Sparx Maths

 

Sparx Maths is an online homework platform which creates perfectly tailored practice homework for each student.

Below are some of the fantastic results from April to June:

Current Lead of Experience Points –
Charu Umamaheswaran in Year 7 is currently in the lead for the most Sparx Experience Points (XP) out of the whole school! She has now reached Level 6 and has achieved over 63000 XP points! This is an incredible achievement and the Maths department at Mount St Mary’s are very proud of her commitment and motivation to excel in Mathematics.

SPARX Student of the week – Over 50 students have received a lunch queue jump pass.

SPARX Stickers – 35 students rewarded before May half term for completing all their compulsory tasks, XP Boosts and Targets.

Amazon Vouchers – £80 worth of Amazon vouchers given to students to reward them for completing their compulsory tasks.

Leveling Up – Over 50 certificates to students who have gone above and beyond and gained enough XP to level up.

We look forward to seeing who can try competing with this next year!

Numeracy Day

On 15th May, 14 Year 7s were invited to attend a Numeracy Day at Leeds University, in partnership with KPMG. Students learnt about different roles within the company and listened to a panel of people who worked in Maths roles such as data, science and coding.

Students had a guided tour of the University by the student ambassadors and enjoyed an interactive session by Maths City, where they worked in teams to solve puzzles. They left with a better understanding of the different roles in which numeracy is important.

Leeds Rotary Technology Competition

On Tuesday 5th March, 8 of our best Technology students were chosen to take part in the Leeds Rotary Technology competition. The competition has been running since 2007 and is funded by local Rotary clubs and over 130 students from 14 schools across Leeds took part. We spoke to the founder of the competition, Cliff, who said he wanted students to learn hands on skills such as teamwork, problem solving and using tools. Throughout the day there were 80 volunteers from local engineering companies and Leeds University to help the students and promote STEM careers.

Students were given a task on the day to launch a space rocket using limited resources such as sticks and elastic bands. They had to work independently, as teachers were not allowed to help. Students worked well together and came up with different ideas which they tested. Although we did not win, all the students enjoyed taking part and working together.

Maths Masterclasses

At the end of January, four of our Year 9 students started attending the Royal Institute of Mathematics Masterclasses at the University of Leeds, on a Saturday.

Only 40 places are offered per year and students can participate by invitation only, an incredible achievement for our students; Hadija Ibrahim, Benhur Alem, Olivia Wzorek, and Maya Krupa. The four students enjoyed 6 sessions of maths lectures delivered by the University of Leeds staff, getting a little experience of what university life might be like for them and exploring topics within mathematics not covered by the curriculum.

To Hadija, Benhur, Olivia and Maya, well done and make the most of the opportunity that you so well deserve!

Thomas Transition Programme (TTP)

21 of our Year 11 students have enrolled on the Thomas Transition Programme, where Leeds University provide in school workshops, a campus visit and a 3 day fully funded residential.

To support our students further to maximise their potential they get 15 hours of Maths or Science tuition with the Tutor Trust.

Year 8 DLP Visit

15 students in Year 8 are part of a three year project with a Leeds based law company called DLP.

The company is developing a new office within Leeds City Centre. Our students have been given the opportunity to be part of the ongoing design and project management. At the last visit, they took part in workshops such as the importance of wellbeing in the workplace, materials and design and outdoor and indoor space innovation.

The Year 8 students wowed the company directors by asking mature questions and really getting involved in the projects on offer. Next time, the students will be able to visit the new office and see some of their designs in action!

Maths City 2022 – 2023

A select group of highly motivated, hardworking Year 7 and 8 students were rewarded with a morning trip to Maths City in March. These students were exposed to Maths in a variety of interactive exhibits designed to both fascinate and inspire. The groups had the opportunity to try a multitude of challenging puzzles over the course of the morning, even managing to solve them quicker than the teachers on occasion!

After a cold and snowy walk into town the students soon warmed up racing around trying to complete the challenges and making sure they had a go at everything on offer. Huge amounts of resilience were shown by all students as well as letting their competitive side come out, racing to complete tasks in the quickest and best way.

Both year groups showed how well they can work as a team when tasked to make the Leonardo dome; working together to create a wooden dome large enough for all students and even teachers to get under. Pairs of students managed to create a bubble around themselves while others simply solved maths problems requiring incredible spatial mathematical awareness.

A fantastic morning was had by all staff and students with maths now becoming a favourite subject for many of the students! Their creativity in solving puzzles and enthusiasm for learning was excellent to see and staff at the centre commented on the students’ fantastic behaviour and resilience.

Year 8 Maths City Trip

28 students from Year 8 were rewarded with a trip to Maths City. This was a fantastic experience, with students exploring a variety of
hands-on puzzles and mathematical conundrums. These students were challenged to complete tasks and understand the logical reasoning required to make sense of the maths.

Collaborating to build a Leonardo Dome, the students built a huge
free-standing structure that was self-supporting, using only gravity to hold the pieces together. Once complete the dome was large enough to house several students and one teacher.

Showing the true spirit of resilience, students attacked each activity with a high degree of determination, competing against each other to solve the problem in the best way, as well as producing amazing pieces of art work with tessellations and less spectacular, although no less difficult, sketches of a fish completed by looking through a mirror.

Time flew by and soon we had to leave. The students had to be pulled away from their activities, not wanting to halt the fun they were having and still showing high levels of enthusiasm and engagement.

The workers at Maths City spoke very highly of those that had attended and the feedback from the students was that they would love to do this again. I am sure that if we get another trip in place these students will be able to drive everyone forward in order to secure a place.

Year 11
Exam Preparation

To support our Year 11 students with their exam preparation, the Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL), have offered their conference facilities for subject specific workshops.

Staff and students from English, Maths, Science and Modern Foreign Languages spent a full day on four separate Saturdays in April and May, preparing for the 2022 GCSE exams.

These workshops were in addition to the weekly booster sessions offered throughout the year, and the focused face to face sessions during the Easter and May half-term breaks