BAULKO/JRAHS Specialist English Teacher (HSC 96, UNSW English WAM ~90 HD) (1 Viewer)

[Bobness]

LIMITED PLACES FOR 2009!​

Thread I

Thread II

Thread III :uhhuh:


Personal: Hi I'm Bob and am currently an English Major at UNSW. I am a specialist English teacher who has worked at more than one coaching college in the past, including a highly regarded position as assistant teacher. My professional experience extends to government, independent and catholic schools I have taught in including Carlingford West Public, North Rocks Primary, Christ the King and Meriden School.

Credentials: I have references from university lecturers, recognised industry professionals and my peers available upon request. Opinions from current and past students also on hand.

Experience: I have tutored 100 students since officially taking up private students a year ago and thus have extensive practical experience. I maintain correspondence with past and present English HSC markers contributing to my strong knowledge of the syllabus. I am indirectly involved with the English Teachers Association (ETA) and am the owner of many of their publications. Considering my resources at hand, very interactive tuition and of course ability, my rate is very affordable.

Price: $50/hr 1 on 1. Group rates start from $15/hr.

Where: Kensington (Eastern Suburbs) or Eastwood (Inner-West and North Shore).

Contacts: 0433 818 828 or much.bobness@gmail.com

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Current Projects:

After finishing Class I of a Bachelor of Liberal Studies in UNSW I attained an average WAM (weighted average mark) of approx. 90 in English. This is a tertiary level High Distinction (85+) which equates to the top 3% of the candidature. As many hsc graduates would know, marks are normally distributed in a BELL CURVE, which means scoring ~90 puts me in roughly the top 3 students of UNSW English first year.

Most worthy of note is my final mark of 91% in ENGL1009 (Literature of Revolution). I also did ENGL1007 (Canon of English Literature).

In achieving these results, I competed against some of the top English scholars in the NATION as only those who are passionate generally follow an English major pattern at university. This is supported by UNSW’s status in the Elite Group of 8 (http://www.go8.edu.au/) where the institution is highly regarded in Australia in the Fields of English and Literature Studies.

Also, many lecturers, associate professors and academic researchers have commented on my ability to construct cogent arguments and grasp of essay writing flair. The following are taken verbatim from comments in my university papers:

Dr. Livett: “Bob there is no doubt that you possess an analytical and scholarly ability of considerable sophistication, with a highly developed academic writing style and an obvious commitment to scholarly research.” I scored 93 in the essay.

Dr. Dawson: “This is a fantastic essay, complex, sophisticated and bristling with insight, excellent in its textual analysis, and most importantly, well structured with a strong clear argument.” I scored 96 for this.

My HSC Experience:

My external (HSC) English mark was 96.

I switched PRESCRIBED texts for the HSC as I enjoyed the study of literature and personally felt more challenged to engage with classical literature and elevated prose (Antony & Cleopatra and Coleridge poetry) rather than my populist, reductive prescribed text.

This philosophy encapsulates my revolutionary nature which complements my general strength in articulate written expression.

I had only succeeded with this as I worked closely with Associate Professor Dr. Barry Spurr and a Doctor of English Literature at USYD. This focus on intellectually stimulating research, avant-garde way of thinking and individual expression in work will be extremely beneficial for those considering English Extensions (particularly EE2).

Due to my continued immersion with a variety of literature I am now confident in teaching ANY prescribed text in the English Advanced course as well as Postmodernism and Individual and Society in English Extension. For English Standard, I am proficient in AOS and would be very helpful in critiquing module responses (although i will only be able to help with techniques and effects rather than thematic elements, for your prescribed texts). For all English, I have a wealth of related materials that would set you apart from other students including documentaries, foreign/independent films, art works, neoclassical poetry and political/social group pamphlets.

Research Strengths:

§ Feminism (Humanist leanings)
§ Psychoanalytical Discourse Theory
§ Postmodernism and Modernism

I am currently reading archetypes in Shakespearean Drama and Realist Fiction (Austen, Dickens, Bronte).

Unlike other part-time tutors/non-specialists/high-scoring ex-hsc students:

1. I am firmly committed to a lifetime of intense literary research and can appreciate the subtle differences in style between Plato’s ‘hysterical’ Symposium and Aristotle’s ‘purgatorial’ Poetics (which translates into innovative choices for your related texts)

2. I have PROFESSIONAL training in mentoring and teaching unsteady, yet generally good-hearted, procrastinating high school students (have worked with primary kids, and even adults in reading classes)

3. Most importantly, I continue to research critically which provides students with the latest insights in essay writing and techniques (while keeping up to date with changes in the NSW syllabus)

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I can guarantee that my practical experience and theoretical strengths in English are unsurpassed on this Boredofstudies site. Also I have been encouraged to pursue recognised English Research posts in the future by university academics.

