Everyone's a Mathematician
“I like times tables, plus and takeaways, and adding up to different numbers,” says Alina, a Year 1 student at Living Waters Lutheran School. Classmate Gabby adds: “Numbers can help with your money so you know you can’t buy it, or how much more you need.”
In the heart of Alice Springs, students like Alina and Gabby are discovering that maths isn’t just about numbers — it’s about thinking, solving, and making sense of the world around them.
Living Waters Lutheran School is committed to making maths meaningful and engaging for students.
Concerns raised in the recent Grattan Institute report found that one in three Australian students was falling behind in mathematics. The report links this national trend to inconsistent teaching approaches and low teacher confidence in maths instruction.
At Living Waters, the approach and belief is different: everyone is a mathematician — and building confidence starts with that belief.
“Numeracy is part of everyday life. We tap into students’ real-world experiences to help them build confidence and capability in maths,” explains Bek Clark, a Senior Teacher at the school. Bek has spent years leading professional learning, trialling research-backed strategies, and refining a school-wide approach to maths education. “As educators, we’re committed to best-practice methods like purposeful planning, building mathematical proficiency, and tailoring support for diverse learners,” Bek says. “But where we’ve seen the biggest change is in how we actively foster curiosity and courage in exploring maths.”
This culture of curiosity is clear in the classroom. Students regularly collaborate, test ideas, and learn from one another. “We’ve been investigating patterns,” says Elvis in Year 6. “Tessellation is a challenge but it’s fun and arty. I made a tessellation so big it crashed the website!”
That same spark is evident in younger learners too. “I like solving problems because I always learn something new every day,” says an enthusiastic Year 2 student.
These moments of growth are grounded in the school’s mission: to enrich the mind, soul, and community.
“At Living Waters, we believe every student can succeed in maths,” says Bek. “We want our students to leave here with a sense of confidence in numeracy that will carry them into high school and beyond.”
As Elvis says: “Maths can be challenging at times, but when you feel like giving up, don’t — you’ll get there!”
Through evidence-based teaching and a deep commitment to continuous improvement, Living Waters is leading the way in transformative, student-centred education right here in Central Australia.
For more information or to book a school tour, contact us at Living Waters Lutheran School, Alice Springs on 8950 0700.