Term 2 Numeracy News

There has been a strong focus this semester across the school on numeracy and ensuring that the children have a strong understanding on number concepts. Through the use of concrete materials and hands on activities students have been making good progress with their number knowledge.

“We’ve been learning how to count forwards and backwards by tens and our friends of ten. Some of our friends are 7 and 3 and 8 and 2.” - Massimo Prep

“I like learning about money, we get to have $10 and go shopping! We have to make sure you don’t spend more than your $10. I bought 2 bananas and 1 strawberry and 1 orange, it cost me all my $10.” - Taylah 1/2

“We’ve been practising our different strategies to use when doing multiplication problems. We got shown how to do the grid method and the column method. I prefer using the column method. - Sophie 3/4

“I am enjoying learning about how to find a percentage off an amount of money, it is helpful as I am able to use this skill when I go shopping.” - Bridget 5/6

Students in the senior school have had their first Maths Olympiad challenge this week. This program is specifically designed to stimulate and challenge students at primary school level. It teaches major problem solving strategies and strengthens students' mathematical intuition prior to starting high school.

Main aims of the program

Introduce students to important mathematical concepts
Teach major strategies and develop flexibility for problem solving
Foster creativity and ingenuity and strengthen intuition
Stimulate enthusiasm and enjoyment of mathematics
Provide for the satisfaction, joy and thrill of meeting challenges

The students enjoyed their first challenge and have all shown growth from the start of the year. Have a go at one of the questions for yourself. See if you can complete it in the time limit, remember no calculators!

Suggested Time: 6 minutes

Sophie brought 4 pens and 2 pencils for $2.40

Lucas brought 2 pens and 4 pencils for $2.70

What is the cost of 1 pen?

“I enjoy being challenged and learning how to do the different style of problems, being in this group has definitely helped me with my understanding of number.” - Jade 5/6