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The Mathematics and Statistics 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, however, involve different ways of thinking and of solving problems. Both equip students with effective methods 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 data and make inferences, and to enjoy intellectual challenge. 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 tertiary education and in workplaces.
Mathematics and Statistics is a compulsory subject selection at Lynfield College from Year 9 to Year 11.
JUNIOR MATHEMATICS AND NUMERACY
At Lynfield College our learning programmes in Years 9 and 10 are based on the Number and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement and Statistics (and Probability) strands of the New Zealand Curriculum (2007), currently being refreshed. 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. The new Numeracy standard was piloted in 2022 at Lynfield College with our Year 10 cohort. Two assessment opportunities are offered each year, from Year 9 upwards for those students who are working at curriculum levels 4/5. Numerate students will be able to apply three process ideas of formulating, employing, interpreting and evaluating Mathematics and Statistics in a range of situations. They will be knowledgeable in the seven content ideas of operations on numbers, relationships (graphs), location and navigation, spatial properties and representations, measurement, statistics and data and elements of chance (probability). Attaining the ten Numeracy credits is a requirement for NCEA certification.
Our Year 9 and 10 classes are all mixed ability, however, students who show high levels of ability in Mathematics and Statistics are potentially able to skip level 1 and go directly into Level 2 Calculus following the end of their Year 10. Those who find the content very challenging at Year 10 will be channelled into our re-designed Year 11 Numeracy course for a second chance at the Numeracy standard. Once this has been attained, students will graduate back into one of our two Level 1 mainstream courses.
The Numeracy Learning Matrix weaves together 'Process ideas' and 'Content ideas' as illustrated below.
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SENIOR MATHEMATICS AND NCEA
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. Both Calculus and Statistics are specialisations that can be taken from Level 2, however, at Level 1 we attempt to provide a broader Mathematics and Statistics education, with more equitable entry requirements.
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.
NCEA is currently under review with new (and fewer) standards being offered at each level, up to four in each subject. The new achievement standards will be compulsory in Year 11 from 2024, Year 12 from 2025 and Year 13 from 2026.