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Newsletter No. 1 Term 2, May 2009 Contents: Welcome everyone to the first edition of the AHeadStart Tuition newsletter!! I would like to thank you all for supporting AHeadStart Tuition. My aim is to help every student gain confidence and enjoyment in maths and science, as well as the best possible results! My aim is to provide one newsletter each school term, with discounts I have to offer on study related products, news from our tutoring community, as well as updates from NZQA and the latest science news. As this is the first AHeadStart Tuition newsletter I am giving everyone a taste of what I can offer you. You have been sent this newsletter as you have received tuition or contacted us via the AHeadStart website. If you would not like to receive further newsletters please click unsubscribe. I look forward to keeping you informed. Melanie Coker
Hello to all my new students for 2009. It is great to share my passion for maths and science with you and help you achieve success. It is possible for everyone!
Late last year I was approached by StudyPass to help write for their new publication of examination revision guides in Level 2 and 3 Chemistry. As a special offer, in conjunction with StudyPass, I am offering a chance to purchase StudyPass study packs at a discounted price. These packs contain both the fold-out summary course notes and the latest 2009 examination revision guide packed into a special plastic ring binder cover. The course notes give all the key facts and ideas from the course. The fully updated 2009 revision guide organises the questions from past NCEA exams into bite-size revision sessions. Fully worked answers and A, M or E grades are included. These are ideal for use throughout the year and in preparation for end-of-year exams. These packs normally retail for $24.95. By placing an order on behalf of students these packs are just $17 ... a saving of 32%. However, this only applies if I can order 10 or more packs. The subjects available are listed below. NCEA Level 1 Mathematics, Science, Economics If you are interested please send me an email melanie@aheadstart.co.nz or tell me in your lesson before May 30 so I can purchase a bulk order on your behalf. Please see: http://www.studypass.co.nz/ for more information.
I'd love to share student achievements among our AHeadStart tutoring community. If you have achieved success lately, whether it is academic, sporting or cultural, please think about whether you are willing to share this success with others. I would love to hear about anything and everything, including school representation at interschool competitions. If you have some success to share, please tell me at your lesson or send me an email, and I will include it in the next newsletter. The first achievement I receive for this column will win a free StudyPass Pack including an examination revision guide and essential course information (fold-out notes), in any mathematics or science subject you choose.
Many of you may know that for my day job I am a PhD student with the University of Otago, Christchurch. I work at Christchurch Hospital and have been studying how white blood cells kill bacteria in our bodies using household bleach. If you would like to know please visit: http://www.aheadstart.co.nz/publications-xidc54406.html
" From 2010, no more than one resubmission opportunity will be provided for reassessment of internal assessment work." " 2008 NCEA Exam answers are now available on the NZQA website." For an easy to search list also see: http://www.aheadstart.co.nz/ncea-xidc30636.html
Last December students and parents were asked to complete a questionnaire about their tuition experience, including suggestions for improvement. The major results are summarised below along with the changes which have been implemented as a result. Thank those of you who took part in the questionnaire, your input is important.
Progress reports were the most popular suggestion for improvement of tuition, with 88% support across parents and students. As of 2009, every student will receive a progress report on completion of every 10 lessons. This will help both students and parents reflect on the improvements they have made since the beginning of tuition, and also help highlight areas which may need some extra attention.
Homework is an important part of AHeadStart Tuitions philosophy, as it aids the learning process through practice and reinforcement. Weekly homework assignments were popular with parents with 67% support and less popular with students who gave 45% support to this suggestion. Students should now expect some homework between lessons. In particular, homework will focus on completing past NCEA practice exams. It is ideal if every student can practice as many exam questions as possible before they sit the real thing. My aim is that all of the previous NCEA exams for the subjects they are sitting will be attempted and analysed prior to the exams in November. Students should remember that every hour of homework they do now is more or less one hour less study needed before the NCEA or School Exams later in the year! Students should be aware that homework is expected to be completed to a reasonable standard, expect when circumstances are out of their control. Homework completion will be detailed in the progress reports. I am willing to provide prizes for completed homework to those who are interested, but this will require hard work! If you are willing to take on the challenge please mention the code phrase a good beginning makes a good ending at your next lesson.
64% of students asked for more notes to help them study towards NCEA and School Exams, while 50% of parents were in support of this. In response, I am providing more study notes, practise questions, as well as Flash cards to give all students the best chance possible.
Sometimes it is unavoidable to miss a lesson when you have another commitment. I am very understanding of this and do my best to offer another arrangement in the short-term. Please remember, that if you need to miss a lesson, you must do your best to tell me as early as possible. Under the terms and conditions, this should be at least by the day before the lesson to be missed. If you become sick on the day of a lesson please send me a text message or ring my cell phone.
Melanie
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