Mathematics
Maths at Sacred Heart
A closer look at Mathematics at Sacred Heart
At Sacred Heart, we believe every minute is a teachable moment. We are intentional with how we use our time, ensuring every part of the day supports student learning across all areas. This is especially evident in our structured daily Maths lessons, which are thoughtfully divided into four key components:
- Fluency – A vital part of the lesson where students practise essential number facts. This builds automatic recall and enables them to access more complex mathematical tasks with confidence.
- Daily Review – Grounded in cognitive science, this component revisits a wide range of previously taught concepts. It is not a time for introducing new content, but rather an opportunity to strengthen and consolidate past learning.
- Explicit Teaching – Here, teachers introduce new mathematical concepts step-by-step, using clear explanations and engagement strategies to check for understanding throughout.
- Guided Practice – Students apply their learning through carefully structured tasks. Teachers provide targeted support and adapt tasks to ensure all learners are challenged and supported.
By structuring our lessons in this way, we ensure that all students receive meaningful, responsive instruction that builds both skill and confidence in Mathematics.
In the classroom this week
This week, there was a real buzz across our classrooms as students dived into their Maths lessons.
In Prep, students explored the part-part-whole model, discovering different ways to make 5. Over in Year 2, the focus was on number bonds during fluency – the room was so focused you could hear a pin drop!
Year 4 students engaged in a rich discussion around measurement and the different units we use in daily life, while Year 6 investigated the cross-sections of 3D shapes with curiosity and depth.
Across all year levels, our structured Maths lesson format ensures that every minute is meaningful – allowing students to learn, explore, and challenge themselves in purposeful ways.
NumBots
To support our younger learners (Prep and Year 1) in developing their Maths skills at home, we are excited to introduce NumBots as a tool for home practice. Students are strongly encouraged to use NumBots regularly to build confidence and fluency with numbers. Your child’s classroom teacher will provide a login sheet containing all the necessary information to access the platform from home on Monday.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information about the platform, please see the video below.
Maths resources
As we settle into our new classrooms, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Luisa for her incredible support in moving and organising our Maths resources in the new STEM room.
Thanks to her efforts, our resources are now easily accessible, and it’s been fantastic to see so many teachers already incorporating them into their lessons.
We truly appreciate your time, care, and contribution – thank you, Luisa!
Maths at home
Students are strongly encouraged to continue developing their number skills at home by using NumBots and/or practising multiplication facts through Times Table Rock Stars. Regular recall practice plays a key role in strengthening their mathematical foundations.
In addition to Time Table Rock Stars and NumBots here are some great resources to help reinforce key skills in an enjoyable way:
- Board Games with a Maths Twist: Play games like Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, or Uno to practise counting, strategy, and number recognition.
- Time Telling Challenge: Ask your child to read different clocks in the house. Can they tell the time to the nearest 5 minutes? Challenge them to set a timer for 20 minutes and guess when it's done.
- Shape Hunt Around the House: Go on a scavenger hunt to find 2D and 3D shapes in everyday objects—cylinders (cans), cubes (boxes), or circles (plates).
“Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding.” — William Paul Thurston
At home, the most powerful thing you can do is nurture curiosity—ask questions, explore patterns, and celebrate effort over perfection. Every little bit of practice builds confidence and understanding.
Mak Bulte
Maths Leader