Our Team.

Guru Sandhu Chemistry Teacher Guru Sandhu "At Talent 100 I really like the way everything is so systematic and so foolproof." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.95 Rank in State: 18th in Biology (2007) Academic Achievements: • Sydney University Outstanding Achievement Scholarship • Sydney University Talented Students Program Favourite pastime: Procrastinating Playing football Watching the EPL	Niyati Chaukra Mathematics Teacher Niyati Chaukra "The students can engage the teachers, so they can get individualised tutoring, while still enjoying the benefits of classroom style learning." School: James Ruse Agricultural UAI/ATAR: 99.80 Rank in State: 5th in Maths Ext. 2 (2007) Academic Achievements: 1st in Mathematics Extension 2 at James Ruse Favourite pastime: • Dancing • Sports in general	Anthony Morris Mathematics Teacher Anthony Morris "One of the great things about Talent 100 is that we've not only got smaller classes of students, we've also got students who really want to learn." School: Sydney Boys UAI/ATAR: 99.80 Rank in State: 1st in Maths Ext. 1 (2007) 4th in Maths Ext. 2 (2007) Academic Achievements: • Bronze Medal at the 2007 International Mathematics Olympiad • 1st Place in the 2007 Australian Geography Competition Favourite pastime: Swimming at Maroubra

Sen Lin Mathematics Teacher Sen Lin "We have materials that are very structured so it enables the students to really develop their mathematical abilities." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 100 Rank in State: 1st in Maths Ext. 1 (2008) 1st in Maths Ext. 2 (2008) Academic Achievements: • Represented Australia in International Mathematical Olympiad (Hanoi, Vietnam) in 2007. Received an Honourable Mention. Favourite pastime: Playing Basketball	Alice Joe Physics Teacher Alice Joe "Setting aside a little time to relax is essential in maintaining sanity during the HSC." School: Sydney Girls UAI/ATAR: 99.85 Academic Achievements: 1st in Physics 1st in Maths Ext. 1 1st in Maths Ext. 2 3rd in Chemistry Favourite pastime: • Playing Basketball • Young Achievers Australia • Amnesty International Group What were your Secrets of Success in Physics and Mathematics? Mathematics was without question one of my strongest subjects, and I found that in order to maintain top marks in Mathematics, regularly practicing and completing homework everyday is essential. It is insufficient to cram the theory the night before, as the concepts will not be firmly understood and answering those last few questions will not be possible. Physics, I believe is similar to Mathematics, as I believe it is fundamental to first master the basic concept off the mark, and then expand and build on one's understanding through practice questions and regular revision. This also helps to ensure the concepts are not forgotten. How did you deal with stress and challenges? Regular exercise is a great way to release built up tension and anxiety. Also, setting aside a little time, perhaps an hour a day, to relax is essential in maintaining sanity during the HSC. Advice for HSC Students It is best to get into the habit of a routine that works for you. By getting into a habit, it becomes a lot easier to start and maintain a good work ethic throughout the year, and slacking off becomes less likely. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? There is not only a strong focus on refining students exam techniques and perfecting the students' understanding of the core concepts in the HSC course, but the atmosphere is friendly and open.	Aarushi Sahore Mathematics Teacher Aarushi Sahore "Make to-do lists, stop worrying and start doing." School: North Sydney Girls UAI/ATAR: 99.90 Academic Achievements: 4th in grade overall 1st in English Ext. 2 4th in Maths Ext. 1 4th in Maths Ext. 2 2nd in English Advanced 4th in Physics Favourite pastime: Reading What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? Practice in the areas you know you're not good at by identifying your weaknesses and don't stop practicing them until you improve. How did you deal with stress and challenges? Make to-do lists, stop worrying and start doing. Advice for HSC Students Don't stress about the first half of the year, often you can pick up your marks towards the end by doing really well in trials and in the actual HSC. Don't expect to do well unless you work for it. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? Talent is full of really bright and motivated students. They ask the right questions and really make you think.

Alex Stoyanov Physics Teacher Alex Stoyanov "Talent 100 was able to give me that huge boost in my ATAR so I could get into the University Course that I want to." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 100 Rank in State: 1st in Physics (2007) Academic Achievements: • Reserve for Australian International Chemistry Olympiad Team (5th in Aus) • Invitation to Physics Olympiad Scholar School • Dux of James Ruse Favourite pastime: Sport	Anubhav Saxena Mathematics Teacher Anubhav Saxena "You'll hear from everyone that you should 'study hard' but I think it's more important to 'study smart'." School: King's UAI/ATAR: 99.95 Academic Achievements: • Dux of The King's School 2007, 2008 • Sydney University Outstanding Achievement Scholarship • Sydney University Talented Students Program (2009-2011) • Australian Students Prize (2008) • Premier's Award (2008) Favourite pastime: Watching the Eels play What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? The best method to approaching mathematics was attempting as many past papers as possible. Completing HSC and past Trial questions was central to my preparation for examinations. For Chemistry and Physics focusing on specific syllabus dot points is essential in developing a thorough understanding all coursework requirements. How did you deal with stress and challenges? The best way to deal with stress is to set aside time for activities you enjoy. I played sport (basketball and rugby) at school, which was 3 days a week, and this was a perfect avenue to reduce stress. In addition to this martial art (twice a week) was also great at taking my mind of the HSC. Prioritising between subjects and assessments helped me deal with challenges and organise my time more effectively. Advice for HSC Students Work on your time management because this will be the key to your success. Ensure you devote enough time to each of your subjects but still have some time to relax and unwind. Finally you'll hear from everyone that you should 'study hard' but I think it's more important to 'study smart'. Don't just sit at your desk spending hours reading over the textbook but make sure you address each of the syllabus dot points. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? Talent is a great environment to work in and the students are filled with enthusiasm to learn and improve. Also watching your students get their minds around a difficult concept is very fulfilling.	Chao Wang Mathematics Teacher Chao Wang "I love seeing the students get better under my guidance and it's really rewarding when they do better and exceed their own expectations." School: Shore Grammar UAI/ATAR: 100 Rank in State: 1st in Latin Cont. (2007) 1st in Latin Ext. (2007) Academic Achievements: • Dux of Shore Grammar 2007 • Medallist in Westpac Maths Competition (2002, 2005) • Prize in UNSW Maths Competition (2003-2006) Favourite pastime: Watching cricket

