Curriculum News

Curriculum Update 

This term in Mathematics, students across the school are engaging in learning that builds strong number understanding while also developing their ability to apply Maths in meaningful, real-world contexts.

Across most year levels, there is a focus on partitioning numbers and time. Partitioning helps students break numbers into smaller, more manageable parts, supporting mental computation and a deeper understanding of place value. This foundational skill strengthens students’ ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide with confidence. In addition, students are exploring concepts of time—reading clocks, calculating durations, and solving problems involving elapsed time—skills that are essential for everyday life.

A key focus for all students this term is mathematical modelling, an important component of Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum. Mathematical modelling moves beyond simple calculations and encourages students to use mathematics to make sense of real-world situations.

Students are learning to:

• Formulate problems by identifying important information, recognising variables, and making assumptions 
• Solve problems using appropriate strategies, calculations, and sometimes digital tools 
• Interpret their results and consider whether their answers make sense in the real-world context 
• Evaluate their solutions, refining their thinking and improving their models where needed 

Through this process, students are applying their mathematical knowledge to authentic contexts such as budgeting, analysing data, and solving everyday problems. This approach strengthens critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills—capabilities that are essential for lifelong learning.

How You Can Support Your Child at Home

You can make a big difference to your child’s confidence and success in Mathematics with simple, everyday activities:

• Talk about numbers regularly - involve your child in real-life maths such as shopping, cooking, or planning trips 
• Practise telling the time - ask questions like “How long until dinner?” or “What time will we leave?” 
• Encourage mental maths - have your child explain how they worked something out rather than just giving the answer 
• Explore problem-solving together - ask open-ended questions like “How could we figure that out?” 
• Promote a positive mindset - remind your child that making mistakes is part of learning 

By connecting Mathematics to everyday experiences, students can see its value and build confidence in applying their skills beyond the classroom.

We look forward to seeing the continued growth in our students’ mathematical understanding throughout the term.

Kind regards, 

Chris Walters

Head of Department - Curriculum