Item 1: Preliminary Clarifications
iSplicer here. Satvik Sekhar, Director.
- Re: sydcpu - The narrative of interpersonal vendetta is factually incorrect. No ongoing drama nor bitter feud. A disagreement about operational philosophy that's been wildly overblown.
- Re: The BCC Incident - Operationally, absolutely indefensible. Broadcasting warning emails to all staff via BCC represents a fundamental misunderstanding of proportionate response. Age 31, running my first proper business, catastrophic execution. The behaviour was power-mad and juvenile. These aren't euphemisms but rather accurate descriptors that've gone a long way making me grow.
Item 2: The Economics Nobody Discusses
Let me demystify the trial arithmetic since speculation's running wild:
The $220 (down from 385) administration fee covers:
- Centre rental and fit-out for consultation space (Epping isn't cheap)
- Academic allocation and scheduling across three weeks
- Substantial dministrative coordination (someone has to track everything: not just class roll, but your trial marking submission and trial Individiual Lesson)
- Marking turnaround within 72 hours (not 2 weeks like elsewhere)
Your trial teacher's hourly rate? Higher than most GPs. Because finding someone who achieved 99.95 ATAR with State Rank in English AND can actually teach is statistically harder than finding a doctor. We've rejected 200+ applicants to maintain this standard.
Item 3: What Actually Happens Here
Since we're being transparent:
The Good:
- Every single academic verifiably achieved NSW State Rank (check NESA's records - we encourage it)
- Average marking feedback: 500 words per script (industry average: 200-300)
- Class sizes capped at 15 (most hover around 4-8)
- Direct access to your Supervising Academic via email
The Reality Check:
- Yes, it's expensive.
- I've barely made any money from Delta these last two FYs. It's not our academic work which is as personalised and organised as it's ever been. I could blame it on key leadership moving countries, the affordability crisis etc. but I'd be a poor leader indeed if I didn't concede that the firm's reputation has suffered due to some of my actions. This will take time to recover. We'll need to earn the respect back from the market, which we will.
- Yes, I occasionally make spectacular management errors (see: BCC incident)
- No, we don't accept every student who applies (the service should meaningfully assist, not elitism)
- No, private tutoring isn't inherently inferior (often it's superior for specific needs)
Item 4: Addressing the Elephant
"Why defend Delta on a forum?"
Because accountability matters. When someone posts legitimate criticism, ignoring it is cowardice. When they post misinformation, correcting it is necessary. The line between the two is where learning happens.
Your posts, especially the hostile ones, get printed and discussed. Not for mockery (that would be pathetic) but for insight. Teenage perspectives on educational services are gold dust that consultants can't replicate.
Item 5: The Uncomfortable Truth
Most tutoring centres operate on volume. Pack 30 students in a room, hire recent graduates at $40/hour, charge parents $60/student/hour. The mathematics are beautiful.
We operate on the opposite principle because we're a little more sophisticated and also love pain. This makes us financially vulnerable (hence the trial cost) but academically robust. It's a deliberate choice with genuine trade-offs.
Item 6: The Open Challenge
To critics: I'm very happy to do an AMA or an in-person ROAST where I can explain everything from my/Delta's perspective. I was posting on BOS in 2008 so I'm very, very happy to engage here.
To prospective students: Read everything - the attacks, the defences, this response.
Take a trial! Make an informed decision.
Item 7: Personal Accountability
I'm 33 now. Started Delta at 21. Made countless errors, some public (BCC incident), most private. The business nearly collapsed twice. We've lost brilliant teachers to better opportunities. We've had students we couldn't help despite our best efforts.
But we've also:
- Helped 2000+ students improve their English Advanced performance
- Employed c. 200 staff (including 75++ NSW State Rankers) all of whom needed flexible work during uni
- Paid millions and millions in wages right into the pockets of the youngest, hardest-working people in society. It's this item I'm most proud of.
- Developed core methodologies now copied by three major competitors (I consider this flattering).
Final Observation
This thread has generated more honest discussion about tutoring economics and practices than any marketing campaign could. That's valuable. Even the anonymous attacks serve a purpose: they force transparency that this industry desperately needs.
Keep the criticism coming. Just get your facts straight first.
S
P.S. - To whoever keeps creating new accounts to attack us: your writing style is incredibly distinctive. Just use your main account. It's less embarrassing for everyone.