David Wang Mathematics Teacher David Wang "Never just be satisfied with knowing the answer to a question that you couldn't do." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.95 Favourite pastime: Sport	Edward Li Mathematics Teacher Edward Li "Learning it properly the first time saves time and effort later on." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.95 Rank in State: 19th in Chemistry (2010) Favourite pastime: • Playing basketball • Watching movies with friends What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? For Mathematics the secrets of success are to firstly learn and understand the mathematical concepts and secondly (and most importantly) practice these concepts. Doing plenty of exercises, questions and past exams will cement these concepts into your head and by the time exams come around it will be second nature to you. Also avoid silly mistakes as they cost you valuable marks. How did you deal with stress and challenges? Generally I was not stressed during my HSC year and if I ever felt the workload was overwhelming I would take a break, go watch a movie or play some basketball and come back with a fresh mind. After I did this even the most daunting and challenging tasks could be broken down rationally which minimised the amount of stress I would experience. Advice for HSC Students Listen in class, whether it is at school or at Talent 100, because learning it properly the first time saves time and effort later on. Also get plenty of sleep before all your exams; all nighters will not do you any good. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? Talent 100 is an excellent place to teach because of the exceptional resources available to students and the keen students who display willingness and diligence as they strive to achieve their best. Not only does Talent 100 provide a good learning environment it is also a fun and enjoyable one.	Eshan Affan Chemistry Teacher Eshan Affan "We really focus on individual students needs, so zero-ing in on their strengths and weaknesses and really working with them on that level." School: Normanhurst Boys UAI/ATAR: 99.20 Academic Achievements: International Science Olympian (2007) Favourite pastime: • Soccer • Tennis • Cricket

Gabriel Fong Chemistry Teacher Gabriel Fong "I like teaching Talent 100 because I just get to watch students that I teach grow, not just academically but as a person." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.55 Favourite pastime: • Soccer • Guitar • Chilling with friends	Henry Lin Physics Teacher Henry Lin "The teachers know exactly what's needed for exams and really give you the extra edge to do well." School: King's UAI/ATAR: 99.50 Academic Achievements: • Prize in Westpac Australian Maths Competition (2004, 2007-09) • High Distinction in Chemistry and Physics Olympiad Favourite pastime: • Working out • Fencing • Scrubbing into Neurosurgery • Hanging out with friends	Jack Zhang Chemistry Teacher Jack Zhang "Think of the HSC as less of a competition with my peers but rather more of a competition with myself where I would try to do the best that I could." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.70 Academic Achievements: • Pricewaterhouse Coopers Economics Competition Prize Winner 2009 • Pricewaterhouse Coopers Economics Competition Prize Winner 2010 Favourite pastime: Eating What were your Secrets of Success in Chemistry? The secret to my success in all subjects of the HSC, if there was one, would be always keeping on track with the work that I did in both school and tutoring. I made sure that if I had any problems I resolved them immediately, before moving onto the next syllabus dotpoint so that my problems wouldn't pile up on me as the exams approached each term. Making my own personalised notes on the syllabus dotpoints as I learnt them also helped greatly as I was able to simply study off my own notes for each exam in a concise and easy to follow format. How did you deal with stress and challenges? I took each assignment and exam as they came and didn't think of all the exams that I would have to do in the year, as that can be overwhelming. Also I tried to think of the HSC as less of a competition with my peers but rather more of a competition with myself where I would try to do the best that I could. This alleviated the pressure of thinking about rankings and what other people were doing, and instead I worked at my own pace, which reduced my stress. Also an optimistic outlook and approach to challenges are definite assets in the HSC year. Advice for HSC Students Always aim high and fulfill your ultimate potential in every subject that you take on in the HSC. Work hard and smart and the results will naturally follow. Simply do not give up until it is all over. And remember help is always available at Talent 100 whenever you need it. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? I find the students at Talent 100 to be engaged and interested in learning and doing their very best in the HSC. The course structure and Talent 100 notes are well written and provide a solid platform from which to teach. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and the generally pleasant learning and teaching atmosphere of the college renders it a desirable environment to work in.

