First Education

Watching Christina work with her student on creative writing was truly inspiring. The student, who typically struggles with a lack of interest in English, was completely drawn into the lesson, thanks to Christina’s engaging and dynamic approach. From the very beginning, it was clear that Christina was not just teaching; she was creating an environment where the student could see the value and fun in writing.

She started the lesson by asking her student if there is any topic of interest that would engage him in English, whether it be for creative writing or reading. Throughout the lesson, her enthusiasm never wavered. She guided the student through the key elements of narrative writing—setting, characters, and plot—while making the process feel like an exciting challenge rather than a chore. When the student struggled to come up with ideas, Christina offered prompts that sparked his imagination. This small tweak turned a challenging moment into a creative opportunity.

In addition to working on narrative writing, Christina also focused on spelling during the lesson. Recognising that spelling can be a challenge for her student, she approached it in a way that kept him engaged. Instead of traditional drills, Christina used creative strategies to make spelling more interactive. She encouraged the student to break words down into smaller parts and sound them out, turning each word into a manageable piece.

What was truly special was how Christina used positive reinforcement. Every time the student made progress, whether it was coming up with an interesting character or describing a scene vividly, or spelling a word correctly, Christina praised him with genuine excitement. By the end of the session, the student had written a short narrative, and mastered some difficult words. Although he still didn’t love English, his attitude had shifted. Thanks to Christina’s patient and engaging approach, the lesson was both productive and enjoyable.

Tira Rustom

This afternoon, I observed Tamiah during a session with her Year 2 student. She has a warm and patient teaching style, creating a space where her student feels confident to ask questions and try new things.

During the session, they worked on maths, comprehension, reading, and spelling. Tamiah has a great way of breaking down maths problems, making them more approachable and easier to understand. Her approach to comprehension and reading encourages her student to think critically while still enjoying the learning process, also allowing her to try working things out on her own before stepping in to help. She also made spelling practice engaging, ensuring her student stayed motivated and focused by letting her practice her spelling words on the whiteboard.

I can tell Tamiah has a great relationship with her student, they are focused during the session but Tamiah made learning an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Sophie Wharton-Jones

Today, I had the chance to observe James with his year 7 maths student, as they worked through algebra.

During the session, James introduced a simplified method to help his student solve algebraic problems more efficiently. Recognising that the student was feeling overwhelmed by some of the more complex steps, James broke down the process into smaller, more manageable parts. He demonstrated a quicker, more intuitive approach, such as using mental shortcuts to simplify equations before solving them. By focusing on the core principles and showing how to identify patterns, James gave the student a method that felt more approachable. This new strategy not only made the problems seem less daunting but also boosted the student’s confidence, making them feel more capable and empowered to tackle similar challenges in the future.

What stood out most during the observation was James’ ability to foster a growth mindset among his student. When his student hesitated over a problem, James was patient and encouraging, guiding him through the steps without giving away the answers. This approach empowered the student to think critically and work through challenges on their own. It was evident that James values mistakes as part of the learning process, using them as teachable moments rather than setbacks.

James also made sure to celebrate small successes, praising the student for their progress, which fostered a strong sense of accomplishment. By incorporating interactive methods, such as asking the student to solve problems aloud and discussing their thought process, he created an environment where the student felt comfortable making mistakes and learning from them.

