Mathematics

The Mathematics Relay

The event takes place every year in January usually at the University of Cyprus.  This is an event where teams from different schools in Cyprus compete in the solution of mathematical problems.

The World Maths Day

All Key stage 3 and year 10 students have the opportunity to participate in the ‘World Maths Day’ competition. It is an exciting event involving around 5.5 million students from over 200 countries which takes place in March and lasts for 48 hours. Pupils can participate from home or school.

Mathematics focus week

During the week we invite students and teachers to participate in a variety of activities which take place at break times. These may include solving wooden puzzles, solving the Rubik’s cube against time, competing in countdown, estimating the number of tin- can tops in a jar, playing sudoku, chess, building a tower with wooden blocks, solving challenge questions and others.

 In addition, students compete in a Mathematics relay during their lessons and those who have participated in the “Euromaths” competition can present to their peers their projects or posters.   A Mathematics Pie (Pi) Bake Sale also takes place at the end of the week with proceeds given to charity.

The Cyprus Maths Olympiad

This event takes place in April, usually, at the University of Cyprus.  The Olympiad consists of a multiple-choice answer style paper which lasts for one hour.  Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded at the end of the academic year at a special ceremony.  Students who register for the Olympiad are offered guidance during challenge club sessions for tackling questions, at set times before the event. 

Mathematics trips

During activities week y9 or y10 students have the opportunity to visit the Mathematics department at the University of Cyprus and/or the Nicosia University.

Booster classes

Booster classes are offered for those who need extra support in key stage 3 and year 12.

Challenge club

The club offers training for events mentioned above and is available for all key stages.

 Strategic games club

Available for those who want to improve their thinking skills.

During Years 7 and 8, the Key Stage 3 syllabus provides a solid foundation for the future years, consolidating their knowledge of number, algebra, shape and space and data handling and developing the pupils’ awareness of mathematical concepts in real-life situations.

Throughout Key Stage 3, pupils are shown how to use the calculator for complex operations but are also encouraged to use mental arithmetic whenever possible.

Furthermore, the department offers booster lessons to students in key stage 3.  These are usually teacher recommended and they run throughout the year helping students overcome their difficulties in the subject.

More able pupils are challenged with extension work through differentiation in lessons. They are also encouraged to join the Mathematics challenge club and participate in local/national mathematics competitions. 

In key stage 4, pupils follow the Edexcel IGCSE (1-9) Higher tier course.  The course introduces advanced number work, geometry, sets and more complex algebraic manipulation.

In Year 11 pupils continue with the IGCSE course, delving in topics such as differentiation, three-dimensional geometry, vectors, algebra, and more applied Mathematics. They take the external IGCSE examination at the end of this year.

The textbooks used by the department are the Edexcel International GCSE (9-1) Mathematics A, book 1 and 2, by Pearson.

In addition, for the more able pupils in Mathematics, an accelerated group takes their external IGCSE Mathematics examination in year 10. The group continues with the Edexcel Further Pure Mathematics IGCSE (9-1) course taking the external examination at the end of year 11. This course challenges the more able and helps with transition to A level.

Pupils are encouraged to use mental calculation wherever appropriate but are also taught how to use calculators when dealing with problems involving more complex calculations.

In year 12, pupils follow the Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary syllabus, with the units Pure Mathematics 1, Pure Mathematics 2 and Statistics 1, examined at the end of the year.

In year 13 pupils continue with the Edexcel International A level taking the units Pure Mathematics 3 and 4 and Statistics 2 examined at the end of year 13.

In addition, pupils who excel in the IGCSE examination achieving a high grade 8 or 9, can take alongside the Mathematics A level course, a second course of Further Mathematics.  This includes the units of Decision1, Further Pure 1 and Mechanics 1 in year 12 and Further Pure 2, Mechanics 2 and Statistics 3, in year 13.

Having two Mathematics qualifications is useful when you want to study Mathematics or Engineering and any other related subjects at university.