Maths News
Senior School
Year 10
Welcome to an exciting year for our Year 10s in mathematics at PBC. This year we are beginning with our re-aligned courses, designed to better suit our senior maths pathways. Students were placed in their best courses and will need to work hard to prepare themselves for their future years.
2021 pathway pre-requisites
Year 11
The biggest challenge for students beginning Year 11 is figuring out what works best for them and their study habits. This is a year where students work harder and faster than they have before. We work to complete Year 11 by the end of Term 3 to give students the most appropriate time to finish Year 12.
Habits of successful maths students:
- HOW OFTEN? – how often do you practise? It is widely known that practising 3 x 30 quality minutes per week is vastly more powerful than 90 minutes all at once. Regular practice is key, whatever it looks like.
- KNOW YOURSELF – There is a difference between understanding and mastering (being able to answer questions on a test). It is important for a student to be aware of what is required for them to get to that mastering level. What are you doing?
- SEEKING HELP – Seeking help when it is needed can come in many forms: friends, teachers, notes and tutors. Take the time to ask for help when you don’t understand.
- DON’T LET IT GO – Many students walk out of a classroom without understanding what they have done in maths but don’t seek help at the next opportunity. They make it the problem of their future self, who is usually overwhelmed with everything else. The most successful students in maths are tenacious and don’t let that problem get passed them.
Year 12
Term 1 sees the Year 12s completing half of their final year’s assessment. Students have received their Problem Solving and Modelling Task (20%). They will also complete their end of unit exam (15%) at the end of term. It is hugely important to start the year with plenty of momentum by getting the most out of their Problem Solving and Modelling Task.
Teachers will be focusing on helping students understand the best way to approach the task so they can strategically get the most out of the 20%.
Any questions or concerns throughout the year please feel free to contact me.
Trent Hage, Head of Mathematics – Senior
Junior School
Starting at high school is overwhelming. Students are not just contending with an increased workload, they are also expected to be organised for every subject, every day. Being organised may be a challenge initially for your young person, however this will be significant focus this year. Student planners will play a crucial role in helping students to develop productive routines and arrive to their subjects ready to learn. Being organised in Math means:
- All required equipment and books are brought for each lesson.
- Homework is completed on time.
- Assessment drafts and finals are submitted by the due dates and exam revision is completed.
To ensure students develop the knowledge and skills to use mathematics confidently across other learning areas at school and in their lives more broadly Year 7 students now attend 4 lessons of maths per week to allow extra numeracy practice in our “Visible Numeracy” program. Developed by our specialist teachers the Visible Numeracy program focuses on building students capability in Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Probability and Statistics; particularly focusing on mental maths and problem solving skills. These 4 x 20min sessions will take place at the beginning of each maths lesson. Students will have already started this program.
We have had some resent requests for recommendations for tutoring. Our advice is to utilise the Tuesday afternoon homework club held in the Trade Training Centre (TTC). Whether it be for help with homework, assessment or general content in English, Humanities, Science or Mathematics specialist teachers will be available to help your child.
A note about calculators. Students are expected to have their own scientific calculator for all Maths lessons. Casio is the preferred model (see image below) at PBC but any scientific calculator is acceptable. Students are not permitted to use their mobile phones as a calculator. Please make sure that your son or daughter is prepared for every Maths lesson by bringing a calculator to school every day. Thank you for your support with this.
