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Penrith Selective High School

Penrith Selective High School

Altiora Peto - Striving for the highest

Telephone02 4721 0529

Emailpenrith-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Mathematics

Overview of Faculty
The Mathematics faculty at Penrith Selective High School provides an academic, supportive environment sharing their passion for mathematics to allow students to achieve to their highest level. Our Mathematics courses aim to create confidence and enjoyment in doing mathematical activities. By studying mathematics, students develop knowledge, skills and understanding of mathematical concepts. Students develop an awareness of how mathematics can be used to solve problems in everyday life.

In Years 7 and 8 we provide problem solving activities fortnightly during class time. Students are also provided with opportunities to develop their interest in Mathematics through activities such as the Australian Mathematics Competition, the Australasian Problem Solving Olympiad, and the Enrichment Stage of the Mathematics Challenge. For the high achievers we also offer Olympiad classes and the opportunity to participate in the Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad, the Australian Mathematics Olympiad as well as the University of New South Wales Mathematics Competition. A number of students are then able to participate in the Olympiad schools and the National Mathematics Summer School. We also offer the Computational and Algorithmic Competition and the Australian Informatics Olympiad for those students who are proficient in Python and C++.

Courses offered

In Years 7 to 10 students follow the mandatory Mathematics syllabus with Year 9 and 10 completing the stage 5.3 advanced course which consists of the following strands:

  • Number and algebra

  • Measurement and geometry

  • Statistics and probability

    In Years 11 and 12, the study of Mathematics is optional. The courses offered are:

    Mathematics Advanced (from 2019)

    Mathematics Extension 1

    Mathematics Extension 2

    Key Excursions and Learning Opportunities

    Maths IT Day at UWS (Kingswood campus)

    Competitions

    AMC (compulsory for Years 7 to 10)

    APSMO (all of Years 7 and 8)

    UNSW Maths

    AMO

    AIMO

    CAT

    AIO

    Co-curricular Opportunities

    Euler Enrichment

    Gauss Enrichment

    Noether Enrichment 

    All taught before school.

Primary School Peer Tutoring 

  • This was first started in 2018 when a group of Year 9 students volunteered to work with the gifted and talented students from Penrith Primary School. Once a week, the students from Penrith Primary School come to the school library and they work one on one with their Year 9 Mathematics tutor. In each session, the students discuss problem-solving techniques and they work together to solve enrichment type problems. In 2020 we expanded to include 4 gifted students from Orchard Hills Public School. 
  • Peer Tutoring

    The Mathematics faculty works closely with the PSHS wellbeing team to meet the learning needs of all students through extra support and differentiated programs. We offer support to students who struggle with Mathematics due to gaps in their learning through Peer Tutoring. Peer tutoring is coordinated by the Head Teacher of Mathematics. It is a program where students from Years 10 and 11 volunteer to help students in any year. This operates during recess or lunch in the mathematics classrooms.

    Further details about additional opportunities for students

    The staff of each faculty are highly involved in running and supporting student leaders to lead a wide variety of co-curricular, enrichment, clubs & societies as part of the school's strong commitment to  talent development opportunities. These programs also play a key part of ensuring that students work alongside not only their classmates, but with other like minded students from across the 6 cohorts within the school. 

     

    For more details about Co-Curricular and Enrichment, please click here 

     

    For more details about Clubs and Societies, please click here