Testimonial by Renzo Marcaida Valencia 2013

"Wayne Jones Eduhouse. In many ways, that title has become synonymous with any Mathematics work I have done in the last 5 years. I started out with Wayne back in 2009, when my Mathematics grades were in a dangerous place, especially when PSLE was mere months away. Things were different back then. His house was normal, with minimal decoration. It did not look like a learning centre then, apart from the main study room that we have grown accustomed to. But the essence of the Wayne Jones Experience was already present, despite the lack of an iMac computer, EduPads and most of the conveniences that have been introduced in the learning centre in the years to come. We were a much smaller group - There were only 3-4 of us in the class and we often had snacks and refreshments (I used to bring chips to class for everyone to share). However, it enabled me to observe something that is distinct about Wayne compared to any other learning centres I have been to. His teaching style is unique. He does not employ much "professionalism" in the class but instead opts to socialise with his students, often making jokes in class and in general, is very down-to-earth. It explains why students rarely doze off and pays close attention most of the time without derailing off the lesson completely. His method of teaching mathematics concepts is also surprisingly effective, despite its simplicity. He has the uncanny ability to drastically simplify any complex concept such as Binomial Theorem and Logarithms and explain them in such a way that it makes it very easy for students to grasp them completely within one lesson's time. It may be inappropriate to say this but I strongly believe that Wayne's ability to make his students, even the weakest ones, to understand difficult Mathematics strongly rivals any other full-time Mathematics teachers out there. His persistent teaching style has paid off for me in the 5 long years I was with him. Never in my Secondary School years did I ever get a Mathematics grade that is not an A1. I can imagine the same kind of results have been achieved by many of his students. In the end, I believe the unique point of Wayne Jones Eduhouse is the Wayne Jones Experience itself. Being one of the pioneer batches in WJE, I have had the opportunity to observe the evolution of the learning center. After PSLE 2009, the results from his students gave him the confidence and conviction to stay on with WJE, ultimately deciding to do a makeover in the learning center. There were more tables in the living room for starters! In the study room there were now pictures and motivational quotes, as well as mathematical formulae pasted on the walls. There was an extra table with more chairs, his whiteboard is decorated on the borders and there was a brand new iMac on a desk. Wayne also introduced a new generation of learning materials and the EduPad, the two things that have become symbols of WJE. It became very clear that he was preparing to take in many new students and became more adamant in his efforts to ensure that every single student in his class can achieve the A grade that many in secondary schools strive to achieve. From there, WJE was no longer just a learning center - it became a family, a community. No one ever stepped in for Wayne, and that is perfectly understandable. His teaching style and hospitality is unmatched and that is his ability to blend in teaching and socialising into one concoction - The Wayne Jones Experience. Perhaps that is what I will miss most about Wayne. It was not always the mathematics that I looked forward to when attending lessons. It was Wayne himself - his down-to-earth demeanor, his way of making learning fun in the classroom and the brotherly support he offers to all his students. He never gave up on any of his students unless the students gave up on themselves and firmly believed that they all had the ability to perform. I've seen my classmates in my school perform terribly in mathematics and when they joined WJE, they became the leading bunch of students in the cohort. It was magical to see, that one person can impact so many. I get the feeling that I will not meet many future teachers that have the same impact as he did. I want to express my deepest gratitude to Wayne for nurturing me and staying on with me for so many years and always believing in me when I am about to take my exams. We had difficult moments but we got through them just fine. Maybe his positive attitude rubbed off on me. I remember my last day at Wayne Jones Eduhouse, it was an evening in July 2013. I told Wayne that I could no longer come for lessons because my dad has faced a critical point in his financial crisis due to my graddad's death a week earlier. I left that lesson in advance of everyone else as I have finished my work and he dismissed me from class. He told me I have officially graduated from WJE and wished me luck for my 'O' Levels. It was a quick but heartwrenching moment, knowing that it was the last time I would be in his class. All the memories, of me in Primary 6, having just joined the learning center, flashed back to me. I wish it could have been a better goodbye but nonetheles, it felt like the longest walk back home I ever had. So many memories I had with Wayne. The impact he had on me in my 5 years with him was much greater than I ever anticipated. It has been truly an honour being your student and I wish you the best of luck for the future of WJE ahead. You have done an outstanding service and have positively impacted students everywhere and we are very thankful for your support in our times of need." Renzo, Northbrookes Sec Sch, obtained the honour of achieving A* for PSLE Maths and double A1 for O Level A&E Mathematics.