Mathematics

The Mathematics Curriculum for Years 9 and 10 is developed with the intention of helping students to continue to build on their ability to analyse problems and devise strategies to find solutions.  This ability, together with an aptitude for logical expression is essential if students are to have the confidence to thrive in this technological world. The Australian Curriculum describes four proficiencies of Mathematics: Understanding, Fluency, Problem Solving and Reasoning and applies them across a broad range of concept areas: Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability. Technology is used extensively with particular emphasis placed on spreadsheets, data processing and graphing applications. Our approach to the teaching and learning of Mathematics is based on two premises: 

• Firstly, progress is best made through the development of understanding and practice exercises are an important part of all Mathematics courses as a means of consolidating mathematical structures and processes.  This is a ‘building block’ component of, and not a substitute for, understanding the purpose, meaning and application of the mathematical knowledge learned.  Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge to problems of varying complexity.  These are presented in a variety of ways to encourage reasoning skills and a deep understanding of the concepts involved.
• Secondly, all progress is success. Every student should follow a course suited to their current abilities and development, so that learning can be recognised.  Mathematics is best learned in a rich environment in which a range of learning experiences can be explored, and a sense of continued curiosity can be fostered. Mathematics has made a major contribution to our culture, and should be studied for its own sake. Many aspects of Mathematics without obvious applications, can be enjoyed for the challenge, while stimulating interest and offering valuable insights into the world around us, man-made and natural. In part, the purpose of these courses is to give students awareness of how Mathematics is applied. In particular, students become more aware of the advantages that future studies in Mathematics and related fields can provide. 

Three courses operate in each of Years 9 & 10:

• Mathematics is the standard Australian Curriculum course appropriate to year level. In Year 10, there is a small amount of additional content beyond the Australian Curriculum, in order to prepare students appropriately for several options in Year 11 in either the IBDP or the TCE.
• Mathematics Extended covers the Australian Curriculum as well, but at an accelerated pace. This allows for coverage of much more content beyond the AC which will better prepare students for the more challenging mathematical concepts introduced in the harder mathematical pathways of Year 11 and 12.
• Modified Mathematics is a modified Australian Curriculum course, to be selected only where advised. This is for students who find maths particularly challenging, to whom some Australian Curriculum content is inaccessible. 

Choosing "The Right Course"

It is important at the start of Year 9 to consider a Mathematics pathway through to Year 12. This should include careful consideration of options, as decisions made in Year 9 can make some options in Years 11 and 12 more challenging.  It is also important to note that decisions made for Year 9 can still be changed. If it is deemed that a different course would be more appropriate, it is possible for students to swap courses at any time during Year 9 or at the beginning of Year 10. It may be challenging, however, for students moving into 10 Maths Extended from Year 9 Mathematics, as there will be some gaps that the student will need to work hard to fill, with support from their teacher.

The Mathematics courses taught in Years 9 and 10 equip students equally well for TCE or IB studies. Students who enrol for the IB Diploma in Years 11 and 12 are required to study a Mathematics subject. IB students with their sights set on Analysis and Approaches Higher Level should select Mathematics Extended in Years 9 and 10. Applications and Interpretations Standard Level and Analysis and Approaches Standard Level should be accessible to students who do not go beyond the general Mathematics syllabus in the High School but perform strongly, with the IBDP A&A SL course requiring particular strengths in algebra.

Working backwards from Year 11 & 12 ambitions will help students make an appropriate choice now. Students that wish to attempt, in Year 11 or 12, the more challenging theoretical mathematics courses of Analysis and Approaches Higher Level or Mathematical Methods Level 4 will need to be prepared appropriately, and should be choosing the Mathematics Extended pathway as early as possible.

Year 9 & 10 Modified Mathematics

These courses teach a modified version of the Australian Curriculum in order to better meet the needs of students that find the standard course too challenging. These courses aim to foster the consolidation and growth of mathematical skills and knowledge, and to emphasise the ways in which mathematics is used in real life situations. Success in this course enables students to progress to appropriate pathways of study, including Essential Mathematics - Personal Level 2 as a one year option, or General Mathematics Level 2 in Year 11, with the aim of potentially studying General Mathematics Level 3 in Year 12.

Some students are counselled at the end of Year 8 to take this subject. Others who find the general Mathematics course difficult may be advised to transfer to Modified Mathematics. In the situation where a student demonstrates substantial progress they may transfer from Modified Mathematics to the general Mathematics course.

Year 9 & 10 - Mathematics

The Year 9 Mathematics program is based on the Australian Curriculum.

