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The aims of the Tuition Classes are not only to assist the students with their educational studies, but also to encourage responsibility and the self-discipline of students, to foster understanding and co-operation amongst students of all nationalities, as well as provide students with a stimulating environment in their personal development.
Most of our volunteer teachers do not have formal teaching training, but are full-time university students. Many of them were former students within the classes, who have appreciated our past support.
Students are admitted to the classes on a first-come, first-served policy, regardless of ethnic background or religion. Some students are admitted on compassionate grounds.
As well as supporting the good efforts of your full-time school teachers, we hope students will gain more than just facts in their attendance at the Tuition Classes. We hope students will gain a better appreciation and confidence in their chosen subjects, by having our teachers reinforce the various themes and topics. We hope the habit of coming to the Tuition Classes, encourages students to develop good time management skills.
We stress to all students, that you should appreciate, and make the most of the opportunities provided by these teachers. We also expect all students to comply with the rules of the tuition class. These rules are not made to make life difficult for students and parents. They are a very necessary framework that allow our volunteer Tuition Class to function effectively.
We were disappointed that we have still not been able to offer an optional Music Class to interested students this
year (2007).
2007 is the 28th year of operation for the tuition class, begun by Venerable Tsang Hui in 1979 in Refern.
For Term 1, there were 195 students (Year 7 to Year 12) in 34 classes with 30 teachers. For Term 2, we have 147 students (Year 7 to Year 12) in 34 classes with 28 teachers. There were 171 students on the waiting list.
The HSC results for the 2007 tuition class students were as follows:
8 students achieved above 90%
The highest mark was 98.5%
5 between 80%-90%
5 between 70%-80%
2 between 65%-70%
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Youth Fellowship picnics are organised by the YF Executive. The cost to parents for these picnics is minimal, - just the cost of a return train fare to the nearest station to the picnic area. Students then walk to the park or beach under the continued supervision of teachers. YF Exco students have to buy the lunch food, carry it to the park, cut up vegetables and rolls, or prepare sandwiches, and cook food on the park's barbecue facilities, serve all the students, and then clean up. The HTM reimburses the YF Exco for all food costs.
The Youth Fellowship Summer Picnic was held on the 16th January 2007. It was a cool overcast morning, 153 students and 15 teachers travelled from Strathfield Station to Milsons Point station. Students and teachers then walked the 5km to Balmoral Beach, passing briefly along the coast in rainforest vegetation, through Reid Park, and then past the old Balmoral Tram Track. The trams ceased servicing the beach in 1958, but some remnants of the tracks remain. As the students walked the last 200 metres to the beach, the clouds cleared, and the blue sky appeared with a very warm sun.
Thanks to a parent who sponsored the costs, 6 students then enjoyed kayak training, and another 16 students were given windsurfing training by the Balmoral Beach based "Blown Away" training instructors. The students made good progress in developing their new skills. Some students played beach volleyball, or soccer at the oval behind the beach. Others students helped make a ham and salad lunch, others played in the water, or sought refuge from the sun under the fabulous Sydney fig trees planted along the beach.
Sunday 4th March was Clean-Up Australia Day, This year our 44 volunteers and 8 supervisors picked up 26 full bags of rubbish from the Homebush and Flemington area. Eight of the twenty-six bags of rubbish will be recycled, rather than going to landfill.
The Autumn picnic was held Thursday, 12th April on a lovely sunny day at Centennial Park. 132 students met at Strathfield Station, and travelled together with 13 teachers to Bondi Junction. Four Year 7 students brought their bikes on the train. Students and teachers then walked or rode the 2km to Centennial Park. There they played games, talked, listened to their Ipods, hired bikes, or roller blades (Silvia Lieu only), or just lazed around. Some played volleyball, soccer, or cricket.
A YBS Camp was held at Ingleside (Scout camp) from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th July. 17 students participated, and stayed in cabins. There were lots of different outdoor activities.
The Winter picnic was held at Gough Whitlam Park in Tempe, on a bright, sunny, but cool Thursday, 12th July 2007. There were 137 students, and 8 teachers attending.
Students travelled from Strathfield Station, to Hurlstone Park Station, and then walked or cycled along the Cooks River foreshore 3.5 km to the park. At the park, the students played a round-robin of basketball, cricket, touch football, soccer, and newcombe ball, with most students participating. Deanna and Sally's hot chocolate stall raised $92.30 in donations towards Fred Hollows Foundation for Aboriginal sight by selling hot chocolate with marshmallows, and providing fresh fruit salad.
The Spring picnic was held on the Thursday 4th October at Audley in the Royal National Park. 123 students and teachers met at Redfern Station to begin their exciting picnic by travelling by train to Loftus Station. Then they travelled about 3 km in three specially booked vintage trams from the Loftus Tram Museum to the top of the Royal National Park. Students then walked down the "HoneyMoon Trail" for about 1km to reach Audley. Being Spring, there were many delicate, beautiful, plants in blossom, including the lovely pink and white Styphelia tubiflora flowers. Geebungs were in fruit, and the muscular Angophora costatas provided some great shade.
The students played a touch football competition, hired row-boats, and mountain bikes, or just played games together in the shade of the trees overlooking the the Hacking River.
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Sunday 4th March was Clean-Up Australia Day, This year our 44 volunteers and 8 supervisors picked up 26 full bags of rubbish from the Homebush and Flemington area. Eight of the twenty-six bags of rubbish will be recycled, rather than going to landfill.
Both the Monastery and Strathfield Council have been delighted with the sixth year of Bush Regeneration activities. This has been co-ordinated by Mr Michael Kiddle and Mr James Lu. The aim of these activities is to provide practical training and appreciation of indigenous botany, and its support for biodiversity. Equally as important, is the encouragement of volunteering for worthwhile community activities, and teamwork amongst the students.
All students from Years 7 to 11 are required to participate.
This year 134 students attended, with another 10 friends and teachers participating. We would like thank the following students for attending on two occasions; Colin Tse Year 9, and Jessica Su Year 8. Yvette Kiddle attended on 4 occasions (with her father.)
We were again very impressed with the students' results this year. We would like to thank all the teachers for their tremendous support for the students.
Many thanks also to the Homebush Boys' High
School, for the generous use of their facilities on many occasions. Our very best wishes to all graduating students.
2007
Abbot's
Message for Students
2007 Clean-Up Australia Day barbecue for
participants in Airey Park
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