Mathematics
As the term draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Mathematics Faculty to wish our Kellyville High School students’ and their families an enjoyable school holiday.
In the classroom – Mrs Jatyan’s Mathematics Report:
Mathematics in Action
During Term 2, our Year 12 Mathematics students have engaged in exciting, real world applications of mathematical concepts through the completion of their Assignment/Investigation tasks, showcasing creativity, collaboration and analytical thinking.
Year 12 Mathematics Extension 1- Exploring the Unknown with Projectile Motion
Our Extension 1 students completed an investigation focusing on Projectile Motion, a topic rich in both theoretical understanding and practical application. The driving question – "If you jumped on another planet, how far could you leap?" – challenged students to use vector analysis, equations of motion and digital graphing tools to model real and hypothetical scenarios.
Students developed initial conditions to simulate a long jump, then applied mathematical techniques to calculate displacement, initial velocity, maximum height and range under different gravitational forces. Using their knowledge of vectors and parametric equations, they modelled projectile paths and compared results across various planets.
The task promoted skills well beyond the classroom, including critical and creative thinking, technological literacy and ethical understanding. It was a pleasure to see students not only mastering mathematical models but also interpreting results and communicating findings with clarity and confidence.
Year 12 Mathematics Advanced - Money Matters
Meanwhile, our Mathematics Advanced students took on a different challenge: applying financial mathematics to real life scenarios through an assignment/investigation. Their focus was on modelling loans and investments using sequences, series and the concept of annuities.
Each student was provided a practical financial problem, such as saving for the future or paying off a loan. They then stepped into the role of teacher—presenting a complete solution, supported by a PowerPoint presentation and a recorded video explanation. The project encouraged students to think deeply about financial decisions and the power of compound interest, while developing their skills in mathematical communication and the use of digital tools.
This task not only reinforced their understanding of financial mathematics but also highlighted the importance of these skills for life beyond school. Their thoughtful explanations and professional presentations reflected a strong grasp of both the content and its relevance in the real world.
Celebrating Growth and Real World Thinking
These projects exemplify our commitment to developing students who are not just proficient in mathematical procedures but also capable of applying them meaningfully. The level of engagement, problem-solving and creativity demonstrated by our Year 12 students was commendable. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the maturity with which they tackled these challenges.
In the classroom – Ms Matley’s Mathematics Report:
Year 8 Mathematics classes have recently been learning about angle relationships. This has culminated in being able to solve numerical problems involving angles using reasoning. Students in 8K thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of working collaboratively to solve the following problem. They verbally communicated their ideas and understandings before agreeing on the solutions and writing them on the interactive whiteboard.
