Our Teachers and Tutors

You may notice something fairly unusual about our outstanding tutors. Many are actually teachers, and / or trained in communications.

What does this mean for you and your child? It means they are receiving the opportunity to learn not just from someone who knows the subject matter, but someone who has been trained to teach it correctly and communicate it clearly in multiple ways so that your child can thrive and enjoy learning.

Welcome to Hands up Tuition

Sandy Egan | Founder Director & Teacher

Professional member of S.P.E.L.D (Specific Learning Difficulties Association of NSW) The Australian Tutoring Association Certified Move to Learn Practitioner Certified Provider of The Listening Program

Sandy began her teaching career as Learning Support Teacher at Oxford Falls Grammar School in 1994 and has worked extensively with students with learning difficulties individually and in small groups in both private and public schools and literacy centers ever since. As her own four children grew and became more independent Sandy began tutoring from home and as numbers increased the decision was made to move out of home and open Hands up Tuition in Mona Vale.

Sandy has attended and continues to attend countless training seminars, meetings and conferences on the topics of Teaching and Learning Difficulties. She has the necessary expertise and understanding to ensure that the needs of the children in her care are met.

She is passionate about helping children become successful learners and specializes in helping children acquire the skills they need to help them to become ready to learn. She believes in the importance of looking at the whole child.

Sandy works with Pre-schoolers to prepare them for a successful start at school, Primary School children and High School students up to year 8, specializing in acquiring the necessary skills to Read, Write and Spell. Sandy has four grown-up sons and is a grandmother of three.

Wade Orth | Teacher, Primary & Secondary

• • • Diploma of Teaching in Primary and a Bachelor of Education

    • Served as Deputy Principal & Teacher for 23 years at Northern Beaches Christian School

Wade has an extensive teaching career, he has taught as a casual teacher in many local schools, and as a teacher and Deputy Principal for 23 years at Northern Beaches Christian School.

He loves helping students grasp concepts and skills in literacy and numeracy. While Primary has been his main focus, Wade has also taught Secondary Mathematics and English.  He encourages students to have a go at everything and to develop an enquiring mind.

Tess Binfield | Teacher, Primary & Secondary

• • • Bachelor of Science with a Major in Neuroscience

    • Currently studying Masters of Secondary Education at UTS

Tess has just returned from two years of teaching Science and Mathematics at Kensington Aldridge Academy – an Outstanding (OFSTED rated) secondary school in the heart of London.

During her time there she worked one on one with children requiring special education and also taught and designed mainstream curriculum up to year 13.

Tess has a genuine passion for teaching Maths and Science and is especially gifted with children who have learning difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and ADD/ADHD.

Tess is extremely competent and comfortable teaching HSC Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Advanced and Extension Mathematics.

Daughter is more confident I highly recommend Hands Up Tuition! My daughter loves going to see Tess each week and is always so happy & more confident when she comes out. I’m so thankful! Sally. W My son’s tutor Tess is perfect for him.  I’m so grateful to have found Hands up Tuition, Sandy was wonderful to speak to from the initial phone call to choosing the right Tutor and making the bookings, I commend her. My son loves Tess his Tutor. I highly recommend Hands up Tuition to any family. Sandy’s team are all wonderful and passionate about teaching. They really do care. Kylie S. Caring, dedicated tutors that help make my kids shine!  My children have a lovely rapport with their wonderful tutor Tess and have made great progress in maths. With one-on-one lessons, Tess was able to understand their individual weaknesses and how to best help them. Whether you have a child that is struggling or if they simply want to do better, give Sandy and her team a call at Hands Up Tuition! Penny C.

Emily Alexander | BA Communications & Theatre Studies

• • • Bachelor of Public Communication with a major in Public Relations (UTS)

    • Master of Marketing (USyd)

    • Currently studying a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at UNSW.

Emily has a background in marketing but is currently studying towards becoming a child psychologist.

She has experience nannying, coaching children's tennis and tutoring English up to HSC level.

Emily understands that English subjects don’t come easily to many and loves helping students boost their confidence and their grades. Emily is competent at tutoring all levels of English.

Improved grade and increased confidence Emily has been teaching year 12 Advanced HSC English to my daughter, Ella, for the past 6 months. We have seen improved grades and growth in her confidence. Emily is passionate and knowledgeable about the course content and is able to fully engage with Ella to make the sessions enjoyable. Sandie S.