Only HSC markers or present University Lecturers can offer a more integrated English Experience: however my prices are roughly half their going rates.

100% of my 2007 students scored Band 6 in their final English mark!

Looking to hear from prospective students very soon :wave:

 

[~shinigami~]

Damn, I didn't know the other thread was going into the trash. Well here is my honest thoughts on Bob again.

If you want to do well in English, Bob is who you'll need to see. I was willing to travel from Manly to Wentworthville every week, that's how good he is.

I totally sucked at English at first but through Bob's tough teaching style, I was able to get a band 6.

My external exam mark is 92 and my hsc mark is 90. Not crash hot but considering that I'm one of those "maths nerds who suck at english" this is so good for me.

Thank you Bob. You rock.

Seriously guys, the $$$ spent is well worth it.

 

[Nodice]

8/8. ---> Bob!

 

[ari89]

You've achieved a lot since last year.

Bump.

 

[s2-a]

Before I started getting tutoring from Bob, I was struggling with all four units of English for my HSC last year...

LUCKILY, I found his thread on Bored of Studies and asked him to become my tutor. He started tutoring me only THREE WEEKS before my HSC trials and boosted my average of 10 - 12 / 15 for Advanced English to a miraculous 88% in Advanced English and 90% in English Extension I. My English Extension II teacher also commented on immense improvement with my short story piece.

In my HSC, I achieved 94 in Advanced English and 46 in English Extension I thanks to Bob.

Bob is really friendly guy and he has made my studies of English a somewhat enjoyable experience for the short time I have had him as my tutor. I admit, he can be demanding with homework when it draws close to important assessments and examinations, but it truly benefited me in the long run. As the saying goes... practice makes perfect! Bob is always willing to help his students do the best they can as he even helped me during examination periods via email (when he was also very busy with his university workload). He's even helping me with university preferences at the moment!

So basically, BOB IS THE WAY TO GO! With Bob as your tutor, you will definitely go a long way with your marks. I strongly recommend him to all the hopeful '08ers this year who wish to excel in their studies of literature. So utilise this opportunity and you will definitely see immense improvement in all aspects of English.

:wave::wave::wave:

 

[tasha55005500]

Yesssssssssss so I was tutored by Bob for Adv English and this is how it goessss:

• Before I started tutoring I FAILED the Journey section of my half yearlies and barely passed the exam. I got l 32/60 or something like that

• At this point I thought hmmmmmmmmmmmmm I should get tutoring.

• In my trials my marks jumped to 80% and I came 5th in the grade

• In the HSC I got an external mark of 95!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and an overall mark of 92!!!!!!! yay band 6 for me

I'm someone who HATED english before I got tutoring and I honestly thought that I was looking at getting a band 3.

By the time HSC came around I actually enjoyed studying for English because I understood everything and knew exactly what I was doing instead of floundering around in a sea of syllabus dot points. I actually llikkeeddd studying the texts ............. zomggggggg

If someone like me, who is lazy, VERY time poor, and who was initially very uninterested in any of the texts, can score a 95 in Advanced English then Bob is definitely a bloody good tutor.

You are NOT wasting your time by getting tutoring from Bob. TRUSSTT ME it will be the best decision you will make this year. Or close to the top of the list somewhere. I guarantee you that your marks will improve outrageously. Message me if you have questions and all that jazz...........

Pre-Bob = practically fail ............ post-Bob = 95, band 6, mad uai, yay for me and extra money from parents for schoolies
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[~shinigami~]

Quoted deleted post.

 

[Bobness]

8/8. ---> Bob!

Thanks all.

Anyway, as Nodice has helpfully pointed out, yes that's right ALL EIGHT OF MY 2007 HSC STUDENTS SCORED IN THE HIGHEST BAND FOR THEIR ENGLISH ADVANCED!

Their mean and modal hsc mark was 92 (top 6% of the state) and the highest was a 95 (top 1%)! Confirm rankings here http://www.uac.edu.au/pubs/pdf/2007_table_A3.pdf.

Their final marks: 95, 93, 92, 92, 92, 92, 90, 90.

All students came from a variety of backgrounds, schools, and had different career aspirations, however one thing was consistent: english was either their most loathed or initially worst performing subject. However, as can be seen in their results, this ceased to exist by the HSC exams, as I helped build up general confidence in their writing ability, and inspired them with transcendental ideas in literature.

