Interview: Kip McGrath Tuition
1. How would you distinguish your tutoring business from the others?
Our core focus is on Maths, Reading, English, Comprehension, and Spelling, which is delivered by qualified teachers. We combine digital technology with well researched programs that have had years of success. And the best part is you have two options for classes: in-centre lessons in Killarney Vale, or online lessons anywhere in Australia.
2. How Kip McGrath assisted students to overcome difficulties and became successful in their study?
Two success stories come to mind, one at each end of the spectrum of ages we teach.
The first is from a student in Year 1:
"I just want to say how absolutely amazed and extremely happy I am with the progress that my son is having after attending Kip for such a short time. Tonight when he started his online homework and I saw the three two digit numbers he was expected to add together, I thought, no way, he cant do this. But yes he could!! Then he opens the next program to have double digit subtractions with trading that he is expected to do. Again he did this with very few errors. So thank you, thank you, thank you. He is brimming with confidence now.”
- Melinda
The second is a student from Year 12:
"I recently engaged Mark to tutor my daughter Jessica, who is studying Advanced Mathematics for her HSC. Maths was Jessica’s weakest subject and she was really struggling. She saw Mark once a week for several weeks prior to the half yearly exams. Her result went from a 51% Band 3 average to a 75% Band 5. With continued tutoring, she is aiming for an 85% Band 6 achievement in the HSC trials, a result I have no doubt will be achieved.
It is my opinion that Mark has a true gift when it comes to teaching. Mark does not just provide tutoring, he motivates, encourages and inspires.
Mark has demonstrated a genuine interest in my child and her future, and to say I am thrilled with the tuition and overall guidance Jessica receives would be an understatement.
I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Mark to other parents, my advice to them would be to book him as quickly as they can."
- Sally
3. How do you integrate technology into your classroom?
Technology is fully integrated into our lessons. All types of programs have some element of technology, which allows us to create an instantaneous feedback loop, which is essential for students learning. Whilst the technology helps with the feedback loop, there is still an element of hand written work, as process is just as important, if not more important, than the answers themselves.
And of course, with our online classes, it is all about technology, although even those have an element of hand written work as well.
4. What can parents do to help their children succeed in school?
The best way a parent can help their children in school is by giving them the support they need: sometimes that is merely encouraging them, or simply taking an interest in their work. Other times, something more is required, like helping them with their homework, or seeking a professional to help catch them up to where they should be.
5. Why do some students struggle with Mathematics?
Due to the nature of how mathematics is taught in schools, something minor like having a few days off from being sick can be enough to have a child miss out on an important concept that is a building block for their future mathematics. This gap in their understanding can go undetected for years as the child struggles, a little at first, and then the struggles grow to the point where they dislike mathematics because they don’t understand. We work very hard to find those gaps, fill in the knowledge, and to help catch them up to where they need to be.
