Mathematics

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the final term of the year! Our students have been working hard in their mathematics classes and are now preparing to complete their final assessment tasks before moving into exam revision. It’s been a fantastic year of learning, and we are incredibly proud of the progress students have made across all year levels.

Exam Preparation and Revision

All mathematics classes will soon shift their focus to revising the key skills and concepts covered throughout the year. Each maths exam will include both multiple-choice and extended-response questions, designed to assess problem-solving, reasoning, and fluency.

• Year 7–9 Exams: 60 minutes writing + 10 minutes reading time
• Year 10–11 Exams: 80 minutes writing + 10 minutes reading time
• Exam Materials:
  • Year 7: Bound A4 notebook (no calculator)
  • Year 8–11: Bound A4 notebook and a calculator permitted

We encourage students to begin revision early and to use a variety of study strategies to consolidate their knowledge. Some recommended revision strategies include:

• Retrieval practice: Test yourself without notes to strengthen memory.
• Spaced practice: Spread revision sessions out over several days instead of cramming.
• Practice exams: Complete past exam papers or textbook chapter reviews under timed conditions.
• Error analysis: Review mistakes carefully to understand misconceptions.
• Explain to someone else: Talking through problems out loud helps clarify thinking.

Students are also reminded that Maths Club continues to run every Thursday lunchtime at both campuses — a great place to get feedback, ask questions, or simply practise maths in a supportive space.

Calculator Reminder for 2026

While the 2026 booklist has not yet been released, families of students undertaking Year 10–12 Mathematics or Year 9 SEAL Mathematics next year should note that all students are required to have a Casio ClassPad fx-CP400 calculator. (Students in Foundation Maths or VM numeracy do not require this calculator.) 

Students moving into Year 11 and 12 should already have this model from this year. Calculators can be purchased new via the school booklist, but many second-hand options become available online in early November as Year 12 students complete their final exams.

If purchasing second-hand, please ensure:

• The calculator includes the stylus, and
• The touchscreen is fully functional.

Looking Ahead: Head Start and 2026 Preparation

During Head Start in Weeks 8 and 9, all students will begin working on new material that will form part of their first Assessment of Learning Task (ALT) or School Assessed Coursework (SAC) in 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for students to set strong foundations for next year and familiarise themselves with upcoming content.

We look forward to finishing the year strong and celebrating all that our students have achieved in mathematics this year.

The Mathematics Team