of it sticks way more than getting something right straight away.

At the end of the day, getting better at something isn’t about avoiding mistakes or confusion. It’s about getting more comfortable with them. Once that shift happens, everything starts to feel a bit more manageable.

Lily Powell

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly valuable tool for students, changing the way they learn, study, and complete schoolwork. When used responsibly, AI can support students by making learning more accessible, personalised, and efficient.

One of the biggest benefits of AI is that it provides instant support. Students no longer have to wait for help when they are confused about a topic. AI tools can explain difficult concepts, answer questions, and provide examples at any time of the day. This allows students to learn at their own pace and review information whenever they need it, making study more flexible and less stressful.

AI can also personalise learning. Every student learns differently, and AI can adapt to individual needs by offering explanations in different ways, generating practice questions, or focusing on areas where a student needs improvement. This personalised support can help students feel more confident and engaged in their studies.

Another major advantage is that AI helps students save time and stay organised. It can assist with brainstorming ideas, summarising information, creating study notes, and planning tasks. This gives students more time to focus on understanding content rather than becoming overwhelmed by managing workloads. For students balancing school, extracurricular activities, and personal responsibilities, this can be especially useful.

In addition, AI encourages independent learning. By giving students access to guidance whenever they need it, AI helps them take greater responsibility for their education. It can motivate students to explore new ideas, ask more questions, and become active participants in their learning process.

While AI should not replace teachers or critical thinking, it can be a powerful learning aid. When students use AI ethically and thoughtfully, it can improve understanding, reduce stress, and support academic success. As technology continues to grow, AI has the potential to become one of the most useful educational tools available to students.

Amali Roumanous

In all levels of education, we are almost never learning one subject at a time, we’re juggling a range of very different subjects all at once, and on top of that, varying difficulties, enjoyment and understanding across all of them. When it comes to choosing how to keep up and study alongside life, we need to balance between how much time we spend on each subject, trying not to fall into the habit of studying what easiest or most enjoyable or just even keeping up with classes as they come.

Firstly and quite importantly, we need to balance daily or weekly study from focusing on one single subject, or trying to cram in too many subjects in a certain amount of study time. While you may have different times to study across each day, you should ensure that you never only do one subject for many times in a row, or even spending a large session just doing one subject. If you don’t keep up with all of your subjects at once, you’re bound to fall behind on one, and it’ll only create a slippery slope.

At the same time, you can’t try and cram all your subjects into one study session. If you’re only spending 15 minutes on each subject and cycling, you’re never going to be able to actually grasp bigger concepts in that little time, and your study will be very inefficient. Instead, focus on at least one hour per subject at a minimum.

Furthermore, it may be a challenge to try to focus on all your subjects equally, even independent of the time frame. Some subjects might be more enjoyable, others may be more difficult and before you know it, you completely neglected the subjects that aren’t easy to get into. The best way to combat this is with study scheduling, if you plan weekly or bi-weekly, exactly what subjects you are going to study, and which hours/times of day you will, you won’t easily end up neglecting other subjects.

Felix Panizza

When it comes to one-on-one tutoring, having a flexible teaching style is really important, especially with younger students. Every child is different, and when you’re working with them individually, those differences stand out even more. What works well for one student might not work at all for another, so being able to adapt during a session makes a real difference.

Younger learners often have shorter attention spans, and their mood can shift quickly. You might begin with a clear plan, but if the student is tired or distracted, sticking to that plan rarely helps. A flexible approach means you can change direction when needed. You could turn an exercise into a simple game, try a different explanation, or move on and come back later. This keeps things moving and helps avoid frustration.

One of the main advantages of one-on-one tutoring is that you can shape the session around the student. Some children respond well to diagrams, others prefer talking things through, and some need a more hands-on approach. Being flexible helps you find what works and build on it. Over time, this supports their understanding and helps them feel more confident.

It also allows you to respond to how the student is feeling on the day. Younger students don’t always manage their emotions easily, and pushing through a task when they are overwhelmed can make things harder. A short break, a quick change of activity, or a bit of conversation can help reset the session. This kind of response builds trust and makes the learning space feel more comfortable.

Some of the most useful learning moments are unplanned. A student might ask a question that leads somewhere new or shows a gap in understanding. If you are open to adjusting your plan, you can make the most of those moments instead of moving past them.

