Mathematics
It is our role as a faculty to ensure that everyone, whatever path their life will take in the future, has the skills to succeed on that path. To that end, all students in the Maths department at Scoresby are looked after and encouraged to develop their skills at all levels.
The year 7 – 10 program covers a wide variety of Maths skills, concepts and applications covering all five areas of the new Victorian Essential Learning Standards –
- Numbers – manipulating and operating with different types of numbers
- Space – working with different types of shapes in two and three dimensions
- Measurements – quantities and distances, chance and working with data
- Structures – examining relationships between numbers and using algebra to represent more than one situation at a time
- Working Mathematically – learning how to break down large problems into manageable steps and examining the thinking we do when faced with them
Year 7 students are put into mixed classes and carefully assessed over the year, with Numeracy support and extension work available to students who require either. Assessment is via unit tests, project work and the Maths Mate homework program (Years 7 and 8).
From Years 8 to 10, students gifted in Mathematics have access to an alternative program, which seeks to broaden and deepen their understanding of concepts, accelerate and focus their skills. The aim of this program ultimately is to better prepare them for the VCE Maths Methods or Specialist Maths programs. There is also Numeracy support provided in class as needed using appropriate program materials.
In Years 10 or 11, students have access to the VCE Foundation Maths program, after careful counselling to ensure that their future path does not require a higher level of Mathematics.
When students are selecting their VCE Maths program, they should consider their ability and the level of Maths required for the employment or course they intend to do when they finish school. Students may select a combination of VCE Foundation Maths (usually a final course), VCE General Maths or VCE Maths Methods in Year 11, leading to VCE Further Maths, VCE Maths Methods or VCE Specialist Maths in Year 12.
As a faculty, we also offer a presence at the weekly Catch Up Club held every Thursday after school to assist any student who needs homework help. There are also lunchtime open classes held twice weekly for any student to come and receive some extra help and support. We also encourage students to approach any teacher within the faculty if they need to hear a different way of looking at a concept or problem.