Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Elementary School welcomed Minister of Education Paul Calandra on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, for a visit focused on observing innovative math instruction through the use of Magma Math. Throughout the morning, the Minister visited classrooms, spoke with students, and saw firsthand how digital tools support student thinking, collaboration, and engagement in mathematics across the system.
Magma Math was introduced as part of the board's ongoing commitment to student engagement and achievement in mathematics and, following a successful spring 2025 pilot, is now being implemented in many HWCDSB Grades 3-8 classrooms.
The Minister was welcomed by Principal Lisa St. Aubin and Vice-Principal Mario Ferretti, along with Mr. David Hansen, Director of Education, Mr. John Valvasori, Chairperson of the Board, Mr. Brian Daly, Superintendent of Education, and Monica Ciriello, MPP for Hamilton Mountain, before beginning a tour of the school. The tour included key learning and communal spaces such as Ontario EarlyON Years programming, the Special Education Resource area, the library, foyer, gymnasium, outdoor grounds, English Language Learning (ELL) learning room, and a 3D printing space supporting hands-on learning.
The visit then moved into classrooms, where the Minister, joined by Elementary Student Achievement Consultant - Numeracy, K-8 Ms. Amy Hicks and representatives from Magma Math, observed students using the platform to share their thinking and work through math problems in real time.
In a Grade 7/8 classroom led by teacher Ms. Jennifer Finlay, students proudly shared their work as they solved equations using Magma Math, explaining their strategies and showing their thinking on their screens. The Minister walked throughout the classroom, stopping at student desks to observe their screens, ask questions, and talk with students about how they were solving problems and learning from the platform's feedback. Henrik Appert, CEO and Founder of Magma Math, worked alongside students during the visit, at times kneeling beside students' desks to listen, ask questions, and encourage them to explain their reasoning as they worked.
The group then visited a Grade 3 classroom with teacher Ms. Trina Di Domenico, where students were eager to show guests how they represent multiplication using arrays and equal groups. As visitors circulated through the room, students demonstrated their work, explained how they checked their answers using Magma Math's feedback, and shared what they were learning.
"It was great to visit Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Elementary School in Hamilton and see Magma Math in action, reinforcing how innovative tools can support teachers and improve student learning as we advance math education in Ontario," said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education.
"It was a privilege to join educators and students at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Elementary School and see Magma Math supporting rich mathematical thinking in real time," said Henrik Appert, CEO & Founder of Magma Math. "What stood out most was the collaboration in the classroom - students sharing their reasoning, teachers guiding the learning, and a clear focus on helping every learner grow in confidence and curiosity."
"We are incredibly proud of our teachers, students, and staff who continue to show that math learning can be collaborative, engaging, and fun," said Brian Daly, Superintendent of Education. "It was an honour to host the Minister, the MPP, and the senior leadership team from Magma Math. It truly was a great day."
The visit was a meaningful opportunity to showcase the incredible work taking place at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Elementary School. The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is grateful for the Minister's time and proud of the students and staff who welcomed guests into their classrooms and shared their learning. As Galileo Galilei once wrote, "Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe," a reminder of the curiosity, discovery, and faith-filled learning that takes place in our schools each and every day.
For more information
90 Mulberry Street
Hamilton Ontario
Canada L8N 3R9
www.hwcdsb.ca
