MATHS Faculty
Our students have infinite potential
Australian Mathematics Competition – Coming Soon!
We’re excited to announce that our school will be hosting the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC) from 5th to 7th August 2025. Open to students across all year levels, the AMC is one of the largest and most prestigious maths competitions in the country. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to challenge themselves, test their problem-solving skills, and represent our school on a national stage.
Good luck to all our participants – we’re proud of your enthusiasm and mathematical talent!
Last year, students who achieved outstanding results were provided HPGE opportunities through an accelerated pathway in Mathematics at Evans High School.
Empowering Learning: Explicit Teaching, Visible Learning, and Hands-On Activities Shape Student Success
At Evans High School, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible learning experiences. Our teaching strategies are grounded in evidence-based practices that not only help students understand what they are learning but also why they are learning it. Three key approaches that form the foundation of our classroom instruction are Explicit Teaching, Visible Learning, and Hands-On Activities.
Explicit Teaching: Clarity Leads to Confidence
Explicit teaching involves clearly explaining and demonstrating concepts before guiding students to apply what they've learned. This approach leaves little to guesswork—students are given clear learning intentions, success criteria, and step-by-step instruction.
Teachers model thinking processes, provide guided practice, and gradually release responsibility to the students. This helps all learners, especially those who may struggle with abstract ideas, by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts.
At our school, you might see a teacher using visual aids to explain mathematical operations or walking students through the structure of a persuasive essay. It’s all about building a strong foundation, so students know what is expected and how to achieve it.
Visible Learning: Making Learning Goals Clear
Inspired by the work of educational researcher John Hattie, visible learning ensures that both teachers and students have a clear understanding of what progress looks like. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own learning, set goals, and assess their growth.
In classrooms using visible learning strategies, you might see:
Learning intentions and success criteria are posted clearly on the board
Students engaged in self-assessment or peer feedback
Teachers using data to inform instruction and support each learner's journey
Every lesson, the teacher writes at least 3 content-related words on the board
This transparency creates a culture where learning becomes a shared responsibility. When students can see their progress, they are more motivated to take ownership of their learning.
Hands-On Activities: Learning by Doing
While explicit teaching and visible learning provide structure, hands-on activities bring learning to life. Whether it’s building models in Science, using manipulatives in Math, or conducting experiments, hands-on tasks deepen understanding by engaging students physically and mentally.
These activities encourage collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Students don’t just learn about concepts—they experience them. For example, a Science unit on forces might involve students building catapults, testing variables, and analysing results. This type of active learning is both memorable and meaningful.
Bringing It All Together
The integration of explicit teaching, visible learning, and hands-on activities ensures that all students can access the curriculum, see their growth, and apply their knowledge in real-world ways. At Evans High School, we believe that these approaches work best when combined to provide clarity, purpose, and engagement in every lesson.
We are proud of the dedication our teachers bring to crafting lessons that support all learners. By continuing to embrace these proven strategies, we are not just teaching—we are inspiring a lifelong love of learning.
