Mathematics Faculty at Birrong Girls High School
Mathematics is amazing or as Mrs Blok says: "The beauty of maths"
For many, this statement can be difficult to believe. But almost everyone who has ever studied or been taught Mathematics will have encountered that special and unique moment when a concept or idea just made sense. Now whether that moment was brief or whether it lingered on, nevertheless in that instant each person will have seen a glimpse of the wonderful thing – mathematics and the beauty of it.
Daily life relevance
The trouble for most students, past and present, is that the all-important "correct answer" has been their major (and sometimes only) objective when answering a mathematical question. Certainly finding the correct solution to a problem is important, but the study of mathematics is so much more than this limited, one-dimensional approach. It is so important for students to see the relevance and significance of mathematics in their daily lives.
Developing mathematical minds
In the Mathematics Department at Birrong Girls High School our aim is to encourage our students to explore, search and question. We seek to develop each student's ability to communicate mathematically. We want them to be able to explain why their solution is true and justify the steps they took to arrive at their answer(s). Building up a student's problem-solving skills, showing them how to use mathematical equipment to investigate and encouraging each student to discuss or write about Mathematics in their own words are just some of the methods which can be used to open up a student's mathematical horizons and appreciate the beauty of maths.
Using technology in Maths
In the past, the explanation of an abstract concept on a blackboard followed by the practicing of such processes was really the only method of teaching available in most Mathematics classrooms. While the rigorous nature of the subject still requires students to develop and practise skills in this manner, the introduction of technology has opened up new opportunities for improving each student's understanding. For the first time, students can truly see the dynamic and variable nature of such areas of Mathematics as geometry, trigonometry, statistics and calculus. By using tangible and visual demonstrations via the Smart board or on their own computer screen, students can see a clearer connection between the concrete or 'hands-on' and the abstract or 'algebraic'.
Hands on resources
In each Mathematics classroom at Birrong Girls High, our aim is to use such technological aids to improve student understanding of concepts and develop their basic numeracy skills. Recent research into how students learn Mathematics has emphasised the importance of using hands-on material, practical ideas and appropriate language in the development of their mathematical understanding.
In Year 7 students have an incursion facilitated by World of Maths where hands-on activities complement classwork. In Year 8 students work with Inquisitive Minds to develop their mathematical understanding through a range of practical activities. Our Year 9 students visit Luna Park annually where they investigate the connection between physics and maths.
In all years at Birrong Girls High, the Mathematics classes are structured to cater for all levels of ability and interest. This structure is designed to foster excellence and independent learning, to cater for different learning styles and to provide additional assistance for those students with additional needs. We also offer the Quick Smart Program to help students develop their basic numeracy skills.
Maths Support
Also known to many as "maths tutoring", this is an additional service provided to the students of Birrong Girls High by the Mathematics staff of the school. Five afternoons per fortnight, an experienced member of the Mathematics staff is available to help any student who requires extra assistance with their Mathematics in the Homework Centre. Attendance is purely voluntary, but many students from Years 7 to 12 regularly turn up to improve their mathematical knowledge.
Birrong Girls High School Mathematics Faculty:
Andrea Blok
Head Teacher Mathematics
Ahmed Atteya
Assistant Coordinator of Mathematics
Suzan Bahnam
Assistant Coordinator of Mathematics
Elias DiMassi
Assistant Coordinator of Mathematics
Tony Kazzi
Assistant Coordinator of Mathematics
Verinder Singh
Assistant Coordinator of Mathematics
Baby Variyar
Assistant Coordinator of Mathematics