Questions from students and families

Frequently asked questions

Find answers about our program, tutoring and wellbeing support, fees, enrolment, meals and what students can expect.

About the program

  • We are Melbourne's premium learning and wellbeing program for students in Years 9 to 12, specialising in VCE support.

    We provide high-achieving academic tutors who support students across multiple Year 9, Year 10 and VCE subjects, executive functioning guidance, SAC and VCE exam preparation, subject selection advice, study skills, career and tertiary guidance, SEAS advice, wellbeing mentoring, and a nourishing afternoon tea and two-course dinner. All in one beautifully and intentionally designed study sanctuary in Hawthorn, Melbourne.

  • Through our values of learning, wellbeing and belonging, we give our students the opportunity to:

    • Improve academic performance

    • Build greater confidence and clarity in their studies over time

    • Develop personalised study skills and executive functioning skills such as time management, organisation and prioritisation, and goal setting

    • Feel more empowered and capable with their workload

    • Experience a genuine sense of community, care and belonging

    • Grow their awareness of habits and choices that support their overall wellbeing

    • Develop resilience and self-belief through consistent support and encouragement

  • In addition to our premium learning experience, we offer extra value for our students and parents.


    Here's what sets us apart:

    • Our hearty and nourishing meal service. We provide catered afternoon tea and a two-course dinner

    ●     Our emphasis on student wellbeing. Wellbeing is part of our culture and it runs through everything we do

    • Our community and environment. Calming, motivating, inspiring and welcoming

    • Our focus on the whole student. A whole person approach to learning

  • The student who wants to:

    • Improve academic performance and achieve their potential ATAR

    • Feel more organised and capable with their workload, more confident walking into an exam, more organised heading into a school week, and more supported during what can feel like an overwhelming few years

    • Get homework help in a positive study environment

    • Develop personalised study and organisation skills

    • Experience a genuine sense of community, care and belonging

    • Grow their awareness of habits and choices that support their overall wellbeing

    • Develop resilience and self-belief through consistent support and encouragement

    • Understand what they are learning and feel proud of how far they have come

    The parent:

    • Who wants their child to graduate not just with a strong ATAR, but with greater exposure to the habits, skills and mindset that support confidence, resilience and self-belief that will benefit them in life after school

    • Who is ready to share the load with experts

    • Who is doing everything they can and still feels like something is missing

    • Who comes home after a full day of work to a stressed teenager and dinner that needs cooking which sometimes feels overwhelming

    • Who lies awake wondering whether their child is getting enough support

    The family:

    • Whose teenager knows what they need to do but can't quite make themselves do it

    • Where evenings at home have become about homework battles instead of the relationship you want with your child

    • Who have tried private tutors before, but what your child needs is academic support plus a place that feeds them well and offers them the structure they need

    • If that's your family, this is your place

  • We are not a mental health service. Our team are not psychologists, counsellors or therapists, and we would never position them as such.
    If a student is experiencing significant mental health challenges, we will always encourage families to access appropriate professional support.

  • The Whole Student opens on Monday February 8 2027.

Applications & Enrolments

  • Yes, applications are open.  We encourage you to apply now as places are limited.

  • Enrolment is a 3 step process:

    1. Fill out the application form on the website

    2. Attend an online interview with our Head of Education

    3. Successful applicants will be notified

  • Yes, students and parents/caregivers will be required to attend an online interview with our Head of Education as part of the application process.
    The interview lasts approximately 30 minutes. We will meet you and your child together, discuss their subjects, current challenges, study goals, and create their individual learning plans. This is also your opportunity to ask us questions.

  • Please discuss your child's specific learning needs with us at your interview. We have experience supporting students with a range of learning profiles and are committed to creating an environment where every student can thrive. We will be honest with you about what we can offer and whether we are the right fit for your child's particular needs.

  • We ask families to commit to a full term at the time of enrolment because consistency is where the real benefit happens.

  • We recommend starting with one session per week. Additional nights can be added subject to availability and will incur an additional session fee.

  • Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for our cancellation and refund policy. We recommend reviewing these carefully before enrolling.

  • The fee is $250 per session, charged on a full term basis at the commencement of each term.

Academic Support and Subjects

  • We cater for students in Years 9 to 12.

  • We offer Year 9 and Year 10 tutoring and VCE tutoring in the following subjects:

    Year 9 and Year 10 Subjects
    We tutor students across all Year 9 and Year 10 subjects.
    Contact us to confirm we can support your child's specific subjects.

    VCE Subjects
    We tutor students in the following VCE subjects:

    • VCE English

    • VCE Maths Methods

    • VCE General Maths

    • VCE Psychology

    • VCE Specialist Maths

    • VCE Chemistry

    • VCE Physics

    • VCE Legal Studies

    • VCE PE

    • VCE Business Management

    • VCE Health

    Exact subjects covered each night will vary depending on the tutors available.
    e.g. some languages may be covered on some nights

    At your interview we'll confirm your child's subjects match our team's expertise, and we'll be transparent about any subjects where a specialist tutor would serve you better.
    We employ tutors from different streams (e.g. Maths and Science, English and Psychology).

  • IB students are welcome, however at this stage we do not employ tutors that specifically cater for IB.

