Mathematics

Welcome to the Mathematics Department  (Visit our MATHS WEBSITE HERE)

Mathematics and Statistics is a key component of the New Zealand Curriculum. By studying its principles, students gain the analytical and problem solving skills necessary for future success. Studying Mathematics helps students recognise patterns and create models thereby enabling them to make sense of scientific, environmental and economic phenomena.

It is our aim to ensure that our students are equipped with the Mathematical skills necessary to make the most of their future. We do our best to ensure that students develop an appreciation of the beauty and order that Mathematics brings to our World as well as gaining the skills to succeed in whatever future path they choose.

Our Maths programmes are based on and complement the NZ Curriculum and the requirements of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. There is a strong emphasis on the development of mathematical models and problem solving because this in essence is what Mathematics encompasses.  

In the Junior School our students work between Levels 3 and 6 of the New Zealand Curriculum and we cover all of the main topics: Number, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Trigonometry, Probability and Statistics. Students are encouraged to develop their skills and vocabularies in a way that prepares them for the lateral, abstract and theme specific nature of NCEA assessment. We do not believe in assessing early but we do believe in extending our students by providing a variety of activities in which they can apply and test their skills.

Mathematics is compulsory up to and including successful completion of NCEA Level 1 as 10 Numeracy credits are required for the award of a Level 1 qualification.

At NCEA Levels 2 and 3 Mathematics is optional. However, demonstrating success in Mathematics is mandatory for many jobs and a pre-requisite for a number of competitive entry University courses. 

Senior courses: 
At NCEA Levels 1 and 2, students can opt for either the MathsA or MathsB course.

L1 MathsA This course is for students who enjoy Mathematics and who have performed well in junior school assessments. Entry to this course is by recommendation of the subject teacher. The course involves some internal assessment, but over half the credits available for this course are assessed externally.

L1MathsB This is an achievement standard based course. Numeracy unit standards are only offered in exceptional circumstances. All the standards offered on this course are internally assessed, there are no traditional examinations.

L2MathsA This course is for students who enjoy Mathematics and who have performed well in Level 1 external assessments. The course involves some internal assessment, but the majority of the credits available for this course are assessed externally. Successful completion of this course is mandatory for entry into Level 3 Calculus and Level 3 Statistics and a possession of a graphical calculator is mandatory for this course.

L2MathsB This course is for students who have performed well in Level 1 achievement standards. It is not recommended for students who either don’t enjoy the subject or find Mathematics unduly difficult. The course is predominantly internally assessed and involves a great deal of writing. Entry into any externally assessed standard is at the discretion of the HOD and recommendation of the subject teacher. In exceptional circumstances, students who have done well in the Statistics Level 2 standards can gain entry into L3 Statistics.

 L3 Calculus This course is for students with very well developed skills in Algebra and Calculus and success in these externally assessed Level 2 standards is mandatory.

 L3 Statistics This course is for students with well-developed writing and analytical skills. Success at  NCEA Level 2 and possession of a graphical calculator is mandatory for this course.

 Scholarship

 Students who have the knowledge and commitment to take their Mathematics to the highest level  possible at school are invited to undertake scholarship Calculus and/or Calculus and are given the  support they need to succeed.

Other activities:

Mathshelp

Our department runs a Mathshelp clinic on a Thursday afternoon from 3.15 to 4.30 for help with homework or classwork.

Competitions

Each August our students compete in the Auckland Secondary Schools Mathex Competition and all junior classes are represented in our own school Mathex competition. We also enter students into the Australian Mathematics competition.

Graham Smith
Head of Mathematics
Phone:  09 444 9066 ext 746
Email: [email protected]
or [email protected]

Please see the Year 9 Course Outlines and peruse our courses: Mathematics and Statistics

You may not have noticed above, but the Mathematics department has its own website which contains useful learning resources, links and information for parents and students: http://gcmaths.weebly.com/