At St Brendan’s, we teach Mathematics as an essential life skill every student must master. Our goal is to ensure students not only achieve competency in core mathematical areas but also develop the ability to confidently apply this knowledge to solve real-world problems and challenges.
In line with the MACS Vision for Mathematics Instruction we use Explicit Instruction to provide structured and clear guidance to help students grasp mathematical concepts and develop essential skills.
We firmly believe that a solid grasp of fundamental mathematical principles lays the groundwork for students to enjoy and value the exploration of Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Analysis and Probability. Our curriculum from Foundation to Year 6 integrates the four proficiencies of Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving, and Reasoning, placing student learning and independence at the forefront.
Our ultimate aim is for students to develop deeper mathematical thinking and be able to effectively explain their problem-solving strategies.
We employ the CPA (concrete, pictorial, and abstract) model to introduce mathematical concepts, complemented by our Explicit Instruction approach. Problem-solving is incorporated across our mathematics curriculum, fostering a holistic understanding of mathematical principles.
Our lessons incorporate daily reviews of previously taught material, ensuring that students continually consolidate their understanding. This method ensures key concepts and skills are continually revised and aid in transferring this knowledge to students long-term memory. By promoting automatic recall of numerical facts and mathematical concepts, we enable students to focus their working memory on complex problem-solving and mathematical reasoning tasks.
We are constantly refining our teaching pedagogy in light of current research and our mathematics lessons are always tailored to the students, aiming to provide clarity and depth of understanding whilst maintaining engagement.