Reading Awards 2019

Congratulations to the following students who received class Reading Awards for 2019 at assembly on Friday:

Maths Extension

Congratulations to the following students who received certificates of excellence in Mathematics at assembly on Friday:

Mathematics Extension at St Matthew’s School

Each week selected children from Years 5 and 6 take part in a withdrawal lesson in Mathematics Extension. Children receive an offer to participate based on data collected across a number of areas that indicates these children may benefit from this. To gain the most from the mathematical extension sessions, it is important that a child enjoys Mathematics – ‘loving’ it is even better! The work, at times, is difficult, as academic rigour is a characteristic of an extension program; children are expected to work hard to the very best of their ability. The mathematical component focuses mainly on ‘problem solving’ as this requires more higher order thinking skills than other areas of Mathematics. As problem solving skills are taught, challenges in knowledge/skills in contributing areas sometimes become apparent – these areas are also ‘up-skilled.’

Each year Mathematics Extension children take part in the “Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads, Inc” – a mathematical competition including students throughout Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific countries. Beginning in May and ending in September, the children are asked to solve five quite difficult problems each month in one timed sitting – and to achieve five correct out of five in any given month is extremely difficult. Presentations for this competition were presented at assembly on Friday.

Congratulations to the following students:

1^st Place – Hamish Sewell
2^nd Place – Maddison Shepherd & Kate Cousins

Colleen Quartermaine
Maths Extension Specialist /Year 6 Teacher