Numeracy 

Welcome Brian 

We would love to warmly introduce Brian Hanlon, who has generously volunteered his knowledge in the fields of Methods and Physics to further support our VCE students. Brian has been tutoring our VCE Methods and Physics students each week this term and intends to stay on until the end of the year. He is providing additional intensive and directed support based on student needs, allowing them to reach their full potential. Students have already commented on Brian’s calm, personable demeanour and how helpful he is in breaking down difficult concepts into manageable and easy-to-follow steps.

Message from Brian about his background and expertise:

“I graduated from Melbourne University in 1994 with a PhD in Physics, after which I worked for a year at the high energy physics laboratory in Japan known as KEK. I then returned to Melbourne and joined the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation where I worked in aerospace research and analysis, working at both the junior and, later, at the more senior leadership level. My years working in aerospace included being assigned to the United Kingdom for around eighteen months to work in Farnborough, the birthplace of British aviation. After completing a Master of Commerce degree with Monash University I worked for a short time at the Australian Treasury in Canberra before rejoining the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and continuing to work in Canberra for a number of years. In addition to working overseas in Japan and the United Kingdom, I’ve also had two diplomatic assignments to the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C. where I represented the Defence Science and Technology Organisation in North America. Since returning to Australia from my last assignment to the United States, I’ve had a number of roles with the Department of Defence, including that of Senior Principal Scientist for Artificial Intelligence. I retired in 2025 and have recently taken on the honorary position of Adjunct Associate Professor with Adelaide University.”

Choosing the Right VCE Maths Pathway for You

Soon students will be undertaking their course counselling for 2027. This is a very important step, especially for Year 10 students, in the pathway to tertiary education. Students are encouraged to start thinking about what courses they would like to undertake once they leave school and specifically look at the pre-requisites* for those courses. All students are encouraged to undertake a maths pathway in VCE to maintain their mathematical understanding so that it can be drawn upon to apply to real world applications.

*Pre-requisite – means a subject that must be undertaken and a specific score in that subject must be achieved in Year 12 to be considered for entry into a course in tertiary education.

Which path is best for each student?

Students are encouraged to start thinking about what tertiary education pathways they intend to take, what courses and what universities they are interested in (as each university may have slightly different requirements for entry). The key thing students need to look for is the pre-requisites for the course and specifically if and what type of maths is required. They are also encouraged to speak with their current Maths teacher about what their recommendations are moving forward for the best outcome.

There are 3 main maths pathways that students need to consider:

• VCE/VM Numeracy - If a student chooses to undertake the Vocational Major in VCE, they will be automatically enrolled into four main subjects, one of which is Numeracy. This topic prepares students with the required mathematical skills for everyday life and has students apply these skills in a range of contexts to become confident working with numbers. This subject is not offered as a subject to students undertaking VCE.
• VCE General Mathematics – a wide range of subjects (science, tech, commerce, education, nursing etc.) require a maths subject as a pre-requisite and accept General Maths as a suitable pathway. We also recommend General Maths to any students that do not require a maths subject as a pre-requisite for further studies.
• VCE Mathematical Methods – this subject is recommended for students that are intending to undertake a range of STEM or even business courses. The course will specifically outline that Mathematical Methods is a pre-requisite.

Can a student accelerate and start Units 1/2 Maths in Year 10?

Yes, students in Year 9 have the option to select from a range of Unit 1/2 subjects. In Maths, we offer General Maths as an accelerated pathway. Students are required to have a recommendation form completed and signed by their current maths teacher. Students will be allocated to the subject based on availability and performance in Year 9 Maths. 

Students in Years 9 and 10 also have the option of selecting the Advanced Maths elective. This is the perfect addition to core Maths and the perfect pathway to accelerate or undertake Maths Methods.

For upcoming key dates around careers information evenings and course counselling please refer to the Careers and VM News section of this newsletter.