The Swot Shop

Maths Talent Programme

Students in these programmes have already displayed an interest in, and enjoyment of, mathematics (engendered, if for no other reason, by their own success in this area). The programme provides extension and enrichment activities which enhance students' understanding of basic mathematical principles as well as their ability to reason mathematically at a high level.

Students are not taught by a "recipe and repetition" method but by investigation, discovery and problem solving. Many activities are presented as puzzles or games and much use is made of co-operative learning in addition to the benefits from individual or group competition. In addition, students are provided with opportunities to practise for, and compete in, a number of external competitions.

Maths Talent exists at five different levels (E to A) catering for students from Grades 2 to 7. Classes make considerable use of hands-on equipment for problem solving activities. This not only adds interest to the lesson but helps to bridge the gap between pen and paper and real-life problems.

Students in Maths Talent A are offered an opportunity to compete in the Primary Maths Challenge, the Dirichlet and Newton programme created by the Australian Maths Trust at the University of Canberra.

Students are accepted into Maths Talent classes following satisfactory performance on a difficult assessment. In line with normal Swot Shop promotion policies, students are moved to a more advanced class as soon as assessment results or the child's teacher indicates a greater challenge is required.

Formal assessments occur once each term and parents are posted detailed statistical data about their child's performance.