Learning and Teaching News
Maths Fun Day at SMDP
Our very first Maths Fun Day at SMDP was a genuine joy from start to finish. The day began with plenty of excitement as students and staff arrived dressed as math characters, symbols and shapes. Many children (or parents) created their own T‑shirts and costumes inspired by Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots and the creativity on display was wonderful to see. We are so grateful to our families for supporting their children to dress up and helping set such a positive start for the day.
The rest of the day was all about enjoying maths. Our students moved through different classrooms, each offering a range of mathematical tasks designed to build confidence, spark curiosity and remind children that maths is something to enjoy. At SMDP, we want every learner to feel capable and positive about maths. We know that many adults carry memories of maths that weren’t always encouraging, and those experiences can shape how we view the subject today. Days like this help shift that for our children.
In the afternoon, we welcomed parents and grandparents into the school for a session on maths fluency and how we teach maths at SMDP. We were genuinely surprised by the turnout the hall was full and your commitment to your child’s learning was clear. Thank you for making the time to be part of it.
Families then joined their children in classrooms, where students taught a maths game they could play together at home. This was a highlight for many, with children confidently explaining their thinking and showing just what capable mathematicians they are. We received a range of positive feedback: “We love being part of the SMDP community;” “It made sense after hearing about the importance of maths fluency;” “I cannot wait to play maths games at home.”
Maths is a huge part of our daily lives, often in ways we don’t stop to notice. If you reflected on your day, you’d probably be surprised by how much mathematical thinking you use without realising, estimating how long it will take to drive somewhere, working out the cost of items in your trolley, calculating how many litres of petrol you’ll get for $100 when petrol is $2.54 a litre, or figuring out how many cups of flour you need when you can only find the ¼ cup instead of a one cup. These everyday moments show just how important mathematical reasoning is and how naturally we use it everyday.
Thank you again for your support, your enthusiasm and your partnership. We are already looking forward to hosting another Maths Fun Day next year.
Lauren Craig
Mathematics Leader
Hobsons Bay Youth Network
Register here: Starting Secondary School (parent webinar) - Hobsons Bay