The ability to solve problems, think creatively and analytically are fundamental to the teaching of Mathematics at Margaret River SHS. In a knowledge based economy, the ability to use Mathematical models in a range of contexts is highly valued and our students have the opportunity to pursue a deep understanding of Mathematics, which will provide an excellent platform for transition from school to further study or the workplace.

Lower School

All students in Year’s 7 to 10 follow the Australian Curriculum and cover content in the key areas of Number & Algebra, Measurement & Geometry and Chance & Data.

In Term 1 of Year 7 students are placed in mixed ability classes and at the end of this term the students are streamed according to their ability and performance in the subject. This allows teachers to differentiate the curriculum so that all students can make progress and achieve some success in the class that they are in. The 3 streams at MRSHS are:

  • Enrichment
  • High Achiever
  • General

The Enrichment classes offer extension material and focuses on the ability to solve non-routine problems. Students in this stream are prepared for high level courses in upper school Mathematics. Students in this class are generally working at an A grade level.

The High Achiever classes offer a rigorous programme of material that focuses on students being able to be fluent with routine skills and techniques. Students in this stream can go on to study courses that would contribute to university entrance. Students in this class are generally working at a B or C grade level.

The General classes offer a programme of material that follows the national curriculum at a slower pace and with more scaffolding. The number of students in these classes are generally far fewer than the other streams which allows for more one on one help from the teacher. Students in this class are generally working at a C or D grade level.

Years 11 & 12

Four mathematics courses have been designed for the senior secondary years, which are all available at MRSHS:

Essential Mathematics

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 subject provides the opportunity for students to prepare for post-school options of employment and further training.

Application Mathematics

Focuses on using the techniques of discrete mathematics to solve problems in contexts that include financial modelling, network analysis, route and project planning, decision making, and discrete growth and decay.
It provides an opportunity to analyse and solve a wide range of geometrical problems in areas such as measurement, scaling, triangulation and navigation.
It also provides opportunities to develop systematic strategies based on the statistical investigation process for answering statistical questions that involve comparing groups, investigating associations and analysing time series.

Mathematical Methods

Focuses on the development of the use of calculus and statistical analysis.
The study of calculus in Mathematical Methods provides a basis for an understanding of the physical world involving rates of change, and includes the use of functions, their derivatives and integrals, in modelling physical processes.
The study of statistics in Mathematical Methods develops the ability to describe and analyse phenomena involving uncertainty and variation.

Specialist Mathematics

Provides opportunities, beyond those presented in Mathematical Methods, to develop rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs, and to use mathematical models more extensively.
Specialist Mathematics contains topics in functions and calculus that build on and deepen the ideas presented in Mathematical Methods as well as demonstrate their application in many areas.
Specialist Mathematics also extends understanding and knowledge of probability and statistics and introduces the topics of vectors, complex numbers and matrices.
Specialist Mathematics is the only mathematics subject that cannot be taken as a stand-alone subject.