Mathematics

Term 1 Update 

Welcome back to another exciting year of mathematics at our school! It has been fantastic to see students across all year levels engaging in their learning and demonstrating strong organisational skills as they settle into their studies.

Maths Club – Thursdays at Lunchtime

A reminder that Maths Club is running every Thursday at lunchtime. This is a great opportunity for students to get some extra help from a teacher, collaborate with peers, or work independently on their mathematics tasks in a supportive environment. 

We encourage all students to come along, whether they need assistance or simply enjoy problem-solving in a quiet space.

Bluff Road- Discovery Centre

Holloway Road- Room 13

Organisation and Study Habits

We have been very pleased to see so many students arriving to class prepared with the necessary equipment, including their calculators, rulers, and notebooks. This year, we are placing a strong emphasis on having two separate books: one for student work and another dedicated to notes. This system will help students build strong study habits and prepare them to create a bound reference for Year 12, ensuring they have high-quality resources to support their learning.

Year Level Mathematics Overview

Year 7 Maths: Students have been studying integers over the past few weeks and are now moving onto Algebra. Their first ALT (Assessment of Learning Task) is coming up soon.

Year 7 SEAL Maths: Students have been exploring number and algebra, with a particular focus on solving equations. This class has demonstrated excellent listening skills and the ability to follow instructions—setting a great example for their peers.

Year 8 Maths: Students recently completed their first ALT on Integers and Indices. They are now moving onto Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages, as well as Financial Maths.

Year 8 SEAL Maths: Students have been simplifying expressions involving surds and indices and are beginning to connect this knowledge to solving equations involving fractions.

Year 9 Maths: Students have been strengthening their understanding of probability and statistics, linking their knowledge to real-world scenarios and improving their ability to interpret data displays.

Year 9 SEAL Maths: Students have been delving into Geometry and networks, exploring concepts such as similarity, congruence, and circle theorems. This week they have started working on algebra and measurement and learning how to use the CAS calculator. 

Year 10 Foundation Maths: Students are exploring measurement concepts of one, two, and three-dimensional objects, with a strong focus on applying mathematical vocabulary correctly in problem-solving tasks.

Year 10 General Maths: Students recently completed their first ALT on Measurement, covering key skills related to area, volume, and perimeter.

Year 10 Methods Maths: Students have been working on solving simultaneous linear equations through graphical and algebraic methods, including substitution and elimination. They are also using their CAS calculators to determine points of intersection.

Year 10 Extension Maths: Students are studying the same topics as Year 10 Methods but with more complex algebraic expressions.

Year 11 General Maths: Students in Units 1&2 have completed their first SAC on Functions, Relations, and Graphs and are now beginning their study of Data Analysis.

Year 11 Methods Maths: Students are currently working on Linear and Quadratics, focusing on solving equations, sketching graphs, and applying their knowledge to real-world application questions.

Year 12 General Maths: Students in Units 3&4 are finalising their first unit on Data Analysis, learning to analyse and transform data to make predictions. They have recently started studying time series data, with their first SAC scheduled for Week 9.

Year 12 Methods Maths: Students are working on inverse functions and graphs, including composite functions, domain, range, and the existence of composite functions.

Year 12 Specialist Maths: Students are currently studying three-dimensional lines and planes.

Maths Problems of the Week

Here’s a problem for our students (and any parents who’d like to give it a go!):

Year 7/8 Problem:

A farmer is fencing off a rectangular paddock. The length of the paddock is twice the width, and the total perimeter is 48 metres. What are the dimensions of the paddock?

Year 9/10 Problem:

A survey was conducted where students were asked how many hours they spend on homework per week. 

The results were: 2, 5, 7, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 5, 6, 4, 7, 6, 5, 9. 

Find the mean, median, and mode of the dataset. 

How would an outlier impact these measures?

Year 11/12 Problem:

The function f(x) = 2x^2 - 5x + 3 is given. 

Find the coordinates of the vertex, the x-intercepts, and the y-intercept. 

Sketch the graph and describe its key features.

Send your answers to your maths teacher—we’d love to see your working!

Edrolo

This year, Edrolo is being used in Year 8, Year 8 SEAL, Year 9, Unit 1 & 2 General, and Unit 3 & 4 Maths. Students will have access to the familiar textbook materials alongside additional question banks and instructional videos that explain key lesson concepts with fully worked examples. We strongly encourage students who have been absent or who want to consolidate their understanding to watch the video content in each lesson. These videos provide a step-by-step breakdown of the essential skills and concepts covered in each chapter, making them a valuable revision tool.

We look forward to a fantastic year of learning in mathematics. If you have any questions about your child’s progress, please do not hesitate to reach out to their teacher.

Happy problem-solving!

The Mathematics Team