FPS Newsletter

Principal's Report

Mathematics That Makes Us Think

Last Monday, the focus of the staff curriculum day was on Mathematics. The day was led by Jane Hubbard, from the Mathematics Association of Victoria. Already this professional learning has had us thinking about the way that we teach mathematics at FPS, and how students learn.

 

The day was focused around the four Maths Proficiencies; Fluency, Problem Solving, Reasoning and Understanding. Whilst most people are familiar with the Strands of Numeracy – Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability – an ability to apply the Proficiencies provides a greater understanding of mathematical skills and concepts.

 

Try a Task

Here are some of the tasks which staff worked through. Give the tasks a go with your children!

This professional learning in Mathematics forms part of our Numeracy Annual Implementation Plan goals, led by our Learning Specialist Sophie Ratcliffe. 

 

Already I have visited classrooms and seen some ‘sweaty brain’ activities, with students problem solving and reasoning with one another whilst grappling over challenging tasks. 

 

Some of the possibilities that teachers are preparing for include:

  • Providing maths problems that require students to think for an extended time.
  • Presenting students with problems with multiple solutions.
  • Asking pupils to explain how they solved a problem and why they chose that method.

The images below depict Year 5 students showing their understandings of 2D shapes, their properties and how they can be manipulated.

Street art inspiration
Using 2D shapes to create an image
Shapes and transformations
How do you know you if have understood the work?
Summarising the work
Sharing work with peers
Street art inspiration
Using 2D shapes to create an image
Shapes and transformations
How do you know you if have understood the work?
Summarising the work
Sharing work with peers

 

In addition to this work, I am looking forward to working alongside Sophie and Emilia McDonald (Year 1 teacher) throughout the year on the Leading Mathematics program, run by the Victorian Academy. During this course we will investigate, analyse and strengthen our current approaches to mathematics learning. 

 

Acessit - Our New Library System

Have you ever wondered what books we have in our library? Well, thanks to the fantastic work of our librarian Paula, we now have our beautiful library full of books of all types for all ages, now complemented with an online library catalogue system. 

 

What’s next for the library? We are currently working through students having access to individual logins, enabling the tracking of books that have been borrowed.

 

Take a look and see what’s available amongst our 7,000 books!

 

Happy browsing!

 

School Fair Fundraising

At our end of term one assembly, we were thrilled to announce the success of the school fair – both as a community event and as a fundraising effort. We announced that  $60,693.87 was raised. Amazing!

 

Even better news – after finalising a few outstanding accounts the figure has increased to $63,898.37.

 

In the next newsletter I will provide an overview of how our fundraising money and parent contributions are being spent.

 

School Tours

It might be just the start of term two, but places for our school tours for 2024 enrolments are filling up fast. If you know of any families who are interested in enrolling their child in Foundation at FPS next year, please direct them to the Enrolment page of our website where they can find out important dates and book a tour.

Lunchtime Clubs

Lunchtime Clubs will be held again this term. These clubs are run by teachers and give the students the opportunity to try something a little bit different at lunchtime.

 

Have a good week everyone.

 

~ Paul Wallace, Principal