Mathematics

Mathematics Department

The St. John’s Mathematics Department is currently in a strong position. Classes are streamed from Year 9 which allows teachers to focus specifically on the needs of the class in front of them.

St. John’s top students do very well. This year three Year 13 students are sitting University papers, and many students are accelerated successfully beyond their year level’s work. Many of these students go on to study mathematically based courses at university including engineering, architecture, surveying, computer science, medicine and other health sciences.

Middle stream classes move through the College’s mathematical pathway on the B line and end their time at school with numeracy skills needed to enter the trades and the armed services. The lower streamed students enter classes with reduced sizes. These comfortable numbers give the ‘strugglers’ every opportunity to gain the 10 basic numeracy credits and move into careers.

Whatever the need of any young Hawke’s Bay student, St. John’s College has the mathematics courses and expertise to cater for his needs.

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Whatever the need of any young Hawke’s Bay student, St. John’s College has the
mathematics courses and expertise to cater for his needs.

Staff

    • Mr Grant McFarland (HOD) has taught at the college for a good number of years and teaches all levels and is currently the Calculus teacher. Out of the classroom he is involved in rugby and cricket.
    • Mr Michael Oliver is a very experienced teacher with HOD experience. He is currently the Statistics and Modelling teacher. Out of the classroom he is involved in football.
  • Mrs Jeanie Mosgrove teaches Calculus, Physics and Chemistry, but works entirely within the Mathematics Department this year. Out of the classroom she is involved in basketball.
  • Mr Simon Thomson is an economics and accounting teacher, who comes across to mathematics to help with the financial mathematics courses in the senior school.
  • Mr Ian Smith teaches one junior maths class and is the HOD of Technology.

Senior Maths Program
H.O.D. Mr G. McFarland

Course Entry Requirements

An achievement equivalent to the following or at the discretion of the HOD.

Year 11
An adequate standard in Year 10  Mathematics

Year 12
12 MXB
4 passes in Level 1 Mathematics or approval of HOD.

12 MAT
4 passes in Level 1 including a merit pass in Algebra 1.2 or the approval of the HOD

Year 13

Maths with Calc
Five passes in 12 MAT including a merit in 2.2, 2.6, 2.7, or the approval of the HOD.

Maths with Stats
Four passes in 12 MAT including 2.2, 2.6, 2.11, 2.12 or the approval of the HOD.

A Graphic Calculator is required for Senior A Mathematics

 

Course Outline

Level 1 Mathematics

Two courses are available.

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This course will offer six achievement standards worth a total of 22 credits as shown below.  Achievement Standards may be added or subtracted at the HODs discretion.

This course will offer six achievement standards worth a total of 22 credits as shown below.  Achievement Standards may be added or subtracted at the HODs discretion

AS Number  |  Achievement Standard Title  |  Credits  |  Assessment Method

1.1  |  Apply numeric reasoning in solving problems  |  4  |  Internal

1.2  |  St John’s L1 Algebra exam   |  0  |  Internal

1.4  |  Apply algebraic procedures in solving problems (Graphing)  |  4  |  Internal

1.5  |  Apply measurement in solving problems  |  3  |  Internal

1.6  |  Apply geometric reasoning in solving problems  |  4  |  External

1.12  |  Demonstrate understanding of chance and data  |  4  |  External

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This course will suit any student who has struggled with Mathematics in the junior school. The course involves helping students gain confidence with their Mathematics so that they can pass the 10 basic numeracy standards that all students need to pass to gain NCEA Level 1. Last year the pass rate was 92%, so success is possible for any student with a desire to do well. Additional credits are available for those who do well.

AS Number  |  Achievement Standard Title  |  Credits  |  Assessment Method

1.1  |  Apply numeric reasoning in solving problems  |  4  |  Internal

1.5  |  Apply measurement in solving problems  |  3  |  Internal

1.9  |  Transformational Geometry   |  3  |  Internal

1.10  | Investigate a given multivariate data set using the statistical enquiry cycle |  4  |  Internal

US18743  |  Using Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel)  |  3  |  Internal

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This course has the general aim of defining a level of mathematical understanding and a body of knowledge appropriate for pupils proceeding to tertiary level study.  This course will offer the 6 Level 2 N.C.E.A. achievement standards below and be worth a total of 22 credits. Achievement Standards may be added or subtracted at the HODs discretion.

AS Number  |  Achievement Standard Title  |  Credits  |  Assessment Method

2.2  |  Apply graphical methods in solving problems  |  4  |  Internal

2.4  |  Apply trigonometric relationships in solving problems  |  3  |  Internal

2.5  |  Use networks to solve problems  |  2  |  Internal

2.6  |  St John’s Algebra  L2 exam  |  0  |  unassessed

2.7  |  Apply calculus methods in solving problems  |  5  |  External

2.12  |  Apply probability methods in solving problems  |  4  |  External

2.14  |  Use networks to solve problems  |  2  |  Internal

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This course is a combination of Mathematics and Financial Management skills. The course is suitable for Mathematics students who will struggle with the heavy algebra content of the 2A Mathematics course. The course includes practical Mathematics topics that past students have found relevant for careers in the trades, the armed forces and in office jobs. It also contains work involving Financial capabilities papers and Robotics. Accountant teacher, Mr Simon Thomson, works with the Mathematics Department in this course.

AS Number  |  Achievement Standard Title  |  Credits  |  Assessment Method

US28095  |  Produce a Budget  |  3  |  Internal

2.4  |  Trigonometry used in the Construction Industry  |  3  |  Internal

2.5  |  Networks used to find Shortest Routes (e.g. GPS navigation systems)  |  2  |  Internal

US24695 |  Explain Taxation relating to Income |  4  |  Internal

US29773  |  Produce a range of digital images using Gimp.  |  4  |  Internal

2.10  |  Conduct Experiments with Statistical Data  |  3  |  Internal

Preparation for the Army/Navy Mathematics Exam
Design, build and use Robots

This course suits any student wishing to advance to tertiary study in engineering, architecture, design and other careers. It is for highly motivated students with a proven ability in Mathematics at Level 2.

AS Number  |  Achievement Standard Title  |  Credits  |  Assessment Method

3.3  |  Apply Trigonometric methods in solving problems  |  4  |  Internal

3.5  |  Apply the Algebra of Complex Numbers in solving problems  |  5  |  External

3.6  |  Apply Differentiation methods in solving problems  |  6  |  External

3.7  |  Apply Integration methods in solving problems  |  6  |  External

 

This course suits any student wishing to advance to tertiary study in the health sciences, social sciences, business studies and other careers. It is for highly motivated students with a proven ability in Mathematics at Level 2.

AS Number  |  Achievement Standard Title  |  Credits  |  Assessment Method

3.2  |  Apply Linear Programming methods in solving problems  |  3  |  Internal

3.9  |  Investigate Times Series data  |  4  |  Internal

3.10  |  Investigate Bivariate Data  |  4  |  Internal

3.13  |  Apply Probability concepts in solving problems  |  4  |  External

3.14  |  Apply Probability Distributions in solving problems  |  4   |  External

3.15  |  Apply systems of Simultaneous Equations in solving problems  |  3  |  Internal