How do teachers cope in classes where the ability level of students can differ by up to eight years in a single class? Streaming can help reduce the gaps but there are disadvantages in that approach. A different way of doing things is needed and that’s where Maths Pathways comes in. We now have students in Years 7 and 8 signed up for Maths Pathway which delivers the Australian Curriculum online. Students are allocated “modules” of work based on a series of diagnostic tests and they are quizzed on their level of mastery every two weeks or so. Parents can see their results and monitor their progress in real time. Teachers know that not all class time can be spent facing a screen and that’s why other teaching activities (mini-lessons in small groups, rich tasks, whole group direct instructions, target-setting and reflection sessions) are needed to supplement the Pathway program.
An information session will be held for parents and carers of Year 7 and 8 boys in about Week 5 where you will learn how to use the Parent portal to monitor your son’s progress and how you can help ensure that he is learning at an appropriate rate.
Maths Pathway also helps us deliver our acceleration program as Year 7 and 8 boys can be doing up to Year 10 Advanced work in a Pathway classroom. It is pleasing to see that we also have a growing number of exceptional boys who are being accelerated through to the senior years. Other boys, especially in Years 10 and 11 are making good use of the special tutoring sessions for advanced students on Thursday and Friday mornings in M1. I would encourage any boy who is undertaking Advanced Maths in Year 10 or Maths Methods in Year 11 to attend those sessions if they are struggling to keep up.
Anyone else who is battling to keep on top of Maths should keep an eye out for the afternoon tutoring in the Library which should start soon. There will always be a Maths teacher rostered on.
Ed Mickleburgh (Head of Mathematics)