In one-on-one tutoring, flexibility helps you stay in tune with the student. It allows you to adjust your approach, keep them engaged, and support steady progress in a way that feels natural for them.

Nahian Khan

Many students hold back from asking questions in class or tutoring sessions because they’re afraid it will make them look silly, unprepared, or “slow.” But in reality, asking questions is one of the smartest and most powerful things a learner can do and it’s a key habit of high achievers.

When you ask a question, you’re not admitting failure — you’re showing curiosity and engagement. You’re taking ownership of your learning and saying, “I want to understand this fully.” That takes confidence and maturity, not weakness.

In tutoring sessions, the students who improve the most aren’t the ones who never make mistakes — they’re the ones who ask lots of questions. They clarify confusing points, explore “what if” scenarios, and double-check their understanding. This active approach leads to deeper learning and better long-term results.

Asking questions also helps teachers and tutors help you. We can’t read minds — but your questions give us insight into what you’re thinking and where you might be stuck. Often, a simple question opens the door to a bigger conversation that helps everything “click.”

It’s also worth remembering that if you’re confused, you’re probably not the only one. By speaking up, you might be helping others who were too nervous to ask.

So next time you’re unsure about something — whether it’s a maths concept, a science explanation, or even a word in an assignment — ask. Be bold, be curious, and don’t let pride or fear get in the way of progress.

Because asking questions doesn’t sho

Julian Podgornik

Recently, the US’s national treasure for figure skating, olympic gold medalist, Alysa Liu, captivated audiences with her comeback. Importantly, she embodies that success is not necessarily about the outcome, but about the process of working towards something. Her perspective highlights the importance of enjoying what you do, while also recognising the value of effective break times. I think this idea translates strongly to studying, and it is something many of us underestimate.

Of course, it is not realistic to enjoy studying all the time. Everyone has subjects and topics they struggle with or find frustrating. However, there is value in trying to find inherent meaning within the process itself. Maybe it is the sense of accomplishment after solving a difficult maths problem, the routine of sitting down with your favourite drink during revision, or discovering a study method that makes learning feel more engaging. Small things can make a big difference in allowing us to learn how to love learning.

A common issue many students face is being burned out or overwhelmed. Often times, when we are solely focused on maximising marks and achieving the highest grades, we forget to pause and consider questions such as; why did we pick this subject in the first place? Studying becomes harder when purely driven by pressure to perform well. It can feel like a chore without some level of curiosity or personal connection.

As tutors, we often emphasise the importance of setting both short-term and long-term goals. These goals can provide direction and motivation, but they should not come at the expense of enjoying the learning process itself. Loving learning does not mean every study session is exciting but it embraces appreciating your own blood sweat and tears that contribute to your progress.

When students learn to value the process, not just the result, studying becomes more sustainable, rewarding, and effective. In relation to education, the process of learning is what we spend 99% of our time doing, whilst the outcome achieved of getting a mark back is 1% of a brief fleeting moment. Why not maximise the enjoyment of that time?

Anna Ho

It’s important for tutors to keep students focused and on task in their tutoring sessions. This can be challenging, especially when students can get distracted easily from their devices or from being tired.

It’s important at the start of each session to make it clear to each student and to set out the tasks the student will complete. This will help them to stay on task and be motivated to complete each task. It’s also important for tutors to ensure they bring their students attention back to the task, when they are getting distracted. Their are a variety of different startegies tutors can use to achieve this.

If a tutor sees their student is distracted, it could be a good time to give them a break. This could be a drink, snack or bathroom break. This can help them to refocus when they return to the task.

It’s also important for tutors to try and minimise any distractions from devices. This will help students to stay focused on the task. To limit distractions, tutors can cretae a personalised structure for each student, so that they can maintain concentration, and make the most out of each tutoring session.

If tutors find that their student is distracted or bored, it’s crucial that tutors re-direct their focus.

Tutors should use encouragement to help students sustain focus and effort during each session. Acknowledging studenst progress and effort, can help them to build confidence and stay focused on the task they’re meant to complete.

Overall, tutors should create a safe, learning environment, where students feel encouraged and supported. By creating a structured and encouraging atmosphere, tutors can help students effectively maintain focus, so they can make the most out of each tutorial.

Ashley Cohen