At St Joseph’s Primary School, Mernda, we aspire to create a learning environment that fosters a lifelong passion for Mathematics and equips all students with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in a constantly evolving world.
We aim to create inclusive and engaging learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, persistence and resilience; encouraging all students to embrace challenges, develop confidence and make mistakes as part of the learning process.
Through inquiry-based, hands-on, authentic tasks that connect to real-world problems, we hope to equip all learners with the necessary problem-solving, reasoning and strategic thinking skills to succeed in a rapidly changing society.
To achieve this, we utilise high impact teaching and engagement strategies that promote active participation and critical thinking.
Real-World Mathematics Opportunities
At St Joseph’s, Mernda, we believe that Mathematics is not just a subject to be learned in the classroom but is an essential skill for everyday life. Therefore, we strive to create authentic links to the real world in our Mathematics curriculum.
Our teachers use real-world examples to illustrate mathematical concepts and encourage students to apply their learning to real-life situations. In support of this, literature is used to show Mathematics in relatable contexts, helping students to develop their conceptual understanding. Students are also encouraged to participate in community-based activities that require mathematical skills, such as fundraising projects or market days.
We understand that Mathematics can be challenging for some students, which is why we use hands-on materials to support their understanding. Our teachers use a range of resources, such as manipulatives, to help students visualise abstract concepts and develop problem-solving skills. We also integrate technology into our Mathematics lessons, such as interactive whiteboards and online learning platforms, to provide a dynamic and engaging learning experience.
We believe that strategic games can be an excellent way to promote engagement and critical thinking skills in Mathematics. Our teachers use a range of games, such as chess, puzzles, and board games, to help make learning fun and develop students’ strategic thinking, problem-solving and reasoning skills. These games also foster a sense of competition and teamwork, promoting a growth mindset in our students.
We recognise that open-ended tasks are a powerful tool for engaging students in Mathematics. Open-ended tasks are tasks with multiple enabling and extending points. These tasks encourage students to think creatively, apply their knowledge in new ways, and explore different problem-solving strategies. Open-ended tasks are designed to challenge students at different levels and provide opportunities for them to extend their learning beyond the curriculum achievement standards. In using a variety of open-ended tasks, we aim to create a Mathematics classroom where students feel motivated and inspired to learn.
Intervention: EMU and GRIN
At St. Joseph’s, we understand that some students may require additional support in Mathematics to reach their full potential. Therefore, we offer two intervention approaches to support our students in their mathematical learning: Extending Mathematical Understanding (EMU) and Getting Ready In Numeracy (GRIN).
The EMU Program is a highly effective, intensive, evidence-based teaching program designed to help Grade 1 students build their foundational Numeracy skills. This program has been developed by Associate Professor Ann Gervasoni of Monash University, one of Australia’s leading universities, and is delivered by a highly qualified and experienced teacher, who has received specialised training. This program utilises a range of strategies, such as one-on-one tutoring and small group work, to help students build their mathematical knowledge and confidence.
The GRIN Program is an innovative, early intervention teaching program that has been designed to help students in Grades 3-6 develop their mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills. The GRIN Program is delivered by GRIN tutors who are equipped to deliver high-quality Mathematics intervention with the support of the GRIN coordinator and Classroom Teachers.
This program provides additional support for students by creating opportunities for students to be exposed to key mathematical concepts prior to exploring these ideas within a classroom setting. This helps students develop their mathematical skills, confidence and attitude towards learning in Mathematics.
Phoenix Maths Club
For our Grade 4-6 students who excel in Mathematics, we offer the Phoenix Maths Club, which is an extension program that meets weekly to extend their problem-solving skills. This group is currently preparing to compete in the Maths Olympiad Challenge, a national competition that tests students’ problem-solving skills and mathematical abilities. The program aims to provide an opportunity for our high-achieving students to develop their talents and engage in a challenging and exciting learning experience.
At St. Joseph’s Primary School, Mernda, we are committed to providing our students with a quality Mathematics education that prepares them for success in their future endeavours. We believe in providing an engaging and supportive learning environment that utilises high impact teaching and engagement strategies, real-world mathematics opportunities, hands-on materials, strategic games, and open-ended tasks. We aim to meet the needs of all students, at their level by providing intervention and extension programs to ensure that all students have the support they need to reach their full potential.