The Year Eight programme is based on the content in the Australian Curriculum. It aims to strengthen the students in Number and Measurement, and to introduce Algebra concepts as well as developing their Spatial Awareness and Data Analysis skills.

The Australian Mathematics Curriculum is organised around three content strands and four proficiency strands.

The content strands are:

• Number and algebra
• Measurement and geometry
• Statistics and probability

The proficiency strands describe the actions in which students can engage when learning and using the content. The proficiencies are incorporated into the content descriptions of the three strands.

The proficiencies are:
Understanding

• Fluency
• Problem solving
• Reasoning

The main resource used in the course are the Cambridge Essential Mathematics and the Cambridge Essential Mathematics Core.

Mathematics Courses
At the end of Year 7 the students are streamed into groups according to their ability for the commencement of Year 8. These groups are:

• Mathematics Extension
• Mathematics Advanced
• Mathematics Mainstream
• Mathematics Focus (on a needs basis)

Students who are selected for the Advanced course are expected to progress at the A grade standard accordingly to the National Curriculum. Students in the Extension group are expected to progress behind the expectation of the year 8 curriculum and are exposed to more advanced concepts.

Year 8 Mainstream students are expected to progress at a slower pace through the set bands of achievement.
Those year 8 students who need to develop basic mathematics skills and require a small group environment in which to learn, are placed in the Mathematics (Functional) group.
Students’ progress is monitored and recommendation for the course is frequently reviewed in order to offer students the correct level of Mathematics and therefore opportunity to change course.

Progress of Subjects
The Mathematics subjects are organised to give every student the opportunity to work at their highest mathematical capability, whilst also giving them the opportunity to soundly understand one level of mathematics before proceeding to the next level.

At the end of Year 8 the students are streamed into groups according to their ability for the commencement of Year 9. These groups are:

• Mathematics Extension
• Mathematics Advanced
• Mathematics Mainstream
• Mathematics Focus (on a needs basis)

Assessment
The assessments consist of Investigations and Topic Tests. An Investigation requires students to plan, research, conduct and communicate the findings of a given problem or mathematical concept. Students may also be given informal assessments such as quizzes to gauge their understanding, however, these will not contribute to the student’s final mark.