STAFF
Mrs P. McKevitt - Head of Department
Mr K. McKernan
Mr J. Weir
Mr T. Irwin
It is the aim of the Mathematics Department to work closely within the College vision, and to maximise the students’ potential through student centred, integrated education and parental involvement.
The Mathematics Department firmly believes in the principles of equality and justice and the pursuit of
a peaceful, democratic society.
The mathematics department will:
- Provide a high quality education, cherishing all children equally
- Encourage every student to fulfil his/her full academic potential
- Promote self-discipline in the students
- Encourage parental involvement
In Key Stage 3, pupils are streamed on the basis of results obtained in English and Mathematics tests taken at the end of their primary school career.
At the end of Key Stage 3, pupils are entered for the statutory CCEA tests in Mathematics at the appropriate tier. The results of these tests are used to place the pupils in Key Stage 4 to take a GCSE course in Mathematics at a suitable tier – Higher or Foundation.
At GCSE all students follow the AQA Two Tier Modular course. Module 1 (18%) and Module 3 (27%) are completed in Year 11. Module 5 (55%) is completed in Year 12. One group of pupils also take the CCEA Additional Mathematics course.
Mathématiques Sans Frontières Winners 2007
A team of Year 11 and Year 12 Maths students were entered for this competition in February. The task is to work as a team in order to solve 10 problems, the answer for one of which is to be written in a foreign language. The team were winners in the SELB heat of the competition. A group then spent an enjoyable day at the Ramada hotel in Belfast, where it was announced that they were the overall winners in Northern Ireland.
Puzzles
The Maths Department has been running a puzzle of the month competition for the last number of years. The idea behind the puzzle is to portray maths as fun and questions are structured to encourage participation across all years in the school. On average there is one competition per term which requires a mixture of logical thinking, reasoning and common sense.
Correct entries are entered into a draw with the winning entry receiving £5 prize money. Solutions and winners are posted on the Maths Department notice board.
Useful Maths Website Links
www.aqa.org.uk
www.s-cool.co.uk
www.counton.org
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize
www.mathsyear2000.co.uk
www.mymaths.co.uk
www.mathsisfun.com
