Mathematics

The Mathematics Foundation course is designed for students who are working towards meeting the OLNA numeracy standard. It helps build confidence and practical skills to use maths in everyday life, at work, and in the community. Once students have met the OLNA numeracy requirements they will transfer across to Mathematics Essentials General.

Students will learn how to apply maths to real-world situations such as budgeting, reading timetables, understanding payslips, and solving everyday problems.

This course supports students in preparing for life after school, including employment and further training.

Review the Mathematics Foundation syllabus here.

Mathematics Essentials focuses on the role of numeracy in real contexts and the world around us. It provides students with a grounding in mathematical knowledge and promotes problem solving skills, the application of formulas, percentages, ratios and data analysis. This course is ideal for students engaging in further training or workplace pathways following high school. Students studying solely General units are required to study Mathematics Essentials as one of their six courses in both Year 11 and Year 12.

Click here to view the Mathematics Essentials Syllabus

Course Pre-Requisites: NIL

The Mathematics Applications course offers students a continuation of the numeracy skills gained in the junior years. Structured with a broad focus on universal competencies, students will solve mathematical problems in context, drawing on theories of financial modelling, trigonometry, sequences and networks. Students will engage with algebra and matrices as well as linear equations. This is an ideal course for students who wish to continue their study of Mathematics, but do not require highly specialised and technical knowledge for their future pathways.

View the ATAR Maths - Applications syllabus here

Course Pre-Requisites: 60% in Year 10 Mathematics Mainstream (or higher)

Mathematics Methods focuses on the use of calculus, statistical analysis, sequences and series. Intended for students who may require complex mathematical knowledge for their chosen tertiary pathway. Mathematics Methods will equip students with knowledge of trigonometric functions and arithmetic and geometric sequences. Through the study of calculus, students will also develop their understanding of applications of the derivative, calculations of curves, equations of tangents, instantaneous velocities and optimisation problems.

Click here to view the Mathematics Methods Syllabus

Course Pre-Requisites: 60% in Year 10 Maths Extension

Note: In 2027, students can study both Mathematics Methods ATAR and Mathematics Applications ATAR as an acceptable combination of courses.

As the name suggests, Mathematics Specialist affords students the opportunity to engage with concepts of abstraction beyond the Mathematics Methods course. Students will develop rigorous mathematical arguments and proofs in the course as well as extensive modelling. The Mathematics Specialist course extends student understanding of combinatorics (necessary for probability studies and algebra) as well as the use of matrices, geometry and trigonometry. It is essential that the Mathematics Specialist course is studied in conjunction with Mathematics Methods ATAR as preparation for entry into highly specialised tertiary courses such as engineering and mathematics.

Review the Maths Specialist syllabus here

Course Pre-Requisites: 70% in Year 10 Mathematics Extension

Note: Students wishing to enrol in Mathematics Specialist ATAR must also enrol in Mathematics Methods ATAR.