Mathematics

With the increasing use of technology in all aspects of modern life, the ability to make critical judgements and solve nonroutine problems becomes an essential skill in making significant contributions to our changing society. A good mathematics education

Mr Rom Cirillo Head of Mathematics provides a useful background for students to be able to successfully deal with the challenges of the future. It has been pleasing to see the increased engagement of students of all levels of mathematical ability in doing mathematics during the trial period with the online ‘Mathletics’ program over the last twelve months. Teachers within the Mathematics Learning Area are looking forward to next year when all students will have access to this program at home. This year we welcomed Mr Damien Casey to the Mathematics staff. Mr Casey, an Old Boy of the College, joined us having recently returned from overseas teaching appointments, after the late departure in 2005 of Mr Daniel Quartermaine who accepted a teaching appointment in New South Wales. I wish to commend all the mathematics staff for the hard work and generally positive way that they have all gone about their teaching, providing a quality mathematics education for our boys. Our first year of reporting in outcome levels for Year 10 was not without its challenges. We hope that it has been helpful by providing parents and students with an improved way of deciding on the most appropriate mathematics course for the boys to study in Year 11. As in previous years, 2006 was a year of pleasing successes for Trinity College boys who participated in state and national competitions. Some of the student participants in the various activities and competitions are listed below:

The State Mathematics Talent Quest

Congratulations to the following boys who were successful in this competition.

Students Award Topic

Adrian Equal Factor Fun Petersen 2nd Prize Reuben 2nd Prize Preserving Soares Perimeters Jordan Highly Preserving Cardozo Commended Perimeters Matthew Highly Ins and Golightty & Commended Outs Nicholas Monisse Hubert Highly Integer Nguyen, Commended Sided Don Nguyen Triangles & Gerard Rosario Thomas 2nd Prize Pi Drage Vincent Highly Pi Jusko Commended

The Australian Mathematics Competition

Special congratulations to Peter Nguyen (Year 8) who was awarded a Prize Certificate for being in the top 0.3% of entrants. Other performances worthy of mention were as follows: Certificates of High Distinction (top 2%): John Malkovic, Adrian Maydwell, Aristo Wee (Year 8) , James Marocchi, Jason Demarte (Year 9), Ian Chia, Liam Roche, Paul Duong, Wei-Gen Ng, Andrew Gotti, Aaron Shepherdson, Gerard Rosario and Vincent Jusko (Year 10). Certificates of High Distinction (top 5%): Aleksa Petranovic, Binuk Kodituwakku (Year 11), Isaac Meegan, David Ker and Xuan Ji (Year 12). There were many other boys who were acknowledged with certificates of distinction (top15% in Years 8-10 or top 25% for Years 11 and 12) or certificates of credit (top 50% in Years 8-10 or top 60% for Years 11 and 12) as the table below shows.

Year Distinctions Credits

8 21 54 9 22 45 10 22 49 11 22 37 12 9 17

It gives me great pleasure to be able to report that mathematics education at the College is in a healthy state as witnessed by pleasing TEE results and in state and national competitions. My sincerest thanks go to every staff member for their dedication, hard work and professionalism.

Mr Rom Cirillo

Head of Mathematics

Academic