Frequently asked questions

Australian Educational Services operates seven days a week. Inquiries can be made at any time by using email or the ‘Contact me’ form, or by telephone, generally after 11.00 am.

If you make an appointment to see me then please obtain and have available the following:

• Your child or children (amazing but some parents forget this important item!)
• School reports for the last two years, for all subjects not just English
• NAPLAN test results covering a two year period, so Year 5 or 6 children would need the Year 5 result and the Year 3 result
• External test results such as UNSW or Westpac certificates
• Samples of marked work
• Any other documents or material you think are relevant

The purpose of this meeting is for you and your child to get acquainted and for me to be able to understand your situation so I can give advice on options. The situations of children and their families vary considerably. I read the material you have brought, and sometimes give your child one or more short tests, usually to confirm what appears to be the case from school results. Listening to you and observing your child are also vital.

This process usually would take only 30 minutes and is at no cost to you. The majority of parents I see have already decided to undertake regular coaching because they have been referred to me by their friends. An assessment of their situation is still undertaken as program options have to be identified.

It is best to choose an appointment time where you and your child or children are not rushed or tired. Younger children such as babies and toddlers can be a distraction for everyone and if possible should be left in the care of another person.

With all students I do my best with individual programs, teaching/learning activities, the best material available, and with communication with parents.  The vast majority of children are able to show noticeable improvement and some are even able to top their school.  In rare cases, where children are not making progress, the coaching context has to be considered in more detail and changes put in place.

Some children do not want to be coached but invariably come around to acceptance and even enjoyment. This is because they increase in confidence and can see improvement in their performance. These days many children are coached, which is another reason why children can be quite willing to come. Children also enjoy learning new things in an interesting way.

This type of situation is more common than many people might think. Usually problems can be solved or improved by clearer communication. Sometimes though more than this is needed. What could or should be done is best considered for each student individually, for example, there could be justification for hearing or eyesight tests, or other types of intervention.

According to the dictionary, in the educational context, a coach is a private tutor. A tutor is a private teacher, and at university, a tutor is one who directs and supervises students, and also provides tutorials. So the words are fairly interchangeable outside the university setting. In my opinion the use of the word ‘tutoring’ is gradually being replaced by the term ‘coaching’. ‘Coaching’ is the term more commonly used by the students I teach and their parents. This is one reason why on this website ‘coaching’ is the preferred word.

A second reason is that the services I provide are wide ranging, beyond tutoring single students in one subject. I often teach all the children in a family, sometimes simultaneously, as well as teaching more than one subject area. Additionally I provide assistance with changing schools, choice of university course, scholarships, course entry and trainee programs etc. Detailed advice is provided to parents about the educational choices which parents have to make for their children. Sometimes writing services are also provided for parents.