Jason Tran Mathematics Teacher Jason Tran "It's different. Here I can communicate on their level they know they can always approach me and I know I can always approach them." School: St Patrick's UAI/ATAR: 99.45 Rank in State: 5th in Maths Ext. 1 (2007) Academic Achievements: • USYD Faculty of Science 2009 Dean's Scholarship in Science • USYD Faculty of Science 2009 Prime Candidate for a Bachelor in Science (Advanced Mathematics) Favourite pastime: Snooker	Jessica Xiong Chemistry Teacher Jessica Xiong "Find a group of smart friends and stick with them!" School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.55 Favourite pastime: Shopping What were your Secrets of Success in Chemistry? I made sure to ask questions when I had trouble with anything as soon as I could. I always completed my homework on time, and wrote notes on each topic as we learnt it. How did you deal with stress and challenges? I wrote out exactly what I had to complete in my diary so that I was up to date with all my study. I then made sure I completed all these tasks on time. I found that studying with a group of friends who did the same subject helped immensely as we were able to teach each other certain concepts we had trouble with. This was also much more entertaining than studying by myself. Advice for HSC Students Find a group of smart friends and stick with them! Make sure you keep on top of all your studies and start writing notes early. Don't cram :) Why I like to teach at Talent 100? I teach at Talent 100 in order to help students perform at their full potential by learning efficiently in the classroom. Talent 100 is also a very friendly and comfortable environment to teach in.	Konrad Islam Physics Teacher Konrad Islam "The harder you work now, the greener the grass will be on the other side. " School: Baulkham Hills UAI/ATAR: 99.90 Academic Achievements: • Recipient of the UNSW Scientia Scholarship • Recipient of the Premier's Award in 2008 • High Distinction in Australian National Chemistry Quiz (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) Favourite pastime: • Adventuring and exploring • Skating • Movies • Connecting with people What were your Secrets of Success in Physics and Mathematics? Physics - Be interested in the material � it might be boring on the surface but if you go a little deeper, if you do a little unnecessary research, you're likely to get a little more into the subject material, and will inevitably come to know it better. Practise, practise and practise different questions of the same topic. Mathematics - Do all the homework on a continual basis. Be neat, proud of your work, and thus motivated to do more of it. Always think that you're great at your subject � that's a huge secret to success. That way, you'll see every question as a challenge, and will hit the hard questions hard. I mean, who wants to get beaten by some measly maths question? How did you deal with stress and challenges? Stress - Take a break. Go out, kick a soccer ball, skate, get the blood flowing. Disperse amongst your study routine a regular and healthy dose of sport, friends and hobbies, and remember to reward yourself. Immerse yourself in the first step towards your goal and break in down into workable pieces. Challenges - Don't get too worked up about it � leave it for a while, do something different, even something creative, and come back to it after. Advice for HSC Students Keep it up. Keep it pumping. Everyone's in for the long ride, and the harder you work now, the greener the grass will be on the other side. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? It's a really dynamic and innovative company that always and successfully strives to lead its field. The atmosphere's friendly and stress free and the facilities are super advanced. I love teaching and motivating people, and generally being an inspiring role model and friend.

Nikhil Vasan Physics Teacher Nikhil Vasan "If you're throwing all-nighters with as many Red Bulls on your desk as textbooks - you're doing it wrong. " School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.95 Rank in State: 7th in Physics (2007) 4th in Cosmology (2007) Academic Achievements: • Prize in Australian Maths Competition 2005-2009 • High Distinction in UNSW Maths Competition 2010 Favourite pastime: • Music (singing, piano, drums, trumpet) • Video games (especially DotA and Halo, challenge me if you dare) What were your Secrets of Success in Physics and Chemistry? The killer way to approach the HSC is to adopt smart methods of studying. All subjects break down to the simple idea of linking concepts and understanding the basis behind phenomena. Rote learning may get you high marks, but if you can explain concepts in the syllabus by understanding how they arise from underlying axioms or truths in the subject area, and by developing your deductive "cause and effect" reasoning, you will find that not only do things stick in your brain, but it feels natural reproducing them to answer the question in an exam. Also, the amount you need to study goes down by heaps, so you have more time to balance out your time. This approach works very well for economics and science subjects, including mathematics. How did you deal with stress and challenges? If you're feeling stress during the HSC, about 100% of your cohort is feeling it too. Let stress motivate you to do your best and study thoroughly and efficiently. Take on a challenge as a new learning experience, not as something that's just going to take more time. And most importantly, don't all out study; make sure you take plenty of breaks where you do whatever you want. Advice for HSC Students If you're throwing all-nighters with as many Red Bulls on your desk as textbooks - you're doing it wrong. You have to be comfortable and healthy through Year 12. Make sure you make your own notes and summaries, and pace yourself throughout the year. Also, make sure you are very involved in your class, and always ask questions and have discussions with your teachers. You learn more this way, in a shorter period of time, than you would be if you did it yourself at home. Why do you like to teach at Talent 100? Talent 100 has an awesome student community, with strong teacher-student relationships. It's great how we are able to have so much fun in classes, while providing a methodical, results-focused teaching approach.	Pratima Herle Chemistry Teacher Pratima Herle "I found that the best way to deal with stress, was to talk to my family." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.90 Academic Achievements: Australian Student Prize Favourite pastime: Exercising and playing sport What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? I used to do a lot of questions; mainly exam-paper style questions. This was because I found these to be the best practice for exams � rather than just doing repetitive questions out of a textbook. I also used to make lists of questions that I did not know how to do and ask my teachers about them, I found this really useful. How did you deal with stress and challenges? I found that the best way to deal with stress, was to talk to my family. My mother would always listen to what I had to say and she really helped me get through high school and definitely throughout Year 12. I would also like to talk to my friends and had really good relationships with some teachers. Advice for HSC Students Don't let a couple of exams let you down. Always talk to someone, keep yourself happy and aiming high. You can change a lot by doing extremely well in the HSC. Try to do as many extracurricular things as you can! Also, don't tire yourself out during trials. Always keep working during the period between trials and HSC Why I like to teach at Talent 100? The atmosphere at Talent 100 is great as I feel very comfortable around the students and staff. Also, I have found that it has been easy to keep a light tone with students and to get all the work done! It also helps me get my mind off university work for a couple hours each week.	Richard Chua Physics Teacher Richard Chua "Functionally, we teach our students Maths, Science and English, but ultimately what we're giving them is the ATAR to get into any course that they want." School: Sydney Grammar UAI/ATAR: 100 Academic Achievements: • George Loxton Prize for Economics 2001 • School Prize for Modern History 2000 • UNSW Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement Favourite pastime: • Skiing • Soccer • Travelling

