Around The School

Mathematical Moment with Kathleen Kemp

As mentioned in last fortnight’s Newsletter, I currently have the honour of overseeing Mathematics in the Secondary School. Next week, our new Head of Mathematics will be joining the MAG community and we are looking forward to Mr Phillip Campbell’s arrival. 

I also mentioned in last fortnight’s Newsletter that this role is not new for me. In a moment of nostalgia the other day, I looked back at one of my first Newsletter articles as Head of Mathematics in 2008. That was the first year our school was big enough to have official Heads of Departments. I have included the 8 May 2008 “Maths Quote of the Week”, “Maths Joke of the Week” and the “Maths Problem of the Week” below:

Maths Quote for the week:  “There is no branch of mathematics, however abstract, which may not someday be applied to phenomena of the real world”.  Nikolai Lobatchevsky.

Maths Joke for the week:  Qu: Why was 6 scared of 7?

                                                  Ans: Because 7, 8, 9.

Maths Problem for this week:  “Three grey wallabies on their way to a waterhole meet three brown wallabies on their way back from the waterhole on a narrow bush track.

Each can only jump over one wallaby at a time and wallabies cannot jump backwards.

How can the three grey wallabies get to the waterhole?

What is the smallest number of jumps necessary?”

The quote above highlights an important point that applies just as much today as it did back in 2008. All branches of mathematics are used in real life. Of course, some branches are used more than others, but we often say to the students that learning about different branches of mathematics is also excellent “exercise for your brain”, particularly when we learn about the more abstract concepts in maths! The brain acts like a muscle - the more you learn (exercise) new things, the stronger the brain becomes and the better learner (about anything!) you become. To add to this, an important note for parents and guardians: If you were not good at maths as a child, it does not mean that your child will not be good at maths! Even, if your child is currently struggling with maths, it does not mean that they will not improve to become a competent mathematician. A student in one of the Advanced Maths classes I am currently teaching was in remedial maths when they were in Year 6, struggled with maths in Year 7 but who is now successfully completing some quite challenging abstract maths in the Year 11 Advanced Maths class. A great example of a growth mindset and Grit (see Angela Duckworth’s 2013 TED talk where she talks about the importance of “Grit” – still relevant today).

I included the above May 8 2008 “Maths Joke of the Week” and the “Maths Problem of the Week” in this Newsletter FYE (for your enjoyment)!

On Wednesday night, we conducted a virtual parent/guardian information session regarding Year 7 to 9 Mathematics, featuring Maths Pathways. A huge thank you to Dr Chris Allen for presenting and working with Mrs Priscilla Paul to create the presentation. We have been very lucky to have one of our new teachers, in Dr Allen, being very experienced in the effective use of the Maths Pathways program. 

For those who are familiar with the Maths Pathways program from last year, we are using it a little differently this year. Students complete a mixture of Maths Pathways (online and offline) and Mathematics curriculum course work (involving explicit teaching, text and worksheet resources). For those not familiar with Maths Pathways, it is an individualised mathematics program where students can work on modules that are differentiated at their level, so they experience mathematical success but are also challenged. Maths Pathways involves, skill development, problem solving and enrichment/extension. We are using more of the program’s functions this year so that students benefit from these features. 

At the start of Year 7 (and for new students to Maths Pathways), students complete a Maths Pathways Diagnostic Test. It is very important that students complete the Diagnostic Tests very carefully (even if students think the questions are easy) as they will be assigned Modules of maths content to complete based on the results of the Diagnostic Tests. Some students need to move on to completing “mini-Diagnostics” or the second or third or final Diagnostic Test so that they are assigned modules of work at their level where they can be both successful with and challenged by. 

Maths Pathways produces some excellent data for students, teachers and parents/guardians to use as valuable feedback and for reflection. This data helps teachers to work with students at an individual level more efficiently and effectively to maximise mathematical learning. Parents and guardians are encouraged to login to the Parent Portal of Maths Pathways to see at what level their child is working at any given time in the year. 

Over the last couple of weeks in class, your child (in Years 7, 8 or 9) has been asked to sign their parents/guardians up to the parent/guardian portal so that parents/guardians can log in at any time to see their child’s Maths Pathways progress. The Parent Portal also has a lot of general information about the Maths Pathways program.

