As we reach the midway point of the year and prepare to recharge for the exciting journey ahead, it’s time to reflect on the incredible achievements and growth within our OpenWisdom Community. From inspiring student successes to innovative learning experiences, Term 2 has been jam-packed. Let's dive into what we've been up to and get a sneak peek into what Term 3 has in store for us.
Student Spotlight
This term we’ve seen some outstanding results and massive improvements from our students which we'd love to share with you!
Year 9 student Linh Le, assisted by our online English tutor Carrie, smashed her assessment, getting full marks! An absolutely phenomenal result.
Year 10 student William Soo, with help from our Maths and Science tutor, Khai, also achieved a 100% in his Year 11 Accelerated 2U Maths exam. That was a 15% improvement!
Hao Yuan Chen, supported by our English tutor Samantha, also made big moves in Year 12 Standard English with a 38% improvement on his last mark, from 65% to 90%!
Congratulations to these students for their excellent results, and a big shoutout to their tutors for their tireless effort behind-the-scenes. We love to see the positive outcomes of combining individual academic dedication and personalised tutoring.
Subject Selection Success for Year 9 and 10
Our recent subject selection seminar gave Year 9 and 10 students and parents a valuable head start in navigating the challenges of Years 11 and 12.
With insights from our Senior Team Leader, Katherine, and OpenWisdom alumna, Eugenia, the session unpacked everything from subject scaling and syllabus changes, to ATAR calculation and effective study strategies.
Key topics included:
- How subjects are ranked and scaled
- The benefits and drawbacks of popular subjects
- Tips for achieving Band 6 results
- Practical strategies from high-achieving HSC graduates
This seminar is just one of the many ways we support our students through every step of their HSC journey, providing them with the clarity to face their senior high school years with confidence.
OpenWisdom Back in the Local Community
This term, we returned to Hurstville Library for another successful round of High School Tutor Access sessions, supporting around 50 students from local high schools.
Our team of tutors —
Stella, Angelina and Katherine
Eugenia
Ozier and Anthony
— offered academic assistance to students across English, Maths and Science, providing meaningful support to students in one of our busiest local libraries
We’re excited to be back next term, with two more sessions running in Week 2 on Tuesday 29th July and Wednesday 30th July from 4-6pm.
These sessions are free for all to attend, so please pass the news on to any students who you think could benefit from some extra assistance. Whether it’s feedback on essays, tricky science concepts, or tough maths problems, we’ll be there to help students feel confident and prepared.
Interested in Tutoring a Niche Subject?
We’re Hiring!
We’ve got big plans ahead, and with our community expanding faster than ever, the momentum is only building. To support this growth, we’re looking to welcome more passionate tutors into the OpenWisdom family – mentors who are not only confident in their favourite subjects but who genuinely enjoy helping students thrive.
NESA offers a wide variety of subjects to students, especially in Years 11-12, and we want to be able to help students in subjects beyond English, Maths and Science.
Are you passionate about a niche subject? Think Geography, Economics, Modern or Ancient History, Design and Technology, PDHPE, Community and Family Studies – the list goes on!
The Road to Summit Is Here
With the HSC quickly approaching for our Year 12s, our Trials and HSC preparation program has begun!
Year 12 OpenWisdom students start Week 1 of the program this week and will spend the next four weeks focused on Trials revision. This will be followed by six weeks of HSC-focused revision.
From the 15th September onwards, students will also be able to take part in the Summit Program to make the most of the break between graduation and the HSC. This is available for English, Maths, and Science students, with mock exams to build confidence and exam readiness.
One of the key benefits of this program is repeated exposure to challenging practice questions, which strengthens understanding through employing active recall. Combined with ongoing feedback from tutors, students not only build confidence but also learn to apply their knowledge across a wide range of question types, ensuring they're fully prepared for whatever the HSC throws their way.
Wellness Check-in
Yay, we’ve finally reached the mid-year checkpoint!
During this time of year, it isn’t uncommon to see students succumb to repetitive and uninspiring routines. If this sounds like you, perhaps it’s time to switch things up in small but effective ways to keep your motivation fresh.
If you're studying during the break, why not try changing your study location. You could try a different room, the library, or even a cosy café.
Make study fun! Use coloured pens, flashcards, or new apps to engage with your content differently.
Most importantly, striking a healthy balance between study and resting over the break is the key to sustainable success, especially if you're in Year 12 and preparing for Trials. Try creating mini-rewards (like a snack break, 10-minute scroll, or episode of your favourite show) after completing a study goal to give yourself something to look forward to.
