St John's Primary School, Heidelberg Newsletter

Maths News

Paul Tarabay, Mathematics Leader

                                        Supporting Our Female Students Shine In Mathematics ✨

 

At St John’s, we believe that every child can be a successful mathematician. Research shows that confidence and encouragement play a big role in how well children—

especially female students—engage with mathematics.

 

There are some simple ways families can support their daughters at home: Supporting female students to perform well in Mathematics means addressing both mindset and learning opportunities. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Build a Positive Mindset

  • Challenge stereotypes: Actively counter ideas like “boys are better at maths” by sharing examples of successful female mathematicians and scientists.
  • Promote growth mindset: Emphasise that maths ability grows with effort and practice, not just “natural talent.”
  • Normalise mistakes: Encourage children to see errors as part of learning, not as failure.

2. Provide Inclusive Teaching Practices

  • Use relatable contexts: Design word problems and projects around topics relevant to girls’ interests and real-life applications.
  • Encourage participation: Provide safe spaces for girls to ask questions and explain their reasoning.
  • Group dynamics: Rotate roles in group tasks so girls have equal opportunities to lead, explain, and problem-solve.

3. Strengthen Confidence

  • Celebrate successes: Acknowledge both effort and achievement publicly.
  • Mentoring: Connect female students with female role models in maths-related
  •  careers (STEM pathways).
  • Targeted support: Offer small-group tutoring or peer mentoring for students who need extra confidence in foundational skills.

4. Create Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

  • Maths clubs & competitions: Encourage girls to join, and ensure supportive entry points for those who may be hesitant.
  • Family involvement: Share tips with parents on how to support maths learning at home (avoiding language like “I was never good at maths”).
  • STEM showcases: Highlight projects where children use maths creatively—in coding, robotics, design, or data analysis.

 

 

Together, we can encourage ALL students to say: “I can learn this – I just need to keep trying.”