Mathematics describes patterns and relationships within our world. The study of Mathematics allows us to recognise the wonderful power and purpose demonstrated through the order and consistency found within Mathematics.

The Western Australian curriculum focuses on developing increasingly sophisticated and refined mathematical understanding, fluency, logical reasoning, analytical thought and problem-solving skills. These capabilities enable students to respond to familiar and unfamiliar situations by employing mathematical strategies to make informed decisions and solve problems efficiently.

Our goal, at Denmark Senior High School, is to make mathematics accessible and enjoyable for all students so that learning sticks for everyone.

“If students were able to work in the ways mathematicians do, for at least some of the time – posing problems, making guesses and conjectures, exploring with and refining ideas, and discussing ideas with others, then they would not only be given a sense of true mathematical work, which is an important goal in its own right, they would also be given the opportunities to enjoy mathematics and learn it in the most productive way.” Boaler, J. p31

We recognise that mathematics has its own value and beauty and pervades every aspect of life and the knowledge learned at school. The task of our teachers is to instil in our students an appreciation of the elegance and power of mathematical reasoning and problem solving, and how we benefit from this in everyday life.

Students are encouraged to explore their understanding of Mathematics, develop broad knowledge and skills, and be prepared to share their knowledge and understanding to assist others in their learning. Our students are given opportunities to explore and experiment with Mathematics, unhindered by any expectations of perceived ability, and to achieve success.

“The journey of Mathematics throughout a student’s life at school can be exciting, practical and enjoyable.”

Boaler, J. (2015). The elephant in the classroom. Souvenir Press.

Students in Year 7 will explore the content areas of Number and Algebra; Measurement and Geometry; and Statistics and Probability that are described in the Western Australian Mathematics Curriculum.

Students are placed in mixed-ability classes giving each student opportunity to explore success, develop resilience and seek assistance from their teacher and their peers. Stronger students will be provided with extra challenge and acceleration. All students will be provided with a curriculum with appropriate support tasks and pacing of content to continue the development of their mathematical skills and understandings.

All students will work mathematically to acquire knowledge, skills and understandings that will underpin future success in this learning area.

Students in Year 8 will continue to explore the content areas of Number and Algebra; Measurement and Geometry; and Statistics and Probability that are described in the Western Australian Mathematics Curriculum.

Students are placed in mixed-ability classes giving each student opportunity to explore success, develop resilience and seek assistance from their teacher and their peers. Stronger students will be provided with extra challenge and acceleration. All students will be provided with a curriculum with appropriate support tasks and pacing of content to continue the development of their mathematical skills and understandings.

All students will work mathematically to acquire knowledge, skills and understandings that will underpin future success in this learning area.

Students in Year 9 will continue to explore the content areas of Number and Algebra; Measurement and Geometry; and Statistics and Probability that are described in the Western Australian Mathematics Curriculum.

Students are placed in mixed-ability classes giving each student opportunity to explore success, develop resilience and seek assistance from their teacher and their peers. Stronger students will be provided with extra challenge and acceleration. All students will be provided with a curriculum with appropriate support tasks and pacing of content to continue the development of their mathematical skills and understandings.

All students will work mathematically to acquire knowledge, skills and understandings that will underpin future success in this learning area.

Mathematics in Year 10 prepares students for the post-compulsory Courses of Study. Students will be counselled toward one of the following pathways based on Year 9 performance.

Mathematics Pathway 1

A course designed to prepare students for the rigours of the ATAR Mathematics Courses – Applications, Methods or Specialist Mathematics. Students continue to work mathematically and investigate Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability. Students use mathematical thinking processes and skills in interpreting   and dealing with high level mathematical situations.

Pathway 1 students will also become familiar with the capabilities of their graphics calculator in preparation for enhanced use of this tool in Year 11 ATAR courses.

Mathematics Pathway 2

Students in Year 10 will continue to explore the content areas of Number and Algebra; Measurement and Geometry; and Statistics and Probability that are described in the Western Australian Mathematics Curriculum.

