Whole School Numeracy Update

Dear Members of the Mordialloc College Community,

As Term 3 concludes, Mordialloc College’s students’ collective efforts, achievements and positive attitude toward learning is to be celebrated.

Our staff have once again ensured that all students are supported by continuing to offer additional learning through a range of programs that allow our students to thrive within their school life. 

To our families, we welcome and respect your contributions, feedback and support. We can only accomplish the best for our students by working together as a strong community.

Victorian Mathematics Curriculum 2.0 F-10

During Term 3 the new Curriculum Mathematics 2.0 was launched, and we are currently in the familiarisation stage. The revised introduction provides a clearer and more contemporary context for learning in Mathematics, computational and algorithmic thinking and the use of digital tools, including Artificial Intelligence. The improved contextualisation of the Learning in Mathematics section is most supportive for teachers who are new to the curriculum area. 

An explicit six-strand model (Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability) makes it clearer for teachers to follow the progression of mathematical concepts through the curriculum and structure their teaching and learning programs. The model also provides greater flexibility to link ideas across different curriculum learning areas and scaffold the mathematical ideas under each strand. 

Year 12 Practice Exams

The Year 12 practice exam period is next week. While it’s daunting for many, listed below are strategies that can help make it easier.

Practice makes perfect.

1. Choose a past exam question. Students and families can access all previous years' exams through the VCAA site: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/Index.aspx
2. Revise. Spend 20 minutes revising what you need to know to answer your question. 
3. Do the question/questions. Set a timer for 20 minutes and answer the exam question.
4. Mark your answer. Using the marking scheme, mark your answer. This helps the students think like an examiner and learn what is deemed as a high-quality response.
5. Get feedback. Show the teacher your work. This is where students can bring their questions into class, study, lunchtime or recess so we can discuss how they could improve their answers/responses.

Pivot

Through the continuous improvement cycle, teachers continue to inform their practice using data that incorporates student voice. This is to ensure that all students within the classroom are provided with a range of engaging learning opportunities. During Term 3 students completed Pivot surveys for their classes that asked their opinion in the areas of classroom environment, instruction, relationships and student voice. Staff have accessed these results and will be working with their students and colleagues to unpack these results.

Booklist

The development of the 2024 book list is currently underway. New subjects and resources have been added to further enrich the breadth of our learning program across Year 7 - 12. The book list will be available to families in Term 4. More information will be communicated early next term. 

Lastly, thank you again to the whole College community for your ongoing support during what always proves to be a busy term. Enjoy the break and I look forward to a positive and strong finish to the year once we return. 

Maria Antoniou

Director of Whole School Numeracy