Sunday afternoons at St Mary’s Newman Academic Centre in Parkville have been a vibrant meeting point of shared learning, mentorship and friendship in 2024, as university students from Melbourne University’s Newman and St Mary’s Catholic residential colleges tutored high school students from migrant and refugee backgrounds, guiding them through a range of subjects and instilling confidence.
Sheena Teeder, General Manager of Friday Night School, an independent, non-denominational education charity founded 26 years ago, says the tutoring program aims to help students from non-English-speaking backgrounds, particularly recently arrived migrant and refugee students. The collaboration with Newman and St Mary’s colleges has been running for more than 10 years. High school students are introduced to the Newman College program and tutors through their association with the Friday Night School program.
‘This has been a great experience for tutors and [students] alike,’ says Sheena Teeder. ‘Each of the [school] students has expressed to me how much they have enjoyed the sessions and how helpful they have found them for their studies.
‘Our students have spoken to me about wanting to attend university and maybe one day supporting younger students in the way that the present Newman and St Mary’s College students have supported them. I don’t think there can be a higher compliment than that!’
The tutors come ready and armed to teach each week, and there is such a great energy in the room.
This year, 12 school students of Timorese, Ethiopian, Vietnamese and Indonesian ethnicity participated in the program, travelling mostly from Richmond (though some live in suburbs further out). Between six and 12 tutors from the two colleges were available each Sunday to tutor the students. Danusia Kaska, Chaplain at Newman College, helps coordinate the tutoring sessions each Sunday and says the sessions are ‘amazing’.
‘The tutors come ready and armed to teach in the East Timor room of the academic centre each week, and there is such a great energy in the room,’ she says. ‘The sessions are lively, with lots of dedicated and great learning happening.’
Students say which subjects they need help with, and they’re matched with tutors who are skilled in those areas. Sometimes, if students need help with the same subject or are working on similar projects, one tutor might work with a group.
‘The tutors go out of their way to prepare for the sessions, to ensure they can help [the students] in the best way possible. In one example, a tutor borrowed Macbeth to read before helping a student with an essay on it—not having read it before. The tutor was “so happy” to have read it and to support the student in this way.’
Danusia says the tutors enjoy seeing their students’ progress, watching them understand new concepts and improve week by week. ‘The room is constantly busy with discussions, learnings, creativity and problem-solving. They use the whiteboard, notebooks, library books, calculators and laptops to create a productive environment.’ She noted the ‘lovely coincidence’ between the location of the tutoring sessions in the East Timor room and those students who have Timorese heritage. ‘They love that connection,’ she says.
Danusia emphasises the mutual benefit of the program, saying it was a ‘wonderfully positive experience’ for both the tutors and students.
‘These kids come smiling, with great joy, eager and excited to attend school, and to receive the tutoring assistance.’
Danusia adds, ‘The students’ journeys to the sessions are not always easy. They navigate public transport routes across Melbourne, often facing delays due to city protests.’ Nevertheless, she says, they have come along every week, motivated by the chance to learn alongside tutors who were themselves students at Melbourne University.
I had never imagined attending university before attending these tutorial sessions. Being part of the program has really provided me the inspiration to work toward attending university—possibly even Melbourne University!
For many students, these tutoring sessions have been transformative. One Year 12 student, on the brink of graduating this year, says, ‘It was really helpful seeing the tutors’ perspective of university life. They encouraged me to do my best. I wanted to study paramedicine, and being here inspired me to believe that I could do any course I wanted in the future.’
Another says, ‘I had never imagined attending university before attending these tutorial sessions. Being part of the program has really provided me the inspiration to work toward attending university—possibly even Melbourne University!’
For younger students, the program broadened their academic interests and brought new friends. A Year 8 student particularly appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with old primary school friends and bond with other students. The tutoring environment at the college provided not just academic assistance, but also an atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement.
Several students comment on how the tutoring sessions enhanced their learning experience. ‘It was helpful with our homework,’ one student remarks, adding that having tutors made studying more motivating and fun. Another student appreciated the group dynamic, saying, ‘It was nice to do homework in a group.’
The program’s positive energy and collaborative spirit make it a space where students and tutors alike look forward to learning and growing together.
For tutors, the experience was equally fulfilling. One tutor found joy in seeing students’ progress, while another valued the chance to share knowledge and build relationships. Tutors also enjoyed sharing insights beyond academics, offering guidance about university life and career aspirations.
One tutor enjoyed sharing her enthusiasm for a topic that she was passionate about and was inspired by the students’ keenness to learn. Another tutor notes that teaching reinforced her own knowledge, especially in subjects like maths, and appreciated the opportunity to connect with students who show dedication and curiosity.
‘The sessions go beyond just homework help,’ says Danusia. ‘Tutors often discuss university life, career paths and study techniques, providing mentorship that reaches beyond the classroom. The program’s positive energy and collaborative spirit make it a space where students and tutors alike look forward to learning and growing together. The tutors are excited to be part of the program next year!’
