“The battle between girls and Mathematics has been a vital element in the history of the war women have waged for their own liberation. In their fight for equality, women have realised that the mastery of Mathematics has been essential if they are to enter the male-dominated professions. At St. Catherine’s, where the girls are well aware of such issues, there is a strong interest in Mathematics, with an increasing number studying the subject to Year 12.

In the classroom Mathematics has undergone a revolution in the last 15 years. Now, probably, an equilibrium point has been reached with a balance between the structure of the early 1960’s and the innovation of the ‘New Mathematics’. One great advantage of the New Mathematics has been the cheap but sophisticated calculator which demands a sound knowledge of Mathematics if it is to be used successfully but which has removed many of the dreary and tedious tasks from Mathematics.

Senior girls are coming to accept Mathematics camps as a part of their education. Two girls, Alice Gurney and Anne-Marie Robinson, will be attending the Mathematics Association of Victoria camp at Harrietville in January, 1980. Secluded in this delightful country town, they will scout for the “pure number” or the “dreaded x”. However, all mathematicians at St. Catherine’s are eagerly awaiting the completion of the new building where, among the specialist rooms and staff-student areas, will be found — the Computer.”