Your Essential Study Skills Guide For Students | Season 2 – Episode 3 Proven strategies to maximise your study habits and smash those study goals Need to study for your exams and don't know where to start? Chris and Rob have you covered. In this episode Rob and Chris share their top study tips, focusing on simple and effective steps students can use to make study a breeze, such as how to make time to study, concentrate on what you don't know, create a better environment to study in, when to ask for help and building up your skills. Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis have over 20 years of teaching experience. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Topics and tips Prioritise your time: Find a study schedule that works for you. Take breaks and get enough sleep.Target your weaknesses: Focus on what you do not know, not just what you think you should know.Create your ideal study space: Optimise your environment for maximum productivity and remove distractions (like phones and computers).Ask for help: Understand when and how to reach out for support - from your teacher, parents, friends, and team/classmates.Build essential study skills: Develop the habits that will set you up for success. Know your syllabus, keywords/theories/terminology. Strengthen your recall skills and memory.Handwriting: If your marker cannot read it, you won't get the marks.

Meet the Principal | Season 2 Episode 2 Meet the Principal with Simon Ghantous, Principal of Marist College Kogarah In this episode, hosts Rob and Chris sit down with Simon Ghantous, the Principal at Marist College Kogarah, to explore his experience of school leadership. Simon shares his journey moving from being a classroom teacher to his current role, insights, and philosophy on building a supportive and inclusive school environment. Simon Ghantous joined Marist College Kogarah as College Principal in 2021. Prior to this he was the Assistant Principal at De La Salle Revesby and held leadership positions in the Sydney Catholic Schools Office, Patrician Brothers College Fairfield and St Dominic’s College Kingswood. We discuss Simon's commitment to mentoring and fostering collaboration, and how this has created a positive and empowering atmosphere for both staff and students at Marist College. He also explains belief in the importance of providing opportunities for all students to learn, contribute, and feel valued. Join us as we explore the strategies and practices that have made Simon's school a thriving community. Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis have over 20 years of teaching experience. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Topics covered Simon’s career and journey to become a PrincipalWhat inspired his teaching careerBuilding opportunities for students to contribute to a sense of school community, including academic, sporting, leadership and other activitiesCreating a flexible and supportive workplace for teachersImpact of wellbeing issues for studentsValue of formal and informal mentoring for all teachers, but especially new teachers Links and further resources https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/its-more-than-just-a-job/https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2024/05/Catholic-School-Leaders-2024.pdf (pages 32-33)

Why a good night’s sleep is the key to supporting students In this episode, we take a deep dive with Rob and Chris about the impact a lack of sleep can have on the developing brain of a high school student. Inspired by Matthew Walker’s ‘Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams’, Rob explains the detrimental role of screens and blue light, the intersection of alcohol and sleep deprivation, and how a lack of sleep compounds to blunt your ability to study. Tune in to learn strategies to improve sleep habits and help teenagers thrive. Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy. Topics covered Teenagers should have about 9 hours of sleep a night, adults need 7 hours of sleep, and the quality of the sleep matters tooHow to create a comfortable sleep environment that is dark, quiet and coolEngage in regular physical activity but avoid intense exercise close to going to sleepHow to develop a consistent sleep schedule to help regulate your body clockEstablish a relaxing sleep routine, such as reading or a warm bath, to signal your body that it is time to wind downLimit screen time before bed, as blue light can interfere with your sleep cycleLimit naps to 20-30 minutes, and not too late in the afternoon, to avoid delaying your natural sleep cycleThe impact a disrupted sleep pattern can have on school attendance and performance Links and sources Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew WalkerWaking up to Australia’s Sleep Crisis, The Australian, 24 Feb 20244 in 10 Australians battling sleep issues as nation’s sleep crisis grows, SBS Australia (media release), 7 February 2024What happens to a person's biological clock in isolation? – More information about the bunker experiment, in which subjects were confined for weeks with no exposure to natural light and soon established their own circadian rhythmshttps://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-sidehttps://www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition/alcohol-and-sleephttps://sequencewiz.org/2018/04/25/how_caffeine_affects_the_body/

