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Author: sophiesparks
Australian Universities’ Best Scholarships
If you are a high achiever, talented sportsperson or school leader, you should be looking for scholarships. Scholarships can be financially liberating, as well as impressive résumé additions with opportunities for networking and career advancement. Check out Sophie Sparks’s top list to see if you could be eligible for any of the following scholarships. […]
Sophie Sparks Education’s Guide To University Interviews
Applying to university can be such a daunting task. You have so many decisions to make and applications to perfect. Sophie Spark has created these practice interview questions to help you with this process. You will likely need to interview for potential jobs in the future as well. The better you get at answering these […]
What Is The UCAT?
What is the UCAT? The University Clinical Aptitude Test, or UCAT, is an admissions test used in the selection process by many universities in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand for medical and dental degree programmes. The UCAT is one of three criteria used to assess students in their potential selection for these highly […]
How To Help Children During Stressful Times
The first tip that parents should implement to help their children combat stress is to ascertain if the stress is real or imagined. If your child is going through the pressures of the year 12 exam periods, it is likely that their stress will be real. However, anxiety in children is common and can often […]
What To Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied
As a parent, it is extremely difficult to watch your child experience bullying. The first and most important step is to identify that bullying is occurring. Keep lines of communication open with your child and encourage honesty. This means that when you ask how their day at school was, they should feel safe to reply […]
How To Deal With Homework Frustrations
Does your child experience homework frustrations? Do you get frustrated when you help your child with their homework? Homework can be a challenging time for so many children and parents alike. You are not alone! Sophie Sparks Education has some tips for you. If your child continues to struggle with his or her homework, give us […]
Top 10 Effective De-Escalation Tips for Students
When dealing with an anxious or aggressive student, teachers and tutors should employ strategies to de-escalate the situation and calm the child. Children can become overwhelmed when faced with a difficult learning task or if they feel as if they have done poorly in their work. All educators should familiarise themselves with these strategies before […]
What is STEM?
The acronym STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is a broad term that is used to describe these aforementioned learning areas, approached as a holistic academic discipline. STEM subjects are essential for the scholarly development of every child and should be incorporated into their curriculum from a young age. Why is STEM […]
Women in STEM
The acronym STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. With 75% of jobs in the fastest growing industries requiring workers with STEM skills, this is a critical industry. It is also a male dominated one. Science Gender Equity Organisation estimates that approximately 70% of STEM industries consist of men, including areas of medicine, engineering, […]
Is A Selective School Right For My Child?
What is a selective school? A selective high school is a government school with more attention on academic excellence. Students must sit the Selective School Entrance Test (SSET) to get into a selective school. This is highly competitive and tests a student’s academic capabilities. Less than 30% of applicants are typically offered a place. Types […]
Screen Time For Kids: How Much Is Too Much?
Balancing screen time for children with other activities is a struggle for every parent. The benefits of the Internet and everything that comes with it are immeasurable, but too much screen time for children can also be destructive. The detriments of too much screen time can include behaviour problems, falling behind academically, disrupted sleep patterns […]
How To Create Screen-Free Study Habits
We all know that too much screen time is not good for your health and can lead to both short term and long term health problems. These problems include fatigue and poor sleep resulting in lack of motivation, attention and focus. That is why it is important to mix up your study habits and create […]
How To Fit In At School
Everyone wants to fit in and feel included, especially at school. Here are some tips on how to ‘fit in’ at school. How can I fit in? Everyone is just as complicated and amazingly unique as you are. There is no one way to ‘fit in’, and you should never change yourself entirely to do […]
Why School Attendance Matters
Whilst the primary purpose of school is to receive an education, school institutions provide children and young adults with crucial skills across a range of developmental areas. This includes instilling social values, routine, work ethic and responsibility. Subsequently, parents should aim to encourage regular school attendance for their children from an early age to avoid […]
What Is School Refusal?
