Welcome to all visitors to the Mathematics Faculty web page for 2024. This year sees the continuation of all Australian Curriculum programs from Years 7 to 12, and the third year that Year 12 will be operating under the New Senior Curriculum system in Queensland. Other extra-curricula Maths events this year include the Australian Maths Competitions, the Maths Team Challenge, the Year 7/8 QAMT Maths quiz, and the USQ Year 9/10 Maths Enrichment Days.
The Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 Mathematics courses at Centenary Heights State High have adopted Version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum as outlined on the ACARA website. Students will complete a uniform course of study in the strands of Number & Algebra, Measurement & Geometry, and Probability & Statistics. There is a strong emphasis on co-operative learning activities and students taking responsibility for their learning through setting learning targets within each topic and performing regular self-evaluation and reflection. Students will be exposed to and expected to regularly use a range of computational methods from mental calculation strategies through to calculator (computer) assisted calculation using the best available technologies.
There are opportunities for mathematically gifted students to extend their learning through the extension concepts embedded within each topic and participation in a range of national and regional competitions.
Extensive support is also in place to assist those students needing learning support in Mathematics. In the early part of Year 7, while we get to know our new students, that support will take the form of in-class teacher-aide support and a Maths program adapted to the student's individual needs. Identified Year 9 students can do the subject Maths Foundation where they focus on the essential skills needed to improve their confidence and performance in Mathematics. Year 10 students needing support will do Maths Foundation in Semester 1 and an introduction to Essential Maths in Semester 2, to assist them in their work readiness pathway moving into Years 11 and 12. Talk to Ms Rebecca Hefron (Learning Facilitation Centre Coordinator) for more information if you wish your child to be considered for any of these options and they haven't already been invited.
This year sees the continuation of Senior subjects, Essential Mathematics, and the three general subjects, General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, and Specialist Mathematics, with further refinements to occur. Preparation will also be taking place to prepare for the commencement of new syllabuses in senior subjects in 2025.
Year 12 students in the three general Year 12 Mathematics subjects will be completing their course work and school assessment by Week 9 of Term 3. They will then undergo preparations for QCAA external exams happening mid-way through Term 4. For Year 12 Essential Maths school-based course work and assessment continues through to the end of Week 2, Term 4.
In Year 11 and 12, students choosing to do Specialist Mathematics must also do Mathematical Methods as a second Mathematics subject. There are other combinations of Mathematics subjects that can be chosen if a student has a strong interest in the field of Mathematics and wishes to do more than one Maths subject in Senior, however approval needs to be granted following interview with a school guidance officer, Mr Jeremy Cox or Mrs Kim Rohde, and contact with myself for combinations outside the one mentioned above.
To help students prepare for Senior Mathematics subjects, they can select to do targeted introductory Mathematics subjects in the second semester of Year 10. This is an excellent way to experience what the Senior subjects will be like and to ensure you have made appropriate subject selections for Senior, whilst still achieving the standards of the Year 10 Australian Curriculum. Year 10 students should talk with their teachers if they would like further guidance as to which subject may be better suited to them as they move on to Senior.
Please contact me through the school office or via my email mbowd15@eq.edu.au should you require further information concerning Mathematics subjects, competitions, or anything relating to Mathematics and Numeracy.
Michael Bowden
HOD Mathematics