Museums – A different education career What do bog bodies, VR and ancient history have in common for an education career? Joining Chris and Rob this episode is the third part of the Educational Currency Team: our producer, Kate. Aside from recording and editing the podcast, Kate works in museums and as a high school English tutor at The Coaching College. In this episode she shares her passion for all things archaeology, the story of how she came to be a curator and explores the role of museum in education outside of the formal school environment. Thanks for listening to the premier season of the podcast – we’ll be dropping season 2 very soon! Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy. Kate Pentecost has worked in museums for over 12 years across collection management, digital outreach and collections, and curatorial. She is also an English tutor at the Coaching College and the producer of The Educational Currency Podcast.   Topics covered Choosing to study archaeology and museumsWhat sparked the interest in archaeology and the ancient world?How museums design programs and exhibitions to inspire students and entertain familiesDiscovering how to produce a podcastKate’s recommendations for awesome museums:Victoria and Albert Museum (London)Australian Centre for the Moving Image (Melbourne)Australian War Memorial (Canberra)Imperial War Museum (London)Smithsonian (Washington)Vindolanda (United Kingdom) VR in museums: an exciting dream for its use in the exhibition space, photogrammetry and 3D models Links and sources Bog bodies: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/archaeology/peat-bogs-are-freakishly-good-at-preserving-human-remains.htm and https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/europe-bog-bodies-reveal-secrets-180962770/Why Your Museum Needs a Podcast by Hannah Hethmon, https://www.betterlemonaudio.com/resourcesFind out more about what a conservator does: https://aiccm.org.au/ and https://www.youtube.com/c/TheConservationStarterVictoria and Albert Museum, London, UK: https://www.vam.ac.uk/Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne, Australia: https://www.acmi.net.au/?Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia: https://www.awm.gov.au/Imperial War Museum, London, UK: https://www.iwm.org.uk/Smithsonian, Washington, USA: https://www.si.edu/The State Hermitage Museum, Russia: https://hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/Vindolanda, Roman fort just outside of York, UK: https://www.vindolanda.com/ Image credits Tollund Man by Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove, via FLickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroenvn/20257396181/Sea monster: Saint Brendan saying mass on the back of a whale - Australian National Maritime Museum Collection, https://collections.sea.museum/objects/29824/engraving-depicting-saint-brendan-saying-mass-on-the-back-of

A Teacher's Guide to Vaping Prevention, and Why Students Vape Joining Rob and Chris in this episode is Kim - a trained PD/H/PE teacher whose career has moved into health policy and programs targeting issues impacting teenagers. Currently, Kim is working on programs to address vaping and focusing on behaviour change through peer-led discussions. She outlines the emerging impacts of vaping (it's not great) and strategies for teachers and parents to help teenagers quit (step one: listen, don't lecture).   Topics covered The rise of vaping from 2020 onwards The lack of regulation for vaping products, and how the marketing of these products targets teensHow and why the peer-led education model has better outcomes for studentsThe links between health prevention, schools, parents, students and teachersWhy do students vape? Mostly due to stress, mental health and risk-takingDangers of vaping How much nicotine is in a vape?How many puffs are you taking?What are the dangers of nicotine to a developing brain?Passive vaping has risks to others What can parents do? Ask your child, don't accuse themBe pre-emptive with the conversation at an age-appropriate levelThere are guides available from NSW Health, QLD Health and Victoria Health with excellent tools and tips for parents and teens Resources https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/vaping-resources.aspxhttps://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/vaping.aspxhttps://www.health.gov.au/vaping/resourceshttps://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vapinghttps://www.quit.org.au/https://swsphn.com.au/news/nsw-health-develop-vaping-resources-for-parents-and-carers-of-young-people/Vape Check/Dovetail – from QLD Health: https://insight.qld.edu.au/shop/vape-check#:~:text=Vape%20Check%20is%20a%20guided,Check%20before%20using%20the%20tool. Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Expert Strategies for Connecting and Engaging with Students: A Teacher's Perspective Joining Rob and Chris in this episode is Stoyan Kosteski — a science teacher with a knack for exceptional classroom management. Stoyan shares key moments from his teaching career, his best hacks for setting expectations in the classroom and reflects on why teaching is a rewarding career. Along the way Stoyan, Rob and Chris discuss facing the moment you got it wrong and why failing forward is how you grow as a teacher. Topics covered Stoyan’s Three Unbreakable Rules for Effective Classroom Management™Always show respect for others and listen when they are talking (this goes for both students and teachers)No student is allowed behind the Teacher's deskNo one is allowed to move around the classroom without permission Always follow through with your expectations and outcomes with studentsHave a conversation with the student if they are acting up – find out why they are acting outStudents need to feel respected, as well as being seen as peopleThe manner and volume in which you speak to the student drives the conversationModel the behaviour you expect from the studentsState the facts. Stay on the facts. Repeat the facts. Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

