Q&A HAYDEN MCEVOY
QTell me about why you founded A Team Tuition. Up until Grade 10 I was a failing student getting Ds in every subject. I was labelled “that dumb kid” and I was fine with that until I had an epiphany in Grade 9: I wanted to be an A-grade student. I researched how to study and put together a study strategy then did the same with exams and assignments. Eventually I had created a strategy for everything I did at school and by the first term of Year 10 I received my first ever straight A report card. Starting up A Team Tuition felt like my life’s purpose. I dropped out of university and put 100 per cent into this newly formed company. Other tutoring companies will provide students with a fish, but A Team Tuition will teach you how to fish so you can go off and catch fish for the rest of your life. I want to break the idea that you can only get an A if you are smart. At A Team Tuition, we know anyone can achieve an A with the right mindset and a good strategy.
QWhat are the stats? At A Team Tuition the average grade a student will receive is an A-, with one in every two students gaining A grades or higher. As for my team, I am so lucky to have such passionate people working with me. To date we have 75 tutors, 1200 students and six major partnerships on the Coast.
QQueensland seniors are about to do the QCS test. What are your tips for them?
QCS is an interesting beast in itself. I don’t believe in doing a test that you cannot prepare for but the best advice I can give students is to have a strategy for how they are going to attack the three days. Structure out everything you are going to do over that period because it will ultimately reduce anxiety and stress, which can hinder your performance greatly.
QWhat is it like being a CEO? There is this myth you must work 100 hours a day, to be successful. It’s about working smart, and having a strategy. I Student reporter Peyton Hutchins sat down with Hayden McEvoy, founder of A Team Tuition to talk study tips, QCS preparation and sibling rivalry with Olympian brother Cam.
do work 60-70 hours a week but it has taken me 10 years to build that endurance. Elite performance stems from balance and pacing yourself. You won’t achieve this by driving yourself into the ground.
QIs there a cure for procrastination? Yes! The trick is to know yourself well enough to detect
the things that drive you off track. The cure is to find passion and drive in what you are doing. Sometimes it’s hard to find a drive to do something, especially a subject you don’t like. If, however, you set a goal and think about where your hard work is going to get you, that will instil passion into you, ultimately cutting out any room for procrastination.
QWhat are the top three pieces of advice you would give a student who approaches you about improving their grades?
Strategising. Implementing. Getting the results. It’s a foolproof and completely effective regimen that I have used throughout my sport, my business and my life entirely.
QWas there ever any sibling rivalry with little brother (Olympic swimmer) Cam?
When Cam was about six to 10 he was national champion for everything. But from 11 to 15 he was still small, so those were my prime years. It was like he was the best, then I was the best, and now he’s just good at everything. We have always sat in our own space so there was never really any rivalry between us growing up. Even now I think I get more excited about his results than he does.
QWho inspires you? I have a lot of people who inspire me, but I think my biggest inspiration would come from my family as a whole. My mum inspires me so much every day, challenging the social norm when it comes to her work. Cam inspires me each time he gets up and races in front of millions of people and still manages to stay so humble afterwards. And my sister Brittany’s resilience and balance in life is something I admire. We’re an incredibly tight family.
QWho can join your team as a tutor? I am the one tutoring company that doesn’t employ based on high school merits or what their degree is. I am looking for people who have the passion for teaching and ability to change the way students learn. Our tutors can be anyone of any age, from anywhere, of any race or religion. We just look for talent.
QWhere to from here for the company? We are hoping to be Australia-wide by 2025 with over 1000 tutors. And then from there I would love to start my own elite schools and implement everything this company and myself stand for.