First Education

The HSC journey represents one of the most demanding periods for an adolescent, with increased workloads, reduced sleep, and high-performance expectations, all contributing to elevated anxiety levels. In the lead up to exams, students typically study 2-3 hours per day rising to 5-6 hours during trials and final examination periods. (The Typical Study Hours of a HSC Student, 2019). These extended study demands often lead to families prioritising academic preparation over exercise. However, research shows reduced movement during high-pressure periods is consistently associated with heightened stress, poorer emotional regulation, and disrupted sleep (Vandekerckhove & Wang 2017).  (See Figure 1)
This is particularly relevant in Australia, where young people aged 16-24 experience the highest rate of psychological distress, with anxiety disorders being the most prevalent mental health condition of this age group, affecting almost one in three adults (AIHW, 2023). A survey of year 12 students found that 42% report significant stress and anxiety during the HSC, highlighting the importance of strategies that help adolescents mange this stressful period. (North et al., 2015)
Understanding this issue is important for parents because anxiety during late adolescence has implications beyond immediate exam performance. Elevated stress during this developmental period is associated with long term risks, including persistent mood and anxiety disorders, reduced academic engagement and more difficult transitions into university or employment. (Stromájer et al., 2023) Yet, regular exercise helps reduce these effects, by regulating cortisol, improving sleep quality, and supporting cognitive function such as attention and working memory (American Psychological Association, 2020). Recognising the value of exercise provides parents with practical insights to support their child’s wellbeing and reduce anxiety throughout the HSC year.

James Petrakis

As the year has come to an end, many year 12 students feel extremely overwhelmed with a mix of emotions leading up to and finding out their ATAR. One of the most important things to remember is that whatever number appears on your screen doesn’t define you!!

It is completely normal to feel happiness, disappointment, confusion or even self doubt. You may be proud of how hard you worked, frustrated that things didn’t go as planned, or anxious about what comes next. All of these feelings are valid. Your ATAR reflects performance across a very specific set of exams at a single point in time. not your creativity, resilience, work ethic, or potential to succeed long-term.

What often gets overlooked is that there are countless pathways to reach your goals. University entry programs, pathway courses, TAFE, bridging subjects, internal transfers, gap years, and alternative degrees all provide opportunities to move forward. Many students who don’t achieve their “dream ATAR” still end up in their desired career; sometimes being both more prepared and motivated than they expected.

As tutors, we see this firsthand. Students grow, change, and thrive when given the right support and direction. Success is rarely linear, and setbacks often lead to valuable learning experiences. Everyone grows and develops through different experiences and at different paces!

If you’re a student reading this: be kind to yourself. Your ATAR is just one step in a much longer journey. Focus on what you can control next: your choices, your mindset, and your willingness to keep learning. The future is far bigger than a number, and you are capable of far more than you might realise right now.

Sarah Constantinidis

Every student learns differently. Some grasp concepts best by seeing them written out, while others need to talk ideas through or learn by doing. In a traditional classroom, teachers do their best to accommodate many learning styles at once, but time and class size often make personalization difficult. This is how one-on-one tutoring makes a powerful difference.

One of the greatest benefits of individual tutoring is the ability for tutors to adapt to a student’s unique learning style. Visual learners, for example, benefit from diagrams, charts, color-coded notes, and written examples. A tutor can slow down, draw models, or reorganize information visually until the student fully understands the concept, something that may not be possible in a fast-paced classroom setting.

Auditory learners thrive when they can discuss material out loud. In a one-on-one tutoring session, students are encouraged to ask questions, explain concepts in their own words, and engage in back-and-forth conversation. Tutors can adjust their teaching approach to include verbal explanations, storytelling, and repetition, helping these students process and retain information more effectively.

Kinaesthetic learners often struggle the most in traditional academic environments because they learn best through hands-on activities and movement. One-on-one tutoring allows tutors to incorporate interactive strategies such as problem-solving with physical objects, writing while explaining, or applying concepts to real-world scenarios. This active engagement helps students connect learning to experience.

Beyond accommodating learning styles, personalized tutoring builds confidence. When students feel understood and supported, they are more willing to participate, make mistakes, and ask questions. Tutors can identify which strategies work best and adjust lessons in real time, ensuring that learning remains effective and frustration stays low.
One-on-one tutoring also helps students develop awareness of how they learn best. Over time, students gain tools and strategies they can apply independently in the classroom, during homework, and on exams.

