Mathematics @ JPC

Many JPC Maths students across the school are deeply immersed in STUDY MODE, preparing for the end of semester exams – an opportunity to present the best of themselves in our last formal assessment task for the semester.

Maths/Exam Anxiety – what to do?

We acknowledge that Maths Anxiety is a real thing for many people. One of the MOST effective ways to reduce anxiety in Maths (and in any subject) is to really engage with the course material, be curious about what you don’t know, work hard at figuring it out (don’t give up!) and be as well prepared for lessons and exams as you can. 

What do successful Mathematics students look like?

It is so gratifying to see students who are working hard to improve their maths learning. From Years 7 – 12, the most successful students engage in class, bring the correct equipment (including CALCULATORS!!), do the set homework (and usually a bit more), seek support from their teachers, maybe attend Monday afternoon tutoring or our lunchtime exam preparation workshops, and they are rewarded for their efforts with increased confidence in class that allows their brain to relax, and learn.

Mathematics Reports – break down the jargon!

Many parents ask me questions around the language and terms in our Mathematics Semester Report. In Maths, we are required by the Australian Curriculum 9.0 Mathematics to grade and report on students’ performance in four Mathematical Proficiency Strands – Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving and Reasoning.  

But what do these words mean for your child’s Maths skills???

In summary:

UNDERSTANDING: students build conceptual understanding when they

• make connections between related mathematical ideas, or cultivate new ones
• transfer their understanding of the familiar to the unfamiliar
• explore the link between “why” and “how” of mathematics
• represent concepts in different ways
• identify similarities and differences between aspects of content

FLUENCY: students are developing mathematical fluency when they

• choose and carry out appropriate procedures flexibly, accurately and efficiently
• apply knowledge and understanding of concepts
• use computational strategies, and approximations efficiently
• apply definitions, facts and theorems
• manipulate mathematical objects, expressions, relations and equations to find solutions.

PROBLEM-SOLVING: students refine their problem-solving skills when they

• plan and apply strategies (including mental arithmetic) to solve unknown problems with 1 or more solutions from mathematical and/or real-world contexts
• review and analyse their solutions
• make mathematical decisions, drawing on learnt concepts, skills, procedures and processes to solve problems
• communicate their solutions effectively

REASONING: students apply reasoning skills when they

• develop the capacity for logical thought and action and consciously apply mathematical thinking to their processes
• explain their thinking, deduce and justify their strategies and conclusions
• adapt the known to the unknown, transfer learning from one context to another
• compare and contrast ideas or prove that something is true or false
• reflect on and explain their choices

The rubrics for our assessment tasks are a great starting point to see how these strands apply to the work your child undertakes. The rubric interprets each of the four proficiency strands in the context of the task, and you can see where your child’s strengths lie, and what skills might need further development. Your child’s marked rubrics and comments are visible to you in our SENTRAL Parent Portal, 2 weeks after the submission date.

Join the JPC MatheMAGICIANS!

Our MatheMAGICIANS club with Dr Afghan, Mr Gupta, Ms Marot, and other maths teachers runs each Wednesday lunch in JF3.

Some students have already competed in the first round of the Mathematics competitions from Australian Maths Trust (AMT) and the Maths Games/Olympiads by Australian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO). These events will continue into Term 3, so watch this space for the results…..

OR even better, come along and join in some other Maths fun!

If you have any questions regarding any of this information, please don’t hesitate to contact me or your child’s Mathematics teacher (via email is best).

Mrs Jennifer Tually
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing – Mathematic Faculty and Ferré House
(On behalf of the Maths Teaching Team)