The following cross section of students and their achievements represent the wide spectrum of HSCers I took under my wing for the entirety of the course (Some students were more short-term and attended only intensive study day sessions i planned out in the style of coaching colleges. I have not taken into account their results, as many did not contact me when marks were released but most worthy of note is Arwin of St. Ignatius Riverview who scored a perfect UAI of 100 and top bands in English Advanced and Extension )

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Isobel Crumblin SCEGGS Darlinghurst (Independent School for Girls)

One of my few students who attended lessons at UNSW campus, she attained a staggering UAI of 99.80! Her final mark of 92 in Advanced does not reflect her true capacity: she had improved from a ranking of 20+ to top 5 in her school under my tutelage, but commented many times that she wanted to focus on maintaining her top rankings in Chemistry, Visual Arts, Mathematics and French Extensions. The fact that her lowest HSC mark apart from the compulsory English was 96 indicates how my strategy is most focused in ensuring students can fulfil the outcomes of the syllabus in the most efficient manner, while not sacrificing but rather MAXIMISING the time and effort they spend in other subjects. (Personally I felt she was capable of scoring 96 in English Advanced had she allocated her time otherwise, but that is a story for another day)

She also remarked that covering highly elevated textual analysis techniques with me were transferable skills: she noticed an improvement in her French Continuers, Visual Arts and Chemistry ability particularly in short answer components due to her knowledge of diction, syntax, and grading of sequences to end focuses. Currently she is on a $10 000 scholarship with the University of Sydney in a Combined Law degree.

Steven Tran Manly Selective Campus (Co-educational Selective)

Highly inconsistent performer, but generally good-natured Steven was a surprise packet: he was ranked 30th in his assessment mark but scored 92 in his HSC to beat the person who ranked 8th internally in his school! He travelled 75mins just to make it to my home (coming from the Northern Beaches) but what was most pleasantly surprising was that for a self-confessed Maths and Science aficionado (he did Extension Two Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics) his only Band 6 was achieved in none other than English!

He was simply amazed that the subject he begrudgingly knew would count no matter what, was his only record on the Distinguished Achievers List: but not as amazed as I was that the teachers in his school who had given him mediocre marks in his assessments were proven wrong by his strong external performance. (so, if you are looking for somebody who has a proven track record in HSC marking and results, look no further!) Currently, he is an Undergraduate Dentistry Student at the University of Adelaide.

Ahmad Samir Bossley Park High School (Co-educational Local Comprehensive School)

One of my few non-selective, non-private school students, Ahmad came 2nd internally and scored a final English mark of 92. Similar to Steven, English was his highest mark in the HSC in spite of the fact that he was the School’s Dux in Sciences (Chemistry, Biology) and Social Sciences (Economics, Business Studies).

Currently a Medical Science Student at Sydney University, Ahmad already has plans to work in postgraduate medicine, and with such a highly refined ability in written expression, he will be a great asset to our Health system.

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The following is a breakdown of the university paths my students have taken:

USYD Economics/Law
USYD International Studies/Law
USYD Commerce/Arts
USYD Medical Science
UNSW Commerce/Arts
UNSW Commerce
UNSW International Studies
ADELAIDE Dentistry

Most elected to attend the two most prestigious NSW universities, with the one anomaly studying arguably the most prestigious (but gruelling!) course in University. All three universities whose offers my students accepted, are members of the Group of 8.

And their UAIS:

99.80
98.85
97.65
96.95
96.75
97
95 (both did not specify)
92.65

That is everybody bar one scoring a UAI of 95+! as well as two All-Rounders (90+ in ten or more units in the HSC) and two others who scored 90+ in eight units or more.

As UAC has made clear in the past, if you do well in English in the HSC enough to put you in the top band, then the remainder of your subjects will scale positively (in general) as English Advanced/Standard/ESL are the only compulsory 2 units which qualify one for a UAI. Think of it as how the AOS paper for Standard and Advanced students is used to moderate and align the relative marks of both cohorts as it is common to both.

If the hard results, practical experience, theoretical strengths and even student testimonies have not convinced you yet, you are welcome to email me any further queries. I have roughly 2 more places left for private HSC students in 2008, and am presently screening/interviewing all potential students to ensure only those who can benefit from my style of teaching will be taken in. This brief informal interview will also allow me to gauge your potential to do well in the course, but keep in mind that some of my 2007 students were literally failing assessments and coming in the bottom half of their cohort, before we worked together for the elusive English Band 6 (so you should have nothing to lose by coming).

Best wishes for the start of school HSC Year 2008!

 

[shivacs]

I suppose I am in the same position as any prospective student reading this thread, as I have never
been tutored by Bob. In fact, I have only met him a couple of times, initially to buy some trial papers.
However, I was thoroughly impressed by his obvious flair and passion for English, his extensive knowledge and expertise in the area and his ability to easily explain things that are most definitely not easy. Also, he seems to have an uncanny knack for resources and notes I got from him are probably the ultimate notes (more a labour of love really). Just looking through the detailed compilation, it is clear how much time and effort he spends working with and for his students, though don’t be fooled – he will definitely make you work for him. Your vocabulary and your mind will expand through working with Bob and you will undoubtedly gain a greater appreciation and understanding of English language (as well as marks). From just one practice paper I showed him, Bob was able to detect flaws that have not even experienced HSC markers and teachers pick up when I submit similar response to them, so I can tell you first-hand that he will definitely make you more exam aware and help you to improve your responses and answer questions with greater finesse. Put quite simply, Bob is a virtuoso when comes to English.

