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My Approach

Supportive Environment
 

I attempt to provide an environment in which critical thinking is encouraged. 

 

Classes are determined by ability level, so students who are of similar relative ability are grouped together, enabling group discussions, minimising frustration and allowing class to proceed at a pace dictated by the students.

 

I see my purpose as not just teaching course content, but teaching you how to learn efficiently and effectively. 

 

I am not a dictator, but I do have expectations. I expect you to show respect for the learning environment and fellow students and to be responsible for your own learning.

 

I give all my students the support which they deserve.

 

If you simply want to SPEED through content and not gain an UNDERSTANDING, then my classes are not for you!

Stage 2: Understanding
Stage 3: Application
Class Structure
Stage 1: Knowledge 

Generally the lessons structure will be as such:

 

0.5 Hours - Working through previous weeks homework problems focusing on areas of weakness and common mistakes

 

0.5 Hours - Examination on previous week/fortnight material

 

1.0-1.5 Hours - Work through theory booklet introducing and explaining new concepts. Embedded throughout the booklets are past examination questions which test your understanding.

 

A homework booklet will be given each week and is to be completed by the following lesson.

 

REMEMBER:

It is not the most intelligent students who achieve the highest results in Physics, nor the HSC in general, it is the students who UNDERSTAND what the markers are looking for.

 

It is my firm belief that perfect practice makes perfect responses.

 

I will help you structure your responses in order for you to maximise your marks. 

A fair chunk of the HSC Physics course is simply memorisation of significant events and essential concepts.  

 

 

The weekly theory booklets which are given to students contain notes for the entire HSC Physics syllabus. The booklets go into significant detail, easily containing enough information for students to answer any question which requires rote learning.

 

 

This is the first and easiest stage of learning -- Being able to recall essential facts and information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what a typical Band 3 or below student is capable of

 

Whilst some of the HSC Physics course relies solely on memorisation of information, the majority of the course is aimed at the understanding of such information.

 

There really are two key parts to answering a typical examination question.

  • Understanding the key points of information which the question is asking about

  • Understanding the key verb used in the question and how to structure your response appropriately

 

As most of you know, the higher-level verbs in the NSW HSC, such as 'Analyse', 'Assess' and even 'Explain' not only require an application of knowledge, but they also require an understanding of relationships and organisation. These relationships need to be understood if you are to maximise your marks in the higher-level verb questions. 

 

This is what a typical Band 4 - Mid Band 5 Student is capable of

 

You now:

  • Possess the required knowledge 

  • Understand how to answer typical examination questions

  • Understand how to structure your responses for maximum marks

 

This last stage is by far the hardest stage. 

 

You will need to learn how to apply your knowledge and understanding to questions which are not so typical. 

 

Every year, in every HSC examination there are 2 or 3 questions which are used as 'discriminators.' These are questions which are not typical examination questions and often involve knowledge and understanding attained across a range of different topics and skills.

 

These questions are often worth 4-8 marks and sort out the Band 6 students from the rest.

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