Numeracy Co-ordinator: Ashlene McMullan

Mathematics is all around us each day at home, in school and in the wider world.  From adding up the cost of shopping, to considering the probability of our actions or simply reading a timetable to catch a bus.  To make our pupils mathematically confident is essential for them to have a happy and successful life.

Therefore, as a school we have invested significantly in developing these skills.  Our work with pupils falls within these general themes:

• Number work
• Shape and Space;
• Measures
• Data Handling
• Problem solving

In St Malachy’s we have invested in the Mathletics Programme which is available for our pupils to use both in school and at home. Mathletics provides our children with the chance to put their mathematics skills to use through activities and challenges that are relevant and attention-grabbing. By blending intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and rewards, and using best-practice theories of gamified learning, Mathletics keeps our pupils engaged with maths. With fresh activities, challenges and regularly updated content, Mathletics always has something new to learn and fun to do. Whilst developing Numeracy skills with engaging activities and lessons, Mathletics also provides opportunity to develop Literacy and ICT skills through the use of reading and understanding and becoming competent with our use of I-pads and laptops.

Throughout the year we participate in many special events to highlight and promote our understanding of Mathematics. These include Maths Week Ireland and NSPCC Number Day.