That 'Ah ha!' Moment

Mrs Karen Ellis

TSS Marketing

Tutoring was explained to me in this tiny, succinct phrase - that ‘ah ha!’ moment of learning, when students turn the corner from knowledge, to understanding the concept and being able to use it in a completely different set of circumstances.

Teachers have limited class time to be able to express the idea or concept and how it is used. Some students pick things up straight away, and others (like me!) often take a little time mulling over the problem to be able to understand it completely. Often it takes time, examples and a relevance to the individual for that ‘ah ha!’ moment to occur, and this is where tutoring steps in.

Usually in the younger years parents are comfortable sitting at the kitchen table and helping with reading, maths and spelling. Chanting times tables in the car was a firm favourite of mine… (the last is said with much sarcasm). As children grow up, our firm knowledge is usually limited to our line of employment and Google can only go so far when you start talking trigonometric functions, polynomials and parabolas.

We have long opened the doors of our Senior Library to outside tutors, joining students after school to continue their learning, many of whom are recent graduates of TSS. Deputy Headmaster Mr Hawkins, seeing a definite pattern and favouritism towards Old Boys as tutors – obviously due to the recent exposure to the same curriculum, proposed a more formal approach for the boys. Four years ago, he approached the TSS Parents and Friends Association (P&F) who agreed to fund the tutors and provide this service free of charge for parents. This has been an ongoing priority for the P&F since 2016, and they continue to fund this service each year.

Tutoring in the Senior Library is provided free of charge thanks to the TSS P&F Association and is available to all students from 6.30pm–8.30pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings in Weeks ThreeSeven of every term. Tutors cover main subject areas, but should students require a specialised elective, Mr Hawkins would be happy to look at sourcing a suitable Old Boy. There is no need to book for any of the above sessions.

If, like me, you are struggling with helping your son at home with Year 9 mathematics equations, please take advantage of this amazing service provided by the P&F. I’m sure you will sigh with relief, when he experiences his own ‘ah ha!’ moment of understanding.