Mathematics & Statistics

What is mathematics and statistics about?

Kei hopu tōu ringa ki te aka tāepa,
engari kia mau ki te aka matua.

Mathematics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in quantities, space, and time. Statistics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in data. These two disciplines are related but have different ways of thinking and solving problems. Both equip students with effective means for investigating, interpreting, explaining, and making sense of the world in which they live.

Mathematicians and statisticians use symbols, graphs, and diagrams to help them find and communicate patterns and relationships, and they create models to represent both real-life and hypothetical situations. These situations are drawn from a wide range of social, cultural, scientific, technological, health, environmental, and economic contexts.  It is through mathematics we help make great citizens. It is the front end of the curriculum that is actually most important and as Maths teachers we develop all this in the context of mathematics and statistics.

Mathematics is a compulsory subject in Year 10 and Year 11 because the skills taught and habits developed are essential for most learning areas and career pathways. All strands of the New Zealand Curriculum are covered and students who are not consistently achieving at the appropriate Curriculum level will receive extra support to ensure they are prepared for success in NCEA. 

 Inspire thinking

Mathematics and statistics make sense of information, experience, and ideas by engaging students to think:

• Flexibly and creatively

• Critically and effectively

• Strategically and logically. 

Stimulate creativity and curiosity 

Mathematics and statistics open the door to a world of beauty, mystery, and awe. They provide students with the enjoyment of intellectual challenge: opportunities to explore ideas and to wrestle with interesting problems. Mathematics and statistics provide ways of connecting abstract ideas with real world thinking.

Equip students for the 21st century

Mathematics and statistics equip students with the knowledge and skills to be global citizens in the 21st century. Effective citizens have the ability and inclination to use mathematics and statistics at home, at work, and in the community by: using problem-solving strategies

• using mathematical and statistical models to solve problems

• making sensible estimates

• using and interpreting data

• evaluating mathematical and statistical information

• communicating ideas.

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