Numeracy

The two pillars of thinking that allow our students to successfully undertake the subjects that they wish to are literacy and numeracy. Whereas literacy deals with different modes of communication via different media, numeracy is the set of skills that allow our students to organise and order their thinking. It is a predisposition towards applying logic and analysis to whatever scenario they are faced with, from any classroom subject, to the sports field, to camps and retreats and ethical debate. Even though numeracy refers to ordered thinking in any subject, the skills for numeracy are predominantly taught in the suject area of Mathematics.

At St Joseph's Mathematics is taught at all levels from Year 7 to Year 12. From Year 7 to Year 10 students undertake all aspects of mathematics as prescribed by ACARA as a minimum. Through a problem-solving approach and the use of technology such as CAS calculators when appropriate, students learn to select the appropriate mathematics and thinking techniques to achieve a desired solution. This is the essential skill that they can transfer to other subject areas and is the essence of numeracy.

At the Year 8 level an acceleration program begins for the advanced students and this is continued all the way through to VCE. At the same time, in conjunction with the Occhiena Centre, programs are in place to ensure that those students who require extra assistance to succeed are given those opportunities.

At the VCE level St Joseph's offers Mathematical Methods CAS and/or further as the standard mathematics subjects for students wishing to proceed to tertiary study, Specialist Mathematics for those students who are looking for entry into high end vocational degrees such as Law, Medicine or Engineering. VCAL Numeracy is also offered through the VCAL program to provide trade specific mathematical training.