Find out from Miss Hamalis, Head of the Junior School, how they are celebrating Maths Week.

This week, we are immersing ourselves in the captivating realm of numbers and problem-solving as we celebrate Maths Week. With the theme of ‘Mathematical Games’ guiding our activities, our primary goal is to engage and challenge the girls to use collaboration, strategic planning and perseverance – like Perseverance Squirrel – in order to find solutions to various puzzle-based challenges. 

During their Mathematics lessons this week, as well as during a workshop run by the The Happy Puzzle Company, the girls will participate in strategy games and puzzles designed to challenge their minds and foster collaboration. Additionally, every year group will be assigned a creative homework project providing an opportunity for the girls to apply the skills learned by crafting their own board games using recycled materials.

This Friday, 23 February, we will be supporting the NSPCC’s Speak out Stay safe programme by hosting a belated Number Day. This is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together and support a worthy cause while having fun with numbers.

We encourage both pupils and staff – as well as parents and carers at drop off – to participate in ‘Dress up for Digits’. The girls are invited to come into school dressed as a number or something maths related. This could be anything from wearing a football shirt with a number on to dressing up as a dice to wearing a top with 3D shapes on it. In line with our aim to be more sustainable and promote this mindset to the girls, we encourage the girls to create an outfit using items they already have at home. We look forward to seeing their creativity! 

While we thoroughly enjoy the excitement of Maths Week, it’s important to emphasise that teaching Mathematics at the Junior School transcends the bounds of a single event – it’s a fundamental component of the girls’ weekly timetable, bearing immense significance in their educational journey. Teaching and learning Mathematics at the primary level is paramount for a multitude of reasons:

• Foundational Skills: Elementary Mathematics serves as the cornerstone for more advanced mathematical concepts. It equips the girls with fundamental arithmetic operations, numerical fluency and problem-solving skills, laying the groundwork for tackling complex mathematical concepts in the future.
• Critical Thinking: Mathematics fosters critical thinking and logical reasoning abilities. Through solving mathematical problems, the girls learn to analyse situations, recognise patterns and devise strategies to overcome challenges.
• Everyday Life Skills: Mathematical concepts are an integral part of everyday life, from managing finances to interpreting time and measurements in recipes. Introducing mathematics at an early age cultivates practical skills that the girls can apply in various real-world scenarios.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Mathematics instils systematic problem-solving techniques. This skill is not only valuable in mathematical contexts but also applicable in various facets of life, including decision-making and troubleshooting.
• Confidence Building: Mastering mathematical concepts at an early age fosters confidence and self-esteem in children. Success in mathematics encourages them to embrace new challenges and cultivate a positive attitude towards learning.
• Enhanced Brain Development: Research indicates that learning Mathematics stimulates brain development and enhances cognitive abilities. It facilitates the development of skills such as memory, attention and spatial reasoning, contributing to overall cognitive growth.

In essence, teaching Mathematics is indispensable for nurturing intellectual growth, preparing the girls for future endeavours, and equipping them with essential life skills necessary for success and fulfilment. This year marks an exciting milestone as, in September, we introduced a new Mathematics curriculum across the Junior School. Power Maths, a UK curriculum mastery programme, has been carefully selected to ignite curiosity and instil confidence in Mathematics among the girls. Our teachers have enjoyed implementing this programme as it embraces a child-centred approach to teaching, fostering a growth mindset and focusing on building a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. In addition to offering rich textbooks and practice materials, Power Maths integrates professional development opportunities for our teachers, ensuring that they are equipped to provide our pupils with the highest quality education in Mathematics.