Mr Frank Mahony
Head of Faculty
Mathematics

Mathematics students in Years 8, 9 and 10 this year have already begun to feel the effects of the changes that come with the new mathematics units in Year 11 next year. These changes have included the Year 10 students, in most classes, using the Casio ClassPad 330; and the structure and conditions for assessments changed in Years 8, 9 and 10 to include Resource Free and Resource Rich sections.

This year sees the last group of students in the College to ever study the Foundations of Mathematics, Geometry & Trigonometry, Introductory Calculus, and Mathematics in Practice courses; which were introduced into Western Australian schools in 1991. They will also be the last group of students to complete the mathematics courses that many mums and dads know so well, if they have had a few children pass through the College over the past 17 years.

Maths Enrichment

Many students have had the opportunity to be involved in mathematics enrichment activities outside of their Mathematics class. Mrs Williams has organised various activities and competitions including:

World Maths Day: all the year 8 students were involved in this online event in March.

Have Sum Fun: a maths evening was held in April at St Hilda’s for Year 8, 9 & 10’s; this was lots of fun!

Gifted & Talented Student Conference: 12 students were selected from Year 10 to attend this informative day at Gloucester Park in May.

Australian Financial Literacy Assessment: Year 9 & 10’s took part in this online test in September.

Australian Maths Olympiad: Joe Staniszewski (Year 9) was invited to enter this competition in August and received a merit certificate for his efforts.

Australian Mathematics Competition: This involved 250 students (Years 8 to12) in August and there was one High Distinction winner from the College- Joe Staniszewski (Year 9) and 23 other students received Distinction Awards.

Maths Challenge: Throughout the second term 6 students completed this problem solving set of questions- Sophie Crichton & Laura Boyd (Year 8), Nicole Dehais & Joe Staniszewski (Year 9) and Jordan Edwards & Marc Lenzo (Year 10).

Maths Enrichment: This took place throughout Term 3 and there were 3 students who worked tirelessly to complete the task. Laura Boyd (Year 8), Joe Staniszewski (Year 9) and Marc Lenzo (Year 10).

Natural Maths: A year-long competition in which the Year 8 students accessed questions from an online website. Students involved were Kimberley Trinh, Mayson Bruce, Elaine Wigston, Matthew Bishop, Benjamin Maxwell, Braden Short and Daniel Clark.

Australian Informatics Competition: 18 students from Years 8 to 12 participated in May.

Mathematics Talent Quest: Several groups of Year 8 to 12 students entered the state-level project competition in July.

UWA Academy for Young Mathematicians: One student represented our College (Joe Staniszewski Year 9). He participated on Saturday mornings throughout the year.

Academic Enhancement Program: Five Year 10 students were selected to take part in this university run program at ECU Joondalup every week throughout Terms 2 & 3. Emmerson Brophy, Jordan Edwards, Marc Lenzo, Rebecca Kelly and Rachel Tuson completed the maths/science based course which culminated in an outstanding presentation evening.

WA Junior Maths Olympiad: Several groups of Year 8 & 9 students took part in this one day event at UWA.

It has been another busy year in “the world of mathematics” for teachers and students.

We wish all the Year 12 students every success in whatever their future endeavour may be.

Frank Mahony
Head of Faculty Mathematics

December 2008