Mastery in Mathematics: Transforming Secondary Maths Teaching in Catholic Schools

Mathematics education serves as a critical foundation for student success, yet many schools face challenges in delivering consistent, high-quality maths instruction. Recognising this need, the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has launched an ambitious initiative that promises to revolutionise how mathematics is taught in Catholic schools across Australia.

The Mastery in Mathematics Project

As part of NCEC's strategic priority to support continual improvement of educational outcomes, the Commission has partnered with Ochre Education to develop comprehensive, evidence-based teaching resources for Years 7-10 mathematics. This initiative, called the Mastery in Mathematics (MiM) project, aims to provide teachers with high-quality curriculum materials that save time and improve student learning outcomes.

The good news for educators is that all resources for Years 7 and 8 across all four terms are already available via the Ochre Education website, with Years 9 and 10 materials set to be released throughout 2025 and early 2026.

What's Included in the Resources?

The MiM project offers an impressive suite of materials developed in collaboration with approximately 40 expert secondary mathematics teachers from pilot dioceses. The resources include:

• Curriculum maps to support schools in their planning processes

• Adaptable classroom materials including teacher presentation slides, student booklets, reteach slides, daily reviews, and assessment tools

• Professional learning support featuring yearly overviews, unit plans, guidance notes, and suggested teaching sequences

  
  

By the project's completion, teachers will have access to more than 200 lessons and 850 resources, including targeted materials for students who need additional support with foundational numeracy skills.

Aligned with Current Curriculum Standards

One of the standout features of the MiM project is its careful alignment with current curriculum frameworks. The resources are mapped to:

• Australian Curriculum Version 9.0

• The new NSW Syllabus

• Victorian Curriculum version 2.0

  
  

This alignment gives teachers and school leaders confidence that using these materials will provide complete coverage of curriculum requirements while incorporating high-impact, evidence-based teaching practices.

Built on Evidence-Based Strategies

What sets these resources apart is their strong foundation in educational research. The lessons incorporate evidence-based strategies recommended by the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), including elements of:

• Cognitive load theory

• Explicit instruction

• Mastery learning approaches

• Problem-solving methodologies

  
  

The materials are designed to build concepts progressively over time, using consistent representations and methods within and across year levels to support student understanding and skill development.

Balancing Structure with Teacher Autonomy

The MiM project recognises that effective teaching requires both quality resources and professional judgment. All materials are provided as suggested sequences and approaches, with full editability built in. This design ensures teachers can:

• Use the resources as a strong foundation for lesson planning

• Adapt materials to meet the specific needs of their students

• Add their own elements or skip sections as appropriate

• Tailor implementation to their local context

Addressing Teacher Workload Challenges

Recent research from the Grattan Institute highlights that providing high-quality curriculum resources creates more sustainable workloads for teachers, allowing them to focus their energy where it matters most—on student engagement and learning.

The MiM resources are especially valuable for early career teachers and those teaching outside their area of expertise. With data showing that 33 percent of mathematics teachers are working out-of-field, these ready-to-use materials provide crucial support where it's needed most.

Release Schedule and Access

The Mastery in Mathematics resources are being released in phases:

• Years 7 & 8: All terms available now

• Year 9: Term 1 available now, with remaining terms to be released throughout 2025

• Year 10: Resources to be released between January 2025 and May 2026

All materials are available under a Creative Commons licence and distributed through the Ochre Education website. The resources are provided using Google Suite to ensure universal accessibility.

Professional Learning Opportunities

Beyond the curriculum resources, the project also offers professional learning support through:

• Live and on-demand webinars scheduled throughout 2025

• Instructional videos

• Feedback surveys

• Additional professional learning materials

Getting Involved

For mathematics teachers and school leaders interested in this initiative, there are several ways to engage:

1. Access the materials: Visit the Ochre Education website to explore the currently available resources

2. Stay informed: Subscribe to the Mastery in Mathematics mailing list for updates, teacher recruitment opportunities, and reminders about resource releases

3. Participate in professional learning: Mark your calendar for the upcoming webinars starting in February 2025

A Step Forward for Mathematics Education

The Mastery in Mathematics project represents a significant investment in improving mathematics education in Catholic schools. By providing teachers with carefully crafted, evidence-based resources, the initiative aims to enhance both teaching quality and student outcomes in this critical learning area.

As the project continues to roll out over the coming year, it holds promise for transforming mathematics classrooms across Catholic education in Australia—supporting teachers, engaging students, and building stronger foundations for mathematical literacy and competence.

Register to access and learn more.