How should teachers and students navigate the rapidly emerging technology of Artificial Intelligence? It's the next industrial revolution: computer programs that learn and improve the more you with it. Instead of searching for a particular webpage, you will prompt an AI to compile the research for you, and in concisely written chunks, or even tell it to simply automatically summarise the information into a stylish graphic. This technology is programmed to mimic human abilities like learning from data, recognizing patterns, and even making decisions. You see AI in things like chatbots answering your questions online, or photo apps that recommend edits. AI is still under development, but ChatGPT and similar AI programs are swiftly coming to your phone, laptop and digital life. Join Chris and Rob as they discuss how this technology could impact students, teaching methods and considerations for skilling the future workforce. Topics covered What is AIHow a student could use AI at school – it’s not all about plagiarismAdvantages, disadvantages and limitations of AI in an Education settingData privacyThe intersections of AI, Robotics and Virtual RealityBuilding AI skills for the workforce Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Exploring the pros and cons of sending your child to a mixed or single-sex school There is a change in the air: more parents are choosing to send their children to mixed or co-educational schools, traditional single-sex independent schools are becoming co-ed and, in a few years, most public schools in NSW will also be co-ed. This week Rob and Chris discuss the arguments for and against these changes, while reflecting on their experiences as parents and teachers in single-sex schools. Topics covered What factors should parents consider when choosing the right school for their childAdvantages and disadvantages of mixed or co-educational environmentsAdvantages and disadvantages of all-girls or all-boys environmentsDo girls and boys have different learning styles?Socialising and bullying at single-sex schoolsAddressing misogyny within all-boys schoolsPrivilege, equity and social mobility The 7am podcast episode referenced by Chris, which inspired that episode: https://7ampodcast.com.au/episodes/why-the-newington-old-boys-are-crying    Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

New to teaching? Having your first prac? Rob and Chris share their strategies, personal experiences and tips on navigating the beginning of your teaching career.  Topics covered Starting teaching at any age: straight from high school to university to being on staff, contrasted with coming into teaching as a mature age studentWays to practice teaching and leading groups before you have to teach a classGetting your classroom management downBuilding your professional support network: mentors, your faculty staff and the wider staffroom are a wealth of knowledgeAsking for advice and feedback, and acting on itBuilding a rapport with staff and studentsAppearing professional, and the role of presentation and body languageChallenges facing new teachers on their practicums and first teaching rolesDiscipline, restorative justice in action and reframing how to deal with problems in classroom management Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

What healthy habits can you develop to help support your life and study plans? Chris asks Rob about his top tips for forming healthy habits that support your mind, mood, study plans and school-life balance. Topics covered Healthy body, healthy mind.Nutrition: see an accredited dietitian, reduce your sugar intake, and you want to avoid spikes in your blood sugar. Have a high-protein breakfast.Aim for 7 to 8 hours a night of sleep. Get natural sunlight in your eyes early in the morning (this helps your body maintain a sustainable sleep cycle).Keep hydrated, and don’t forget your salt (Rob suggests hydralyte to help with your sodium levels).Move your body: walk with purpose, start with 15-minute goals, exercise increases your feel-good hormones and improves your mood.Support your mental health and aim for a balanced lifestyle.Stay connected socially: have a solid and wide support network (family, friends, school, sport and/or community connections).Parents are the ultimate mentors for a healthy lifestyle. Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis have over 20 years of teaching experience. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education.

How to help your students and children prepare for exams and effective study techniques Rob and Chris share their professional and parental experiences to foster productive study habits. Habits are incremental and built through repetition. Topics covered Are you actually studying?Setting good study habitsHomework is continuing and finishing their classworkStudy is summary and reflectionPreparing productive study plansTime managementDistractions: phones, computers, notifications and chat functionsMonitor and guide study habits for your childSupporting different ages and stagesSubject selection and developing your academic habitsStress management in senior students: support networks, what are your stressors and concerns?Your study timetable should be balanced, with family time, socialising, sporting/exercise commitments and/or work shifts. Relaxation should be included. Review each term. Tick it off and aim to build it up. You don’t have to nail it perfectly. The schedule should not add to your stress! It is there to support and guide you.Ask your mentors and support network for feedbackRob’s HSC-specific tips: What is in an exam?Collect your marks slowly and accuratelyThe night before an exam you focus on your weaker areas only Chris’ exams tips: Past papersConsistent study schedule, balanced with well-being and life commitmentsWho are your support networks? Who can you go to for help and/or feedback? Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

How do you guide your students or children to find reliable experts? Welcome to the Educational Currency, a podcast about all things current with education. Join Chris and Rob in discussing how to spot an imposter influencer in the sphere of education. Topics covered Who are you listening to?What are their credentials and/or experience?What is an “expert”?Influencers and social media – AI and gaming the algorithmAn expert in one field is not an expert in all fieldsExperience leads to expertise Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Welcome to the Educational Currency, a podcast about all things current with education. Join Rob and Chris in discussing what makes a good mentor. Topics covered:  What is a mentor?What makes a good mentor? What is the value of a mentor for students?How to help transition your child with starting high schoolSupporting your senior students with stress and study habits Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Welcome to the Educational Currency Podcast, a podcast exploring all things education, for teachers, students and parents. Hosted by Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski, educators with over 20 years of experience in the classroom. From study habits to AI in classrooms, how to be a good mentor and mastering classroom management, we'll discuss everything that's current in education.