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Colo High School

Colo High School

Striving for Excellence

Telephone02 45712011

Emailcolo-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Mathematics

The study of mathematics is mandatory from Kindergarten to Year 10. 

STAGE 5 - Year 9 and 10 Mathematics

The arrangement of content in Stage 5 acknowledges the wide range of achievement of students as they enter the last two years of their compulsory study of Mathematics. Students will be placed into one of three level in Stage 5 based on their capacity as demonstrated throughout the Stage 4 Course.

Stage 5.1 - Students who need significant consolidation of Stage 4 content will be placed in Stage 5.1 where they will engage in the new NESA STEM organisation of content. This is aimed at elevating these students to achieve the 5.2 Outcomes, which is the recommended minimum preparation for the Stage 6 Mathematics Standard course in Years 11 and 12. It also supports the development of mathematical understandings that are applicable to a range of VET courses. 

Stage 5.2 - Students who have gained a sound understanding of the Stage 4 content will be placed in the Stage 5.2 Pathway with minimal review of Stage 4 content. Students will study both the 5.1 and 5.2 aspects of Stage 5 Mathematics. Students from this pathway will be encouraged to continue their Mathematical studies in the Stage 6 Mathematics Standard Course in years 11 and 12. Only students with a very strong understanding and achievement of the content in this course will be able to attain success in the new Mathematics Advanced Syllabus in Years 11 and 12.

Stage 5.3 - Students with a strong understanding of Stage 4 content will be placed in the Stage 5.3 pathway where Stage 4 content is assumed knowledge. The content of the 5.3 Pathway is new and challenging, requiring significant commitment to study and has been recommended as the minimum preparation for Stage 6 Mathematics Advanced. Many Universities are now requiring Mathematics Advanced as a prerequisite for entry to a range of courses. Only those students who have demonstrated success at the stage 5.3 level will be encouraged to follow the Mathematics Extension 1 (Preliminary and HSC) and Mathematics Extension 2 (HSC only) Courses. The Stage 5.3 Course is designed to prepare students for the rigours of Tertiary Mathematics.

STAGE 6

Year 11 Mathematics Standard (Preliminary NEW 2018)

The Mathematics Standard courses are focused on enabling students to use mathematics effectively, efficiently and critically to make informed decisions in their daily lives. They provide students with the opportunities to develop an understanding of, and competence in, further aspects of mathematics through a large variety of real-world applications for a range of concurrent HSC subjects. It also provides an appropriate mathematical background for students entering the workforce and/or undertaking further training.

The course does provide opportunity for review of much of the content from Stage 5. However, such review is in the context clarifying understanding for further learning rather than a complete reteaching of it.

The Mathematics Standard Year 11 course is a common course for all students studying the Mathematics Standard syllabus. In Year 12 students can elect to study either the Mathematics Standard 1 Year 12 course (Category B) or the Mathematics Standard 2 Year 12 course (Category A).

Students will require a laptop to complete mandatory components of this course.

Year 12 Mathematics Standard 1 (HSC Category B)

This course is designed to assist student's numeracy skills and capabilities by building their confidence and success in making mathematics meaningful. It aligns with Level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework.

To be eligible for an ATAR, students studying the Mathematics Standard 1 course must undertake a pattern of study to satisfy the ATAR requirements and complete the optional HSC examination. For the purposes of calculating the ATAR, no more than 2 units from Category B courses can be included.

Students will require a laptop to complete mandatory components of this course.

Year 12 Mathematics Standard 2 (HSC Category A)

This course enables students to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in working mathematically and in communicating concisely and precisely. It provides opportunities for students to consider various applications of mathematics in a broad range of contemporary contexts through the use of mathematical modelling and use these models to solve problems related to their present and future needs

Its aim is to provide an appropriate mathematical background for students entering the workforce or undertaking further tertiary training.

Students will require a laptop to complete mandatory components of this course.

Year 11 and 12 Mathematics Advanced (Preliminary and HSC NEW 2019)

The Mathematics Advanced Year 11 course has been developed on the assumption that students have studied the content and achieved the outcomes of the NSW Mathematics Years 7–10 Syllabus and in particular, the content and outcomes of all substrands of Stage 5.1 and Stage 5.2, the following substrands of Stage 5.3:

  • Algebraic techniques
  • Surds and indices
  • Equations
  • Linear relationships
  • Trigonometry and Pythagoras’ theorem
  • Single variable data analysis

The Mathematics Advanced course is a calculus based course focused on developing student awareness of mathematics as a unique and powerful way of viewing the world to investigate order, relation, pattern, uncertainty and generality, aided by appropriate technology.

It is useful for concurrent studies in science and commerce. The course is a sufficient basis for further studies in mathematics as a minor discipline at tertiary level in the support of courses such as the life sciences or commerce. However, students who require substantial mathematics at a tertiary level, such as in the study of the physical sciences, computer science or engineering, should undertake the Mathematics Extension 1 course or both the Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2 courses.

Students will need to value and appreciate the importance of resilience and self-motivation in undertaking mathematical challenges as well as the importance of taking responsibility for their own learning, including the evaluation of their mathematical development.

Students will require a laptop to complete mandatory components of this course.

Mathematics Extension 1 (Preliminary and HSC NEW 2019)

The content of this course and its depth of treatment indicate that it is intended for students who have demonstrated a mastery of the skills of Stage 5.3 Mathematics and are interested in the study of further skills and ideas in mathematics.

The course is intended to give these students a thorough understanding of and competence in aspects of mathematics, including many which are applicable to the real world. It has general educational merit and is also useful for concurrent studies of science, industrial arts and commerce.

Mathematics Extension 1 is a recommended minimum basis for further studies in mathematics as a major discipline at a tertiary level and for the study of mathematics in support of the physical and engineering sciences. Although the course is sufficient for these purposes, students of outstanding mathematical ability should consider undertaking the Mathematics Extension 2 course.

Students will need to value and appreciate the importance of resilience and self-motivation in undertaking mathematical challenges as well as the importance of taking responsibility for their own learning, including the evaluation of their mathematical development.

Students will require a laptop to complete mandatory components of this course.

Mathematics Extension 2 (HSC only, NEW 2019)

This course provides an appropriate mathematical background for students whose future pathways will be founded in mathematics and its applications in such areas as science, engineering, finance and economics.

Mathematics Extension 2 provides opportunities at progressively higher levels for students to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to concepts within areas of mathematics that have applications in an increasing number of contexts. Students have the opportunity to develop strong mathematical manipulation 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.

Students will need to value and appreciate the importance of resilience and self-motivation in undertaking mathematical challenges as well as the importance of taking responsibility for their own learning, including the evaluation of their mathematical development.

Students should be prepared to commit extensive time to the study of this course.

Students will require a laptop to complete mandatory components of this course.