To login to the Maths Pathways Parent Portal you need to enter the link to your child’s class. If your child is in the Year 7.2 maths class then the login link would be:  https://07mat22022-mags.mpclass.com . For the Year 8.1 maths class the link would be: https://08mat12022-mags.mpclass.com/login ect. (please bookmark the relevant page or save it in favourites).The usernames and passwords have been given to the students by their teachers. Ask your child for these (or feel free to contact your child’s teacher to get these). The next step is to click on your child’s named icon, enter their password and then click the Parent/Carer Tab on the top right-hand corner of the page. If you scroll down, you should see where your child has entered your details for the Parent Portal. If this is blank, please enter your relevant details.

Although, the Parent Portal includes much of the information that was presented on Wednesday evening, we will also be sending out a copy of Wednesday evening’s Power Point to Year 7 to 9 parents/guardians.

To support your secondary child with their mathematics we also have SS12, that we are calling the 'Maths Room', open Wednesday lunchtimes for any student that needs help with their mathematics or would like to work on their mathematics. Mathematics teachers are available to support students at this time. Please remind your child of this opportunity as last Wednesday we had more teachers than students in the Maths Room.

If you have any questions about your child’s mathematics or the Maths Pathways program, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or myself.

Yours in Mathematics!

Mrs Kemp (Deputy Principal and Acting Head of Mathematics-Secondary)

Rebecca Douglas donates to Wigs4Kids

Hi everyone! My name is Rebecca Douglas. I am a Year 11 at Moama Anglican Grammar and I am donating my hair on the 4th of April. I am donating my hair to Wigs 4 Kids, which is an organisation that provides real-hair wigs for free to children who have lost their hair due to cancer. I am having small money jars placed at Student Services, the Reception and the Canteen to help raise money. However, if you cannot come to school, here is a link to donate via my profile on the website. 

https://fundraise.kidswithcancer.org.au/fundraisers/rebeccadouglas/wigs-4-kids 

What Matters?

Inspired by Gough Whitlam's commitment to involving young people in the shaping of Australia's future, the What Matters? writing competition is currently open to school students in years 5 to 12 from Australia. Responding to the simple question 'what matters?', entrants are free to express their views on any matter they care about.

All entrants will receive a certificate of participation.  Prizes are awarded in 4 categories: Years 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12.

$350 for each category winner and $200 for each category runner-up. Winners and runners-up will also receive a book pack from Allen & Unwin.

Closes May 6

https://www.whitlam.org/what-matters?utm_source=Teacher+EDM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Teacher+EDM&utm_id=What+Matters+2022

Student Sporting Achievements

Nathaniel, Ethan and Benjamin Anthony all attended the LAVIC Combined Events Championship held at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park over the weekend of the 29-30 January. The Combined Events Championship involves athletes competing in a number of events, scoring points based on individual event performances. The event format is much like the modern pentathlon or decathlon events.

Representing the Echuca-Moama Little Athletics Centre, all boys performed really well against a strong field of athletes, mostly from the larger city centres, and should be proud of their achievements.

Ethan (U13) and Benjamin (U12) competed in the 80M hurdles, 100M, 800M, discus and long jump events on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Ethan’s performances placed him 41st overall with a total points score of 659. Benjamin secured 29th place in his age group with 921 points.

Nathaniel (U14) performed across both days in the aforementioned events as well as the high jump in which he performed a PB. With 951 points, Nathaniel came in at 27th in his age group.

Singing is Back!

Junior Choir is on Tuesdays at 8.10 am in the Music room - JS4. All students in Years 3 to 6 are welcome to attend this Co-curricular opportunity, at no extra cost. Students are invited to come for two trial sessions to see if it is something that they would enjoy continuing on with. After this period students are asked to commit for the term as we will be working towards a performance at the MAG ANZAC Day ceremony.

Students who attended in previous years please note the change in day as it will now take place on a Tuesday.

I look forward to seeing new faces joining us from the 2022 Year 3 cohort.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions in regards to this.

We are also excited to inform you that we are able to once again offer singing lessons at MAG. We have two choices available for your preference:

Georgina Bish, an ex student of MAG and performer is able to offer vocal tuition and for those interested. Georgina can also incorporate beginner piano accompaniment into the lessons. 

Zara Lindeman, also a performer, from Deniliquin South West Music is also available for lessons. Having lessons with Zara includes you in the Conservatorium's family which offers performance opportunities and concert invitations.

Further information can be found on the school website.