By meeting students where they are and teaching in ways that align with how they naturally learn, one-on-one tutoring creates an environment where students can truly thrive, not just academically, but with confidence and motivation that last well beyond the tutoring session.

Ceara Kearnes

Education plays a crucial role in shaping the future of children, offering numerous benefits that extend beyond the classroom. One of the most significant advantages of education is that it provides children with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the world around them. This foundation helps them develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and creativity, which are essential for personal growth and success in life.

Moreover, education fosters social development by encouraging children to interact with their peers and teachers, enhancing communication skills and building confidence. It also teaches important values such as discipline, responsibility, and respect, which are vital for building strong character and positive relationships.

Another key benefit of education is that it opens doors to better opportunities. Children who receive a good education are more likely to access higher education and secure well-paying jobs in the future. This, in turn, can lead to improved living standards and the ability to contribute positively to society.

Education also promotes equality by giving all children, regardless of their background, a chance to succeed. It helps reduce poverty and social disparities by equipping children with the tools they need to break the cycle of disadvantage.

Furthermore, education encourages lifelong learning and curiosity, inspiring children to continue exploring new ideas and skills throughout their lives. This adaptability is crucial in a rapidly changing world where new knowledge and technologies constantly emerge.

In summary, education benefits children by equipping them with knowledge, fostering social and emotional development, opening up future opportunities, promoting equality, and encouraging lifelong learning. Investing in education is investing in the future of children and society as a whole.

Saoirse Early

One of the quiet truths about tutoring is that progress doesn’t always come from better explanations or extra practice. Sometimes, it comes from something far simpler, a student realising that someone genuinely believes they can do this.

Many students arrive at tutoring convinced they’re “bad” at a subject. Not struggling, bad. That belief shapes how they approach every question. They hesitate. They apologise before answering. They expect to be wrong and once that mindset takes hold, learning becomes ten times harder than it needs to be.

Tutoring gently disrupts that story.

When a tutor responds to mistakes with calm curiosity rather than disappointment, something shifts. When effort is praised instead of just correct answers, students start to take risks. They stop freezing. They try and trying is where learning actually begins.

Belief is contagious. A student who hears, “You’re closer than you think” or “That idea makes sense, let’s build on it”, begins to internalise a new narrative. Such as, “Maybe I’m not bad at this. Maybe I just haven’t understood it yet”.

That “yet” is powerful.

Over time, students carry that confidence beyond the tutoring session. They participate more in class. They attempt questions they would have skipped before. They approach assessments with less dread and more resilience and often, their results improve. Not because the content suddenly became easier, but because their mindset did.

Tutoring creates a space where belief comes before achievement. Where students are allowed to learn imperfectly. Where mistakes aren’t proof of failure, but evidence of effort.

Sometimes, the greatest outcome of tutoring isn’t a higher grade or a perfect score. It’s a student who finally believes they capable. Once the belief is in place, everything else becomes possible.

Isabella Naumovski

Recently, I had the opportunity to shadow another tutor, Sienna, during a Year 9 mathematics tutoring session. Observing her approach provided valuable insight into effective teaching strategies, particularly the importance of an empathetic style of teaching to teach difficult concepts. Rather than focusing solely on reaching the correct answer, she took the time to understand how the student was thinking and where their confusion originated. When the student expressed uncertainty, Sienna responded with patience and reassurance, creating a supportive environment where the student felt comfortable asking questions and making mistakes.

Sienna also demonstrated a strong skill in explaining difficult concepts in a simple and accessible way. She broke down complex problems into manageable steps and used clear language to guide the student through each stage of the process. By relating abstract ideas to familiar examples, she made the content more relatable and easier to grasp. This approach not only improved the student’s understanding but also boosted their confidence in tackling similar problems independently.

What stood out most was Sienna’s ability to actively engage the student throughout the session. She asked thoughtful questions, encouraged the student to explain their reasoning, and adapted her explanations based on the student’s responses. This interactive approach ensured that learning was meaningful and supportive.

Shadowing Sienna reinforced the importance of empathy, clarity, and engagement in effective tutoring. The experience inspired me to adopt similar strategies in my own teaching practice, particularly by prioritising student understanding over speed and fostering a learning environment that encourages curiosity and confidence.

William Kelleher

Hey everyone, today I watched Hugo’s high school session.

It was great to see how friendly he was with his student and how well they got along. His student was very comfortable with Hugo and they had a great relationship and got along really well.

