What's New?

Come to a MANSW Forum and have your say….. Stage 6 Mathematics Syllabus Review
Saturday 24th May General Mathematics		Saturday 14th June Calculus Courses

1:30 – 4:30pm, Kent Road Public School Hall. Cnr Kent and Herring Roads Eastwood.

Take the opportunity join the group discussing the course of greatest interest to you.
Light refreshments will be served.
Draft syllabus due in schools on 5 May 2008
The Draft Syllabuses are available on the Board of Studies website www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au.

Maths Teachers’ Day at the University of Wollongong

The University of Wollongong is hosting a Mathematics Teachers' Day on Tuesday July 1st, 2008, from 9.00am to 3pm. Attendance is free and morning tea and a sit-down lunch will be provided.

The primary organizer for the Day is Associate Professor Jacqui Ramagge, of the University of Wollongong.
More information is available at www.uow.edu.au/informatics/maths/about/mathsday/index.html

 

UWS Pilot Question-and-Answer Program for teachers in Western Sydney

The University of Western Sydney is setting up a pilot program where UWS mathematicians provide a question and answer service for Mathematics teachers in an online environment. The sorts of questions they can help with might include mathematics question related to any of the calculus-based courses or questions in relation to an application of mathematics.

Any teachers in Western Sydney who are interested in participating in this pilot program should email Dr Leanne Rylands at (l.rylands@uws.edu.au) including your current school name, your MANSW membership number and any mathematics questions you currently have. Places in this pilot program will be limited - so don't delay!

Premier's Genworth Financial Mathematics Scholarships

Each year, the NSW Government awards a number of Premier's Teacher Scholarships to teachers working in any school or TAFE in NSW. Two scholarships of $10,000 will be awarded in 2008, with one of these specifically designated for a teacher in non-metropolitan NSW. The purpose of the Premier’s Teacher Scholarships Program is to promote teaching excellence in NSW by providing travel scholarships to NSW teachers to undertake a study tour overseas or in Australia. In 2008, Mathematics is again one of the areas being targeted for these scholarships thanks to the generous support of Genworth Financial. Applications close on 2 May 2008 and must include a detailed study proposal of 1,000 words or less setting out how the proposed study will promote teaching excellence in NSW. For further information, see the information brochure or visit www.det.nsw.edu.au/awards/scholarships/index.htm. A flyer is also available for download.
We hope many MANSW members will consider applying.

New Mathematics Education Postgraduate Units at Macquarie. 

Macquarie University is offering two new postgraduate units in mathematics education. The units focus on new approaches in teaching and learning, using technology, curriculum and assessment in mathematics. For more information, see www.aces.mq.edu.au/education or contact Margaret Fegent 9850 8649; email: margaret.fegent@mq.edu.au

FREE resources

• The science/maths team at the Centre for learning Innovation have just started an exciting initiative to support maths and science students and teachers called Science talk. We will be involving real scientists and mathematicians - some young, some prominent, some young and prominent - in interesting kids in the opportunities that studies in science and mathematics have to offer. If you would like a sneak preview of the website (very early days), containing some science and maths resources suitable for a whole range of students, go to www.cli.nsw.edu.au/cli/sciencetalk/index.htm.
• Each week 2 new mathematics problems with detailed worked solutions for use by senior mathematics students are posted on www.chemas.com.
• FREE 48 page Olympic Maths workbook "In the Running for the Olympics". Excellent for year 6 / year 7 mathematics classes in preparation for Beijing 2008.  To receive the workbook send an email to chemas@chemas.com giving teacher name and school mailing address.

STAGE 6 Board of Studies Update

Information about the update is available here

Clarification about abbreviations and Geometrical Reasons

At the HSC and SC 2006: Feedback and Advice Day held at Macquarie University on Saturday 24th February some teachers may have been given the impression that common abbreviations for geometrical terms (such as 'alt' for 'alternate') were not accepted by HSC markers in 2006.

Carol Taylor, the Director of Assessment and Reporting, at the Office of the Board of Studies has provided the following clarification for the information of all MANSW members:

"The Supervisor of Marking and the Chief Examiner for the 2006 HSC examinations in Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Extension 2 have advised me that commonly accepted abbreviations in geometrical proofs were accepted by markers, provided that the abbreviation left the marker in no doubt that the student knew the relevant theorem or property. This is consistent with past practice in these examinations."

We hope this further information clarifies the situation for all MANSW members.

MANSW members are invited to contribute to 'The stories we tell', a publication to help mark MANSW's centenary.

MANSW Calendar of Events

Our calendar is now online, with links to further information about many of our inservices and student activities.