Maths News

Welcome to another year and another term in Mathematics at Mater Dei! We have had a busy and productive start to the year in the Mathematics Department. Firstly, I would like to welcome Miss Diane Banks and Miss Jacinta Hyde to our Department. Both bring enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and work hard with their students towards a common goal.

Our Year 7 students have transitioned well into high school Mathematics. This year group is our first to experience the new Australian Curriculum. So far this term they have been working on the topics of Computation with Positive Integers and Angle Relationships. Later in the term they will commence Computation with all Integers. Activities that some classes have used with these topics include Four Fours, an activity that tests their knowledge and understanding of mathematical operations; and Space Invaders, testing their ability to draw angles of different magnitudes and strategy!

Year 8 have been working hard on their first topics of Algebraic Techniques and Equations. The skills they have been learning will help make future chapters easier. Soon they will be discovering Pythagoras’ Theorem for the first time. This great rule will be the foundation of their first assignment for the year, which will be handed out in Week 9 and due Week 2 in Term 2.

Year 9 is also beginning the year with the implementation of the new Australian Curriculum. Their first topic is designed to review their understanding of Integers, Fractions, Decimals, Rates and Ratios. Financial Mathematics is next to be studied. Students will get the chance to explore the many different ways to earn, spend and invest money.

Year 10 students are refining their Trigonometry skills and techniques. Classes have also starting working with bearings for the first time! Many of the questions that they have been working on have real life situations; for example housing, surveying and navigation. The topic of Probability will be interesting too, realising the actual odds of winning lotto!

Year 11 students are quickly realising that senior Mathematics courses are very busy and expectations are high. Many students are rising to the challenge by organising their time and priorities well and fully utilising their teachers’ knowledge and experience. Our General classes are currently working through their first assessment task, which has the students exploring the costs of buying their first car. By the completion of this assessment, students will have a great understanding of stamp duty, green slips, registration and insurance. Parents, if you’re interested in finding a better deal with your own car, your children can show you how to use the online calculators and compare what options are available and maybe find you a better deal!

Year 12 students have just completed their Mid-Course Examinations and will be going through their exams with their teachers thoroughly. By doing this, our students can find where their strengths lie and which topics they can focus on to improve before the HSC Trials in Term 3. We really encourage all our senior students to use the next two terms to their advantage. Organise your time wisely both in school and at home. The effort you put in now will be rewarded in the end.

Tutorials on a Wednesday afternoon are fantastic! Every Wednesday after school until 4.30pm, the Maths teachers have been helping students with their homework, assignments, study and all things Maths! We are really pleased to see so many of our students taking advantage of this resource. Every week we have seen many students from Year 7 to 12 continually turning up with their Maths questions. Come along, use the teachers’ expertise and improve your Maths results – we look forward to seeing you there.

Miss Kate Nolan

Mathematics Leader