The K-12 Mathematics syllabus is divided into stages 1 to 6, with average students completing Stages 1-3 by the end of Primary School, Stage 4 by the end of Year 8, Stage 5 by the end of Year 10 and Stage 6 by the end of Year 12. However, not all students are ‘average’, so different pathways are provided through Stages 4 and 5 so that all students can experience both success and challenge in their study of Mathematics.

For all pathways through Stages 4 and 5, Mathematics outcomes are grouped in strands titled

• Number
• Patterns and Algebra
• Data
• Measurement
• Space and Geometry

Stage 4

Classes in Mathematics in Years 7-8 are streamed so that students of different ability can follow a suitable pathway. Those students who enter Year 7 without acquiring the outcomes of Stage 3 during Primary School need additional time to complete this stage before proceeding to Stage 4. These students are assigned to classes with fewer students, use a text chosen to suit their level of literacy and numeracy, and concentrate on developing confidence with basic mathematical concepts and skills during Year 7 so that they are ready to proceed to Stage 4 by the time they enter Year 8. On the other hand, students who have excelled in Stage 3, and perhaps begun to acquire Stage 4 outcomes during Primary School, are not asked to repeat familiar work on entering Year 7. Instead, they proceed more quickly through Stage 4 outcomes and concentrate on developing a range of problem solving strategies. They are encouraged to tackle challenging problems and enter problem solving competitions. Programs are structured so that these talented students can begin to acquire Stage 5 outcomes during Year 8. Students in all classes are reassessed at regular intervals during Years 7 and 8 to ensure that they have the opportunity to move between classes if necessary as they progress.

We are currently awaiting the results of the SNAP tests which our Year 7 students sat in May. These will give us an independent assessment of the skills of our students in each of the strands and help us ensure that our programs give them every opportunity to progress in their study of Mathematics during Stage 4.

Stage 5

By the end of Year 10, students following different pathways arrive at different endpoints, following different Mathematics courses in Years 9 and 10.

Course 1 -  designed for students who have not acquired Stage 4 outcomes by the end of Year 8. Students assigned to this course first gain proficiency with Stage 4 in Year 9, then proceed to Stage 5, hoping to acquire the outcomes designated 5.1 by the end of Year 10. While students develop some skills in algebra, the emphasis is on acquiring skills related to the practical application of Mathematics to every day activities and to the world of work. Those students who are successful in this course, and also manage to acquire selected additional outcomes designated 5.2, can proceed to General Mathematics in Years 11 and 12.

Course 2 – designed for students who have demonstrated reasonable proficiency with Stage 4 outcomes. Students assigned to Course 2 hope to acquire all the outcomes designated 5.1 or 5.2 by the end of Year 10, developing skills in all of the strands listed above and able to solve a variety of problems. Successful students are able to proceed to General Mathematics in Year 11. Students who also acquire selected outcomes from those designated 5.3 can proceed to the Stage 6 course Mathematics in Year 11.

Course 3 – designed for students who have excelled during Stage 4, and have begun studying Stage 5 outcomes during Year 8. Students assigned to this course hope to attain all the outcomes designated 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3 by the end of Year 10. Students who successfully complete this course should have a thorough understanding of the mathematical processes involved in each of the strands, and be able to apply their skills to solving a variety of practical and theoretical problems. These students can proceed to the Stage 6 course Mathematics in Year 11, with students who excel able to undertake Mathematics Extension 1 as well.

Stage 6

There are four courses available in Years 11 and 12:

General Mathematics – a practical course designed for students who have an interest in Mathematics, but do not intend to study Mathematics or Science at tertiary level. In this course students study topics from the strands

• Financial Mathematics
• Data Analysis
• Measurement
• Probability
• Algebraic Modelling

Mathematics  - a more theoretical course designed for students who intend to study Mathematics, Science or related disciplines at tertiary level. In this course students study algebra, geometry, probability, functions and calculus, and applications of these areas of study to both practical and theoretical problems.

Mathematics Extension 1 (Years 11 and 12)

Mathematics Extension 2 (Year 12 only)

The extension courses are designed for talented students who excel in the Mathematics course. About 25 students enter the Extension 1 course in Year 11 each year, with 3 or 4 of these taking both Extension 1 and Extension 2 in Year 12.

Year 10 students are currently selecting programs of study for  Years 11 and 12. They will have opportunities during the next few weeks to seek advice from their Mathematics teachers about entering an appropriate Stage 6 course if they wish to continue their study of Mathematics.