Richard Shaw Physics Teacher Richard Shaw "The HSC is a marathon not a sprint, it represents an entire year of hard work and effort." School: North Sydney Boys UAI/ATAR: 99.85 Favourite pastime: • Watching movies • Listening to music • reading a good book • Finding a cure for spinal cord injury What were your Secrets of Success in physics and chemistry? Creating comprehensive notes EARLY in an exam style question-answer format based on the syllabus dot-points. This would give me a lot of time to look over these notes over and over again and practice answering questions and not wasting times writing notes close to the exam. Practicing calculations until they became second nature. How did you deal with stress and challenges? Staying organised keeping a diary was very helpful and allowed me to prioritize tasks to ensure that they would never build up. Taking regular breaks and ensuring that I was always fresh when studying the most difficult concepts. Advice for HSC Students The HSC is a marathon not a sprint, it represents an entire year of hard work and effort. The key to success is to consistently perform above the competition. The only way to do this is to put in the effort and study consistently and effectively throughout the entire year. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? Talent 100 has such a relaxed and down-to-earth atmosphere, yet it is so direct and straight to the point when it comes to delivering top class tuition. It allows me to communicate all the knowledge and unique experiences I gained during the HSC in a way that benefits the students and hopefully points them in the right direction for their future careers.	Sam Matthews English Teacher Sam Matthews "It's important to work hard but also to give yourself breaks (and not just coffee breaks)." School: Knox Grammar UAI/ATAR: 99.65 Academic Achievements: • B.A. (Adv.) First Class Honours • Premier's Award for All-Round Achievement in the HSC • Dux of the School (Humanities) Favourite pastime: I love to sing! What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? The secret to succeeding in English is practice! Write write write! Master the skills of analytical writing, read widely and practice your writing to develop flair in your writing style. How did you deal with stress and challenges? Lots of coffee! (Not recommended). It's important to work hard but also to give yourself breaks (and not just coffee breaks). Advice for HSC Students The HSC is an opportunity to prove to yourself that you can achieve your goals. Set yourself a clear and realistic goal for the end of the year and do your best to achieve it with the help of your teachers. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? At Talent 100 I have the opportunity help students achieve their academic goals and I hope to engage with students in way that encourages creative thinking and personal development as well as outstanding academic achievement.	Shiley Brodie English Teacher Shiley Brodie "Knowing the main concepts of a text or module does not equate to being able to communicate that understanding effectively." School: UAI/ATAR: Academic Achievements: • Bachelor of Arts, Honours in English Literature • Currently completing a Master of Teaching degree Favourite pastime: • Swimming • Yoga What were your Secrets of Success in English? I always ensured that I knew the outlined objectives for each module extremely well prior to its commencement and never assumed that my teacher would attend to this. I devoted a considerable amount of time to developing my writing skills � knowing the main concepts of a text or module does not equate to being able to communicate that understanding effectively. I approached the subject holistically and never memorised a set essay; the English HSC does not test your ability to memorise, but rather your ability to apply the theory you have learnt in class to a practical example. How did you deal with stress and challenges? Time Management: information is consolidated more effectively if it is not studied under pressure or at the last moment. Also, your lifestyle (eating habits, sleeping patterns, health) impacts on the effectiveness of your learning. I kept these aspects of my life in check to ensure that the time I devoted to studying was as productive as possible. Advice for HSC Students Manage your time wisely Ensure that the outline of every syllabus becomes second nature to you Study over a sustained period of time; do not 'cram' Identify, at least, one aspect that you enjoy in every subject, even if it is a subject that you may not necessarily like. It's easier to devote your time to a subject and succeed in it if you enjoy it. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? I like the interactive and social aspect of teaching. Students at Talent 100 come to class with a willingness to learn (even if they do not like a particular subject) because they want to succeed in their HSC and they are highly driven. This makes the learning process enjoyable for both teacher and student. Helping students achieve success is an incredibly satisfying practice. The information that they learn in their HSC may be forgotten long after their final year of school has been completed, but the skills that they have developed to access that information last a lifetime.

Vannessa Leung Mathematics Teacher Vannessa Leung "The HSC is not as scary as it seems." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.90 Favourite pastime: • Tennis • Playing the guitar • Reading • Watching TV What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? Maths is a unique subject which requires regular study. Unlike other subjects, you cannot expect to study only a few days before your exam and do well since a lot of concepts and procedures need to be understood. To do well in Maths one needs to understand the origin of equations and the rationale behind them rather than blinding using the formula and trying to remember the steps since a slightly different question might throw you off. Also you should try to practice with a variety questions from different sources as question style may vary. If this is too much work, it is better to do the harder questions from different textbooks than to do the whole exercise of only one. One thing I think is crucial is the setting out of questions, which I find is a little confusing in most students. Try to organise your thoughts and keep everything aligned rather than scribbling random details everywhere. Remember the easier you make your answer to understand, the more willing the marker is to give you marks! How did you deal with stress and challenges? Keep a good balance between study and past-time activities Remain organizsd and on task Take a break if stressed to clear your head before trying to tackle the issue in a different way If I had a problem understanding something I would be willing to seek help from friends, teachers, tutors Advice for HSC Students The HSC is not as scary as it seems. If you study regularly and incorporate any comments or advice you receive along the way you can do well. Also if you don't understand something do not leave it for later but rather ask for help and sort it out as soon you or else it might build up and when you reach the final exams you will feel overwhelmed. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? I like to teach at Talent because of the friendly environment and relaxed atmosphere. The Talent students are fun to teach as they are happy, committed and easy to talk to.

