Mathematics challenges take many forms at Santa Sabina College. Read on to learn about recognition from the State’s peak body of maths teachers and an insight into a maths lesson from the Year 7s.
Mathematical Association of New South Wales (MANSW)
Santa Sabina College has been recognised for our approach to Mathematics at both the state and national levels for our entries into the annual Mathematical Association of NSW Investigating with Mathematics Competition.
This year MANSW has asked us to host this significant event – the judging and awards ceremony will occur on both our primary and secondary campuses.
According to the Association, the purpose of the investigation is to explore real life situations and problems to engage students and teachers in mathematics. Students formulate their own questions from a given situation. The tasks meet Working Mathematically syllabus outcomes as well as outcomes in the strands in which the investigation takes place.
All students from Kindergarten to Year 10 in NSW can enter. The awards ceremony takes place at Santa on Wednesday 6 September.
“We are looking forward to engaging all our learners in a range of Mathematical Investigations”, says Emma McAuley, Santa Sabina’s facilitator of this event.
A day in Ms Palmer’s Year 7 maths class
During one of our final maths lessons last term on the topic of Algebra, we were asked to complete a four x four algebraic square task. Along the edge of each 20cm by 20cm square was an algebraic question and along the edge of another square was its answer. This activity was all about using our newly learnt algebraic skills and the ability to make all the sides equal to form a square.
Our group came up with an easy and quick strategy which was to handle this activity like a puzzle; sort out the pieces into three piles comprising the corners, edges and middle pieces. We put the four corners out on the table and sorted out where to put the edges by matching up the expressions with the answers. We then sorted out the middle pieces by matching each question to an answer. The activity was difficult even though we got it done in about 10 to 15 minutes – this was only due to our teamwork and algebraic skills. This helped us to improve not only on our algebra skills but also our social skills. Everyone put some effort into the activity and it also helped us with problem solving. It was a really fun activity!
Year 7 maths students