Tristan Salter | High School Mathematics, Chemistry & Physics

• • • Currently studying Chemical Engineering (Honours) at UNSW

    • Dean's Honours List 2019 and 2020

    • UNSW Taste of Research Scholarship: Industry scale-up and process optimisation of antimicrobial nanosurface for medical devices

Tristan tutors secondary school Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics up to the Extension 2 level.

Tristan makes everyone around him feel very comfortable, he is patient and strives to engage students to help them become proficient in the subject which is troubling them. He also has experience teaching children swimming!

Brigette Lam | Teacher

• • • Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Education (Primary)

    • Recipient of the Louelle Freeman Prize for proficiency in EDUC260 Language, Literacy and Learning, 2019, Macquarie University

Brigette is an experienced tutor who adores working with students. She is a spirited person who is passionate about teaching and loves to witness the positive effects it has on each individual.

She understands the needs of both Primary and Secondary students and is determined to provide an engaging experience that increases their confidence.

Amazing improvement in English & Maths Our Daughter Chilli, who is 8 years old, has a form of Dyslexia. She has been going to Hands Up Tuition now for about 2 years. Her improvement has been amazing both in English and Maths. It has helped her enormously in handling her school work and her confidence has grown considerably. Thanks to Sandy and Brigette she can now cope with so much more. Would highly recommend Hands Up Tuition as a source of extra learning. Janine H. My Son is more confident and now enjoys school! My daughter had tutoring throughout all of her high school years. However after attending many different learning centres we found Brigette at Hands Up, she helped my daughter for many years. My son now attends every week. After many attempts at trying to get him there, he surprisingly really enjoyed his first session, after I had to literally pull him out of the car. He is now more confident and is enjoying school better since he started his sessions. Kim K.

Imogen McIntosh | Teacher

• • • Bachelor of Arts with Primary Education

Immy is currently studying Primary Education at Macquarie University. She has had experience working with children in before and after school care as well as coaching children’s sporting teams.

She is passionate about education and strives to provide positive teaching experiences that encourage all students to achieve their learning goals.

Immy excels in tutoring Primary Maths and both Primary and Secondary English.

Both daughters now love learning! Finding Sandy and her team at Hands Up Tuition was truly the BEST find I have made. My daughters, 9 & 7, attend lessons with Sandy and Imogen. Sandy and Imogen are wonderful, enthusiastic, positive and encouraging teachers. The girls have had such a great time while learning! 😆 Thank you Sandy and your brilliant team for creating such a wonderful learning experience for my daughters and your students Marisa. K

Alex Gonzales | Teacher, Preschool & Primary

• • • Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Education - Preschool & Primary Age

    • ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management

    • Certificate of Performance Analytics Fundamentals

Alex's true calling and passion is working one-on-one with children. Helping them acquire the knowledge and skills needed to reach their potential.

Alex has experienced the challenge of having to learn a language which was not her first at the age of seven when she migrated to Australia from The Philippines. This experience has given her a unique understanding of the importance of language acquisition to a child’s development.

Christopher Egan | Drama Coach

• • • Sydney's McDonald College School

Christopher is keen to inspire budding actors to pursue their passion and aims to bring uniqueness and fun in his approach to coaching. Christopher attended High School at Sydney’s McDonald College School of Performing arts where he was able to hone his skills in singing, dancing, and acting.

He performed in “Les Misérables” and “West Side Story” and at the age of 16  was cast in “Home and Away,” where he portrayed the popular character “Nick Smith” for over three years.

In 2003 he moved to L.A to advance his acting career. His U.S television debut was in the miniseries “Empire” followed by many other significant roles.

In 2009 he worked alongside Vanessa Redgrave and Amanda Seyfried in “Letters to Juliette” and most recently completed 2 seasons on Syfy’s post-apocalyptic series, “Dominion,” based on the hit 2010 film, “Legion."

We are so privileged to have Chris as our son’s drama teacher. With his extensive experience in the TV & film industry, Chris provides invaluable guidance. The one-on-one lessons are particularly helpful in providing specific feedback and instruction. My son has loved every lesson and Chris has fuelled his passion for acting with his knowledge, enthusiasm, patience and kindness. Thank you Chris! Penny C.