Tira Rustom

Tutoring provides the flexibility to adjust to different learning styles, aiding students in their pursuit of academic success. Whether a student is a visual, auditory or reading/writing learner, personalised tutoring offers an environment that takes into account their unique needs, helping them absorb information more effectively, maintain engagement and promote confidence in their knowledge and abilities. For visual learners, their specific learning style panders to images, diagrams, written words and charts. These students often benefit from observing concepts laid out in a visual format. In recognising this preference, tutors are able to use mind maps, colour-coded notes and flowcharts to visualise concepts whilst similarly utilising interactive tools such as whiteboards or video lessons to reinforce knowledge in an appealing manner. Varingly, auditory learners best process information when it is spoken or heard. They benefit from verbal explanations, listening to information aloud and discussions. Tutors are able to capitalise on this learning skill by reading information aloud to them, encouraging them to repeat the key points and thus explaining concepts through a one-on-one discussion. Mnemonics and rhymes similarly can be used for these students to best remember facts. In engaging with homework tasks, a tutor may set a specific podcast, audiobook or recorded lesson for a student to listen to in order to reinforce what has been taught in the lesson. Finally, reading/writing learners absorb information best through reading and writing activities. They primarily excel in environments where textbooks are available and they are able to take notes and write essays. Tutors, therefore, are able to encourage note-taking, creating written summaries and highlighting key points of information. For homework tasks, tutors can prescribe writing essays or reading materials such as books and articles for the student to read to reinforce concepts covered in the lesson. By understanding a student’s specific learning style, tutors are able to adapt their teaching strategies to ensure the student is focused within the lesson and thus able to retain the information.

Georgina Maxwell

Creating a good friendly relationship with your students is critical when it comes to tutoring. Simply if your student doesn’t like you then they are much less likely to learn from you. The relationship between student and tutor is a fine balance between friend and teacher but once this relationship has been created learning can happen more organically and the student will develop a want to learn.

This friendship allows the student to be much more comfortable with the tutor allowing them to ask questions without any fear or anxiety. This comfortability allows the student to also try harder questions sooner thus learning much faster and mush more effectively. This is one of many reasons why a friendly relaxed relationship is a priority in the first few tutoring sessions with a student.

Another reason why creating a relationship with the student is so important is that it fosters a love of learning as the student becomes excited to attend each session. Rather than learning being associated with a negative, learning becomes a positive experience allowing students to further develop their skills and grow as a student.

Olivia Moustakis

It is important that students are given an engaging tutoring lession. This can lead to academic growth and a great connection between a student and their tutor. This is important as we want our students to leave the lesson on a positive note.
Adapting a lesson to a student’s interests and learning style makes a big difference. This can be through personalising the learning experience by using real-life examples related to their interests and hobbies. This can build a connection between the tutor and their student. Further, the student is more likely to engage when they are comfortable with their tutor. This can lead to academic growth and success, as well as effective tutoring sessions.
Interactive learning can be beneficial for some students. This can be through whiteboards and flashcards, as well as encouraging a discussion opposed to just giving answers. Discussions encourage the student to engage with their learning material, as well as the tutor. Adding on to this, a standing whiteboard can be great in incorporating movement especially for younger students. It is vital that students are engaged in their lesson – they will want to leave knowing they achieved something, and are happy with the session and willing to continue learning and expanding on their academic knowledge.
It is important that goals are set and tracked throughout the lessons. This can be through setting small, achievable goals, and using a reward system (such as stickers or prizes) as they continue to learn. Reflection is a good way to end the session. This can be through asking the student’s questions such as ‘what have you learnt today?’ and even having the student ‘teach’ the concept back to the tutor.

Tamiah Mahoney

Homework plays a crucial role in tutoring as it reinforces the concepts and skills taught during sessions. It provides students with the opportunity to practice and apply what they’ve learned, which enhances retention and understanding. In a tutoring setting, homework allows tutors to assess the progress of their students and identify areas that need further attention. This personalized feedback helps to tailor future lessons to meet the specific needs of each student.

One of the key benefits of homework in tutoring is that it encourages independent learning. It challenges students to work through problems on their own, fostering problem-solving skills and self-confidence. As students face difficulties while completing homework, they learn how to seek out solutions and think critically. Tutors can guide this process by providing strategies to overcome challenges, but the work itself allows students to grow as independent learners.

Furthermore, homework offers a bridge between sessions, helping students to maintain a consistent study routine. This continuity ensures that learning doesn’t stop once the tutoring session ends, helping students retain information over time. By completing homework regularly, students develop strong study habits and time management skills that can benefit them in other areas of their academic journey.

Homework also plays a crucial role in helping tutors identify areas of misunderstanding or confusion. It provides an opportunity for tutors to adjust their teaching methods or revisit certain topics. Additionally, when students complete assignments, it often becomes evident which areas require more focused attention, enabling the tutor to make the most of their time in subsequent sessions.

