Mathematics

At Maraetai Beach School, we believe that every student can be a successful mathematician. Our programme is aligned with the New Zealand Numeracy Curriculum (Te Mātaiaho), which emphasises a "knowledge-rich" approach. This means we focus on building a strong foundation of mathematical facts and skills (fluency) so that students are able to tackle complex, real-world problems.

We provide a minimum of 60 minutes of dedicated mathematics instruction per day, following a structured instructional model grounded in the Science of Learning.

Successful Maraetai Beach School mathematicians:

Our maths programme is designed around the learner capabilities of fostering a "growth mindset" and being a problem solver with real world problems. A successful Maraetai mathematician:

• Develops Fluency: Masters basic facts to support complex problem-solving.

• Exerts Effort: Sees mistakes as a necessary part of the "learning pit."

• Communicates: Explains their thinking using precise mathematical vocabulary.

• Collaborates: Works with others to explore multiple ways to solve a problem.

• Is Curious: Asks "why?" and "what if?" to deepen their understanding.

Our Key Resources

We use research-based tools to support teaching and learning across all year levels:

• Numicon (Years 0–3): A multi-sensory approach using physical shapes to help our youngest learners "see" and "feel" how numbers work. It builds a strong visual understanding of number relationships, patterns, and calculating.

• Mathletics (Years 3–6): An engaging digital platform that allows students to practice skills, build speed through "Live Mathletics," and complete tasks tailored to their individual learning needs.

• Oxford Maths (Years 4–8): A comprehensive, structured programme that aligns with the new curriculum. it provides explicit instruction, guided practice, and "low floor-high ceiling" investigations that challenge students at all levels.

Assessment & Support

We use a range of formal and informal assessments to ensure we are meeting the needs of every child. Two of our primary tools include:

• SMART (Strategic Mathematics Assessment & Reporting Tool): A modern, online assessment tool that identifies specific gaps in a student's knowledge. It allows teachers to see exactly what a child knows and what their next steps are in real-time.

• Jo Knox/Marie Hirst Snapshots: Snapshots are an assessment tool used at the end of a unit of learning. Snapshots have been developed by leading NZ maths expert Dr. Jo Knox and Marie Hirst, these snapshots allow teachers to quickly assess deep conceptual understanding. These are aligned to the current New Zealand Curriculum and assess only Number. 

• Teachers use a combination of formative and summative assessments to assess students' understanding and next steps.