Information on Acceleration in Mathematics at Fort Street High School 

Information on Acceleration in Mathematics at Fort Street High School 

The acceleration program has been developed to provide the opportunity for every student with demonstrated mathematical aptitude, skill, and resilience to have the opportunity to participate. This includes all students in Year 10 as well as new students enrolling at Fort Street High School at the beginning of Year 11. Below is an explanation of selection processes and the design of the course. 

Selection Process 

  • At the end of Semester 1 in Year 10, class teachers will identify students with the capacity to participate in acceleration. 
  • Students are then given the opportunity to self-nominate for the program. All students who self-nominate will sit for an entry task. This purpose of this task is for students to demonstrating their mathematical communication. It is not for providing feedback and will not be returned to the students. 
  • The information from the entry task, combined with teacher nomination and Semester 1 assessment result is used to select the candidates for acceleration. 
  • There will be at least one accelerated class each year. The possibility of a second class will depend on the strength of candidates. 
  • Places in the accelerated class(es) are offered subject to availability, and at the discretion of the Mathematics Faculty in consultation with the principal. Students whose academic results, attitude to learning or general maturity are not considered suitable for acceleration will not be offered a place out of a concern for their own best interests. 

The Program 

  • All accelerated students are enrolled as Extension 1 students in Year 11. 
  • In Year 11 they will complete the Year 11 and 12 Advanced course and sit for the Advanced HSC Examination at the start of Term 4. 
  • In Year 12, students are enrolled as Extension 2 students. 
  • In Year 12 they will complete the Extension 1 and 2 courses and sit for both HSC Examinations. 

Benefit of the Program 

  • All Extension 2 students must complete the Advanced course. The program provides the opportunity for the easy component of the course to be completed in Year 11, allowing students to focus on the two courses they are assessed in the HSC. 
  • By sitting the Advanced HSC examination (mandatory by NESA for acceleration), students will have the opportunity to experience the HSC without any negative consequences to their final HSC mark and ATAR. 

Challenges of the Program 

  • Due to the level of compacting the curriculum in Year 11, some students will find achieving success challenging.  

I hope this information has clarified any misconceptions about the Mathematics Accelerated Program at Fort Street High School. For any further information or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Mr Razzaghi 

Head Teacher Mathematics