Trevor Gary Wykes’ Recommendation of Stepping Stones Education
Trevor Gary Wykes
Assistant Head of Mathematics, The King’s School
It is without hesitation that I would recommend Martin as a tutor and commend Stepping Stone education as a true ‘stepping stone’ to success for all varieties of individuals. The quality and applicable level of tuition he is able to provide would be rarely matched by others.
To Whom It May Concern,
I have known Martin S Phabmixay for a period of six years. It has been my pleasure to have been closely associated with him, in several capacities, surrounding the area of Mathematics, teaching and tutoring.
It was my pleasure to have been Martin’s teacher of Mathematics, for two years, through the Higher School Certificate courses and examinations. Martin quickly proved himself to be a highly gifted and motivated student, capable of interpreting questions and conjuring solutions at the most difficult problems. He studied mathematics at the Extension 2 level, the highest available in NSW. He worked through the course ahead of time and sought individual help from me, to ensure all concepts were correctly understood and interpreted. To his credit, he used this extra work as motivation to listen carefully in class and further develop his skills. He was a focused student with a passion for depth of knowledge and understanding
It was during these two years of working with Martin, at The King’s School, that we developed a close affinity and positive relationship. His conversational skills, sense of humour and appreciation of life endeared him to all those around him. He was quick to learn and willing to impart his knowledge. His success, in all three courses of mathematics studied, was exceptional. He was near the top of the state rankings in Mathematics, Extension 1 and Extension 2.
There are very few people that are capable of matching his skills and success. In recognition of his all-round skills, he was awarded the prestigious honour of Academic Colours, for two consecutive years, and achieved an ATAR of 98.95. His depth of understanding, method of presentation and willingness to listen clearly showed he had the potential to be a gifted tutor and teacher.
Since his graduation from the school in 2013, I have been able to take advantage of Martin’s gifts. He was invited back to King’s to act as a Tutor, in a range of subjects, to a variety of students, in the CLL Library of The King’s School. His initial employment was to support me, as a Mathematics tutor but the job quickly expanded, as students became aware of his plethora of talents and ability to give clear instruction in response to their needs. Because we were working closely together, it was clearly evident to me that the quality of his mathematical instruction was exceptional and that he was greatly appreciated by the students. Martin was able to adapt to all requests and situations. He worked well with me, as a team but was equally able to act in isolation, with individuals and groups of students. He is an asset to the school and students, as a Tutor and role model.
Martin has discussed many aspects of Stepping Stones Education with me and I am impressed with the approach he has taken in setting it up, as well as the efficient manner by which he is running the business. I have no hesitation in recommending that parents and students utilise the resources and excellence Martin’s programs offer.
I have been a Mathematics Teacher in NSW for 41 years and have rarely seen a student with Martin’s capabilities. It is a delight to see, first hand, that he has developed these skills to a high degree and displays a high level of maturity and wisdom in all he does, to this day.
My experience has included positions such as Head of Mathematics; Acting Deputy Headmaster; Designer of teacher training courses for the Board of Studies; Lecturer to mathematics teachers in training and Senior Marker for the Higher School Certificate. I am currently Assistant Head of Mathematics at The King’s School; a role which has me overseeing the Mathematics courses and examinations at the school, as well as specialising in the Extension 1 and 2 courses at HSC level.
It is without hesitation that I would recommend Martin as a tutor and commend Stepping Stones Education as a true ‘stepping stone’ to success for all varieties of individuals. The quality and applicable level of tuition he is able to provide would be rarely matched by others.
Yours truly,
Trevor Wykes
10 July 2016
Interview with Martin
Upon graduation, Martin both founded Stepping Stones Education, and accepted a role as a CLL Tutor at The King’s School. It was there Martin began working alongside Trevor Wykes as a Mathematics tutor, however, it wasn’t long until Martin began assisting students in other subjects as more and more individuals became aware of Martin’s abilities in helping them achieve better academic results.
This week, Martin and Stepping Stones Education has had the privilege of receiving a recommendation letter from Trevor Wykes, the Assistant Head of Mathematics at The King’s School. This recommendation letter is a culmination of Martin’s achievements and experience as a student, Tutor of The King’s School, and Head Tutor of Stepping Stones Education.
Here is a short interview with Martin about his experience as a Tutor at The King’s School.
1. What was your experience like as a student at The King’s School?
I started at The King’s School in 2007 and graduated in 2013. During that time I definitely believe I matured more as a person and am grateful that it gave me the opportunity to make the friends I am with today.
The school taught me the importance of being a well-rounded individual and thus encouraged me to discover more about myself in all facets of my life including academics, sports, and friendship. It was because of the guidance and influence I received from my peers, mentors, and the community of The King’s School that have made me who I am in this moment.
There is still so much more for me to discover and I am grateful that there is always someone I can come back to at The King’s School for me to gain more insight and seek guidance throughout my life, and that someone to me is Trevor Gary Wykes.
2. What was your relationship like with Mr. Wykes?
Early on at The King’s School, I wasn’t the best student, but I wanted to be, and being a top student in mathematics at The King’s School to me generally meant being in Trevor’s class. I made it my goal to improve my academic performance enough so that by Year 11 I would in his class and taught by the man himself.
I was determined to spend countless hours revising and practicing my mathematics, and the CLL Library at The King’s School was where I’d be doing it. It was by my own luck that I discovered that Trevor himself was offering free mathematics tutoring to students at the Library in the afternoons! I definitely took up on that opportunity to get as much assistance and guidance as I could from him, and over time, my marks did improve!
By Year 11 I had made it into Trevor’s class and was studying Extension 1 Mathematics with the intention of going further and picking up Extension 2 in Year 12 as well.
After graduating from The King’s School I was invited back to be a CLL Tutor working along Trevor! I accepted it as I felt it was my responsibility at that point to give back as much as I can to the students of The King’s School, just like Trevor did for me. Since then, I’ve always made it a commitment to attend each and every Homework Help Night at King’s at the CLL every Thursday to do what I can to help other students improve as well, no matter what their goals may be.
3. What do you enjoy most about tutoring at The King’s School?
Early on at The King’s School, I wasn’t the best student, but I wanted to be, and being a top student in mathematics at The King’s School to me generally meant being in Trevor’s class. I made it my goal to improve my academic performance enough so that by Year 11 I would in his class and taught by the man himself.
I was determined to spend countless hours revising and practicing my mathematics, and the CLL Library at The King’s School was where I’d be doing it. It was by my own luck that I discovered that Trevor himself was offering free mathematics tutoring to students at the Library in the afternoons! I definitely took up on that opportunity to get as much assistance and guidance as I could from him, and over time, my marks did improve!
By Year 11 I had made it into Trevor’s class and was studying Extension 1 Mathematics with the intention of going further and picking up Extension 2 in Year 12 as well.
After graduating from The King’s School I was invited back to be a CLL Tutor working along Trevor! I accepted it as I felt it was my responsibility at that point to give back as much as I can to the students of The King’s School, just like Trevor did for me. Since then, I’ve always made it a commitment to attend each and every Homework Help Night at King’s at the CLL every Thursday to do what I can to help other students improve as well, no matter what their goals may be.
Experience
4. What Was The Most Important Thing You Learned As a Tutor from Mr. Wykes?
Trevor taught me the importance of treating a student’s problem as an individual thing that has its own solutions on a case by case basis, despite the similarities one student may have with another. He also taught me the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in the classroom.
It’s easy to gain the trust and loyalty of your students when they can see you are able to always keep things in control and in perspective.
There are definitely more things I could discuss and am learning from him still, but those two are the biggest.
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