Teaching, Learning and Wellbeing

Building Strong Maths Skills Through Daily Review

At RGLPS, we are continuing to strengthen our approach to mathematics by embedding daily review into classroom practice.

Learning maths is not a one-time event. Students need regular opportunities to revisit and practise key skills so that their understanding becomes secure and long-lasting. When learning is not reviewed, it can be quickly forgotten—this is explained by the Forgetting Curve, identified by Hermann Ebbinghaus (see more below):

In 2026, RGLPS is implementing a paced scope and sequence for daily review in mathematics. This review schedule involves reviewing content taught last week, last month, last term and even last year across the school week.

By revisiting important concepts daily, students build fluency and confidence. Skills such as recalling number facts, working with place value, and applying mental strategies become more automatic over time. This reduces the cognitive load during problem-solving, allowing students to focus on thinking more deeply and applying their knowledge. As Doug Lemov, an influential American educator and author of Teach Like a Champion explains "don't teach till they get it right, teach till they can't get it wrong."

In classrooms, daily review may include short, focused activities such as practising previously taught skills, revisiting vocabulary, or completing quick fluency tasks. These small, consistent reviews play an important role in helping students retain and apply their learning.

Parents can support at home by encouraging short bursts of practice in maths. This might include:

Practising number facts such as times tables or friends of 10
Asking your child to explain how they solved a problem
Revisiting previous learning, not just current homework
Using everyday situations, such as shopping or cooking, to talk about numbers

Learning something once is rarely enough. By revisiting learning over time, students build the strong foundations they need for long-term success.

Enrichment programs

At RGLPS, we offer a range of academic enrichment program for students as they progress through their primary schooling. These programs provide students with opportunities to extend and deepen their learning beyond the regular classroom curriculum. Enrichment and extension programs offered at RGLPS include:

Maths Olympiad (MOP) - A team of high achieving mathematics students from Year 5 and 6 participate in this national competition each week. The team participates in four Olympiads across the year, with each Olympiad comprising five questions. Problems are pitched several years above the year 5/6 level and require advanced problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to combine mathematical knowledge and thinking skills to successfully solve. MOP students attend a session once a week with Evan Butler to practice and participate in the Olympiads.
High Ability Learner Program (HALP) - This 10 week program is run online once a week by Virtual Schools Victoria. Selected Year 5/6 students participate in either the Mathematics or Writing program, both of which are designed to extend student performance in English and Mathematics.
Tournament of Minds (TOM)- This is an international creative problem-solving competition featuring four disciplines: STEM, Arts, Language Literature, and Social Sciences. A team of seven year 5/6 students work together for six weeks to solve a Long Term Challenge, culminating in a tournament day at La Trobe University, where they present their response and solve an additional Spontaneous Challenge. Students are judged on teamwork, creativity and problem solving and must collaborate to write scripts, create props and costumes, perform and produce anything needed to respond to their nominated challenge. TOM runs during the first six weeks of Term 3. As this is a popular and highly sought after program, students are selected via a written application and an interview process with Kirrily and the program facilitator.
Year 3/4 Maths Enrichment - Across the week, Evan Butler takes groups of high achieving Year 3/4 students for maths enrichment sessions. Enrichment Maths generally aligns with classroom maths learning and provide opportunities for students to be extended and challenged.

RGLPS also offers many other opportunities for students to be extended in the Arts, PE, Science and Leadership. These opportunities include:

Science Talent Quest - Students explore, investigate, and communicate scientific concepts through various mediums and are judged by experts for a small bursary prize.
RGLPS School Production - Interested students can audition for a role in the school production to showcase their acting, singing, dancing and performance skills.
Physical Education - From Year 3-6, talented athletes have the opportunity to compete in Cross Country, Athletics, Swimming and Basketball, with pathways through Districts, Division, Regional and State competitions. Year 6 students also participate in interschool sport and can progress through Division, Regional and State Finals if their team is successful.
Leadership - Students can apply to be the Junior School Council or Sustainability Leaders for their classroom. In Year 5/6, students can also apply for curriculum captains, house captains and school captaincy positions. In these roles, students may lead assembly, help host school event and programs, or run lunch-club for other students.

Kerron Worsdell

Learning Specialist