What’s On
Whanau Zone
Student Stories
About LPHS
Academic
Beyond LPHS
Enrol at LPHS
Contact us

Home > Academic > Our Courses > Mathematics

Mathematics

The Logan Park Mathematics Department is a very high achieving department, getting several Scholarships in both Calculus and Statistics every year.

We have a high performing and motivated teaching staff and notably Mr John Major was awarded the Jim Campbell Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching in 2011.

Mathematics is full of wonder, beauty and creativity. Mathematics is a fundamental part of human thought and logic, and integral to attempts at understanding the world around us. Mathematics provides an effective way to help us to think logically; from carefully stating the problem and planning our solution to executing steps in the appropriate order and evaluating our solution.

Mathematical literacy is a crucial attribute of individuals living more effective lives as constructive, concerned and reflective citizens. Mathematical literacy is taken to include basic computational skills, quantitative reasoning, spatial ability etc. In addition, mathematical knowledge plays an essential role in understanding the contents of other school subjects such as science, social studies, and even music and art. Most university and polytechnics require some Mathematics. Limiting the Maths that you study may limit your career options.

JUNIOR MATHEMATICS

We use a mixture of online learning, skills-strengthening approaches and problem-solving to prepare students for the senior programmes, and to enhance students’ enjoyment of their learning.

YEAR 9 MATHEMATICS

The majority of our Year 9 classes are banded so that pupils work in a challenging environment with students of a similar ability. Mathematics in Year 9 is aimed towards Level 4 and 5 of the curriculum but will be adapted to suit the current level of each student. We aim to secure the foundations that each student will need to confidently move forward in Mathematics and to encourage them to develop a logical way of approaching problems based on contextual situations. Students will focus on skills in areas such as Linear Relationships, Number, Measurement, Algebra, Statistics and Geometry. Students will be encouraged to work both individually as well as collaboratively depending upon the task. 

YEAR 10 MATHEMATICS

The majority of our Year 10 classes are banded so that pupils work in a challenging environment with students of a similar ability. Mathematics is aiming towards Level 5 and 6 of the curriculum and encourages students to develop a logical way of approaching problems based on contextual situations. The topics covered give a broad foundation, required to progress further in Mathematics. Students will focus on key skills in areas such as Number, Geometry, Data Handling, Probability and Algebra. Students will be required to work both individually as well as collaboratively depending upon the task at hand.

JUNIOR ENRICHMENT

Year 9 and 10 students can opt into our Junior Mathematics Enrichment Group. Our enrichment curriculum is designed around a series of problems over a range of topics. Each fortnight, students can meet to work cooperatively with like-minded peers on a problem, have ideas and pursue them, think of questions to ask, and try to get to the heart of what is going on — that is, do mathematics. Students will then individually write up their ideas and present them as an assignment to be marked by a teacher. There will be an emphasis on students being able to clearly communicate their process in a logical and sound manner, which is a key to finding high levels of success within NCEA and beyond. Year 9 students who follow this programme may be given the opportunity to sit Level 1 NCEA Mathematics in Year 10.

SENIOR MATHEMATICS

The mathematics department has the objective of ensuring that all our students leave school with at least Numeracy and have developed a number of pathways aimed at maximising the potential of all our students, no matter their ability. In Years 11 to 13, higher level thinking is developed across various topics, for use in mathematical career paths.

YEAR 11

Mathematics with Externals Level 1
Mathematics with Numeracy Level 1

YEAR 12

Mathematics Level 2
Calculus Level 2
Statistics Level 2

YEAR 13

Calculus Level 3
Statistics Level 3

All Year 13 courses are approved for University Entry.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The Logan Park Mathematics Department has numerous extra-curricular activities that are associated with the department.

We encourage as many students as possible to enter the competitions that are available throughout the year. Maths competitions encourage and stimulate problem-solving skills crucial to high levels of achievement in Mathematics. The competitions that are available are as follows:

  • Computation and Algorithmic Thinking Competition
  • OMAthalon Team competition for Year 9, Year 10 and Senior students. It is a team-based activity where the best teams from schools around Otago will compete against each other in order to win prizes for the school.
  • University of Otago Junior Maths Competition
  • Australia Mathematics Competition
  • ICAS Mathematics Competition

Maths Week is a nationwide activity undertaken by schools to promote mathematics in schools. At Logan Park High School, we celebrate maths with a number of activities that both students and staff are involved in.

For more information, talk to the HOD Ms Fraser (ajf@lphs.school.nz), Mr Major (ajm@lphs.school.nz) or any of the Mathematics Department staff members.

TEACHER CONTACT

NameAreaInitialsEmail
John MajorMathematicsAJMajm@lphs.school.nz
Amanda Fraser – HODMathematicsAJFajf@lphs.school.nz
Alan ReynoldsMathematicsAJRajr@lphs.school.nz
Chris KnoppMathematicsCDKcdk@lphs.school.nz
Richard NortonMathematicsRANran@lphs.school.nz
Ben O’FarrellMathematicsBTObto@lphs.school.nz
Jens MollerMathematicsJAMjam@lphs.school.nz
Luke J FraserMathematicsLJFljf@lphs.school.nz
John NicolsonMathematicsJJNjjn@lphs.school.nz