The term ‘school refusal’ refers to when a young child refuses to attend school due to severe emotional distress, most commonly a symptom of anxiety. Whilst it isn’t abnormal for children to occasionally want to miss a day of school, this avoidant behaviour can morph into school anxiety when presented repetitively. Repeated school refusal significantly […]
Signs That Your Child Should Move Schools
As a parent, it can be very difficult to observe that your child is unhappy in their school environment. Whether this is a result of friendships, teachers, academics or extracurriculars, not every child is suited for the same learning institution. Deciding to transfer schools may be the best decision for both your child and your […]
Sophie Sparks Education School Guide: How To Support Transition Between School Years
As a parent, it is often challenging to predict what your child will be facing each school year and how you can best support these transitions. We have put together a guide that runs you through the major expectations of each year as well as some advice on how best to support your child. Kindergarten: […]
Sophie Sparks Educational Consultants Are Available For Returning Expats To Australia
A move back to Australia with children can be overwhelming. Parents often ask the following questions “How do I enrol my child into a school that will give them the best chance at receiving a quality education conducive to their learning ability?” “What are my schooling options?” “Can my child study the IB in Australia?” […]
Sophie Sparks Education’s Summer Reading List for Every Age Group
So many students fall prey to the ‘summer slide’ and come back to school at the start of the year having regressed. A great way to help combat this is to make sure they read a lot. It is a common misconception that parents should stop reading to their children once their children are able […]
Sophie Sparks Education’s Top 12 Poetic Devices
Are you struggling with poetry analysis in English? To get those top marks on a poetry analysis task you need to discuss the form of the poem. Poetry is quite different from other text types in that they convey meaning using sound and structure not just words or phrases. Here is a list of the […]
What Is An Opportunity Class And How Do We Get Into One?
If your child is gifted and has excelled throughout primary school you have undoubtedly heard the term ‘Opportunity Class’ or OC mentioned at school. What is an Opportunity Class? An Opportunity Class or OC is a Year 5 and 6 class that caters specifically to the academically gifted students. It puts these students in an […]
How To Take The Fear Out Of NAPLAN
As the NAPLAN exams draw closer we understand that pre examination stress or anxiety can build in anticipation. Today we are going to share with you our top five tips to take the fear out of NAPLAN this examination season. 1. Practice papers The best way to prepare for an exam is to do practice […]
How To Stay Motivated
Staying focused and motivated is important. Procrastination can demotivate you and focus your attention elsewhere, when it should be on your studies. Some students find themselves so overwhelmed by the extent of content they’re faced with that they cannot find the will to start studying. Others believe they have fallen victim to ‘burn out’. We […]
How To Stay Motivated When Studying Online
Studying online is here to stay and not just during COVID lockdowns. Universities, Tafe and many other institutions are moving more and more online. With this increased use of technology it means that we spend more time spent in front of our screens sitting, typing and generally being idle. This can lead to use feeling […]
Fun Maths Games for Children
Many children are not very enthusiastic about maths. If this is the case with your child, incorporating simple mathematics into fun games can be a fantastic way to expand their learning through an entertaining and collaborate platform. This way, you can help transform your child’s opinion of maths from a subject they may regard as […]
Maths Tutoring
Maths tutoring removes the pressure of the classroom and gives your child a one-on-one environment to voice any questions they may have. We find that children are often hesitant to interrupt teachers to clarify a topic when at school and consequently have gaps in their knowledge. A maths tutor specifically focuses on the school syllabus […]
How to Make Maths Fun
Children often consider maths to be ‘boring’ and ‘difficult’. This stigma is especially applicable to young girls, who may associate the subject as purely for boys. It is important to create positive connotations with maths in your child from a young age, transforming their opinion of the subject so they approach learning with positivity and […]
Sophie Sparks Education’s Extensive Guide To Literary Techniques
Knowledge and understanding of literary techniques are essential to every English essay and/or creative writing piece. Students need to know how to analyse, interpret, and recreate literary techniques, adding emphasis and strength to their writing. Below is a comprehensive and alphabetised list of literary techniques. If you struggle to understand any of these or require […]
What’s Your Learning Style?
