Mrs Donna Bird Head of Learning Area - Maths Email Mrs Bird

The Mathematics Learning Area aims to provide every student the opportunity to work at their highest mathematical capability, whilst giving them the opportunity to soundly understand one level of mathematics before proceeding to the next. Students are encouraged to work logically and to become proficient at problem solving, reasoning, critical thinking and other process skills.

In the Middle Learning Centre, students are encouraged to work mathematically in the five outcomes of Number, Chance and Data, Space, Measurement and Algebra. The focus in the Senior Learning Centre is to provide students with the optimum pathway that suits their abilities and their desired career.

Year 7
The Year Seven Mathematics program builds on the students' prior knowledge and experience. Mathematics in Year Seven encourages students to build on their life skills which are promoted through investigating and solving ‘real life' situations and problems. The importance of technology in Mathematics, such as the use of calculators, is acknowledged and its use endorsed. However, students are also expected to know their basic number facts (e.g. tables) and to use these skills in the Mathematical strands of Number, Measurement, Space, Algebra and Chance and Data.

Year 8
The Year Eight Mathematics program builds on the students' prior knowledge and experience. Students are encouraged to work mathematically in the five outcomes of Number, Chance and Data, Space, Measurement and Algebra. The Course provides learning experiences that give students the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of their mathematical skills. Learning experiences in problem solving, reasoning, critical thinking and a systematic approach provide opportunities to build on these skills. The importance of technology in Mathematics, such as the use of calculators, is acknowledged and its use endorsed, however, students are also expected to know their basic number facts and to use these skills in their everyday life.

Year 9
The Year Nine Mathematics program builds on the students' prior knowledge and experience. Students are encouraged to work mathematically in the five outcomes of Number, Chance and Data, Space, Measurement and Algebra. The Course provides learning experiences that give students the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of their mathematical skills. Learning experiences in problem solving, reasoning, critical thinking and a systematic approach provide opportunities to build on these skills. In recognition of the various stages of development of students in their formative years, students in Years Nine are grouped according to their progress throughout Year Eight.  

Year 10
The Mathematics subject is organised to give every student the opportunity to work at their highest mathematical capability, whilst also giving them the opportunity to soundly understand one level of mathematics before proceeding to the next. The courses are designed to prepare students for the pathways in Year Eleven and Twelve. Course One provides students with a strong mathematical ability the background to enter tertiary studies that require higher mathematical skills. Course Two offers a range of skills where students appreciate the power of Mathematics. Lower Courses have an emphasis on the mathematics required for everyday life where topics are revisited at increasing difficulty.

Year 11
In Year Eleven, students can choose an appropriate Mathematics subject that reflects their ability and chosen career pathway. The four subjects offered in the Mathematical Learning Area are Geometry & Trigonometry, Introductory Calculus, Foundations of Mathematics and Mathematics in Practice. The first three subjects are often prerequisites for University studies, while Mathematics in Practice may be required in some TAFE courses. Geometry & Trigonometry and to a lesser degree, Introductory Calculus are aimed at mathematical able students who require a high level of mathematical knowledge to progress in their chosen vocation. Foundations of Mathematics is intended for students who wish to study mathematics in their final years at school and who are preparing for a tertiary course of study which does not have a strong mathematical content. Students in the Mathematics in Practice subject complete a number of projects throughout the year that relate to real world physical contexts.

Year 12
The Year Twelve subjects consolidate the work completed in the previous year. Students are encouraged to review their application in Year Eleven and may have to alter their chosen pathway. Subjects offered in Year Twelve include Calculus, Applicable Mathematics, Discrete Mathematics and Modelling with Mathematics. Both Geometry & Trigonometry and the Introductory Calculus subjects are required to complete the Calculus course. As with Foundations of Mathematics, the Discrete Mathematics subject is intended for students who wish to study mathematics in their final year at school and who are preparing for a tertiary course of study which does not have a strong mathematical content. The Modelling with Mathematics subject is very similar in style to Mathematics in Practice and involves the students completing various projects derived from the four major learning areas of Mathematics.