Mathematics

Prep Parents Maths Workshop

Last week we were delighted to host our Prep Parents Maths Workshop, where families had the opportunity to work alongside their children and explore the foundations of early mathematics learning.

During the session, Prep students and their parents participated in a range of hands-on maths activities designed to build important early skills such as counting, recognising numbers and making numbers in different ways. These activities demonstrated how young children learn mathematics best through play, conversation and everyday experiences.

Parents were shown a variety of simple strategies and games that can be easily used at home to support their child’s mathematical development. The workshop also highlighted the importance of asking key questions, such as: How did you work that out?  How do you know you are right?  It was wonderful to see parents and children learning together, sharing ideas and enjoying maths in a positive and supportive environment. We thank all the families who attended and look forward to continuing to work together to support our Prep students as they begin their mathematical journey

Staff Professional Maths Day

On Friday 6th March, our staff participated in a professional learning Maths Day led by Dr. Bern Long. The day focused on strengthening how mathematics is taught in the classroom and exploring practical ways to help students develop confidence and understanding in numeracy.

Throughout the day, teachers engaged in a range of activities that combined both theory and hands-on learning. We explored how students think about numbers and problem-solving, and we trialled classroom activities designed to support learners of all ability levels. These experiences allowed teachers to see strategies in action and consider how they can be adapted to suit the diverse learning needs of our students.

A key focus of the day was Mental Computation. Mental computation refers to solving mathematical problems in your head using efficient strategies rather than relying solely on written methods or calculators. It is an important skill that students use in everyday life—for example when estimating the cost of shopping, working out change, adjusting a recipe, or quickly checking if an answer makes sense.

Dr Long highlighted that when students develop strong mental computation skills, they gain a deeper understanding of numbers and how they relate to each other. Instead of memorising procedures, students learn flexible strategies such as breaking numbers apart, using known facts, estimating, and choosing the most efficient method for a particular problem. These approaches help build confidence, accuracy and mathematical thinking.

Our teachers explored a range of effective mental computation strategies that can be taught in the classroom to support students in becoming more fluent and independent mathematicians. By strengthening these skills, we aim to help students develop strong number sense, improve problem-solving abilities, and feel more confident when using mathematics both at school and in everyday situations.