Maths Matters at St Joseph's

Maths Matters at St. Joseph’s

At St. Joseph’s, we are committed to getting maths teaching right. We know that strong mathematical foundations formed in the primary years are essential, not just for future learning, but for students’ confidence, problem-solving ability, and real-world decision-making. 

A recent report from the Grattan Institute, titled 'The Maths Guarantee: How to implement great maths teaching in primary schools', highlights several national concerns in the teaching of maths. The report notes that too few Australian students are proficient in maths or achieving excellence, with NAPLAN results suggesting that more than a million current school students risk leaving school without a solid foundation. Compounding the issue, some primary teachers across the country lack confidence in teaching maths and are not always supported with clear guidance or high-quality curriculum materials. 

At St. Joseph’s, our approach addresses these challenges head-on. We have embedded a coherent, whole-school model that reflects what research shows works best:

• Explicit teaching, with clear, step-by-step modelling and guided practice.
• A carefully sequenced curriculum ensures that knowledge builds cumulatively.
• Fluency-building, helps students embed essential facts and procedures in long-term memory.
• Targeted teaching, underpinned by assessment and regular review.
• Scaffolds and extension prompts, meeting all students at their point of need.

While we use high-quality resources from Ochre Education to support consistency and ensure high-quality lessons, our teachers are far from passive deliverers. They exercise professional judgment and intellectual preparation, regularly checking, modifying, and adjusting lessons to suit the needs of their students. 

We are proud that our work not only aligns with the national push for more effective maths instruction but also reflects our ongoing commitment to best practice that maximises student learning.

Link to 'The Maths Guarantee: How to implement great maths teaching in primary schools' - https://grattan.edu.au/report/the-maths-guarantee-a-guide-for-principals/

Dean Butler

Deputy Principal and Numeracy Leader