Mathematics
The Mathematics Faculty at The Ponds High School provides an academic, supportive environment sharing their passion for mathematics to allow students to achieve to their highest level. Our Mathematics courses aim to create confidence and enjoyment in doing mathematical activities. By studying mathematics, students develop knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical concepts. Students develop an awareness of how mathematics can be used to solve problems in everyday life.
The Mathematics Faculty endeavours to:
- Develop the basic numeracy skills necessary in our society, this is considered to be of paramount importance.
- Impart favourable attitudes to learning mathematics. That is, students should derive interest and enjoyment from mathematical activities and learning.
Curriculum
All students study the same course content as outlined in the NSW Mathematics syllabus:
- Computation with Integers
- Fractions, Decimals and Percentages
- Ratios and Rates
- Algebraic Techniques
- Indices
- Equations
- Linear Relationships
- Length
- Right-angled Triangles (Pythagoras’ Theorem)
- Area
- Volume
- Angle Relationships
- Properties of Geometrical Figures
- Data Classification and Visualisation
- Data Analysis
- Probability
The arrangement of content in Stage 5 acknowledges the wide range of achievement of students in Mathematics by the time they reach the end of Stage 4. There are two categories of topics offered in Stage 5 Mathematics: Core topics and Path topics. Path topics are either Standard Path topics or Advanced Path topics. The topics students will study will be based on which Pathway they are placed in:
- Fundamentals Pathway: designed to assist in meeting the needs of students who are continuing to work towards the achievement of Stage 4 outcomes when they enter Year 9. Students in this pathway will explore all Core topics over 2 years.
- Core Pathway: builds on the content of the Fundamentals Pathway and is designed to assist in meeting the needs of students who have achieved some Stage 4 outcomes at a satisfactory level, generally by the end of Stage 4. Students in this pathway will complete all Core topics over 2 years.
- Intermediate Pathway: builds on the content of the Core Pathway and is designed for students who have achieved most Stage 4 outcomes, generally by the end of Stage 4. Students in this pathway will complete all Core topics AND all the Standard Path topics over 2 years.
- Specialist Pathway: builds on the content of the Intermediate Pathway and is designed to assist in meeting the needs of students who have achieved all Stage 4 outcomes at an exemplary level. Students in this pathway complete all Core topics AND all Standard Path topics AND all Advanced Path topics over 2 years.
Students will study the following topics in Stage 5:
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Core Topics
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Path (Standard) Topics
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Path (Advanced) Topics)
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In addition to the mandatory Mathematics course, students can complete interest-based electives that are complementary to the Stage 5 syllabus. The Ponds High School Mathematics faculty offers two Stage 5 electives:
MM01 Mathematics Enrichment
Mathematics Enrichment allows students to engage with the National Maths Challenge run by the Australian Mathematics Trust. This course aims to foster students’ understanding of the power of mathematics and the joy of mathematical problem solving. In addition to this, it exposes students to mathematical concepts beyond the NSW Mathematics syllabus, such as Number Theory, Matrices, Logic and Algorithms.
This elective is only available to students who are concurrently enrolled in Year 9 Mathematics Specialist or Year 10 Mathematics Specialist. Students in Mathematics Fundamentals, Core, or Intermediate pathways will not be considered.
MM02 Preparing for Mathematics Extension
Students in Year 10 Mathematics Specialist who wish to enrol in Mathematics Extension 1 in Year 11 require an exemplary level of skill in a wide variety of mathematical concepts. In this highly challenging course, students learn the Extension Path topics, namely Properties of Geometrical Figures B/C, Circle Geometry, and Polynomials. Additionally, they are exposed to more difficult concepts that extend their skills in the topics covered in their regular Mathematics Specialist lessons, specifically in Algebra, Graphing, and Trigonometry.
This course is only available for students who are concurrently enrolled in Year 10 Mathematics Specialist and should only be attempted by students achieving at least B-grade result or higher in Mathematics Specialist. Students in Year 9 and students in Year 10 Mathematics Fundamentals, Core, or Intermediate pathways will not be considered.
At the end of Stage 5, students have a wide range of achievement and future aspirations, which is considered in the course options in Stage 6. Students are placed in courses as determined by their achievement and knowledge attained in Stage 5 courses.