 

In Semester One, students are placed in mixed-ability classes giving each student opportunity to explore success, develop resilience and seek assistance from their teacher and their peers. Stronger students will be provided with extra challenge and acceleration. All students will be provided with a curriculum with appropriate support tasks and pacing of content to continue the development of their mathematical skills and understandings.

All students will work mathematically to acquire knowledge, skills and understandings that will underpin future success in this learning area.

Mathematics in Year 10 prepares students for the post-compulsory Courses of Study. In Semester Two, students will be placed in one of the following pathways in preparation for Year 11.

Pre-Methods

The Year 10 curriculum is designed to prepare students for the rigours of the ATAR Mathematics Courses – Mathematics Methods and Mathematics Specialist. Students continue to work mathematically and investigate Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability. Students use mathematical thinking processes and skills in interpreting and dealing with high-level mathematical situations.

Pre-Methods students will also become familiar with the capabilities of the CAS calculator in preparation for enhanced use of this tool in Year 11 ATAR courses.

Pre-Applications

The Year 10 curriculum is designed to prepare students for the rigours of the ATAR Mathematics Courses – Mathematics Applications. Students continue to work mathematically and investigate Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability. Students use mathematical thinking processes and skills in interpreting and dealing with high-level mathematical situations.

Pre-Applications students will also become familiar with the capabilities of the CAS calculator in preparation for enhanced use of this tool in Year 11 ATAR courses.

Pre-Essentials

The Year 10 curriculum is designed for students who intend to study a General (non-ATAR) Mathematics Course in Year 11, undertake TAFE courses or gain entry into the workforce. This course focuses on developing functional numeracy and is designed to improve students’ ability and confidence in applying mathematics in real contexts.

The Year 10 curriculum is designed for students who intend to study a General (non-ATAR) Mathematics Course in Year 11, undertake TAFE courses or gain entry into the workforce. This course focuses on developing functional numeracy and is designed to improve students’ ability and confidence in applying mathematics in real contexts.

Mathematics Methods ATAR

This course focuses on the use of calculus and statistical analysis. The study of calculus provides a basis for understanding rates of change in the physical world and includes the use of functions, their derivatives and integrals, in modelling physical processes. The study of statistics develops students’ ability to describe and analyse phenomena that involve uncertainty and variation.

Mathematics Methods provides a foundation for further studies in disciplines in which mathematics and statistics have important roles. It is also advantageous for further studies in the health and social sciences. In summary, this course is designed for students whose future pathways may involve mathematics and statistics and their applications in a range of disciplines at the tertiary level.

Mathematics Specialist ATAR

This course provides opportunities, beyond those presented in the Mathematics Methods ATAR course, to develop rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs, and to use mathematical models more extensively. Mathematics Specialist contains topics in functions and calculus that build on and deepen the ideas presented in the Mathematics Methods course, as well as demonstrate their application in many areas. The Mathematics Specialist course also extends understanding and knowledge of statistics and introduces the topics of vectors, complex numbers and matrices. Mathematics Specialist is the only ATAR mathematics course that should not be taken as a stand-alone course and it is recommended to be studied in conjunction with the Mathematics Methods ATAR course as preparation for entry to specialised university courses such as engineering, physical sciences and mathematics.

Mathematics Applications ATAR

This course focuses on the use of mathematics to solve problems in contexts that involve financial modelling, geometric and trigonometric analysis, graphical and network analysis, and growth and decay in sequences. It also provides opportunities for students to develop systematic strategies based on the statistical investigation process for answering statistical questions that involve analysing univariate and bivariate data, including time series data.

The Mathematics Applications ATAR course is designed for students who want to extend their mathematical skills beyond the Year 10 level, but whose future studies or employment pathways do not require knowledge of calculus. The course is designed for students who have a wide range of educational and employment aspirations, including continuing their studies at university or TAFE.

Mathematics Essential General

The Mathematics Essential General course focuses on using mathematics effectively, efficiently and critically to make informed decisions. It provides students with the mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding to solve problems in real contexts for a range of workplace, personal, further learning and community settings. This course provides the opportunity for students to prepare for post-school options of employment and further training.