Mathematics at Applecross Senior High School aims to develop the numeracy capabilities all students need in their personal, work and civic life. It also provides the fundamentals of mathematical specialties and professional applications of mathematics.
Students will use ideas about numbers, algebra, measurement, geometry, statistics, probability, and mathematical ways of representing patterns and relationships to describe, interpret, and reason about their social and physical world. Mathematics plays a key role in developing students’ numeracy and assists in learning across the curriculum.
Students should learn to read, write and speak mathematics in various contexts and forms to understand and convey mathematical ideas and continue to use and learn mathematics autonomously. Whether dealing with familiar or unfamiliar tasks, they need to:
- recognise when mathematics might help
- choose appropriate mathematical methods
- decide on levels of precision and accuracy
- perform calculations
- interpret the results
- evaluate the reasonableness of results and appropriateness of the methods used.
The Mathematics Learning Area comprises experienced staff across all learning standards and courses. The school is fortunate to have such a talented pool of subject matter experts.
Pathways in the Mathematics
To cater to the students’ different abilities, the Mathematics Learning Area flexibly groups students into pathways to best support students at their point of need. The Academic Extension (AE) Program has both Academic Extension and Enrichment Mathematics classes, where students’ learning is broadened and challenged across the Mathematics Curriculum at and beyond year level. Pathway 1 consists of the mainstream program where teaching and learning are based primarily on the mathematics curriculum at the year level. Pathway 2 is available in Years 8, 9, and 10 and is designed to support students requiring additional support and those needing to consolidate key skills and concepts below and at year level. Vocational Mathematics is a new program offered at Year 10 for those students hoping to pursue VET and General pathways, and where applicable, it provides additional support to complete OLNA successfully.
