In St Catherine’s Senior School our Mathematics curriculum is based on supporting our students with a sequential development of mathematical concepts from Year 7 through to Year 12.  

In Year 10 there is an intentional focus on the requirements of VCE Mathematics, to best prepare and expose our students to the concepts, ideas, and skills they will be required to undertake in VCE Units 1 to 4 subjects in Years 11 and 12. This early preparation sees much greater success for our Years 11 and 12 students across all three VCE Mathematics subjects – General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, and Specialist Mathematics. 

Another area of early preparedness at St Catherine’s is introducing the TI Nspire CAS Calculator into our Mathematics classrooms in Year 9. The CAS Calculator (Computer Algebra System) is used by millions of students across schools in Australia. The technology provides greater functionalities than the scientific calculator and can be used to plot graphs and solve more advanced equations. To be successful in VCE General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics, all students must be competent in their use of the CAS calculator. 

The 2023 changes to the Mathematics Study Design include more emphasis on the use of the CAS technology. All three VCE Mathematics subjects now have larger weightings on Examination 2 (CAS Calculator permitted). Therefore, having a thorough understanding of how to use this piece of technology is imperative for our Mathematics Faculty to ensure our students succeed in Mathematics. 

Introducing the CAS Calculator in Year 9 exposes our students to the use of this technology earlier, providing them with more time to develop and master their skills solving problems using the CAS. 

Our Mathematics Faculty prides itself on maintaining a high competency level in not only the Mathematics curriculum we deliver but also the use of the technology to support our students’ mathematical knowledge. 

In early Term 2 our Mathematics Faculty attended professional development training with Texas Instruments, the developers of the TI NSpire CAS Calculator. The training provided the latest tips and tricks on using the CAS as well as consolidating our staffs’ skills using the technology. 

Of great benefit for all our Years 9 to 12 students was the opportunity for our Mathematics staff to become students during their training. Staff were required to use the CAS calculator  to master various shortcuts and strategies when manipulating expressions, sketching graphs, and solving complex problems on the graphics calculator, just as our students are required to do.  

These insights and training have enhanced the knowledge and expertise of our Mathematics staff and will provide our students with a deeper understanding of the CAS, which will ultimately lead to greater success in their VCE Mathematics subjects. 

If any parents are interested in gaining more insights into the CAS calculator to support their daughters, please feel free to contact me at  dsalipas@stcatherines.net.au.