Anthony Morris Mathematics Teacher Anthony Morris "One of the great things about Talent 100 is that we've not only got smaller classes of students, we've also got students who really want to learn." School: Sydney Boys UAI/ATAR: 99.80 Rank in State: 1st in Maths Ext. 1 (2007) 4th in Maths Ext. 2 (2007) Academic Achievements: • Bronze Medal at the 2007 International Mathematics Olympiad • 1st Place in the 2007 Australian Geography Competition Favourite pastime: Swimming at Maroubra	Chao Wang Mathematics Teacher Chao Wang "I love seeing the students get better under my guidance and it's really rewarding when they do better and exceed their own expectations." School: Shore Grammar UAI/ATAR: 100 Rank in State: 1st in Latin Cont. (2007) 1st in Latin Ext. (2007) Academic Achievements: • Dux of Shore Grammar 2007 • Medallist in Westpac Maths Competition (2002, 2005) • Prize in UNSW Maths Competition (2003-2006) Favourite pastime: Watching cricket	Jason Tran Mathematics Teacher Jason Tran "It's different�Here I can communicate on their level�they know they can always approach me and I know I can always approach them." School: St Patrick's UAI/ATAR: 99.45 Rank in State: 5th in Maths Ext. 1 (2007) Academic Achievements: • USYD Faculty of Science 2009 Dean's Scholarship in Science • USYD Faculty of Science 2009 Prime Candidate for a Bachelor in Science (Advanced Mathematics) Favourite pastime: Snooker

Niyati Chaukra Mathematics Teacher Niyati Chaukra "The students can engage the teachers, so they can get individualised tutoring, while still enjoying the benefits of classroom style learning." School: James Ruse Agricultural UAI/ATAR: 99.35 Rank in State: 5th in Maths Ext. 2 (2007) Academic Achievements: 1st in Mathematics Extension 2 at James Ruse Favourite pastime: • Dancing • Sports in general	Sen Lin Mathematics Teacher Sen Lin "We have materials that are very structured so it enables the students to really develop their mathematical abilities." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 100 Rank in State: 1st in Maths Ext. 1 (2008) 1st in Maths Ext. 2 (2008) Academic Achievements: Represented Australia in International Mathematical Olympiad (Hanoi, Vietnam) in 2007. Received an Honourable Mention. Favourite pastime: Playing Basketball	Aarushi Sahore Mathematics Teacher Aarushi Sahore "Make to-do lists, stop worrying and start doing." School: North Sydney Girls UAI/ATAR: 99.90 Academic Achievements: • 4th in grade overall • 1st in English Ext. 2 • 4th in Maths Ext. 1 • 4th in Maths Ext. 2 • 2nd in English Advanced • 4th in Physics Favourite pastime: Reading What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? Practice in the areas you know you're not good at by identifying your weaknesses and don't stop practicing them until you improve. How did you deal with stress and challenges? Make to-do lists, stop worrying and start doing. Advice for HSC Students Don't stress about the first half of the year, often you can pick up your marks towards the end by doing really well in trials and in the actual HSC. Don't expect to do well unless you work for it. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? Talent is full of really bright and motivated students. They ask the right questions and really make you think.

David Wang Mathematics Teacher David Wang "Never just be satisfied with knowing the answer to a question that you couldn't do." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.95 Favourite pastime: Sport	Edward Li Mathematics Teacher Edward Li "Learning it properly the first time saves time and effort later on." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.95 Rank in State: 19th in Chemistry (2010) Favourite pastime: • Playing basketball • Watching movies with friends What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? For Mathematics the secrets of success are to firstly learn and understand the mathematical concepts and secondly (and most importantly) practice these concepts. Doing plenty of exercises, questions and past exams will cement these concepts into your head and by the time exams come around it will be second nature to you. Also avoid silly mistakes as they cost you valuable marks. How did you deal with stress and challenges? Generally I was not stressed during my HSC year and if I ever felt the workload was overwhelming I would take a break, go watch a movie or play some basketball and come back with a fresh mind. After I did this even the most daunting and challenging tasks could be broken down rationally which minimised the amount of stress I would experience. Advice for HSC Students Listen in class, whether it is at school or at Talent 100, because learning it properly the first time saves time and effort later on. Also get plenty of sleep before all your exams; all nighters will not do you any good. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? Talent 100 is an excellent place to teach because of the exceptional resources available to students and the keen students who display willingness and diligence as they strive to achieve their best. Not only does Talent 100 provide a good learning environment it is also a fun and enjoyable one.	Vannessa Leung Mathematics Teacher Vannessa Leung "The HSC is not as scary as it seems." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.90 Favourite pastime: • Tennis • Playing the guitar • Reading • Watching TV What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? Maths is a unique subject which requires regular study. Unlike other subjects, you cannot expect to study only a few days before your exam and do well since a lot of concepts and procedures need to be understood. To do well in Maths one needs to understand the origin of equations and the rationale behind them rather than blinding using the formula and trying to remember the steps since a slightly different question might throw you off. Also you should try to practice with a variety questions from different sources as question style may vary. If this is too much work, it is better to do the harder questions from different textbooks than to do the whole exercise of only one. One thing I think is crucial is the setting out of questions, which I find is a little confusing in most students. Try to organise your thoughts and keep everything aligned rather than scribbling random details everywhere. Remember the easier you make your answer to understand, the more willing the marker is to give you marks! How did you deal with stress and challenges? Keep a good balance between study and past-time activities Remain organizsd and on task Take a break if stressed to clear your head before trying to tackle the issue in a different way If I had a problem understanding something I would be willing to seek help from friends, teachers, tutors Advice for HSC Students The HSC is not as scary as it seems. If you study regularly and incorporate any comments or advice you receive along the way you can do well. Also if you don't understand something do not leave it for later but rather ask for help and sort it out as soon you or else it might build up and when you reach the final exams you will feel overwhelmed. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? I like to teach at Talent because of the friendly environment and relaxed atmosphere. The Talent students are fun to teach as they are happy, committed and easy to talk to.