  • Individual outcomes will vary and depend on each student's unique circumstances, commitment and engagement with the program.
    We offer an exceptional environment, an exceptional team, and an exceptional experience that gives every student who walks through our door the very best possible opportunity to grow.
    Student engagement is essential. The Whole Student cannot guarantee outcomes for a student who attends reluctantly and disengages.
    The Whole Student is not a magic fix. We cannot guarantee grades, eliminate stress or resolve every challenge a teenager faces during these demanding years.

  • Academic success is a different journey for each student. Through the interview process we will ascertain where your child is placed and structure a plan to address their specific needs. This plan will be adjusted as the student's academic proficiency and confidence grows.

  • Rather than tutoring in isolation, our students study in a group environment and receive individual tutoring throughout the evening.
    This model gives your child the benefit of personalised attention alongside the motivation and energy of a focused peer community.

Our Team

  • The Whole Student is led by our Head of Education, Mr Lachlan Noble, Assistant Principal at McKinnon Secondary College.
    Lachlan is a long-standing educator and school leader.
    He brings decades of experience in leading students to success in the VCE.


    Our Wellbeing Director is Sara Green.
    Sara has over 30 years of expert experience in the health and wellness industry.
    She ensures that the whole-person philosophy runs through every aspect of The Whole Student experience.

  • We are extremely intentional about who we engage to support our students.
    Our tutors will be mentors and role models for your child. They have been in their shoes; they understand the demands and what it takes to achieve academic and life goals.
    As well as being high achieving (ATAR of 90 or above), they are emotionally intelligent, engaging, empathetic, approachable and patient.
    They are passionate about teaching and skilled communicators.

  • Yes. All staff including tutors, program managers and leadership hold current Victorian Working with Children Checks.

Sessions and Scheduling

  • Our after school learning program runs Monday to Thursday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm following our published term calendar. You choose the day or days that your child attends. A full term commitment is required.

  • Session Schedule

    4:00pm            Students arrive and are welcomed with afternoon tea

    4:15pm            First study block begins

    6:00pm            Students sit together for a two-course dinner

    6:30pm            Second study block begins

    8:00pm            Session ends

  • Our groups are limited to a maximum of 30 students per session.

  • There will be 1 tutor for every 10 students per session.

  • Yes. Students leave their phone in their bag when they arrive.
    This is a deliberate policy.  A phone number will be provided so parents can contact students if needed.

  • This is one of the most common concerns we hear, and it is completely valid.
    Our aim is for every child to feel genuinely supported both academically and in their overall wellbeing.
    Our tutors, environment, food, culture, and peer community are exceptional and our goal is for students to want to be there because of our approach.
    It's possible that a reluctant student ends up being pleasantly surprised by how much they get out of the program.
    Student engagement is essential. The Whole Student cannot guarantee outcomes for a student who attends reluctantly and disengages.
    We use an ongoing assessment approach which allows us to give feedback to students and parents.

Wellbeing and meals

  • The Whole Student is led by our Head of Education, Mr Lachlan Noble, Assistant Principal at McKinnon Secondary College.
    Lachlan is a long-standing educator and school leader.
    He brings decades of experience in leading students to success in the VCE.


    Our Wellbeing Director is Sara Green.
    Sara has over 30 years of expert experience in the health and wellness industry.
    She ensures that the whole-person philosophy runs through every aspect of The Whole Student experience.

  • Our meals are prepared by Dody Oliver Catering, one of Melbourne's most experienced school catering providers. We focus on wholesome and nourishing food that fuels the brain and the body. We provide afternoon tea and a 2 course dinner.

  • Please disclose all dietary requirements and allergies at the time of enrolment, including anaphylaxis.

    We can cater for the following dietary requirements: gluten free, dairy and lactose free, vegan, nut free, vegetarian, and halal.

    Meals are prepared in a 100% nut free kitchen.

    There may be cross contamination with gluten.

    A full list of ingredients will be provided with each meal.

Location and contact

  • Feedback is available at any time.
    We use an ongoing assessment approach. Tutors will keep a record of your child's progress after each session.
    You are welcome to contact the Head of Education to discuss how your child is tracking towards their goals.

  • We are located at Level 1/390 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122.
    Our Hawthorn location is easily accessible for families across Melbourne's inner east and Bayside suburbs including Kew, Malvern, Camberwell, Toorak, South Yarra, Armadale, Prahran, Brighton, Caulfield, Elsternwick, Elwood, Bentleigh and Hampton.

  • Our Hawthorn location was specifically chosen for its exceptional public transport access.
    Some of our students travel independently by tram or train.

    • Tram route 16 is a 1 minute walk away

    • Glenferrie train station is a 2 minute walk away

    • Tram routes 70 and 75 are a 12 minute walk away

    Some students are dropped off and collected by parents.
    There is a 2 hour public parking lot 2 minutes walk from The Whole Student behind the Hawthorn Arts Centre at 360 Burwood Rd.
    There is also parking out the front of The Whole Student on both sides of Burwood Rd. Please take note of signage.
    The Program Manager stays until the last student leaves the premises.

Anything else you would like to know?

Contact us today ➜