As a writer, and definitely NOT a Mathematician, I freak out when I just get close to numbers. It takes me back to school days when I used to have a meltdown over equations and shapes. I still don’t know why I needed to prove how something was a triangle, to be honest.
I couldn’t wait until year 11 when I could drop the subject in high school. And, if my little sister were to ask for homework help the first thing I say is: “Yes. Only if it isn’t maths.”
As a psychology student, knowing I will have to encounter numbers again is stressful. In fact, many disciplines have an underpinning of mathematics, which can be stressful if you’re not used to studying maths, or if you have a particularly hard stats subject!
See this page for more information about how maths can sneak into other fields of study, and where to get discipline specific support!
Thankfully, Western runs statistic and mathematics workshops and support spaces for all enrolled students! A lot of the programs run within the Mathematics Education Support Hub (MESH), help students like you and I, who just can’t deal with maths.
The MESH team provides statistics drop-in sessions throughout semester during the week. If you prefer studying face-to-face, facilitators offer sessions across several campuses. They also offer numeracy workshops for nursing and midwifery students.
Visit the website for more details about programs and classes.
Meet the Team:
Merryn Horrocks – Lead Learning Advisor
Dr Horrocks holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical), a PhD from UNSW and a Bachelor of Secondary Teaching from Charles Sturt University. Dr Horrocks owns a maths education business enjoys making the subject exciting for students.
Adelle Colbourn – Learning Advisor
Colbourn holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Diploma of Education from the University of Sydney, and her entire career has been in mathematics education. Colbourne taught high school students for 6 years, after which teaching maths and computer skills in the TAFE vocational sector. Colbourne has been in Western’s MESH program for almost a decade.
Ash Bandarawickrama – Learning Advisor
Bandarawickkrama holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science from Sri Lanka, a Master of Business Administration, majoring in General Management, and a Diploma in Education and Training. He has been a teacher, headteacher and lecturer in mathematics. Bandarawickkrama is committed to teaching students from diverse backgrounds and helping them exceed academically. He is currently undertaking a PhD in Mathematics Education at the University of Southern Queensland.
Barbara Gunn – Learning Advisor
Gunn holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical), a Graduate Diploma in Education, and a Master of Education (Gifted). Gunn has worked in research and as a design engineer in telecommunications, medical electronics, and financial controllers. Her passion for maths led her to teach at the Numeracy Centre at Macquarie University, and then to permanently join the MESH team at Western.
Elizabeth Camilleri – Learning Advisor
Camilleri holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics, and a Bachelor of Philosophy in Physics from Macquarie University. Camilleri’s passion for knowledge and mathematics started with a liking for puzzles and games, which has led them to pursue a PhD in Data Science at Western.
Susan McGlynn – Learning Advisor
McGlynn has a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Mathematics), and a Master of Education from the University of Wollongong. McGlynn has worked as a maths educator through much of her career. She was a high school teacher for several years before joining the MESH program in 2014. She has a passion for helping students build their confidence when learning mathematics.
These are just the team members who hold a permanent position at the MESH, and it is important to also recognise the work of SSAF-funded casual MESH staff.
To view all MESH programs, events and workshops, click here. They even have one officially named I Don’t Get It. The team holds occasional free Maths Anxiety Workshops as well!
If you know, you know.
If you would like to contact the MESH team with any further questions, see their email here: mesh@westernsydney.edu.au
