Tutoring for Success
At Griffith, we want to provide you every opportunity to succeed
The Tutoring for Success Program (TSP) is a supplementary academic tutorial initiative, established to enhance First Peoples students’ experience and success at university.
The program is funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP) initiative. Extensive human and financial resourcing is assigned to the Tutoring for Success Program in order to match eligible students with suitably qualified course-specific tutors.
We encourage all First Peoples students to apply for tutoring each trimester, whether it is to achieve a pass (4) or perhaps improve your grade from a 6 to a 7!
Students
TSP assistance is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in coursework programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate and online students at Griffith University.
An Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is defined as someone who meets the following:
- is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- is accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person by the community in which that person lives.
- If you are a new or existing student, you will need to register using the Tutoring for Success Program (TSP) application form.
- List all courses in which you would like to receive tutoring, outlining your specific needs and preferred tutor.
You are required to email your Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Heritage to TSP Officer. We will accept a certified confirmation of Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander status.
Once you have submitted your application, book an appointment with a TSP Officer at a time that suits you to discuss your specific needs. Appointments are available in person, via phone or online.
Once you are matched with a suitable tutor, you will receive an approval email with your tutor’s contact details to arrange a time that suits you both, in person or online. We require that you meet your tutor weekly to stay on track. It is important that you use your weekly allocation as hours cannot be accumulated and used in the future.
While it is preferred that TSP tutoring takes place in the GUMURRII Unit, the tutor and student may agree to meet elsewhere or online, however, TSP Tutoring must not take place in the student’s nor tutor’s home.
To prepare for tuition, you will develop Student-Tutor goals based on your learning needs for each course in which you are receiving tutoring. The tutor will then forward these to the TSP team. These goals should help you and your tutor manage your weekly timetables and plan for assessments and exams that are due throughout the trimester and will assist the Student Success Team to support you along the way.
You are eligible for up to 1.5 hours per course, per week with three hours per course allocated for study and exam periods each trimester. These three hours can be taken as a block or split according to your needs and the tutor’s availability. The TSP team will maintain regular contact with your tutor and the Student Success Officers (SSO) will monitor your progress and ensure objectives and goals are being met.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to an SSO for assistance.
Tutors
Tutors must be qualified, either through formal education and/or relevant experience (which is determined by the TSP team) to be eligible to deliver tutoring under the Program.
Qualified tutors must provide certified copies of their qualifications and a CV for a reference check. Wherever possible, suitably qualified Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people will be engaged as tutors. Tutors must be sensitive to, and able to relate to, the unique educational needs of First Peoples students.
- If it is your first time applying for a tutoring position, you will need to register using the Tutoring for Success Program (TSP) application form.
- Both new and existing tutors will be required to list the courses in which you are qualified to tutor and outline any other relevant information. You must only list courses that you have successfully completed or have relevant knowledge of course content. You cannot tutor courses that you currently teach or in which you have some influence on the grading of students for that particular course.
Your application will be assessed by the TSP team and, if approved, you will be added to our tutor database.
All tutors are required to participate in professional development arranged by the TSP team. You will be notified by email when this training will take place. You will be paid for this training on receipt of a response sheet by the TSP Team. This training aims to provide tutors with increased awareness and understanding of the contemporary challenges faced by First Peoples students in higher education.
When a student applies, we will match them with a suitably qualified course-specific tutor. If you are selected, you will receive an approval email with your student’s contact details to arrange a time that suits you both, in person or online.
We require that you meet your student weekly to stay on track. It is important that you use your weekly allocation as hours cannot be accumulated and used in the future.
While it is preferred that TSP tutoring takes place in the GUMURRII Unit, the tutor and student may agree to meet elsewhere or online, however, TSP Tutoring must not take place in the student’s nor tutor’s home.
The role of a TSP tutor is to assist students with coursework through the explanation of terms and concepts. Guidance in the preparation of course assessments and exams may also be required. It is not the tutor's responsibility to do the student's work nor any other activity that could reasonably be thought of as part of the responsibilities of a student.
To prepare for tuition, you are required to develop a set of goals based on the learning needs of each student for each course in which the student is receiving tutoring. The tutor then forwards these goals in a brief summary emailed to the TSP team following the first or second tutoring session. These goals can help you and your student manage your weekly timetables and plan for assessments and exams that are due throughout the trimester.
Students are eligible for up to 1.5 hours per course, per week with three hours per course allocated for study and exam periods each trimester. These three hours can be taken as a block or split according to the student’s needs and your availability. The TSP team will maintain regular contact with you to monitor progress and ensure objectives and goals are being met.
Towards the end of the TSP contract, tutors are invited to provide feedback that may help improve the tutoring experience, assess the effectiveness of the program and suggest changes to be considered. If you have any concerns, please reach out to the TSP team for assistance.