Mathematics

Have Sum Fun

In Week 6, on Friday 13 March, students from Years 7–10 represented Applecross Senior High School at the Have Sum Fun Mathematics Competition for South Metropolitan public schools.

Twelve students from Years 7 and 8 formed two teams and competed at Fremantle College, while six students from Years 9 and 10 made up a team competing at Rossmoyne Senior High School. Throughout the evening, students worked collaboratively through five challenging rounds of problem‑solving, along with a bonus round, with each round requiring persistence, clear communication and teamwork.

Year 8 Student Alex Lockwood said “almost nobody could solve a problem by themselves. When we worked together, it really helped us achieve the correct answer and learn new concepts from each other.” Problems required students to combine different areas of mathematical knowledge, challenge one another’s ideas, and carefully check their reasoning as a team.

Beyond the mathematics, the competition was a highly social and engaging experience. The night was filled with conversation, collaboration and friendly rivalry, with students enjoying the opportunity to meet peers from other schools, share snacks, and represent Applecross SHS with pride. Alex noted, “even though sometimes the challenges were tense, we knew this was still a fun event, and had fun regardless of the outcomes.”

A huge congratulations goes to our Year 9/10 team, who achieved 4th place in the Middle School competition — an excellent result in a strong field. Competing against other schools added excitement and motivation, reinforcing students’ sense of teamwork and school pride.

We look forward to seeing what our teams bring to the competition next year. Thank you to all students who participated, as well as the staff and volunteers who supported the event and made the evening such a success.

James Buchanan, Mathematics Teacher

Learning Maths Through Movement and Play

Our Year 7 Foundation Maths class has been building essential mathematical skills while having plenty of fun along the way. Recently, students took their learning outside, walking across the oval while testing each other on times table knowledge. This active approach helped reinforce recall skills while encouraging teamwork, confidence and engagement.

Again on the oval, students enjoyed playing Finska, a hands‑on game that develops addition skills and encourages flexible problem‑solving strategies. Through friendly competition and discussion, students practised mental maths, planned their moves and explained their thinking.

These activities show that maths learning can be active, social and enjoyable—helping students build strong foundations in a positive and supportive environment.

Donna Collins, Head of Learning Area - Mathematics