About the Secret Math Society
What is this?
The Secret Math Society is a free, weekly mystery-comic for Year 5–6 students (ages 9–11) in Rolleston, New Zealand. Each week, a printed A4 briefing drops at local libraries and schools containing a story with an embedded maths challenge.
This website is the companion portal where kids enter their cipher answers, share their problem-solving strategies, read the full extended story, and unlock bonus content.
How does it work?
- Find a printed briefing at school or the library
- Read the story and solve the maths cipher
- Enter your answer on this website to unlock content
- Share how you solved it — your strategy, not just the answer
- See how other agents approached the same problem
For parents & guardians
Privacy: We collect no personal data. No accounts, no email addresses, no names required. Display names on strategies are optional and can be pseudonyms. We use no cookies and no tracking scripts beyond privacy-friendly, anonymous analytics.
Safety: All strategy submissions are manually reviewed and approved before appearing publicly. Photo uploads have metadata (GPS, device info) stripped automatically.
Cost: Completely free. This is a non-profit initiative personally funded by the creator. No ads, no upsells, no premium tiers.
Educational approach: We value strategy over answer. The site rewards explaining your thinking, not just getting the right number. A correct cipher unlocks content. A shared strategy earns respect.
Where to find briefings
Printed briefings are available at Te Ara Ātea (Rolleston Library) and participating schools in the Selwyn District. New episodes drop weekly.
Who’s behind this?
I’m Maria — a Selwyn-based parent and software engineer. Growing up, I was lucky enough to take part in math clubs and puzzle-solving groups that made maths genuinely exciting. I wanted to recreate that feeling for my own kids and their friends: the thrill of cracking a problem, the pride in explaining your strategy, and the realisation that maths can be an adventure, not a chore.
The Secret Math Society is a personal project — no company, no sponsors, no ads. Just a parent who thinks kids deserve better maths experiences.
Support the project
The online game “Secret Math Society” is free to play and always will be. If you’d like to support the project, you can buy me a flat white — or just say hi next time you’re at Rolleston Coffee Culture.
Contact
Questions or feedback? hello@secretmath.co.nz