 

[mitsui]

do you take uni students?

lol.

bump*

 

[bmwz4]

if you need help with english then Bob is your man. He's concise, dedicated and has a unique teaching style which truly allows you to achieve your potential. He would always tell me that i had the potential to succeed in advanced english and he was right! His lessons really helped me to achieve the band 6 we were both aiming for. I thank Bob and encourage other students to give it a try, its worth it!

 

[~shinigami~]

Hey Bob, my cousin was asking me how I did so well in English so I gave her your info. Do you still have spots for students?

EDIT: Also, I'm a Uni of Adelaide Dental Surgery student now.

 

[Bobness]

do you take uni students?

lol.

bump*

I'll take you mitsui

Thanks for letting me know Steven, hope you have been well.

I send my best wishes for your undergraduate studies.

P.S. my current students love hearing anecdotes about you and other alumni of my teaching!

 

[Bobness]

The following is a list of the 40 schools my private students attend or of which they are alumni. The schools are ranked according to the data provided here http://www.smh.com.au/pdf/HSC Honour Roll 2007 (2).pdf (percentage of band 6s out of total attempts). (Reposted, new schools added)

1. James Ruse Agricultural High School
3. Sydney Girls High School
4. Baulkham Hills High School
8. North Sydney Boys High School
12. SCEGGS Darlinghurst
14. St George Girls High School Kogarah
16. Fort Street High School Petersham
18. Ravenswood School for Girls
20. Northern Beaches Secondary College, Manly Selective Campus
22. Sydney Technical High School Bexley
24. Meriden School
32. Girraween High School
48. MLC Burwood
49. Sefton High School
61. Santa Sabina College
69. Trinity Grammar School
75. The King's School
91. Parramatta Marist High School
98. Cerdon College
99. Homebush Boys High School
107. Macquarie Fields High School
111. Ryde Secondary College
112. Macarthur Girls High School
122. Oakhill College Castle Hill
128. Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta
163. Sydney Secondary College, Blackwattle Bay Campus
174. Catherine McAuley Westmead
180. Carlingford High School
212. Self-Tuition Students (Taylor College, Open High School)
239. Bethany College - Hurstville Campus
250. Cumberland High School
279. The Scots School
288. Toongabbie Christian School
335. Sydney Adventist College
384. Picnic Point High School
410. Bossley Park High School
433. Sylvania High School
451. Parramatta High School
457. Canterbury Boys' High School
642. Greystanes High School

As is clear above, i have taken in a whole spectrum of students from various educational backgrounds and schooling systems. Whether you hail from an independent, catholic, public selective or local comprehensive school, there is no reason why a top band in english cannot be achieved (especially if you come from the above schools, as resources are readily available from past students!).

 

[Bobness]

Re: HSC English in 2009. I have begun developing a teaching plan for the new syllabus to help you find the most insightful and relevant ideas in the prescribed texts.

I also have some supplementary material for the new AOS Belonging courtesy of the ETA.

 

[Bobness]

Reposted the links to previous threads as well as this one.

(The Boredofstudies admin changed servers so older links now no longer work).

 

[quacksaysthecow]

Hey there,

Just wondering if you would be able to offer tuition via email ??

PM me to let me know.

Cheers

 

[wuddie]

hahaha good work robert, keep it up.

$50/hr, you're pretty confident, aren't you?

 

[Bobness]

Hey there,

Just wondering if you would be able to offer tuition via email ??

PM me to let me know.

Cheers

Dear quackthecow,


Unfortunately i do not offer lessons via email, where this correspondence is strictly available only to existing students. From personal experience, it severely disrupts the dynamic equilibrium between teacher and student, and is far less efficient in addressing the more pressing concerns of students' strengths and weaknesses.

Hope you find a suitable teacher soon


Best,

Bob

 

[Bobness]

hahaha good work bob, keep it up.

$50/hr, you're pretty confident, aren't you?

Thank you for your best wishes, it was nice speaking to you again

Anywho to repost the second half of your message, just so a balanced viewpoint can arise from the fusion of diametric opposites. Added with the poster's permission.

well, i suppose if you can somewhat 'guarantee' a band 6 english, which is arguably the most valuable subject considering that everyone has to do it and it has to count, then $50 is quite worthy.