Mathematics Curriculum
The Mathematics Curriculum is organised around the interaction of three content strands and four proficiency strands.
The content strands are Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. They describe what is to be taught and learnt.
The proficiency strands are Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving, and Reasoning. They describe how content is explored or developed, that is, the thinking and doing of mathematics. They provide the language to build in the developmental aspects of the learning of mathematics and have been incorporated into the content descriptions of the three content strands described above. This approach has been adopted to ensure students’ proficiency in mathematical skills develops throughout the curriculum and becomes increasingly sophisticated over the years of schooling.
The Mathematics Learning Area supports and contributes to the numeracy and literacy work of the school by setting expectations and providing feedback and support to students that is consistent with community ideals in numeracy and literacy.
Pathways in the Mathematics Education
Year 10
In order to cater to the different abilities of the students, the Mathematics department streams year 10 students into different pathways to help them achieve to their highest potential. Pathway 3 is the Extension Program where students will be challenged to prepare them for the highest ATAR course in the future. This Pathway will include students that have been selected to do the Accelerated Program by the school Pathway 2 consists of the mainstream program where students are given a good solid grounding on the Australian Curriculum to prepare them for the basic ATAR courses in the future. Pathway 1 consists of the modified program where students are prepared for non-ATAR general courses in the future, as well as to help students who are at risk of failing OLNA.
Year 7, 8, 9
· Accelerated Maths Program
· Mainstream Program
Years 11 and 12
· Mathematics Essential
· Mathematics Foundation
· Mathematics Applications
· Mathematics Methods
· Mathematics Specialist
Role of Homework in Lower School
Students attending lower school Mathematics classes (Years 7 to 10) will be provided regular homework designed to summarise the critical outcomes/objectives being targeted
in class during instruction. Homework should be treated seriously by students as a means to validate understanding and application of concepts learned in class.
Parents should encourage their child to study Mathematics regularly by revising class notes, re-working standard examples provided by the teacher during instruction and reviewing activity worksheets. Regardless of the new skill being learned (mental or physical), students will improve their performance only by regular practice. In general, formal homework is expected to be returned (completed) by the DUE DATE.