Faculty News - Mathematics

Mathematics

When I talk to people about how they imagine a mathematics class, I sometimes feel that there is an unfair stereotype. The usual words that are associated with mathematics are “dry” and “boring”. This is perplexing to me as these words are 180 degrees from my own experience of mathematics (I am an old boy at the College – "Hi to anyone out there who finished in 1994!") and certainly different from the current teaching approach here at Mazenod, where the learning process is fundamentally dynamic.

In the course of teaching mathematics, I have often been asked questions like, “When will I ever need to solve a quadratic equation in the real world?” I think a far more pertinent question is “Does the ability to successfully solve high-level algebra give me an edge in a competitive world?”

The short answer is, "Yes, yes it does."

University research into a higher income associated with higher mathematics will confirm what most of us already know – it is not just staying in school for longer than translates into workplace success, it is the subjects that are studied that translate into workplace success. It turns out that those people that study higher mathematics for longer, have a greatly enhanced likelihood of earning a higher income. And here’s the important bit – it doesn’t matter which profession is entered. So whether you want to be a plumber or an accountant, a builder or an engineer, studying higher mathematics for longer is a huge benefit due to the development of higher-order thinking and critical analysis skills which it promotes.

The Mathematics Department also runs an enhancement program from Years 7 to 10. In Years 7 and 8, the program focuses on enrichment and mathematical creativity to broaden the students’ experience in mathematics in a more non-traditional manner. In Years 9 and 10, we have two classes of enhanced maths where students will complete the same topics as the rest of the year level, but each topic will be extended to give our already accelerated students even more of an advantage.

Every year the College enters students into the Australian Mathematics Competition and have done so since the early 1980s. The AMC is the biggest curriculum competition in Australia and one of the largest competitions of its type in the world, with over 40 countries competing. Even with the huge numbers, around 50% of participants will earn a High Distinction Certificate, but only about 1000 prizes are awarded from the huge numbers participating. Every year the College is ably represented by its enhanced maths students, however, last year we were unable to enter any students at all. The AMC is running again this year and we look forward to entering students again this year.

Mathematics has a proud tradition here at Mazenod College. The benefits of consistent study in mathematics have long been recognised by our teachers. Through the programs we have in place, we will continue to seek to develop within each of the students in our care, the best possible opportunities to meet with success.

Mr Michael Macneill

Head of Mathematics (Years 10-12)

Mrs Divya Mrock

Head of Mathematics (Years 7-9)