Our Numeracy program encourages students to develop a strong understanding of Number and how to apply this knowledge to solve problems. Before students can use numbers flexibly and with understanding they need to have the basic skills, trusting the count, place value, multiplicative thinking, and partitioning. Teachers enable students to gain a deep understanding of core concepts and apply new knowledge in different situations. Students take greater responsibility for their learning through strategic scaffolding between concrete, pictorial, and abstract supports.

At each level, students are exposed to the three strands of Mathematics in a variety of ways.

• Number & Algebra – Students engage with the ‘Big Ideas’ in Number to help develop their number sense.
• Measurement & Geometry – Students explore measurement using informal e.g. hand spans, and formal units e.g. mm, cm, m, and km. They also discover the properties of 2D and 3D shapes and explore locational language.
• Statistics & Probability – Students explore the concept of chance and probability and collect and analyse data using a variety of methods.

As a school, we focus on the development of Mathematical Proficiencies, including mathematical Understanding, Fluency, Reasoning, and Problem-Solving skills. These proficiencies enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations by employing strategies to make informed conclusions and solve problems more efficiently. To also support developing a deeper understanding of a wide range of skills, the use of hands-on manipulatives and equipment occurs where possible and appropriate.

To promote authentic experiences in lessons, students and teachers use the approach of Launch, Explore, and Summarise which links their current understandings to real-world scenarios and problems. Typically, in these lessons, students are presented with one or more challenging task/s, as well as one or more consolidating task/s. The teacher also facilitates supplementary tasks that offer the potential for differentiating the experience by the use of enabling or extending prompts for students.

Lessons have purposefully designed tasks and activities so that students learn and work together to develop problem-solving skills all while answering vital questions; what does this have to do with my life? and when will I need to know this?

Through this approach, students are equipped with transferable skills that will allow them to be numerate and use these skills to assist in lifelong success with using numbers and associated processes.