Learning and Teaching
St Roch's Parish Primary School 
Mathematics Day Update
Unfortunately, we have had to postpone our Mathematics Day Parent Afternoon celebrations due to the current swimming lesson schedule. We look forward to holding this event next term, when families will be able to join us to celebrate the wonderful mathematical learning happening across the school. Thank you for your understanding. We are excited to share this event with you soon.
In the meantime, there are many fun and simple ways to explore maths at home. Often the most powerful way to support children’s learning is by talking about the maths we naturally use in everyday life; noticing numbers, patterns, measurements and problem-solving in ordinary activities.
Easy Ways to Explore Maths at Home
Play Board and Card Games
Games such as Snakes and Ladders, Uno, Monopoly, Yahtzee or simple card games help children practise counting, recognising numbers, strategy and probability.
Sports Scorekeeper
While watching sport, have children tally goals, points or runs. Older children can work out totals, differences between teams or averages.
Shopping Budget Challenge
At the supermarket, involve children in working out how many items you can buy within a budget, estimating the total cost, comparing prices, or calculating change.
Cooking and Baking Together
Cooking provides natural opportunities to explore measurement, fractions and quantities. Ask questions like: How much do we need? If we double the recipe, how much flour will we use?
Maths in Art
Look for patterns, symmetry and shapes in artworks or designs. Children can create repeating patterns, symmetrical drawings, or tessellations.
Build and Design
Building with LEGO, blocks or recycled materials encourages children to think about shape, balance, measurement and spatial reasoning.
Estimation Challenges
Ask questions such as How many steps to the car? or How many grapes are in the bowl? Then count to check the estimate.
Time and Planning
Involve children in everyday planning: What time do we need to leave to arrive on time? How long will the trip take?
Directions and Maps
Talk about left, right, distance and direction when walking or driving somewhere. Children can help plan the best route.
Family Problem-Solving Challenges
Turn everyday situations into mini challenges: We have 12 cupcakes and 5 people — how can we share them fairly? If two more friends come over, will everyone still get the same amount? or We need to set the table for dinner — how many plates, cups and forks will we need?
These everyday conversations help children see that maths is not just something we do at school — it is part of the world around us and helps us solve real problems every day.
Writing Competitions - Share Your Voice!
We have several exciting writing competitions available for students who enjoy writing and would like to challenge themselves creatively. These competitions are a wonderful opportunity for students to share their ideas, imagination and unique voice with a wider audience.
Students are warmly encouraged to take part. If your child is interested in entering, they are welcome to share their writing with me for feedback and support. I am very happy to help students develop their ideas, refine their writing and assist with submitting their entries.
What Matters? Writing Competition
Applicable Entrants: Years 5–12
Competition Dates: 10 February – 15 May
Entry Fee: Free
This competition asks students to write about something that is important to them. It could be an issue in the world, something happening in their community, or something they care deeply about.
Students can write up to 600 words sharing their ideas, opinions and experiences. Pieces may be persuasive, reflective or creative — the most important thing is explaining why the topic matters to them.
This competition is a great opportunity for students to share their voice and thinking with a wider audience.
https://www.whitlam.org/what-matters
Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards
Applicable Entrants: Kindergarten – Year 12
Competition Dates: 1 March – 30 June 2026
Submission: Entries can be given to Mrs Gray for submission
Winners Announced: 4 September 2026
The Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards is a national poetry competition for students across Australia.
Students can write a poem about any topic. There is also an optional theme each year; this year’s theme is “The Traveller.” Poems can be up to 80 lines and must be the student’s own original work.
This is a wonderful opportunity for students who enjoy playing with language, imagery and ideas through poetry.
Dymocks Beyond Words Creative Writing Competition
Applicable Entrants: Primary and Secondary Students
Competition Dates: 10 March – 9 June
Entry Fee: Free
This competition invites students to write a short story between 500 and 1500 words.
There is no set theme, so students can write any type of story they like — adventure, mystery, fantasy, realistic fiction, or something completely unique.
Stories are judged by authors and educators, making this a great opportunity for students to share their creativity and storytelling skills.
https://beyondwords.dymockstutoring.edu.au
Have a go — you never know where your writing might take you!
“Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic.” — J. K. Rowling
Rachel Gray
Literacy Instructional Coach and Leader
Mathematics Coach and Leader