Olivia Moustakis

One of the most effective strategies in tutoring is the use of questioning. Rather than simply providing answers, guiding students through well-structured questions encourages deeper thinking, strengthens problem-solving skills, and fosters independence. A tutor’s ability to ask the right questions at the right time can transform a lesson from passive learning into an engaging and thought-provoking experience.

Effective questioning encourages students to think critically rather than memorise information. Open-ended questions, such as “Why do you think that?” or “How would you approach this differently?” prompt students to explain their reasoning and make connections between concepts. This helps them develop a more thorough understanding of the subject, rather than relying on rote learning.

Another powerful questioning technique is the Socratic method, where tutors ask a series of guided questions to help students arrive at answers themselves. Instead of telling a student where they went wrong in a maths problem, a tutor might ask, “What do you notice about this step?” or “How does this compare to the method we used earlier?” This approach not only reinforces learning but also boosts confidence as students realise they are capable of solving problems with guidance.

Questioning also helps tutors assess understanding in real time. By asking students to explain concepts in their own words or justify their answers, tutors can quickly identify gaps in knowledge and adjust their teaching accordingly. This ensures that misconceptions are addressed before they become entrenched.

Ultimately, questioning is a tool that encourages active engagement and independent thinking. By shifting the focus from simply giving information to guiding discovery, tutors empower students to take ownership of their learning, preparing them to approach challenges with curiosity and confidence.

Demetria

I recently had the opportunity to observe Olivia during a tutoring session focused on creative writing. The main topic of the session was sensory imagery, a technique that brings writing to life by engaging the five senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

Olivia guided her student through the concept thoughtfully, encouraging him to think beyond basic descriptions and explore how sensory details can create a more immersive experience for the reader. Rather than simply explaining the technique, she made the session highly interactive. She asked thought-provoking questions, prompting the student to reflect on how different sensory elements could enhance his writing. Through engaging exercises, he experimented with incorporating sensory details into his own work, gradually gaining confidence in his ability to craft more vivid and expressive descriptions.

What stood out most was Olivia’s ability to make the session feel dynamic and enjoyable. She provided constructive feedback in a supportive manner, helping the student refine his ideas while maintaining his enthusiasm for the creative process. By making the session hands-on and encouraging him to view writing as a form of self-expression rather than just a school assignment, she fostered a deeper appreciation for storytelling. It was inspiring to see how her approach not only strengthened the student’s writing skills but also nurtured his creativity, making the learning experience both meaningful and enjoyable.

Joseph Taouk

Studying can often be difficult, mentally taxing, and requires a lot of focus and concentration. That’s why, especially in the leadup to exams such as the HSC or school end-of-year exams, it is vital to have a suitable study space, to foster the efficiency of a student’s time spent on their work. In study spaces that are noisy, full of distractions, or not motivating, concentration is ultimately drawn away from the work, which is much less likely to be completed.

Some key ways for students to ensure that they are studying in a suitable environment is to consider the following factors:

Keeping away distractions. Make sure that key distractions – especially phones – are left far away from the study space, minimising their ability to distract the student. Having a phone within reach greatly increases the temptation to simply procrastinate with social media or mobile games, but this is minimised if the phone is put far away. Out of sight, out of mind!

Choosing a quiet location. Loud, busy areas can be incredibly distracting and often lead to interruptions, breaking focus and concentration. If a student’s home is busy and loud, a library is often a good alternative. They may choose to study in their local library, or bigger libraries such as NSW State Library or a number of different University Libraries.

Ensuring good lighting. Poor lighting can lead to eye strain and headaches, whereas good lighting improves concentration. In particular, students should make sure that when they are using their laptops, they have suitable light to diffuse the blue light from the laptop, which can cause eye damage and impair sleeping on its own.

Having comfortable seating. Having a proper chair and table that allows the student to work with good posture and comfort minimises back and neck pain in the long term. This is especially important in periods of high studying, such as in the lead-up to the HSC, in which back and neck pain can easily arise.

Ceara Kearnes