Mathematics

The Mathematics Faculty provides learning opportunities for students from within the Mathematics and Statistics learning area of the New Zealand Curriculum.
 
Mathematics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in quantities, space and time. Statistics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in data. These two disciplines are related involve but different ways of thinking and of solving problems. Both equip students with effective ways for investigating, interpreting, explaining, and making sense of the world in which they live.
 
By studying mathematics and statistics, students develop the ability to think creatively, critically, strategically and logically. They learn to structure and to organise, to carry out procedures flexibly and accurately, to process and communicate information, and to enjoy intellectual challenge.
 
By learning mathematics and statistics, students develop other important thinking skills. They learn to create models and predict outcomes, to conjecture, to justify and verify, and to seek patterns and generalisations. They learn to estimate with reasonableness, calculate with precision, and understand when results are precise and when they must be interpreted with uncertainty. Mathematics and statistics have a broad range of practical applications in everyday life, in other learning areas, and in workplaces.
 
Mathematics and Statistics is a compulsory subject selection from Year 9 to Year 11.
At Lynfield College our learning programmes in Years 9-10 are based on the Number and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement and Statistics strands of the curriculum. Development of effective and efficient numeracy strategies is an integral part of each course and students are encouraged to generalise the properties of these strategies, leading towards development of algebraic thinking and reasoning skills.
 
In Years 11-13 the courses offered are based on the provision of NCEA standards. The flexible pathways that can be followed give opportunity for students to attain the highest levels of skill and qualification to meet their academic potential.
 
The Mathematics Problem Clinic offers assistance to students at all levels, each day of the week, during term time. Students do not need to make an appointment but they do need to use their own initiative to attend, even though often at the suggestion of their class teacher.
The Mathematics Learning Support programme offers support to students at Years 9 – 11, during their regular timetabled class period. Students are referred by their class teacher, although there is the assumption that these students are already making positive efforts of their own and warrant receiving some extra help. Students who have experienced genuine absence from class or who have fallen behind with class work are typical recipients of this support, some of these students may potentially be high achievers.
 
Students are offered the opportunity to participate in regional, national and international Mathematics competitions. Some preparation towards these competitions is available during class time. In recent years several Lynfield students have achieved at the highest level in each competition.