The study of mathematics is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10.
By studying mathematics, students learn to work mathematically – developing fluency, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning and communication skills.
The syllabus consists of the following strands:
- number and algebra
- measurement and geometry
- statistics and probability.
In Year 11 and 12, the study of mathematics is optional. Courses offered include:
- Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only)
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Mathematics Advanced
- Mathematics Standard 2
- Mathematics Standard 1 (Optional HSC examination)
- Mathematics Life Skills.
The education of the mathematicians of the future is at the heart of our teaching. We hope to inspire our students to seek truth, beauty and elegance in mathematics itself.
The mathematics faculty at Kingsgrove North High School aims to support students on their learning journey to become confident users of mathematics in both their everyday life and chosen workplace. By identifying student's previous knowledge and skills we endeavour to increase their understanding of mathematical concepts and demonstrate their application in everyday life. This makes their learning more enjoyable and meaningful.
The faculty is comprised of a group of highly experienced staff and enthusiastic new scheme teachers. All the staff work together so that each one is able to mentor others in their areas of expertise.
Whilst students are expected to have good number skills they are also are expected to be able to use a calculator to both check their work and develop their ability to communicate ideas, solve problems and support conclusions. Software packages that students are introduced to, when appropriate, include spreadsheets, Desmos and geogebra.
Mathematics is a mandatory subject for Years 7 to 10. In Year 9 it changes into 3 levels, 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3, that better caters to the needs of students. In Years 11 and 12 there are 5 levels of mathematics, Standard 1, Standard 2, Advanced mathematics, extension 1 and extension 2.
The junior syllabi have recently been aligned with the national curriculum and the new senior courses introduced have a bigger emphasis on statistical analysis.
Students are given the opportunity to participate in the Australian mathematics competition, where they can demonstrate their problem-solving ability against both an Australian and Pacific region of students. Students in the 'top' classes are expected to participate and are awarded certificates.
The school has a long history of high achievement in mathematics. We regularly see our extension 2 students achieve scores over 90. The other courses have students represented in all the bands, except the lowest. We are lucky to partner with the University of NSW which provides our top Year 12 mathematician with a monetary award. Our Year 9 NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) results always show growth in their mathematical ability that typically exceeds state growth.
All students are expected to pay a $10 course fee which provides them with access to mathletics every year. This is a good resource which can be used as a revision tool, explains concepts that students may have missed when absent from school and fun when used to increase their arithmetic skills against students from around the world.
Course overview
Years 7 and 8
Working mathematically
- Communicating: describing, representing and explaining mathematical concepts.
- Problem Solving: using mathematical concepts to solve familiar and unfamiliar situations.
- Reasoning: explain their thinking processes, justify, deduce, compare and contrast.
- Understanding: connect related ideas and interpret mathematical information.
- Fluency: calculate answers efficiently and recall facts.
Numbers and algebra
- Compute with integers
- Operate with fractions, decimals and percentages
- Solve financial problems
- Work with ratios and rates
- Manipulate algebraic expressions
- Indices
- Solve linear and simple quadratic equations
- Perform transformations and plot on the number plane
Measurement and geometry
- Length
- Area
- Volume
- Time
- Pythagoras
- Properties of geometrical figures
- Angle relationships
Statistics and probability
- Data collection and representation
- Single variable analysis
- Simple and compound Probabilities
Years 9 and 10
There are 3 stages 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3.
Stage 5.2 must cover both the 5.1.and 5.2 courses and Stage 5.3 must cover the 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 courses.
Numbers and algebra
5.1 consists of the following topics.
- Earning and investing money
- Indices
- Linear relationships- mid-point, gradient, length and graphing
- Non-linear graphs
5.2 consists of the following topics.
- Compound interest
- Ratios and rates
- Expands and factorises quadratics
- Indices
- Equations- Simple linear and quadratic equations, inequations and simultaneous equations
- Linear graphs using gradient intercept form
- Non-linear- connects algebraic and graphical forms
5.3 consists of the following topics.
- Ratios and rates
- Algebraic techniques with complex algebraic expressions
- Surds and indices
- Complex equations
- Uses formulae in the cartesian plane
- Sketches and interprets non-linear graphs
- Polynomials
- Logarithms
- Functions and other graphs
Measurement and geometry
5.1 consists of the following topics.
- Area and surface area of prisms
- Numbers of any magnitude
- Trigonometry including angles of elevation and depression
- Similar and scale drawings
5.2 consists of the following topics.
- Area and surface area of cylinders and composite solids
- Volume of right prisms and composite solids
- Trigonometry including bearings
- Properties of geometrical figures including polygons and proving congruent and similar triangles
5.3 consists of the following topics.
- Area and surface area of pyramids, cones, spheres and related composite shapes
- Volume of pyramids cones, spheres and composite shapes
- Trigonometry of non-right angled triangles
- Properties of geometrical figures including proving properties of triangles and quadrilaterals
- Circle geometry
Statistics and probability
5.1 consists of the following topics.
- Single variable data analysis
- Probability of simple and compound events calculating relative frequencies
5.2 consists of the following topics.
- Single variable data analysis- quartiles, box plots
- Bivariate data analysis
- Probability of multi-step experiments
5.3 consists of the following topics.
- Single variable data analysis using standard deviation
- Bivariate data analysis including lines of best fit
Years 11 and 12
If students are successful in 5.3 they may attempt the extension 1 course in Year 11 and might progress to extension 2 in Year 12 or they may study advanced mathematics or standard 1 or 2. It is recommended students study the mathematics course if they are progressing on to university and need an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank).
If students are successful in 5.2 they may attempt the advanced mathematics course if they demonstrate good skills in this course otherwise they will progress to standard 2.
Even if students are successful in 5.1 it may be beyond their skills to attempt the standard 2 course but they can demonstrate understanding in the standard 1 course which has an optional examination in the HSC (Higher School Certificate).
We provide support for our students through the Homework Centre in the Library every Thursday from 3.15pm until 4.30pm. The mathematics faculty's vision is to provide a supportative and harmonious environment which promotes the development of engaged, motivated and resilient learners with an intrinsic desire to learn. We are a faculty of educators with a passion for mathematics education and a desire to be positive and effective participants in the educational growth of our students.
See attachment which provides information to assist students in choosing an appropriate level of HSC Mathematics course for Years 11 and 12