KLA: Mathematics
Year 7 & 8
Years 7 & 8 Mathematics aims to provide students with mathematical knowledge, skills, procedures and processes in number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics and probability. In the junior years, the focus is on developing strong foundations with a particular aim to develop fluency in the number skills that can provide the solid support to succeed across the strands. The Mathematics curriculum provides the foundation for all students to develop the numeracy capabilities that they will need in their personal and work lives as well as the fundamentals on which mathematical specialties and professional applications of mathematics are built.
With explicit teaching and links to real world problems the students are enabled to build this bedrock of understanding that will prepare them to move forward into the middle years. The classroom teaching is also backed up with a homework program. On top of drill exercises, the students in year 7 complete an online maths homework program, while the year 8 students do a mixture of physical homework sheets and online tasks. Students are also supported through differentiating and/or modification of instructions as well as by being given opportunities to be involved in maths competitions such as the maths Olympiad.
Year 9 & 10
Year 9 Mathematics builds on the foundation that has been laid in the junior years and both extends and consolidates the students’ skills in number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics and probability. Student knowledge is strengthened through explicit teaching and by providing a variety of means by which the students can practise and enhance their skills. Students complete routine drill exercises and are also given learning opportunities that encourage them to apply their understanding through reasoning and problem solving. The skills taught are tied to both everyday life and the technological world and students are encouraged to appreciate the links between the different topic areas as well as the relationship that mathematics has with other disciplines.
Year 10 Mathematics provides the students with the opportunity to begin preparing their mathematics pathway by pursuing one of Foundation Maths, General Maths or Mathematical Methods.
Foundation Maths focuses on continuing to develop the students’ skills in applying numeracy concepts in practical contexts in everyday life.
General Maths has a focus on financial mathematics, measurement, Trigonometry, Probability, statistical investigation and network analysis. The students are introduced to the CAS calculator.
Mathematical Methods is predominately algebra based, with a strong emphasis on strengthening understanding of linear and quadratic relationships. The students are introduced to the CAS calculator.
VCE
VCE mathematics is offered to the students in the following units:
- Foundation Mathematics Units 1–4
- General Mathematics Units 1–4
- Mathematical Methods Units 1–4
- Specialist Mathematics Units 1–4
Each unit covers specific content contained in areas of study and is designed to enable students to achieve a set of outcomes for that unit. Each outcome is described in terms of key knowledge and key skills. The areas of study from which content is drawn as applicable to each unit are algebra, number and structure; calculus; data analysis, probability and statistics; discrete mathematics; functions, relations and graphs; and space and measurement.