Anubhav Saxena Mathematics Teacher Anubhav Saxena "You'll hear from everyone that you should 'study hard' but I think it's more important to 'study smart'." School: King's UAI/ATAR: 99.95 Academic Achievements: • Dux of The King's School 2007, 2008 • Sydney University Outstanding Achievement Scholarship • Sydney University Talented Students Program (2009-2011) • Australian Students Prize (2008) • Premier's Award (2008) Favourite pastime: Watching the Eels play What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? The best method to approaching mathematics was attempting as many past papers as possible. Completing HSC and past Trial questions was central to my preparation for examinations. For Chemistry and Physics focusing on specific syllabus dot points is essential in developing a thorough understanding all coursework requirements. How did you deal with stress and challenges? The best way to deal with stress is to set aside time for activities you enjoy. I played sport (basketball and rugby) at school, which was 3 days a week, and this was a perfect avenue to reduce stress. In addition to this martial art (twice a week) was also great at taking my mind of the HSC. Prioritising between subjects and assessments helped me deal with challenges and organise my time more effectively. Advice for HSC Students Work on your time management because this will be the key to your success. Ensure you devote enough time to each of your subjects but still have some time to relax and unwind. Finally you'll hear from everyone that you should 'study hard' but I think it's more important to 'study smart'. Don't just sit at your desk spending hours reading over the textbook but make sure you address each of the syllabus dot points. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? Talent is a great environment to work in and the students are filled with enthusiasm to learn and improve. Also watching your students get their minds around a difficult concept is very fulfilling.

Richard Chua Physics Teacher Richard Chua "Functionally, we teach our students Maths, Science and English, but ultimately what we're giving them is the ATAR to get into any course that they want." School: Sydney Grammar UAI/ATAR: 100 Academic Achievements: • George Loxton Prize for Economics 2001 • School Prize for Modern History 2000 • UNSW Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement Favourite pastime: • Skiing • Soccer • Travelling	Henry Lin Physics Teacher Henry Lin "The teachers know exactly what's needed for exams and really give you the extra edge to do well." School: King's UAI/ATAR: 99.50 Academic Achievements: • High Distinction in Rio Tinto Science Comp • High Distinction in Chemistry and Physics Olympiad Favourite pastime: • Working out • Dancing • Hanging out with friends	Alex Stoyanov Physics Teacher Alex Stoyanov "Talent 100 was able to give me that huge boost in my ATAR so I could get into the University Course that I want to." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 100 Rank in State: 1st in Physics (2007) Academic Achievements: • Reserve for Australian International Chemistry Olympiad Team (5th in Aus) • Invitation to Physics Olympiad Scholar School • Dux of James Ruse Favourite pastime: Sport