They started by going through her students homework. They started the session by going through her students homework, Hugo gave her last week. Hugo marked her homework and then went through any errors she made. He then explained the mistakes his student made, so she wouldn’t repeat the same mistake.

They went through different types of questions to work out what the difficulty of the questions. They did some easy questions a when her student felt more confident they then moved on to do some harder questions.

They went through some practice questions. They went through the structure of each question. They went through an appropriate response she can follow.

Hugo then created an exemplar with his student. They went through what his liked and didn’t like in the exemplar and what he should include in the next body paragraph. They then worked on crafting the next body paragraph and the rest of the students response.

They then did some editing of the response, looking at spelling and grammar. When her student got stuck, Hugo would give his student some hints to help him.

Hugo gave her student some homework, based on what they went through in the session.

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

Ashley Cohen

One key benefit of tutoring is the speed at which feedback is delivered. Unlike classroom environments tutoring allows for instant learning, where mistakes are identified and addressed as soon as possible. This feature can greatly impact a student’s self-assurance and skill level frequently affecting their attitude, toward learning.

During a tutoring session, feedback often arises naturally. A student attempts a question hesitates or makes an error and the tutor immediately provides input. This instant is powerful. The student can still recall their reasoning. The explanation relates directly to the issue. Of perceiving it as criticism the student experiences encouragement and comprehension. This fosters an environment where errors are viewed as steps toward improvement, than obstacles to evade.

Offering feedback in tutoring sessions is likewise very personalized. A tutor may concentrate on a skill and clarify it in a manner that matches the student’s preferred learning approach. This could be a grammar mistake or an overlooked part of a math solution. Pointing it out gently and away enables the student to make corrections before frustration arises. Gradually this lessens repeated mistakes. Enhances autonomous problem-solving abilities.

An essential emotional aspect is also present. Numerous students approach tutoring burdened by self-doubt due, to educational encounters. Immediate feedback confirms that mistakes are usual and controllable. When learners notice advancement during the session their motivation increases. Progress appears concrete of remote which fosters continued effort.

Feedback in tutoring sessions doesn’t have to be formal or lengthy. A short remark, an example or a straightforward question, like “why do you think that succeeded” can suffice to spark comprehension. These minor exchanges, when repeated regularly accumulate gradually.

By focusing on timely feedback, tutoring becomes a conversation rather than a lesson. The student is not just completing tasks, but actively learning, adjusting, and building confidence with every step forward.

Samuel Lotter

Tira began the session by revisiting Melody’s most recent exam. She broke down the exam and addressed errors that Melody had made in the exam and explained them thoroughly with a highly supportive approach. The concepts were explained in a way that built further understanding without discouraging Melody. Tira focused on reinforcing key concepts and identified all gaps to ensure the student could apply these skills confidently in the future. The session then progressed to targeted practice questions including problem solving. They than began exploring year 11 Math topics in preparation for next year, particularly equations and further Algebra. Overall, Tira’s approach was fantastic and Melody exited the session with confidence after reviewing her exam.

Razan Rustom

Tutoring and studying are often discussed as separate academic activities, but in reality, they are deeply connected. Studying is the foundation of learning, involving independent review, practice, and reflection. Tutoring, on the other hand, acts as a guided extension of studying, providing structure, feedback, and clarification. When combined effectively, the two form a powerful partnership that strengthens understanding and boosts academic performance.

Studying allows students to engage with material at their own pace. It helps build discipline, responsibility, and familiarity with content through repetition and active recall. However, independent study can sometimes lead to confusion, misconceptions, or stalled progress, especially when students encounter challenging concepts. This is where tutoring becomes especially valuable, stepping in to address gaps that studying alone may not resolve.

Tutoring enhances studying by personalizing the learning process. A tutor can identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses, explain difficult topics in alternative ways, and adapt strategies to fit individual learning styles. Rather than replacing studying, tutoring improves its quality by showing students how to study more effectively – whether through better note-taking, problem-solving techniques, or exam strategies.

At the same time, studying strengthens the impact of tutoring. Students who regularly study come to tutoring sessions better prepared with specific questions and clearer goals. This preparation allows tutoring time to be more focused and productive. Without consistent studying, tutoring risks becoming a short-term fix rather than a tool for long-term academic growth.

Ultimately, the relationship between tutoring and studying is collaborative, not competitive. Studying builds independence, while tutoring provides guidance and insight. Together, they promote deeper understanding, confidence, and academic success. When students view tutoring as a support for their studying habits – not a substitute – they are more likely to develop lifelong learning skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Amanda Susanto