I hope everyone had a restful and productive break and is ready for the year ahead. My name is Mrs. Festing, and I am honoured to serve as the Head of the Mathematics Department.

It is a privilege to be part of a dedicated and talented team committed to fostering mathematical understanding and achievement. Our goal is to inspire curiosity, develop problem-solving skills, and support all students in their mathematical journey. Whether you are seeking to extend your capabilities, strengthen your foundational skills, or gain a deeper appreciation for mathematics, we are here to guide and support you.

I welcome the following new staff to the Maths Faculty in 2025:

• Nicole Campbell
• Tracy Langford
• Thomas Young
• Tracy Livingstone
• Danielle Parsons
• Samantha Irwin 

As we commence the new term, our students are engaging in a range of mathematical concepts and practical applications across all year levels.

Year 8: Rational Numbers – Students are developing their problem-solving skills by applying the four operations and exponent laws to calculations involving positive integer exponents. They are also learning to distinguish between irrational numbers and decimals that are terminating or recurring.

Year 9: Shape in Art – Students are designing a mural concept that could be painted outside the Mathematics’ staffroom. This project involves scale drawing of two-dimensional shapes and applying enlargement techniques to ensure the design fits appropriately on the wall.

Year 10: Council Sculpture – Students are designing a sculpture that requires calculations of surface area and volume for composite solids. They will also investigate the financial implications of constructing their design, integrating both mathematical and real-world problem-solving skills.

Senior Students – As we begin the 2025 academic year, senior students are actively engaging with their first units of study and preparing for upcoming assessments. Effective time management, including the productive use of allocated study periods and regular revision, will be crucial for success. We encourage students to check in with their teachers regularly for guidance and feedback.

Supporting Student Success

Consistent attendance is vital to ensuring students have every opportunity to succeed. A reminder that Mathematics tutorials are available every Tuesday and Thursday during first lunch in G07. These sessions provide students with the opportunity to:
✔ Seek clarification on coursework
✔ Work on homework and assessment tasks in a quiet environment
✔ Access laptops for technology-based tasks.

We look forward to a productive and rewarding term ahead.

Morgan Festing

HOD Maths