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Mathematics at Byford Secondary College aims to foster students’ mathematical interests, talents and creative development through an interesting and challenging curriculum in an environment that supports the pursuit of excellence. With a focus on assisting each student to do their best, we regularly deliver additional tutoring classes for students at all stages.
Mathematics plays a key role in developing students’ numeracy and assists in learning across the curriculum. Students will use ideas about numbers, algebra, measurement, geometry, statistics and probability, and mathematical ways of representing patterns and relationships, to describe and interpret their social and physical world.
Students will learn to read, write and speak mathematics in various contexts and forms so that they can understand and convey mathematical ideas, interpret prose containing mathematical forms, and continue to use and learn Mathematics autonomously outside the school setting.
Our teachers are skilled in assisting students with diverse interests and abilities to understand and apply the full range of mathematical concepts. Our program is designed to:
For students with a particular interest and drive to extend their mathematical abilities outside the classroom, we offer opportunities to participate in competitions such as the Australian Mathematics Competition, Olympiads, Have Sum Fun and Bebras Australia Computational Thinking Challenge.
Mathematics is a compulsory subject in Years 7 – 10. The content is divided into three strands – Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. Within each year level there are three pathways each designed to meet the needs of our students. In Aspire Program the students are introduced to higher level thinking skills whilst working through the curriculum. Mainstream classes focus on achievement at the year level curriculum and Pathway 3 is scaffolded and differentiated with the aim of improving the numeracy skills.
Mathematics aims to instil in students an appreciation of the elegance and power of mathematical reasoning.
In Year 10 students are given the opportunity to select courses that will aid in their transition to upper school mathematics:
For more information head to the School Curriculum Standard Authority’s website See here.
In Senior School students have the opportunity to select from a range of areas in either a General Pathway or an ATAR Pathway. Depending on resources and demand for classes the college offers courses such as:
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
For more information head to the School Curriculum Standard Authority’s website See here.