Numeracy

Numeracy at St Mary’s Primary School

At St Mary’s, we believe that numeracy is essential for students to confidently engage with the world around them. Mathematics is more than working with numbers—it’s about thinking logically, solving problems, identifying patterns, and making informed decisions in everyday life. We are committed to nurturing mathematically capable, confident, and curious learners.

Our approach to numeracy is aligned with the Victorian Curriculum – Mathematics Version 2.0, which highlights the importance of mathematical understanding, fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving across all strands. We deliver learning that supports both conceptual depth and real-world application.

Guided by the MACS Vision for Instruction, our numeracy teaching is underpinned by:

  • High expectations for all learners

  • Explicit, purposeful instruction

  • Deliberate practice and modelling

  • Using data to inform and evaluate teaching impact

  • Engagement through meaningful, connected learning tasks

At St Mary’s, explicit instruction forms the foundation of our mathematics program. Teachers provide structured and sequenced lessons that reduce cognitive load and make learning visible. Key strategies and mathematical vocabulary are modelled clearly, with scaffolded support and guided practice to promote student success.

To further enhance the quality of teaching, we utilise Ochre Education resources, which offer well-sequenced, evidence-based lessons aligned to the Victorian Curriculum. These resources support teacher clarity, consistency, and coherence across year levels.

Our approach to numeracy is:

  • Data-informed – using regular assessment to monitor growth and tailor teaching

  • Differentiated – catering to individual needs, supporting and extending all learners

  • Meaningful – connecting mathematics to real-life contexts and inquiry learning

  • Inclusive – ensuring access and equity for every student, every day

We aim to develop numerate learners who:

  • Apply mathematical thinking to solve problems with confidence

  • Communicate reasoning and strategies clearly

  • Demonstrate fluency and flexibility with number

  • Embrace challenge and learn through productive struggle

  • Connect mathematical understanding to the world around them

At St Mary’s, our students are empowered to see themselves as capable mathematicians—ready to think, reason, and contribute with confidence and curiosity in a rapidly changing world.