A renewed focus on mathematics in South Australian public schools took centre stage at the inaugural Department for Education Numeracy Summit at the Adelaide Convention Centre today.

Opened by the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer, along with the Department Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell, the one-day event shone a spotlight on mathematics, with more than 1000 school leaders and mathematics coordinators attending.

In addition to hosting the Summit, the Department for Education is preparing a statewide mathematics strategy, which will include participation in the PRIMO maths project, working with schools to pilot numeracy assessments, a focus on financial literacy and guidance and resources for schools in the effective and innovative teaching of mathematics.

The new Mathematics strategy is being designed to support engagement in maths from Reception to Year 10. It will also determine how schools implement maths in the curriculum in 2024 and beyond.

In conjunction with the delivery of the strategy, a group of schools will participate in a four-year international research project called PRIMO Maths. The project will see the department partner with Centre for Curriculum Redesign and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation to implement a redesign in how mathematics is taught.

The Summit featured keynote speaker Emeritus Professor of Education at Monash University, Peter Sullivan, the author of the Shape of the Australian Mathematics Curriculum, who addressed the gathering about facilitating student agency and fostering inclusion in mathematics and numeracy learning.

Department Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell said the summit signals a renewed focus on improving numeracy and mathematics outcomes for South Australia’s children and young people.

“‘Making numeracy count for every child and young person’ is not just the theme of the summit but a mission statement for education in South Australia,” said Prof. Westwell.

“Proficiency in mathematics is a strong predictor of positive outcomes for young adults.”

“While the department has undertaken several measures over time to improve achievement in numeracy including policy and practice advice, curriculum resources and professional learning, we want to be more proactive in this space and that is being developed now.”