Konrad Islam Physics Teacher Konrad Islam "The harder you work now, the greener the grass will be on the other side. " School: Baulkham Hills UAI/ATAR: 99.90 Academic Achievements: • Recipient of the UNSW Scientia Scholarship • Recipient of the Premier's Award in 2008 • High Distinction in Australian National Chemistry Quiz (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) Favourite pastime: • Adventuring and exploring • Skating • Movies • Connecting with people What were your Secrets of Success in Physics and Mathematics? Physics - Be interested in the material - it might be boring on the surface but if you go a little deeper, if you do a little unnecessary research, you're likely to get a little more into the subject material, and will inevitably come to know it better. Practise, practise and practise different questions of the same topic. Mathematics - Do all the homework on a continual basis. Be neat, proud of your work, and thus motivated to do more of it. Always think that you're great at your subject - that's a huge secret to success. That way, you'll see every question as a challenge, and will hit the hard questions hard. I mean, who wants to get beaten by some measly maths question? How did you deal with stress and challenges? Stress - Take a break. Go out, kick a soccer ball, skate, get the blood flowing. Disperse amongst your study routine a regular and healthy dose of sport, friends and hobbies, and remember to reward yourself. Immerse yourself in the first step towards your goal and break in down into workable pieces. Challenges - Don't get too worked up about it - leave it for a while, do something different, even something creative, and come back to it after. Advice for HSC Students Keep it up. Keep it pumping. Everyone's in for the long ride, and the harder you work now, the greener the grass will be on the other side. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? It's a really dynamic and innovative company that always and successfully strives to lead its field. The atmosphere's friendly and stress free and the facilities are super advanced. I love teaching and motivating people, and generally being an inspiring role model and friend.	Alice Joe Physics Teacher Alice Joe "Setting aside a little time to relax is essential in maintaining sanity during the HSC." School: Sydney Girls UAI/ATAR: 99.85 Academic Achievements: • 1st in Physics • 1st in Maths Ext. 1 • 1st in Maths Ext. 2 • 3rd in Chemistry Favourite pastime: • Playing Basketball • Young Achievers Australia • Amnesty International Group What were your Secrets of Success in Physics and Mathematics? Mathematics was without question one of my strongest subjects, and I found that in order to maintain top marks in Mathematics, regularly practicing and completing homework everyday is essential. It is insufficient to cram the theory the night before, as the concepts will not be firmly understood and answering those last few questions will not be possible. Physics, I believe is similar to Mathematics, as I believe it is fundamental to first master the basic concept off the mark, and then expand and build on one's understanding through practice questions and regular revision. This also helps to ensure the concepts are not forgotten. How did you deal with stress and challenges? Regular exercise is a great way to release built up tension and anxiety. Also, setting aside a little time, perhaps an hour a day, to relax is essential in maintaining sanity during the HSC. Advice for HSC Students It is best to get into the habit of a routine that works for you. By getting into a habit, it becomes a lot easier to start and maintain a good work ethic throughout the year, and slacking off becomes less likely. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? There is not only a strong focus on refining students exam techniques and perfecting the students' understanding of the core concepts in the HSC course, but the atmosphere is friendly and open.	Richard Shaw Physics Teacher Richard Shaw "The HSC is a marathon not a sprint, it represents an entire year of hard work and effort." School: North Sydney Boys UAI/ATAR: 99.85 Favourite pastime: • Watching movies • Listening to music • reading a good book What were your Secrets of Success in physics and chemistry? Creating comprehensive notes EARLY in an exam style question-answer format based on the syllabus dot-points. This would give me a lot of time to look over these notes over and over again and practice answering questions and not wasting times writing notes close to the exam. Practicing calculations until they became second nature. How did you deal with stress and challenges? Staying organised keeping a diary was very helpful and allowed me to prioritize tasks to ensure that they would never build up. Taking regular breaks and ensuring that I was always fresh when studying the most difficult concepts. Advice for HSC Students The HSC is a marathon not a sprint, it represents an entire year of hard work and effort. The key to success is to consistently perform above the competition. The only way to do this is to put in the effort and study consistently and effectively throughout the entire year. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? Talent 100 has such a relaxed and down-to-earth atmosphere, yet it is so direct and straight to the point when it comes to delivering top class tuition. It allows me to communicate all the knowledge and unique experiences I gained during the HSC in a way that benefits the students and hopefully points them in the right direction for their future careers.

Nikhil Vasan Physics Teacher Nikhil Vasan "If you're throwing all-nighters with as many Red Bulls on your desk as textbooks - you're doing it wrong. " School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.95 Rank in State: 7th in Physics (2007) 4th in Cosmology (2007) Academic Achievements: • Prize in Australian Maths Competition 2005-2009 • High Distinction in UNSW Maths Competition 2010 Favourite pastime: • Music (singing, piano, drums, trumpet) • Video games (especially DotA and Halo, challenge me if you dare). What were your Secrets of Success in Physics and Chemistry? The killer way to approach the HSC is to adopt smart methods of studying. All subjects break down to the simple idea of linking concepts and understanding the basis behind phenomena. Rote learning may get you high marks, but if you can explain concepts in the syllabus by understanding how they arise from underlying axioms or truths in the subject area, and by developing your deductive "cause and effect" reasoning, you will find that not only do things stick in your brain, but it feels natural reproducing them to answer the question in an exam. Also, the amount you need to study goes down by heaps, so you have more time to balance out your time. This approach works very well for economics and science subjects, including mathematics. How did you deal with stress and challenges? If you're feeling stress during the HSC, about 100% of your cohort is feeling it too. Let stress motivate you to do your best and study thoroughly and efficiently. Take on a challenge as a new learning experience, not as something that's just going to take more time. And most importantly, don't all out study; make sure you take plenty of breaks where you do whatever you want. Advice for HSC Students If you're throwing all-nighters with as many Red Bulls on your desk as textbooks - you're doing it wrong. You have to be comfortable and healthy through Year 12. Make sure you make your own notes and summaries, and pace yourself throughout the year. Also, make sure you are very involved in your class, and always ask questions and have discussions with your teachers. You learn more this way, in a shorter period of time, than you would be if you did it yourself at home. Why do you like to teach at Talent 100? Talent 100 has an awesome student community, with strong teacher-student relationships. It's great how we are able to have so much fun in classes, while providing a methodical, results-focused teaching approach.	Eshan Affan Chemistry Teacher Eshan Affan "We really focus on individual students needs, so zero-ing in on their strengths and weaknesses and really working with them on that level." School: Normanhurst Boys UAI/ATAR: 99.20 Academic Achievements: International Science Olympian (2007) Favourite pastime: • Soccer • Tennis • Cricket	Gabriel Fong Chemistry Teacher Gabriel Fong "I like teaching Talent 100 because I just get to watch students that I teach grow, not just academically but as a person." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.55 Favourite pastime: • Soccer • Guitar • Chilling with friends

