Maths Matters

Maths Learning in Term 1

Throughout Term 1, our whole school has been working on strengthening students’ number sense, with a particular focus on place value, addition and subtraction across all year levels. 

Number sense helps students think flexibly with numbers, use efficient mental strategies, and understand how our number system works rather than relying on memorisation alone. In the early years, students build strong foundations by recognising, representing and partitioning numbers, developing an understanding of place value and practising simple addition and subtraction through hands-on materials and visual models. As students move through the middle years, they apply place value knowledge to larger numbers, learn a range of mental and written strategies, and develop fluency while explaining their thinking. In the upper years, students extend these ideas to work with multi-digit numbers, decimals, fractions and more complex problem-solving situations, choosing efficient strategies and justifying their reasoning. 

This carefully sequenced progression, aligned with the Victorian Curriculum Mathematics 2.0, ensures that learning builds year by year so students develop deep understanding, confidence, and flexibility when working with numbers.

Four Maths Proficiencies

Across our school, Mathematics teaching is guided by the four Maths Proficiencies, which underpin the Victorian Curriculum Mathematics 2.0 and support a consistent approach to learning from Foundation to Year 6. Understanding involves knowing why mathematical ideas work, Fluency builds accuracy and efficiency with key skills, Problem Solving encourages students to apply their learning in new situations, and Reasoning supports students to explain and justify their thinking. 

Students have been encouraged every day during Maths lessons to discuss strategies, compare solutions, or explain their reasoning. This reflects our whole-school commitment to developing confident mathematical thinkers who can apply their knowledge flexibly and communicate their ideas clearly.

NAPLAN Update

Over the past few weeks, our students have completed the NAPLAN assessments for Literacy and Numeracy, with our Year 3 students participating for the first time. They have shown adaptability, resilience, and persistence as they navigated an unfamiliar testing environment and online format. We are very proud of their efforts! NAPLAN provides one snapshot of student learning, and we remain focused on supporting each child’s ongoing growth, understanding, and confidence in Mathematics every day in the classroom.

How Families Can Support Maths Learning at Home

Mathematics learning happens everywhere. Simple everyday activities can help children build confidence and fluency with numbers, even 10–15 minutes a day can make a meaningful difference. 

For students in the early years, families can encourage children to recognise numbers they see in everyday life, such as house numbers, bus numbers, or prices on the way to school. In the middle years, noticing doubles in real-life situations. For example, doubling a recipe or working out the total cost of two identical items helps strengthen mental maths strategies. For upper primary students, discussing real-world problems such as “Which one is the better deal?” at the supermarket helps develop reasoning, estimation, and problem-solving skills.

Our Maths homework has now resumed and has been sent home, and completing homework regularly is another important way families can support learning. These fun tasks are designed to build fluency and provide opportunities for students to practise problem-solving skills. Students are encouraged to show their strategies and explain their thinking, helping to strengthen understanding rather than simply focusing on answers. 

If you have any questions about how to support your child’s maths learning at home, please feel free to reach out!