Lalor Sechondary School

Maths

Mathematics Curriculum
Students in Years 7 to 10 study Maths in line with the Australian National Curriculum.

The Years 7 to 10 Maths curricular have been designed to allow reinforcement of key concepts as students progress through the year. This allows students to revisit key ideas and then extend them with new concepts. The students are currently using the Pearson Mathematics textbooks which have worked examples in the textbook as well as access to tutorials and support to help both with homework and class work when students register the book online.

All students start with a review of number skills allowing them to recall the information from the previous year. These concepts are then used in a variety of ways including decimals, fractions and percentages at Year 7. Year 8 go onto study percentages ratio and measurement. Year 9 go on to study ratio and then linear algebra and graphs. Year 10 use mathematical concepts in real life situations such as interest both simple and compound.

In Years 7 to 9, students are able to access the maths curriculum at a level appropriate to them. Our timetable structure allows staff to aim the lessons at the relevant level allowing students to see success and to achieve. The numeracy support group allows students to receive extra support in Mathematics so that they develop their numeracy skills. These groups look at Maths in a more applied format, using mathematical concepts in the real world.

Students in Year 10 are placed into groups based on ability. These groups are designed to support their choices for VCE Mathematics in the following year. These groups cater for students at various levels of mathematics. The Foundation group allows for a more hands on, practical approach in mathematics. This level will generally allow students to enrol in Foundation Maths in Year 11. The General level caters for students who wish to continue into General Maths in Year 11, while the Methods level is for students who wish to enrol in any Maths at Year 11, including General Maths Extensions and Maths Methods.

At the VCE level, Mathematics continues to be a very popular subject chosen by students. Consequently, all VCE maths subjects are offered by the school.

CAS calculators are used extensively from Years 10 – 12 to enhance students’ understanding of certain mathematical concepts.

Numeracy Weeks
As part of the curriculum Numeracy Weeks have been established at Years 7-9 to allow students to use what they have learned in class and use the concepts in an applied way. This allows the students to have a better understanding as to why they are studying these concepts and how they will use these skills in real life situations.

Mathletics

All students in Years 7-10 have paid a $5.00 registration fee to have access to Mathletics and are expected to use the resource to demonstrate outcomes throughout the year. Mathletics is a web based program which is designed to support the work students are doing in class. This resource is used in school but can also be used at home with access to the internet to support any homework students may have or to support revision for tests.

Extra-curricular
Students have the opportunity at Years 7 to 9 to take part in Maths Olympiad, using the concepts they are being taught in a different situation.

The faculty also encourages students to participate in the annual Australia-wide Westpac Maths Competition.

Maths tutorial sessions are offered at the senior level for students studying Maths in VCE. These sessions are scheduled once a week, after school and students are encouraged to attend, particularly if they find their Maths study challenging.