Mathematics Learning Area

Introduction

There are three courses to suit students of varying mathematical ability.

Placement within a course will be based on student achievement of outcomes in Year 9.

Suitable for the highest achieving mainstream students. For entry into this course students should demonstrate achievement of Level 6 in Number and Aspect 9 Level 6 Algebra, Level 5 in the remaining context clusters and Level 4 in Working Mathematically by the end of Year 9.
The course extends the student’s understanding in the strands: Number, Measurement, Space, Algebra, Chance and Data.
Throughout this course there will be a strong emphasis placed upon student discovery through individual and group investigations, projects, research assignments and the exploitation of electronic technology to enrich teaching and learning.
Successful completion of this course will provide students with sound preparation for selecting Introductory Calculus and/or Geometry and Trigonometry in Year Eleven.

Designed for students who require some mathematics background in future Upper School studies. For entry into this course students should demonstrate achievement of Level 5 in Algebra and Number, Level 4 in the remaining context clusters and Level 3 in Working Mathematically by the end of Year 9
The course builds upon the concepts and skills developed in the strands: Number, Measurement, Space, Algebra and Chance and Data.
This course will focus on developing strategies to solve problems, explain and check results and understand how familiar mathematics is used by others in the community.
Students will have the opportunity to use appropriate technology to assist their learning.
Successful completion of this course will provide students with sound preparation for selecting Foundations of Mathematics and subsequently Discrete Mathematics in Year 12.

Designed for students who require everyday practical mathematics in their Upper School studies.
The course structure incorporates puzzles, projects, research, computer activities and real life applications in a wide variety of settings.
Students will work in the Number, Measurement, Space and Chance and Data strands.
The topics provide a sound preparation for the upper school courses of Mathematics in Practice and subsequently Modelling with Mathematics which are Wholly School Assessed subjects.

	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Entry from Middle School	Course C501	Intro. Calculus (D505) Geom. & Trig. (D503)	Calculus (E506) Applicable Maths. (E504)
	Course C501	Intro. Calculus (D505)	Applicable Maths. (E504)
	Course C502	Foundations of Maths. (D501)	Discrete Maths. (E502)
	Course C503	Maths. In Practice (D510)	Modelling with Maths. (E511)

Note:

Only permitted double subject choice for TER calculation is:
a) Calculus
b) Applicable Mathematics
Both Introductory Calculus and Geometry & Trigonometry are necessary pre-requisites for Calculus (Yr 12).
Discrete Mathematics or Modelling with Mathematics are not considered suitable preparation for entry into tertiary studies with a mathematics component.