Avisa is a confident Year 6 student preparing for high school, but it wasn’t always this way. Like many kids, she faced setbacks during the early years of school. Her father shares their journey to show you how a primary tutor can make all the difference for your child.
Table of contents:
- A bit about us
- Catching up after lockdown learning gaps
- Building confidence, one term at a time
- My advice to other parents
- Why you should get a tutor in primary
A bit about us
My daughter, Avisa, started working with a primary tutor in Year 4. At the time, she wasn’t struggling (at least not in the way most people think of it). She didn’t find school too difficult. But I could tell she wasn’t being stretched.
Like many students impacted by the COVID lockdowns during their first years of school, Avisa had noticeable gaps in her learning.
If your child shows signs like these ones we noticed in Avisa, it could be worth paying attention:
- Little or no interest in reading
- A limited vocabulary for their age
- Difficulty with basic writing tasks
- Trouble structuring even simple sentences, let alone full paragraphs or letters
- A strong preference for computer games over books
Want to build stronger reading habits in your child?
Build great reading habits today!
Get your FREE Reading Journal to create lifelong-reading habits.
Starting behind and pushing through
We found Matrix through my niece, who attended Matrix high school tutoring and had good results. When we heard Matrix were offering primary school courses, we decided to enrol Avisa and see if it would give her the direction she needed.
We enrolled Avisa at the end of January, but Term 1 at Matrix had started the previous October. So straight away, she was behind a term. On top of that, she was doing four-hour classes on Friday afternoons. It was an adjustment that she found challenging at first.
Before Matrix, we tried a one-to-one tutor in another institute, but it did not work for Avisa. She found the class too advanced, and she wasn’t quite ready for the one-to-one learning yet.
In contrast, the group setting at Matrix worked really well. The lessons and Theory Books were structured in a way that made learning engaging, not overwhelming. Slowly, I saw her enthusiasm for learning return.
I like being in a learning environment where everyone is focused and motivated. It helps keep me on track and pushes me to aim higher – Avisa
She also told me, “Even though I find school easy, Matrix gives me the chance to stay engaged and challenge myself.”
Building confidence, one term at a time
In the beginning, we had to help her catch up. Because she’d joined partway through the program, we spent time helping her review past content from the Matrix Theory Books, guiding her through quizzes, and sitting beside her during study sessions.
If your child is behind in school or tutoring, our experience showed us that it’s important to be present for them during those early weeks. Sit with them while they complete their homework, but don’t do the work for them. Instead, ask questions to guide them, like, “What does the question ask you to do?” or “Which part of the book explains this?”
After about two terms, everything started to shift for Avisa. She no longer needed our support in school or tutoring. She began completing her homework on her own and started to take real pride in the effort she put into her studies.
The biggest improvement we saw in her was her attitude towards learning. She:
- Started to enjoy and look forward to her classes
- Began performing well in Matrix quizzes and diagnostic reviews
- Closed her learning gaps
- Now performs at the same level as her peers.
The biggest transformation was in her English subject, especially her writing. It became more structured, more thoughtful, and much clearer.
“I don’t just focus on getting the right answer,” said Avisa. “I’ve learned how to explain my thinking clearly and logically. It’s helped me become more precise in my work. That extra level of depth makes a real difference, especially when I go into high school.”
We also noticed a big improvement in her results and in the way she approached questions. She’s way more methodical, more confident.
Matrix also gives me a chance to refine my skills and improve the quality of my work. It’s helped me stay consistent, confident, and well-prepared – Avisa
Here’s what made Matrix different:
- Resources were not too easy and not too hard
- Content is taught in an engaging and productive way
- Classes are not just worksheets or rote learning
- Teachers help her deeply understand what she’s learning
My advice to other parents
If your child is struggling with a subject at school, I’d absolutely recommend tutoring. Yes, it takes time, energy, and money. But it’s an investment that pays off.
It brings peace of mind and gives your child a strong foundation to enjoy learning and achieve their potential.
In our case, it made a huge difference. And it didn’t take long to see results. She’s now more confident in her English skills than ever before.
“In English, I’ve picked up ways to make my persuasive and narrative writing more organised and formal,” said Avisa.
She now writes with purpose and structure, and she’s developed independent study habits that I know will carry her into high school and beyond.
When it comes to choosing a primary school tutor or program, I think the best questions to ask yourself are:
- Will this help my child reach their learning goals?
- Are the lessons structured and based on the school curriculum?
- Do they teach students how to think and problem-solve, not just memorise?
- Is there regular testing or feedback so I know how my child is progressing?
- Are the resources suitable for my child’s age and easy to use at home?
- Will this program help my child become a more independent learner?
It’s always satisfying to improve something I already felt confident in. I enjoy learning new ways to think about familiar topics – Avisa
Why you should get a primary tutor
I do think starting tutoring early is important because it:
- Build your child’s foundation before high school begins
- Reduces challenges during the teenage years
- Boosts confidence and motivation
- Closes learning gaps early
- Sets up long-term success with strong study habits.
That’s what I wanted for Avisa. And Matrix helped us get there.
