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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
last
year (2009).
2009 was the 30th year of operation for the tuition class, begun by Venerable Tsang Hui in 1979 in Refern.
For Term 1, there were 177 students (Year 7 to Year 12) in 34 classes with 30 teachers. For Term 2, we have 158 students (Year 7 to Year 12) in 27 classes with 24 teachers.
There were 108 students on the waiting list.
The HSC results for the 2009 tuition class students were as follows:
5 students achieved above 90%
The highest mark was 97.05 %
4 between 80%-90%
6 between 70%-80%
1 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 Summer Picnic was held at Bronte Beach on Thursday 22nd January 2009. There were 154 students and 16 teachers attending the picnic. It was a very warm summer's day with temperatures approaching 39 and high humidity. The students were in high spirits as they walked the 3km from Bondi Junction Railway station to Bronte Beach.
At the beach, students were split up for different games. Year 7 played Ring-a-Ring-a-Rosie, while the other years played soccer, newcombe ball, football, and catchy with a tennis ball. After an hour, students were allowed to go and have a swim. It was the cleanest water at Bronte Beach that some teachers could ever remember. The sea was calm with good small waves, with the tide out. It was a fabulous day !
Ms Jenny Lieu organized all the cooking, as Mr Chong Jin Chew was absent. Four Year 9 girls helping her wash and cut up the vegetables, and prepare the sausage sizzle lunch. Everyone was enjoying themselves so much, that a planned afternoon Iron Man/Woman competition was forgotten, but nobody minded.
We had 136 students and 10 teachers and supervisors for the Autumn picnic to Audley in the Royal National Park. Students met at Redfern Station at 8.30am after buying their return ticket to Loftus Railway station on the Waterfall line. From Loftus, students took a specially booked tram from the Sydney Tramway Museum to the Royal National Park Visitor Centre. Students then walked down the "Honeymoon Trail" to Audley and were based at "Currawong Flat"
Many students hired boats, canoes and bicycles. Other students played cricket and soccer. They were given chicken and salad kebabs prepared by Mr Chong Jin Chew and Ms Jenny Lieu and the Year 10 girls. The kangaroos didn't arrive, or jump into the chicken kebabs ! Year 8's Carmen Chan ran a hair painting charity activity and raised $65 towards Leukemia Research. The hair of Mr James Lu, Ms Jenny Lieu, and Mr Kiddle were all funny colours by the end of the day !
The 2009 YBS Camp was organized by James Lu at Cataract Scout Camp south west of Sydney, from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th of July. The 27 students from the tuition classes, and 16 camp organisers and one baby camped out in tents for three days and two nights. There were a variety of outdoor activities with a Buddhist theme.
The students had to put up their own tents, and cook (vegetarian) meals together in teams. They had to make fire, create team armbands and a team war cry. They practised meditation and were given talks by the venerables. There were two campfires with some singing and snacks. Lots of pictures appeared on Facebook shortly afterwards..
There were 138 students with 12 teachers and supervisors for the sunny Winter picnic at Blacktown's Nurragingy Reserve on Tuesday 14th July. Students met in good spirits at Strathfield Station in the morning before making the half hour train trip to Doonside. Students then walked about 1 km to the Nurragingy Reserve from the Doonside Railway station. At the Park, the played a round robin of sports including Cricket, Soccer, Newcombe ball & Football.
A kitchen brigade led by Mr Chong Jin Chew, with Annie Fan, Jenny Young, Dan Lin, and Alison Wong and others prepared the sausage sizzle lunch. The students played very happily in the Eucalyptus area of the reserve. The students finished the day by playing tunnel ball.
On a day where Sydneysiders were warned to brace themselves for gale force winds, with thunder and rain threatening, 128 students and 8 teachers met at Berala Station to walk 5km to Campbell Hill Pioneer Park in Chester Hill, via Duck River Wellington Road Reserve on Thursday 8th October for the Spring Picnic.
The rolls were marked at Berala Station at 8:15am and the food of chicken (15kg) kebab wraps (140) and assorted vegetables and tinned food were distributed widely amongst the students, before setting off.
After arriving at the Duck River Reserve, and with the rain still holding off, students were separated into grades. Class leaders and 2ICs were appointed, and each class was required to orienteer through the reserve, with a teacher following. The Year 8 students had the most difficulty due to group dissension, and took 20 minutes longer than other groups to navigate their way through the reserve !
Students played volleyball, newcombeball, soccer, cricket and football at the park. Mr Chong Jin Chew and Andrew Eng cooked chicken and also some kangaroo kebabs! Jessica Su and friends helped cut up the vegetables, and prepare the lunch. But the food was slow in coming, due to the strong winds reducing the effectiveness of the barbecues. The rain held off, and the students seemed to have a very enjoyable day.
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Sunday 1st March 2009 was Clean-Up Australia Day. This year our 42 volunteers and 7 supervisors picked up 16 full bags of rubbish from the Homebush Boys' High School, Airey Park, Flemington shops, and West Homebush area. Four of the fifteen bags of rubbish will be recycled, rather than going to landfill.
Both the Monastery and Strathfield Council have been delighted with the eighth 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. The BOE extends its thanks to Strathfield Council's Jeanie Muspratt, Chavvauhn Calver, Alex Mckenzie & Brett Harker.
All students from Years 7 to 11 are expected to participate. In 2009, 145 students attended on 160 occasions, including a few friends. We would like to thank the following students for volunteering on two occasions; Year 9: Aaron Hong. Year 10: Alanna Wong, Melissa Mui & Yvette Kiddle. Year 11: Colin Tse, Kathy Huynh, Vivian Ngo & William Vo. Year 10's Ellie Chung, volunteered on 4 occasions.
Year 11 students pictured above helping at the National Tree Day
activity.
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.
We would particularly like to thank the retiring Principal, Dr Ian Paterson, for his ongoing support over the years. Our very best wishes to all graduating students.
2009
Hwa Tsang Monastery Administrator's
Message for Students.pdf (510 Kb)
Site-co-ordinator Mr Kiddle, pictured with
supervisors, students, and bags of collected rubbish on the March
2009 Clean-Up Australia Day activity.
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