We all learn in different and unique ways. What you may not know is that we do not use the same learning style for everything. This means that you may find visual cues the best way to memorise maths formulas, but learn languages easier through audio recordings. Our learning styles are complex and there is […]
How Do Children Learn?
Each child will adopt a unique learning style, likely to change and evolve as they do. It is important to understand the way your child learns so you can assist them in their education and natural curiosity about the world. While the school system fosters learning primarily through reading, children can learn through seeing, hearing, […]
How to Determine your Child’s Learning Style
There are many different ways in which children learn, none of which are ‘wrong’ or ‘right’. However, it is important to identify your child’s learning style. This may help you “speak their language” when you are helping them with their homework, or even assist you in understanding how they see and process the world. Researchers […]
Year K-6 Maths Resources
Are you struggling to find maths resources you can use at home? Sophie Sparks Education has got you covered. These websites are filled with worksheets, videos, and games that relate to each mathematical strand. Need to find a tutor? You can book a tutor if your child needs some one on one support. We have face […]
The International Baccalaureate: How Does It Work?
If you or your child is considering completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) for their matriculation in years 11 and 12, it is crucial to understand the system itself. Unlike New South Wales’ HSC or Victoria’s VCE, the IB does not scale the marks of students alongside their peers or the wider state. It is an […]
15 Ways To Unwind This Summer
This summer definitely looks different to summers of the past. Many of us are so used to packing our bags and jetting off to foreign countries to soak up some culture, great food and incredible experiences over the summer holidays. We may not be travelling Asia or Europe this year but there are still so […]
Sophie Sparks Education’s Extensive Guide to Film Techniques
When we go to the Movies we often focus on the storyline or the characters and how it all makes us feel. When we study film, however, we pay closer attention to all the techniques and tools filmmakers use to engage our emotions. It can be so easy to get caught up in the sound […]
Visual Literacy Techniques
Visual and Film Techniques Technique Definition Example Background This technique analyses the background of a picture or frame, locating behind the primary objects of the image. The background is usually the last thing the eye is drawn to, so may be a more subtle visual/film technique to analyse. In Van Gogh’s famous painting, ‘The Starry […]
Home Schooling- Where Do I Start?
Children need routines, just like adults. The school day is a structured routine so it’s important that you set up a structured school routine at home. It is easy, follow these simple steps. 1. Make a study space in your house. If you don’t have a separate room, simply transform your kitchen table or bench. […]
Struggles Of A Gifted Student
What is a ‘gifted’ student? Gifted students, excel in, or are capable of excelling in one or more areas. These areas may be academic studies, visual and performing arts, physical abilities, creative thinking, interpersonal or intrapersonal skills, and general intelligence. Generally speaking, gifted students test to be approximately two years above their grade level. Struggles […]
How To Maximise Exam Reading Time
Exam reading time occurs at the first 5 or 10 minutes of the exam. At this point, students are often their most stressed having just left the chaotic atmosphere of their peers, coupled with pre-exam-anxiety. However, reading time is a valuable commodity and should not be wasted. If you find yourself panicking as the exam […]
How To Stay Motivated During Exam Blocks
Many students struggle to stay motivated between exams. The incentive to slump between papers, often misinterpreted as ‘burn out’, can disrupt many study schedules and damage ambitions. However, there are steps you can take to prevent this. We know exam blocks can be draining, but if you have follow a realistic study timetable, and get […]
How To Create The Best Study Space
An effective study space can significantly impact your efficiency of study and is the best set up to study for exams. The ideal study space is uncluttered and quiet, allowing you to study effectively and focus on the academic task at hand. Below are Sophie Sparks Education’s top tips for creating the best study space […]
Sophie Sparks Education’s Exam Equipment Checklist
Going into an exam is a stressful endeavour and it is so easy to forget little things such as an eraser or a ruler. It is just as easy to accidentally bring your phone into the exam room. We have put together a checklist that you can check before your next exam to make sure […]
What to do if you have brain fog?
