Students from Years 7, 8 and 9 can attend tutoring sessions with senior students each Wednesday.
Wednesdays at lunchtime a classroom in the BM Building is filled with students from Years 7, 8 and 9 getting help from older students in Years 11 and 12 as part of the Peer Tutoring Program.
Organised by Niamh M., Student Leader of Learning, the initiative aims to create an environment where the younger students feel supported and grow in confidence as they obtain help with areas of study they may be struggling with.
“We want to form a connection between the different year groups so that younger students feel they can go to older students and ask questions,” says Niamh. “We want the younger students to feel more confident when they are in class and work on any areas they think they need improvement in.”
The Peer Tutoring Program had its first session of the year last week and will run throughout Term 1. It will continue throughout the year if the demand is high. Every Wednesday the tutoring is offered with a focus each week on a different area. Last week it was English and this week it was Mathematics. Science will be covered next week. Although it is English, Mathematics and Science that have the main focus students can get help in any subject.
“We have Years 11 and 12 Peer Tutors who have selected the subjects they are strong in and can offer assistance. Years 7, 8 and 9 students can sign up to attend a session via Compass and then come down with any questions or anything they need help with,” Niamh says. “The help offered can be with homework, assessments or general work. If a student is struggling with something, like annotating a poem for example, the older students can help with that. Or perhaps they would like help before an exam, to build on feedback they have received, then the senior students can help there.”
Mr Michael Hall, Assistant Principal, oversees the program and is pleased with the enthusiastic response at the first couple of sessions. “A major factor in student learning success is when students own their learning and are prepared to go the extra mile,” said Mr Hall.
The impressive number of junior students who are prepared to give up their lunchtime is a strong indication that our girls are committed to their learning and growth.
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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