Exciting new ambassadors are showing students where maths can take them in their future careers, as part of a NSW Government campaign to change perceptions of maths among young people

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said maths was more than just a subject learned in school as she joined The Block star Dan Reilly and singer Mahalia Barnes to kick start the new phase of the campaign.

“Having strong maths skills opens a world of possibility for young people,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Maths develops capabilities for life and provides students with lasting fundamental skills in problem-solving, analysis and reasoning, which are relevant to most careers.”

The latest campaign links parents to new resources within the Everyday Maths hub, bringing new maths solutions, challenges, games and fun experiences into students’ homes.

“These new resources encourage and support parents, carers and students from various backgrounds to think and act mathematically outside the school gates,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Parents do not need to be a maths whizz to help their children succeed, taking a positive and proactive attitude to the maths at home leads to better grades in the classroom.”

A new feature of the hub is a dedicated culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) section across five different languages and more than 30 new pieces of content related to financial literacy, mathematics in careers, and mathematics in the modern world.

Dan Reilly said things like working out angles, lengths and areas are essential on The Block and that it’s maths skills like these that make a career in building and construction possible.

Mahalia Barnes said helping her daughters with their relationship to maths is essential to their music.

“I’m helping them along their journey as they discover the patterns and progressions we see in maths that helps us with our music,” Mahalia said.

The #MathsTrainsBrains campaign is part of the NSW Mathematics Strategy, a seven-year program aimed at helping students develop the mathematical skills and understanding they need to succeed in life.

Recently, feedback on the Year 3-10 Mathematics syllabuses was provided during public consultation as part of NSW’s vital Curriculum Reform agenda.

The draft syllabuses continue to strengthen mathematics and numeracy skills across every year level and build on the fundamental work already being implemented in Kindergarten to Year 2 mathematics.

The final syllabuses will be available to schools later in 2022 for implementation from 2023.

Parents and carers can visit the Everyday Maths hub to engage with their children on mathematics in everyday life.