Our Teachers - English

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We know exactly what it takes to succeed in the HSC.

Matrix teachers train students to understand key concepts behind the theory, as opposed to memorising information. Matrix Theory Booklets help students to arrive at an in-depth understanding of the syllabus material.

Matrix teachers have HSC exam marking experience and/or extensive experience in writing assessments and exams, and thus they know exactly how to maximise marks in school and HSC exams. Our students are taught the most effective exam techniques. Matrix Work Booklets consist of various exam-style questions to help students practice these skills.

Through repetition and close monitoring, Matrix teachers ensure every student understands and masters all facets of the course content.

Note: Not all academic staff are shown.

Lucy Swiatek

English

Position:

Head of English

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts (English)

Diploma of Education

Master of Arts (English)

PhD Candidate (English), Macquarie University

Experience:

Lucy is currently writing her doctoral thesis and teaching English at Macquarie University. She has presented her research at international and local conferences, and has published academic articles on narrative and philosophy. Lucy has teaching experience in many different areas of scholarship and ages, including primary, secondary and tertiary curricula and the disciplines of humanities and behavioural sciences.

Awards:

Macquarie University Research Award for Areas and Centres of Excellence.

Why I love to teach at Matrix:

The teaching and learning environment at Matrix sustains a rigorous academic approach to scholarship and affords both teachers and students the chance to realise their own intellectual and creative goals.

Niven Kumar

English

Position:

English Teacher

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Australian National University

Master of Social Science, University of Singapore

Ph.D Candidate (English), Macquarie University

Experience:

Niven has been teaching English for fifteen years, both in Australia and overseas. He has extensive experience working with students studying English as a Second Language at secondary and tertiary levels, and his detailed knowledge of the HSC English syllabus has enabled his students to achieve excellent results. He teaches English and Drama at Macquarie University and is a guest lecturer at Notre Dame University.

Awards:

Australian Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Why I love to teach at Matrix:

Matrix provides a conducive environment for teaching as well as learning. Because the teaching material is compiled by the most qualified teachers, the Matrix experience becomes an essential starting point for exam and HSC preparation.

Mark Thackray

English

Position:

English Teacher

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts with a Mass Communication major, Macquarie University

Bachelor of Secondary Education, University of Queensland

Master of Arts, Macquarie University

Experience:

Mark has 6 years English teaching experience in numerous countries, ranging from kindergarten to University levels. Most recently Mark taught Media Studies at Saint George’s Church of English High School in Kent, English. He has also worked as a journalist, sub-editor and is a published author.

Awards:

Dean’s Award for High Achievement, University of Queensland (UQ)

Why I love to teach at Matrix:

I enjoy assisting students reach their full potential and Matix provides the opportunity for this. It's not just the carefully planned, high quality study material, but also the atmosphere as well as the shared goal of success that makes Matrix so unique and successful.

Fiana Stewart

English

Position:

English Teacher

Qualifications:

Diploma of Education, University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Diploma of Book Editing & Publishing

Bachelor of Arts

Master of Arts

Experience:

Fiana has 7 years English teaching experience for both primary and secondary students. She has taught at HSC level in high schools in English and Drama and has a special interest in English Extension 2 and creative writing. Fiana has previously specialized in Shakespeare studies at Cambridge during her undergraduate degree, and has completed several performance works. She currently works as a freelance writer and editor. She has worked for Allen & Unwin Publishers and reviewed for 2SER radio for 2 years.

Why I love to teach at Matrix:

Students at Matrix are enthused and eager to make use of all learning opportunities, this is not just integral to achieving but it creates the most rewarding environment for students and teachers. They come to Matrix already motivated to improve or consolidate their studies which means teachers can focus on educating.

Vicki Land

English

Position:

English Teacher

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts with a History and Medieval studies major, University of Sydney

Experience:

Vicki lectured in design and design history at the University of Technology and has also taught design at East Sydney College of TAFE and the College of Fine Arts at the University of New South Wales. She has also conducted history, geography, archaeology and cultural history field trips for primary and high school students for the Education branch of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. She is currently translating and illustrating a collection of medieval tales with a group of lecturers and students from the English Department of the University of Sydney.

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