Maths News

🏠 The Power of Home Learning Using Essential Assessment to Improve Student Learning in Maths

Dear Families,

It was a pleasure meeting with many of you during our recent Three-Way Conversations in Week Ten. One of the most common questions raised was:

      “How can I help my child at home to improve their learning in Maths?”

At St John’s, we firmly believe that learning doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. Home learning plays a vital role in reinforcing classroom instruction. With digital tools like Essential Assessment, students are empowered to extend their learning beyond the classroom—strengthening their skills, building confidence, and taking ownership of their progress.

🌟 What is Essential Assessment?

Essential Assessment is an Australian curriculum-aligned learning platform that supports teaching and learning in Mathematics. It begins with a short diagnostic test that identifies each student’s learning level. Based on the results, the platform assigns personalised and targeted activities to meet individual needs.

🧠 Why Home Learning Matters

Engaging with Essential Assessment at home provides students with:

✅ Immediate Feedback – Students receive real-time feedback to understand their mistakes and learn from them.

✅ Independent Practice – Home learning encourages students to take responsibility for their progress.

✅ Consistent Reinforcement – Regular practice strengthens memory and understanding of concepts learned in class.

✅ Family Engagement – Parents can be actively involved in their child’s learning journey.

🔢 Building Number Fluency with My Numeracy and Sunset Maths

To develop fluency in the four operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—students are encouraged to use two key features within Essential Assessment:

✨ My Numeracy

My Numeracy provides targeted, curriculum-based practice on concepts identified through the diagnostic test. Students can revisit areas of need at their own pace and gain mastery in each topic. Teachers can also assign specific tasks aligned with classroom instruction, ensuring consistency between school and home.

🌇 Sunset Maths

Sunset Maths is a quick and effective tool that builds number fluency and automatic recall. In just 5–10 minutes a day, students can practice their number facts in a game-like environment that promotes speed, accuracy, and confidence. It is particularly effective for mastering multiplication tables and mental strategies for addition and subtraction.

📣 How You Can Help at Home

• Encourage your child to complete a short session of My Numeracy or Sunset Maths each evening.
• Celebrate progress by checking in regularly and acknowledging their effort.
• Provide a quiet, distraction-free space for home learning.
• Reach out to your child’s teacher if you need help understanding how to use the platform effectively.

Most students know how to access Essential assessment independently. However, If you happen to need your child's login details please email your child's classroom teacher and they should be able to send it to you via email.

Together, we are building strong, independent learners—one number at a time!