Mathematics

 

 

Staffing

Ms C Reilly (Subject Co-ordinator)
Dr U Budd
Mr L Carolan
Ms J Deacon
Mr R Hilliard
Mr L McBride
Mr A Prodgers
Mr S Tevlin (Career Break)
Ms D Thorp 
Mr I Wilkinson

Subject Overview

The High School has always placed a strong emphasis on the teaching of mathematics
and we seek, as a department, to continue this tradition. Many of our pupils continue
to study mathematics in various forms at third level.  With that in mind we aim to give them the best grounding possible in the subject not just teach for the examinations at the end of the year. We view mathematics as a vital subject and a way for all pupils to develop tools for everyday life and the skills necessary to become problem solvers and critical thinkers.

The High School has a policy of teaching mixed ability classes at higher and ordinary level.  All pupils study mathematics in mixed ability classes at a common level in Form 1 and based on common tests in the summer they are divided into higher and ordinary level
classes for the beginning of Form 2. All pupils continue to study mathematics at a level suitable to the individual up to and including Leaving Certificate.

Junior Cycle

The aims of the Junior Cycle Mathematics programme are to:

  • To develop the mathematical knowledge, skills, and understanding needed for
    continuing education, for life, and for work.
  • To develop the skills of dealing with mathematical concepts in context and applications as well as in solving problems.
  • To foster a positive attitude towards mathematics in the pupil.

These aims are the backbone of our mathematics teaching at The High School. The
pupils follow a common course in Form 1 and continue in Forms 2 or 3 at higher or ordinary level up to the Junior Certificate examination.  Teachers make use of a wide range of resources including IT, web-based activities, and hands-on learning resources.

Pupils in Form 2 undertake a Classroom Based Assessment (CBA 1). Currently the Department of Education has specified that this is a Problem Solving Task. Pupils are prepared for and guided through the completion of this task in class over a period of three-weeks. Pupils in Form 3 undertake a second Classroom Based Assessment (CBA 2). This has been specified as a Statistics Investigation. (NB Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on classroom time pupils in Form 3 in 2020-21 and 2021-2 are not required to undertake this second CBA). At the end of the Junior Cycle pupils undertake one two-hour examination in mathematics.

Form 4 - Transition Year programme

Our aims for the mathematics course in Form 4 are:

  • To ensure all pupils are comfortable with the concepts and techniques from the
    Junior Certificate and to prepare them for the Leaving Certificate course in Form 5.
  • To use everyday life problems to further the pupils’ mathematical skills.

Pupils continue to study mathematics at the level they took for the Junior Certificate.
However, some pupils who struggled to complete the Junior Certificate Higher Level syllabus choose at this time to move to Ordinary Level. This allows them the time and space to ensure that their basic skills and understanding are in place prior to commencing Form 5.

Senior Cycle

In Forms 5 and 6 we aim to prepare the pupils not only for the Leaving Certificate
but also for their future studies or working lives.  As in the Junior Cycle, all pupils in the Senior Cycle are encouraged to study mathematics at a level suited to their ability. There are classes studying at higher level and ordinary level.  A large proportion of the pupils study the Leaving Certificate higher level course and they are encouraged to continue their study of mathematics at third level.

Applied Mathematics is also offered as an option at Leaving Certificate level and we
have a relatively large uptake for this subject each year.

Additional information

External Competitions: Pupils are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular mathematics activities such as the International Mathematics Olympiad and the IMTA annual quiz. A team of pupils from Form 3 compete in the Pi Quiz which is a national competition held in regional centres.
 
Maths Week: We have a school-wide focus on the subject during Maths Week when groups of pupils participate in external maths-related events, where this is possible. We have organised poster competitions for Maths Week and the Pi Doodle competition is popular with pupils in Form 1, taking place on 14th March each year (3/14).

Maths Club: When possible Form 4 pupils provide the opportunity for Junior Cycle pupils to receive extra help with their mathematics studies.