The Year 10 Mathematics program is also based on the Australian Curriculum, but with a small amount of supplemental material in order to prepare students appropriately for the IBDP Mathematics Analysis & Approaches SL and TCE Maths Methods Foundation Level 3 courses.

Where satisfactory progress is not maintained in Mathematics, students may be advised to transfer to Modified Mathematics. This advice is not given unless we are convinced that it would be the most appropriate action to take, and students and parents need to consider the option very seriously.

Year 9 & 10- Mathematics Extended

It is strongly recommended that students who wish to follow a pathway that requires TCE Mathematics Methods Level 4, or in the IBDP Analysis and Approaches Higher Level, choose Mathematics Extended in Years 9 and 10.  It should be noted here that Mathematics Methods Level 4 or A&A SL are often a prerequisite at some universities for entry into undergraduate courses in the Physical Sciences, Engineering, Economics and Computer Science.

The Year 9 Mathematics Extended course covers the Australian Curriculum at an accelerated pace. It is often challenging for students to keep up with their learning at this speed, and it is recommended only for students that have received strong results in Year 8 Mathematics (mostly A and B ratings).  The accelerated pace allows for more time each unit to extend the content into areas that overlap with the Year 10 curriculum, as well as content that prepares students for more challenging content that they will experience in Years 11 and 12.

In Year 10, the content of Mathematics Extended is a blend of the Australian Curriculum and other content required by TASC and the International Baccalaureate as prior knowledge for the challenging mathematical courses of Year 11 and 12. This course is designed specifically to prepare students appropriately for Mathematical Methods Level 4 (TCE) and Analysis & Approaches (IBDP), while still maintaining a balanced approach to their mathematical studies and meeting Australian Curriculum requirements.

Year 11 & 12 Future Pathways

It is recommended for all students to take the course best suited to their current abilities and development. However, the options available in Year 11 & 12 should also be considered, as some choices now make certain pathways much harder in the future. In all cases, the goal is to provide students with an appropriate program that allows them to develop the skills in mathematics required to follow their chosen pathway through corresponding courses in Years 11 and 12. 

In the TCE, these Year 11 and 12 courses are: 

• Essential Mathematics - Personal - Level 2, which focuses on using Mathematics to make sense of the world
• General Mathematics Level 2, designed as a bridging course in Year 11 to prepare students for General Mathematics Level 3 Year 12
• General Mathematics Level 3, which is designed for students who wish to undertake further studies where applied mathematics knowledge facilitates problem solving and decision making.
• Mathematics Methods Foundation Level 3, designed as a bridging course in Year 11 to prepare students for Mathematics Methods Level 4 in Year 12
• Mathematics Methods Level 4, which is designed for students with an interest in Mathematics and whose future pathways may involve pure mathematical studies at university
• Mathematics Specialised Level 4, which is higher level mathematics designed to be taken in Year 12 after completing Mathematics Methods Level 4 in Year 11.

General Mathematics Level 3, Mathematics Methods Foundation Level 3, Mathematics Methods Level 4 and Mathematics Specialised Level 4 are pre-tertiary subjects designed for university entry requirements. 

Students who study Mathematics Extended in Year 10 would expect to follow a pathway into pre-tertiary Mathematics Methods Level 3 or Level 4, but do also have the option of General Mathematics Level 3. Those who do well in Mathematics Extended normally access Mathematics Methods Level 4 in the TCE in Year 11. They then have the opportunity to study Mathematics Specialised Level 4 in Year 12. Those students who are not as successful in Year 10 Mathematics Extended would usually study pre-tertiary Mathematics Methods Foundation Level 3 or pre-tertiary General Mathematics Level 3 in Year 11. 

In the IB Diploma Program, there are three courses to choose from.

• Applications & Interpretations SL
• Analysis & Approaches SL
• Analysis & Approaches HL

Each of these courses is a two-year course. Students must choose one mathematics course for their two-year diploma programme. For students intending to take the IB Diploma, Year 10 Mathematics is a minimum requirement to prepare students for IB either of the Standard Level courses. Mathematics Extended in Years 9 and 10 is desirable for anyone wishing to take IB Analysis and Approaches Standard Level (although not required) and essential as preparation for IB Analysis and Approaches Higher Level.

Further details of courses in Year 11 and 12 can be found in the Year 11-12 Course Book. Current Mathematics teachers are best placed to advise individual students, or contact the Mathematics Learning Leader if you would like to further discuss needs, aspirations and options.