Benjamin Sestanovic

Results and Qualifications:

• ATAR 99.95
• SAT: 1560/1600 (99^th percentile)
• State Rank: 3^rd in NSW for French Extension, 9^th in NSW for Mathematics Advanced, 10^th in NSW for Studies of Religion II
• School: St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill (Dux)
• University: Combined Arts/Medicine at the University of Sydney, Chancellor's Scholarship
• Subjects: Mathematics Advanced (100/100, 9$^\text{th}$ in State, 1$^\text{st}$ at SJC), Mathematics Extension 1 (47/50, 1$^\text{st}$ at SJC), French Continuers (98/100, 1$^\text{st}$ at SJC), French Extension (46/50, 3$^\text{rd}$ in State, 1$^\text{st}$ at SJC), English Advanced (97/100, 1$^\text{st}$ at SJC), English Extension 1 (48/50, 1$^\text{st}$ at SJC), Latin Continuers (94/100, 1$^\text{st}$ at SJC), Latin Extension (48/50, 1$^\text{st}$ at SJC), Studies of Religion II (97/100, 10$^\text{th}$ in State, 1$^\text{st}$ at SJC)
• Received the All Rounder’s Scholarship at ANU
• Received the Scientia Scholarship at UNSW
• Received the Chancellor’s Award at USYD
• Debating (Firsts Team 2023), ISDA finalists and GPS 1sts Premiers 2023, GPS 2nds Premiers 2022
• Participant in the Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition
• Public Speaking (two time winner of Marist Oratory Competition, two time grand finalist in CSDA Competition)
• Da Vinci Decathlon and Ethics Olympiad (State finalist)
• Grade 8 AMEB Piano (A+ High Distinction) and Clarinet
• High Distinction (perfect score) in the ALC Certificate of Language Competency in French

Approach to Tutoring:

With expertise spanning a wide range of disciplines, Benji is dedicated to fostering comprehensive academic prowess among his students. He first identifies a student’s key areas for improvement before employing a personalised approach to  propel his students towards excellence.

Importantly, he ensures that his students are equipped with higher order thinking strategies in order to develop confidence in examinations but also a natural proclivity to problem solving and divergent thinking.

Benji also focusses on providing meaningful and detailed feedback to ensure that content is consolidated well after it is taught, recognising the importance of recursive learning.

Benji ultimately aims to foster a genuine passion for learning among his students, such that their academic journey can be an enriching endeavour rather than an arduous chore.

Biography:

Benji grew up in Putney, Sydney, attending his local primary school before completing his high school education at St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill. He quickly developed a wide range of passions ranging from mathematics to languages. Benji heavily involved himself in extra-curricular life, participating in debating, public speaking, sport, orchestra, philosophy and ethics. Outside of tutoring, Benji enjoys playing piano and clarinet, debating. He involves himself in a range of local volunteering opportunities.