We all suffer from brain fog and lack of motivation at times. So here are 3 simple steps to help you get back on track! 1.Look for inspiration through reading about different approaches to eliminating brain fog and advice. Your brain fog will start to disappear! 2. Create a “to do list” or a “goals” […]
The Merits of a Study Buddy
A ‘study buddy’ can be a fantastic resource, and provide you with motivation and fresh ideas. By comparing and contrasting your study with someone else, you may be able to pinpoint topics that you could improve upon. Often, a personal learning weakness may be another’s strength, and vice versa. Study buddies can help students review […]
Best Tech For Primary And High School Kids
Teacher’s tips We spoke to Sophie Sparks, CEO of Sophie Sparks Education and founder of YOU CAN SIT WITH ME to get some educational tech tips. “We know that parents find apps really, really useful,” she says. “But it’s really important to find out which apps are educational, up to date, are current and have appropriate graphics. […]
The Benefits Of Tutoring
There are countless benefits to home tutoring and online tutoring , the most obvious being improvements to your child’s academic score. The purpose of tutoring is to help students become independent learners, providing them with the skills needed to succeed in school. However, tutoring is not just for improving school work. There are endless benefits […]
When Is Tutoring The Best Option?
It is a common misconception to immediately equate children who receive tutoring as those with particularly substandard learning disabilities. Tutoring is a fantastic resource that parents should capitalise on as and when they can. Children who receive tutoring not only have academic advantages over their peers, but with the right tutor can experience surges in […]
Strategies For Teaching Gifted Students
Statistics show that approximately 10% of our students are gifted. How do we identify a gifted student? The most common way a gifted student is identified is through assessment. This often includes standardized test results such as NAPLAN and pre-assessment data. This also often includes checklists that a parent or a teacher can conduct on […]
How We Quality Control Hundreds Of Tutorials Every Week
Every week we run hundreds of face-to-face, online and small group tutoring sessions for our students, and we like to keep track of what our students are up to. With 650+ tutors and all our tutorials uniquely designed and content mapped for every student across every state of Australia, it is important to us that […]
Tutoring Company vs Private Arrangement: Which Should I Choose?
When selecting a tutor for your child, you may choose to go through a tutoring company, or to seek out an individual. Some parents believe that tutors from companies will cost them more, or be less flexible. There is also the misconception that tutoring companies will ‘rope’ you in to their services, preventing you and […]
Need Some Questions Answered About The ATAR?
What is an ATAR? ATAR stands for the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank and it is a numerical measure of a student’s overall academic achievement. What is the highest ATAR you can achieve? The highest ATAR number you can achieve is 99.95. When you receive your ATAR, it is a number between 30.00 and 99.95. ATARS […]
Do You Have ATAR Anxiety?