Students who study Mathematics in Year 11 will be placed in a course based on the requirements listed below. Students can change courses if they have satisfied the assumed knowledge for the course they opt to move into. Students who wish to enrol in a course in which they do not have the assumed knowledge may opt in to a waiting list.
| Course | Description | Assumed Knowledge |
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Numeracy (2 units) |
This course focuses on essential skills required for everyday life, including work, learning, community engagement, and personal contexts. This is a Content Endorsed Course and will not be counted towards the calculation of an ATAR. |
Developing understanding of Stage 5 Mathematics topics (Mathematics Fundamentals Pathway). |
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Mathematics Standard (2 units, Year 11 only) |
This course enables students to use mathematics effectively, efficiently and critically to make informed decisions in their daily lives. At the end of Year 11, students will be placed in either Mathematics Standard 1 or Mathematics Standard 2 for Year 12. Both are Board Developed Courses worth 2 units and may count towards the calculation of an ATAR. |
Completion of all Stage 5 Mathematics Core topics (Mathematics Core Pathway); OR Completion of all Stage 5 Core topics and Standard Path topics (Mathematics Intermediate Pathway). Students in Mathematics Fundamentals may select this course but are recommended not to do so. |
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Mathematics Advanced (2 units) |
This is a calculus-based course that provides an appropriate mathematical background for students whose future pathways involve Mathematics and its applications in a range of disciplines at a university level. This is a Board Developed Course and may count towards the calculation of an ATAR. |
Completion of all Stage 5 Mathematics Core Topics, Standard Path topics, and Advanced Path topics (Mathematics Specialist Pathway). Students who only completed up to Mathematics Intermediate may be placed on a waiting list based on rank. |
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Mathematics Extension 1 (1 or 2 units) |
This course involves rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs, and to use mathematical models more extensively. It provides a basis for university study in which mathematics plays a vital role. This is a Board Developed Course and may count towards the calculation of an ATAR. Mathematics Advanced is a corequisite for this course, which is worth 2 units, and Mathematics Extension 1 is worth 1 unit (3 units of Mathematics in total). |
Completion of all Stage 5 Mathematics Core Topics, Standard Path topics, Advanced Path topics, and Extension Path topics (Mathematics Specialist Pathway + (preferred) Preparing for Mathematics Extension Elective). Priority will only be given to students in Mathematics Specialist based on rank. |
| Mathematics Extension 2 (2 units, Year 12 only) |
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop strong mathematical manipulative skills and a deep understanding of the fundamental ideas of algebra and calculus, as well as an appreciation of mathematics as an activity with its own intrinsic value, involving invention, intuition and exploration. This is a Board Developed Course and may count towards the calculation of an ATAR. Mathematics Advanced and Mathematics Extension 1 are corequisites for this course. Mathematics Extension 1 will be worth 2 units and Mathematics Extension 2 will be worth 2 units (4 units of Mathematics in total). Students completing the Mathematics Extension 2 HSC Examination do not sit the Mathematics Advanced HSC Examination. |
Completion of Year 11 Mathematics Advanced AND Year 11 Mathematics Extension 1 at an exemplary level. Enrolment in this course is by invitation only. |
Students will study the following topics in Stage 6:
Year 11
| Numeracy | Mathematics Standard | Mathematics Advanced | Mathematics Extension |
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Module 1
Module 2
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Extension 1:
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Year 12
| Numeracy | Mathematics Standard | Mathematics Advanced | Mathematics Extension |
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Module 3
Module 4
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Standard 1:
Standard 2:
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Extension 1:
Extension 2:
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Co-Curriculum
The Ponds High School Mathematics Faculty offers a wide variety of extra-curricular activities for students:
- AMT Australian Mathematics Competition (Years 7-12)
- AMT Maths Challenge (Stage 5 Mathematics Enrichment Elective)
- International Maths Challenge (Years 7-10)
- ICAS Mathematics Competition (Years 7-12)
- NSW Girls to the Maths Excursion (Years 10-11)
- Inquisitive Minds Incursion (Years 7-10)
- Money Talk Incursion (Year 8)
- STEM Club (Years 7-12)