Guru Sandhu Chemistry Teacher Guru Sandhu "At Talent 100 I really like the way everything is so systematic and so foolproof." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.95 Rank in State: 18th in Biology (2007) Academic Achievements: • Sydney University Outstanding Achievement Scholarship • Sydney University Talented Students Program Favourite pastime: • Procrastinating • Playing football • Watching the EPL	Jack Zhang Chemistry Teacher Jack Zhang "Think of the HSC as less of a competition with my peers but rather more of a competition with myself where I would try to do the best that I could." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.70 Academic Achievements: • Pricewaterhouse Coopers Economics Competition Prize Winner 2009 • Pricewaterhouse Coopers Economics Competition Prize Winner 2010 Favourite pastime: Eating What were your Secrets of Success in Chemistry? The secret to my success in all subjects of the HSC, if there was one, would be always keeping on track with the work that I did in both school and tutoring. I made sure that if I had any problems I resolved them immediately, before moving onto the next syllabus dotpoint so that my problems wouldn't pile up on me as the exams approached each term. Making my own personalised notes on the syllabus dotpoints as I learnt them also helped greatly as I was able to simply study off my own notes for each exam in a concise and easy to follow format. How did you deal with stress and challenges? I took each assignment and exam as they came and didn't think of all the exams that I would have to do in the year, as that can be overwhelming. Also I tried to think of the HSC as less of a competition with my peers but rather more of a competition with myself where I would try to do the best that I could. This alleviated the pressure of thinking about rankings and what other people were doing, and instead I worked at my own pace, which reduced my stress. Also an optimistic outlook and approach to challenges are definite assets in the HSC year. Advice for HSC Students Always aim high and fulfill your ultimate potential in every subject that you take on in the HSC. Work hard and smart and the results will naturally follow. Simply do not give up until it is all over. And remember help is always available at Talent 100 whenever you need it. Why I like to teach at Talent 100? I find the students at Talent 100 to be engaged and interested in learning and doing their very best in the HSC. The course structure and Talent 100 notes are well written and provide a solid platform from which to teach. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and the generally pleasant learning and teaching atmosphere of the college renders it a desirable environment to work in.	Jessica Xiong Chemistry Teacher Jessica Xiong "Find a group of smart friends and stick with them!" School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.55 Favourite pastime: Shopping What were your Secrets of Success in Chemistry? I made sure to ask questions when I had trouble with anything as soon as I could. I always completed my homework on time, and wrote notes on each topic as we learnt it. How did you deal with stress and challenges? I wrote out exactly what I had to complete in my diary so that I was up to date with all my study. I then made sure I completed all these tasks on time. I found that studying with a group of friends who did the same subject helped immensely as we were able to teach each other certain concepts we had trouble with. This was also much more entertaining than studying by myself. Advice for HSC Students Find a group of smart friends and stick with them! Make sure you keep on top of all your studies and start writing notes early. Don't cram :) Why I like to teach at Talent 100? I teach at Talent 100 in order to help students perform at their full potential by learning efficiently in the classroom. Talent 100 is also a very friendly and comfortable environment to teach in.

Pratima Herle Chemistry Teacher Pratima Herle "I found that the best way to deal with stress, was to talk to my family." School: James Ruse UAI/ATAR: 99.90 Academic Achievements: Australian Student Prize Favourite pastime: Exercising and playing sport What were your Secrets of Success in Mathematics? I used to do a lot of questions; mainly exam-paper style questions. This was because I found these to be the best practice for exams � rather than just doing repetitive questions out of a textbook. I also used to make lists of questions that I did not know how to do and ask my teachers about them, I found this really useful. How did you deal with stress and challenges? I found that the best way to deal with stress, was to talk to my family. My mother would always listen to what I had to say and she really helped me get through high school and definitely throughout Year 12. I would also like to talk to my friends and had really good relationships with some teachers. Advice for HSC Students Don't let a couple of exams let you down. Always talk to someone, keep yourself happy and aiming high. You can change a lot by doing extremely well in the HSC. Try to do as many extracurricular things as you can! Also, don't tire yourself out during trials. Always keep working during the period between trials and HSC Why I like to teach at Talent 100? The atmosphere at Talent 100 is great as I feel very comfortable around the students and staff. Also, I have found that it has been easy to keep a light tone with students and to get all the work done! It also helps me get my mind off university work for a couple hours each week.

Sam Matthews
English Teacher

Shiley Brodie
English Teacher

What were your Secrets of Success in English?

I always ensured that I knew the outlined objectives for each module extremely well prior to its commencement and never assumed that my teacher would attend to this. I devoted a considerable amount of time to developing my writing skills knowing the main concepts of a text or module does not equate to being able to communicate that understanding effectively. I approached the subject holistically and never memorised a set essay; the English HSC does not test your ability to memorise, but rather your ability to apply the theory you have learnt in class to a practical example.

How did you deal with stress and challenges?

Time Management: information is consolidated more effectively if it is not studied under pressure or at the last moment. Also, your lifestyle (eating habits, sleeping patterns, health) impacts on the effectiveness of your learning. I kept these aspects of my life in check to ensure that the time I devoted to studying was as productive as possible.

Advice for HSC Students

Manage your time wisely
Ensure that the outline of every syllabus becomes second nature to you
Study over a sustained period of time; do not 'cram'
Identify, at least, one aspect that you enjoy in every subject, even if it is a subject that you may not necessarily like. It's easier to devote your time to a subject and succeed in it if you enjoy it.

Why I like to teach at Talent 100?

I like the interactive and social aspect of teaching. Students at Talent 100 come to class with a willingness to learn (even if they do not like a particular subject) because they want to succeed in their HSC and they are highly driven. This makes the learning process enjoyable for both teacher and student. Helping students achieve success is an incredibly satisfying practice. The information that they learn in their HSC may be forgotten long after their final year of school has been completed, but the skills that they have developed to access that information last a lifetime.