After more than three decades in the classroom, local educator Florence de Crespigny saw firsthand the struggles many students faced – particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Determined to bridge the gap between city and regional education, she established Your Tutor Armidale, a tutoring centre dedicated to helping students of all ages rediscover their confidence and love of learning.
“Schools can be places of suffering for some students who fail to make progress, and this can lead to negative self-concepts,” Florence explains. “Our aim for our students is to restore them to their dignity as people, ignite their love of learning and nurture their self-belief.”
Personalised support for every student
Located in the heart of Armidale at 209 Beardy Street, Your Tutor offers face-to-face tutoring for students from Kindergarten through to Year 12, as well as adults. Their most popular service is private one-on-one tutoring tailored to each student’s unique needs.
Whether it’s catching up in literacy and numeracy, extending knowledge in senior subjects, or preparing for major exams, the centre provides expert support across a wide range of areas. Subjects include Extension 2 Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and History, as well as targeted help for younger students in reading, spelling, writing skills, comprehension, and foundational maths.
Florence notes that mathematics is the most requested subject nationwide – and Armidale is no exception.
“For a student to have one additional person in their corner and get their undivided attention and encouragement once a week makes an enormous difference to their confidence and achievement,” she says.
Meeting diverse learning needs
Your Tutor Armidale prides itself on inclusivity, with specialist teachers who support neurodiverse students, including those with dyslexia and dyscalculia. The team also assists students experiencing school refusal by ensuring continuity of learning, particularly for those undertaking distance education.
Adults, too, find valuable support at the centre. From mastering mathematics for a trade qualification to improving essay writing skills or navigating coursework, Your Tutor offers tailored assistance for lifelong learners. The centre also partners with local organisations such as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Carers Gateway, Challenge, and Pathfinders to support broader community needs.
A team of dedicated educators
Behind the success of Your Tutor Armidale is a team of about 25 passionate educators. The staff includes highly experienced K–10 teachers, fully qualified secondary mathematics specialists, tutors trained in English as a Second Language, and pre-service teachers from UNE’s School of Education. Adding to the mix are medical students from UNE’s School of Rural Medicine, who provide invaluable support in science and maths.
“Our young tutors are fantastic role models to local students,” Florence says proudly. “Everyone has clearance to work with children, which is a must as we take child protection very seriously.”
Collaboration with families
Parents play a vital role in the tutoring journey, with open communication encouraged at every step.
“Decades of research has shown that when parents engage in their child’s learning, student achievement and wellbeing are increased,” Florence explains. Feedback is often informal, with parents sharing improved grades, school certificates, or requests for focus areas based on teacher reports.
This collaborative approach ensures that each program is co-designed with students, parents, and tutors working toward shared goals.
Transformative results
The results speak for themselves. Florence recalls a pair of Year 3 students who, after four terms of tutoring, showed marked improvements in both literacy and numeracy – along with a renewed sense of confidence.
Parents, too, are quick to sing the centre’s praises. One parent, Alison, described the service as being “fabulous for helping my daughter continue with high school studies,” adding that it provided “extra confidence to maintain positive learning strategies at school and decrease her stress for exams.”
Another parent, Jo, highlighted the transformation in her daughter’s attitude toward maths: “As soon as she started tutoring with Your Tutor, her confidence returned and just last week she bounced out of tutoring and said, ‘I can now do long division.’ The way they have unlocked her block with maths and helped build her confidence before she starts Year 7 has been a special gift.”
Flexible options for busy families
Your Tutor offers tutoring after school, on weekends, and even during school hours for senior students. For those unable to attend in person, lessons can also be delivered via Lessonspace, a reliable virtual classroom platform.
Parents and students can book sessions by visiting the centre, calling 0403 070 484, emailing yourtutorarmidale@outlook.com, or registering through the student portal at www.yourtutorarmidale.com.au.
Why local matters
While online platforms are increasingly popular, Florence believes there is no substitute for face-to-face learning. “Online environments have come a long way but they cannot replicate what happens face-to-face,” she says. The centre’s comfortable, well-resourced premises in Armidale offer a safe, supportive environment where students feel connected and encouraged.
Membership with the Australian Tutoring Association further underpins Your Tutor’s professional standards and commitment to quality education.
Looking ahead
Florence is passionate about expanding the centre’s impact even further. Plans for the future include small group tutoring in maths and English, holiday workshops, dyslexia-specific services, school readiness programs for children about to start Kindergarten, and regional outreach to towns like Inverell and Glen Innes. She is also seeking grants to make tutoring more accessible to local families.
Ultimately, her vision remains clear: to empower students to achieve success and to foster lifelong confidence in their abilities.
As Florence reflects, the greatest reward is watching students “graduate” from Your Tutor Armidale – leaving not because they are struggling, but because they have achieved their goals.
“It is always a bit sad,” she admits, “but outweighed by the satisfaction of a job well done.”
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