South Grafton High School Teacher Holly Millican nominated for award

A Grafton teacher is implementing unique methods to make high-school maths exciting. See how she engages students.

Holly Millican, a teacher at South Grafton High School, will be recognised as one of Australia’s most inspiring teachers in the 2022 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards.

Approaching teaching as a hands-on experience for students, a Grafton teacher has been recognised as one of the most innovative educators in Australia.

Holly Millican, 28, from Woolgoolga teaches maths at South Grafton High School and aims to shift the stigma associated with the subject.

“I was one of those students who hated maths at high school,” Ms Millican said.

Naturally gifted, she persisted and wanted to try and change the perception that maths was “a boring subject”.

Holly Millican, 28, from Woolgoolga teaches maths at South Grafton High School and aims to shift the stigma associated with the subject.

“I want to show people that maths can be adventurous, playful and exciting, not just numbers on a page,” she said.

Often incorporating “alternative” teaching methods to her lessons, Ms Millican engages students by running activities in lessons such as escape rooms or dressing herself with quirky clothing.

Following the curriculum set out despite her alternative methods, her goal is to shape the set content to relate it directly to the real world.

She admitted there are some challenges in working with kids who have previously viewed maths as a boring subject.

“Some students’ parents didn't go through maths beyond year 10, but with hands-on lessons they can resonate with it,” she said.

Ms Millican, a teacher at South Grafton High School aims to show that maths can be “adventurous, playful and exciting, not just numbers on a page”.

Her content often relates to the real world, implementing measuring tools.

“I often talk about my husband’s work to my students and how improper measurements can have huge impacts on real world buildings, rather than giving them 20 trigonometry questions on a page,” she said.

Now into her fifth year of teaching, she has built a solid grasp of the kind of behaviour strategies she can incorporate to provide genuine enthusiasm for maths.

She began the “mathematics Olympics” in 2019, grouping students together to compete and collaborate through mathematical scenarios.

“I wanted to create a day where all students could engage with maths. Kids love a competition,” she said.

Her innovative program includes a “cluedo” type maths game as well as problem solving mathematical equations where students work together.

“It’s a chance to let my excitement and passion shine for maths,” she said.

Ms Millican created the “mathematics Olympics” in 2019 groups students together to compete and collaborate through mathematical scenarios.

Now run at five high schools across Coffs Harbour and Clarence Valley, it has seen widespread success – encouraging kids to enjoy maths.

Ms Millican is one of only 10 winners selected for the inaugural Early Careers Teaching Award, short-listed from more than 400 educators and will receive her award at the Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards.

Her recognition includes a 10,000 dollar prize to be put towards professional development and mentoring.

“It’s an honour, I could not be more proud to represent the South Grafton High School community and it gives me confidence that my actions are having a real impact on real teachers and students,” she said.

Ms Millican’s digital resources have been accessed by over 30 schools across NSW and her dedication is setting a new standard on teaching what was once a formulaic subject.