You reach a milestone that both scares and excites you. You imagine what you want your life to look like in the future. Then you think about the obstacles you have to overcome to get there: HSC/ IB examinations, University applications, assessments. You start to panic. “What if I don’t make the ATAR cut off […]
HSC – How to Prepare for the Trials
The trial exams are, quite definitionally, the ‘trials’ for the HSC. However, that doesn’t mean that they will not count towards your mark. While not as important as the HSC exams, trials still make up a significant amount of a student’s internal marks and can affect their ultimate ATAR results. This means that it is […]
The Difference Between The HSC And The IB
Many schools offer both the High School Certificate (HSC) and International Baccalaureate (IB). The decision between the two can be a challenging one, and we recommend that students and their parents spend time deciding which matriculation system is best suited to them. Below are some important tips to know regarding the two systems. The HSC […]
How To Improve Your Marks Between Trials And HSC
The period between trials and HSC is a crucial one. Many students may feel disheartened by their trial results, but don’t worry, it’s not too late to turn your marks around! Students can use this opportunity to focus on what they need to improve on so that by the time it’s HSC, they have polished […]
Year 12 HSC Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences Practice Questions
Can’t find any helpful questions for HSC Module Text and Human Experience? Here are 10 brand new questions for you! Sophie Sparks Education would like to help you prepare for the HSC English Common Module (paper 1). A great place to start is to understand what you have to demonstrate-you can find it here straight […]
How to Write a Band 6 Essay
Every year 11 and 12 student has essay writing as a crucial element of their matriculation. English is a compulsory subject for students completing both the HSC and IB, with essays the prominent feature of both English courses. For HSC students, you should be aiming to write Band 6 level essays (the highest mark bracket), […]
How To Choose Subjects For The HSC
Subject selection is incredibly important and can be a tough decision for students. While there is an element of flexibility in the HSC when swapping subjects, we do not recommend relying on this. Instead, it’s better to make an informed and realistic choice of subjects prior to year 11. Year 10 students should already have […]
How To Stay Motivated Between Trials And The HSC
The period between trials and HSC is a crucial one! Students should use this opportunity to focus on what they need to improve on and incorporate feedback they receive from their trial exams. However, it can be hard to find the motivation to keep studying once trial exams are completed. Here are our top tips […]
The Week Before Trials: Your 7 Day Countdown
In the leadup to trials, students should be following a reasonable study timetable. This helps instil a consistent routine and should ease nerves for the upcoming exam period. Students may find themselves nervous for the trial exams. Remember, this is normal! The trials are the first time you are examined on each of your subjects […]
Top Three Things To Do Between Trials and the HSC
1. Incorporate Feedback The first step to improving your marks is to use your trial feedback to your advantage. Go through each exam paper and highlight your weakest areas. You may want to make lists or take note of where you did poorly. Then, ask your teachers how you can specifically improve in this area. […]
Week 10 Term 3 HSC Roadmap
Checklist for Year 12 Parents and Students : Has your Child Completed these Steps as they Prepare to Enter their Final Exams and Leave School? HSC and/or IB• Sort out a personal study space – clean space, organise computer files and stationary• Identify and make a list of areas to improve on post-trials (i.e. subjects […]
Year 12 HSC Module A : Textual Conversations Practice Questions
Feeling stuck with your HSC Module A study? We have got you covered with 10 amazing new questions! Sophie Sparks Education would like to help you prepare for the HSC English Advanced Module A (paper 2). A great place to start is to understand the rubric – you can find it here straight from NESA: […]
Year 12 HSC Module B : Critical Study of Literature Practice Questions
Need help preparing for your HSC Module B exam? Here are 10 brand new questions for you! Sophie Sparks Education would like to help you prepare for the HSC English Advanced Module B (paper 2). A great place to start is to understand the rubric – you can find it here straight from NESA: Module […]
Year 12 HSC Module C : The Craft of Writing Practice Questions
Looking for some HSC Module C questions to help you prepare? We have got you covered with 8 brand new questions! Sophie Sparks Education would like to help you prepare for the HSC English Advanced Module C The Craft of Writing (paper 2). A great place to start is to understand the rubric – you […]
How To Write The Best Module C Reflection
The final aspect of the English Paper 2 exam includes a reflection statement. This statement can range anywhere between 5 to 10 marks (out of 20), so it is crucial that students understand and complete this component to the best of their abilities. Reflection statements seek to provide analytical explanation behind students’ writing, and rationalise […]
HSC Common Module Essay Questions
The Common Module is the first assessable component of the HSC, known as ‘Paper 1’, and is a compulsory exam for all HSC students. Within Paper 1, students must complete a comprehension paper and essay question on the theme of ‘Texts and Human Experiences’. The NESA rubric for texts and human experiences can be accessed […]