The study of mathematics is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
Mathematics is more than just a grab-bag of methods and formulas. It is the science of the real world, fundamental to both individual and national prosperity in providing tools for understanding personal finance, science, engineering, technology and economics. Recent studies have shown that on average, students who study mathematics at a higher level go onto earn at least 10% more than their peers.
At Macintyre High School:
- All students are placed in graded classes for mathematics to better allow for differentiation of the curriculum.
- Students in years 7 to 10 are formally assessed at the end of each topic which helps to give a clear picture of their developmental progress and allows for accurate reporting on each outcome to parents.
- Homework is set for all students and monitored by the classroom teacher. Homework is expected to be completed to consolidate and extend classroom learning. People forget around ninety percent (90%) of what they learn within the first day of learning it. Things that have been learnt tend to be remembered for much longer when they are reviewed.
- Pride in the presentation of day to day bookwork is encouraged and is integrated into the formal assessment process in the junior school.
- Technology is embraced. Laptops, computer lab lessons, scientific calculators, on-line graphics calculators, Click-view videos, internet research, Excel activities, Edmodo, Mangahigh, and IWB developed lessons for example, all form part of a typical mathematics lesson.
Mangahigh
Mangahigh is a new on-line games-based maths teaching resource. We encourage students to become independent learners and each student is issued with a user-name and password to the Mangahigh website.
This website contains tutorials known as Prodigies and games relating to all aspects of the mathematics curriculum. Students are encouraged to use this website to revise, consolidate and extend learning from lessons.
All students are expected to have their own CASIO fx-82 plus scientific calculator, workbook, pen, pencil and ruler for every lesson and it is advisable that they have their own geometry equipment so that they become familiar with the functions of these items in preparation for internal and external examinations such as NAPLAN and the Higher School Certificate. Without a scientific calculator students are unable to achieve all the learning outcomes set out in the mathematics curriculum.
Opportunities are provided:
- Selected year 8 students are invited to participate in the University of New England Maths Challenge in Armidale in May; while year 9 students are encouraged to participate in the Summer School in December at the University of Newcastle which focuses upon careers in mathematics along with technology and mathematics enrichment challenges.
- All students are invited to take part in the Australian Mathematics competition each year. This takes place in August and is divided into three sections junior (years 7 and 8), intermediate (years 9 and 10) and senior (years 11 and 12).
- Students can study any of the Board Developed courses in the senior school, including Extension 2 Mathematics in Year 12.
- Students that need additional support with their learning can gain access to extra assistance through lower teacher to student ratios, the use of the Learning and Support teacher, and access to the Learning Centre.
The mathematics faculty supports the Quick-Smart program which assists students to develop numeracy skills.
By studying mathematics, students learn to work mathematically – developing fluency, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning and communication skills.
The syllabus consists of the following strands:
- number and algebra
- measurement and geometry
- statistics and probability.
In Year 11 and 12, the study of mathematics is optional. Courses offered include:
- Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Standard 2
- Mathematics Standard 1 (Optional HSC examination)
- Mathematics Life Skills.
