For the creative use of drama to teach maths, it was awarded the Ministry of Education's Innergy Award (Schools) last year, which recognises innovative methods in education.

Mathematics as a discipline was developed to solve real problems. It should be the problems that drive what our students learn, not vice versa.

In mathematics, practice is heavily textbook-based involving standardised procedures, with little attention to flexible problem-solving, a focus in higher performing national systems.

A new way of teaching maths to Aboriginal children using culture-based storytelling, including dance, is reaping results.

The delay endorsing Australia’s new curriculum has fuelled a debate over whether it moves too far from the traditional teaching of mathematics.