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Department Reviews

MATHEMATICS

The introduction of the International Baccalaureate to the sixth form this year has led to the numbers of girls studying Mathematics in SFC1 rising to over 100, making a sixth form total of almost 180 girls taking mathematics in one form or another. Further Mathematics at A2 level remains strong with over 30 girls in each year following an accelerated programme to achieve either an AS or an A2 in Further Mathematics in addition to their A2 in Mathematics.

There has been considerable support for the lectures offered by the Gloucestershire Mathematical Association this year. Over 25 girls attended the first lecture in September at Dean Close School given by Mark King from GCHQ on “Making a Hash of Everything”. A further lecture hosted in College was given by Professor John Blake of Birmingham University, who described the use of symmetry as a mathematical concept in medical research into the development of embryos. While at supper in Elizabeth he also talked to the girls about his current research into the development of golf clubs, which they found fascinating. The third lecture of the year, and possibly the most accessible and interesting, was given by Dr Duncan Thacker of GCHQ with the intriguing title of “Why don’t hamsters eat grass?”.

An increasing number of girls took part in the Senior Mathematics Challenge with the result that out of 128 entries for both SFC years, 14 gained gold certificates, 25 gained silver certificates and 20 gained bronze certificates. The paper was more challenging than in previous years so many congratulations to the certificate winners.

College again entered a team of SFC1 mathematicians for the regional round of the Senior Mathematics Team Challenge. They came a very creditable fourth out of 25 teams and the round was won by an impressive team from Rendcomb College.

All the UC4 and the two top sets in both LC3 and UC5 took part in the Intermediate Maths Challenge last February. From a total of 203 entries, 37 gained gold certificates, 38 silver certificates and 42 bronze certificates. The best 19 entries qualified for the second round and two of these received a merit certificate, which is a noteworthy achievement.

In April LC1 and LC2 participated in the Junior Maths Challenge. In total there were 147 entries and from these 13 gained gold certificates, 22 silver and 26 bronze. Also during the month of April four girls (two LC2 and two LC3) went to Wycliffe College to participate in the UKMT team challenge where they achieved 7th place.

Girls from LC1 and LC2 were again invited in June to go to The Chosen Hill School to take part in a regional competition based around the Make 24 Cards. The girls did really well in this competition and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The College chess championship was won by Alexandra Torregrosa-Jones. She is the first student to become champion with a 100% record. Rachel Scrase was 2nd with 24 out of 30 and Imogen Stables 3rdwith 23 out of 30. Amabel Clark and Frances Mills also qualified for the Gloucestershire Area Tournament. Imogen Stables scored 3.5 out of 6 at the Trent Megafinal, missing out on qualification by just half a point. Alexandra Torregrosa-Jones scored 4 out of 6 at the Sheffield Megafinal and qualified for the next round.

We are delighted to record that the Mathematics department was recognised by the ‘Good Schools Guide’ this year as having the best results for Additional Mathematics (by an English school). The achievement was based on results over the last three years. The Additional Mathematics qualification is completed by girls who have gained their IGCSE early. This year for the first time we have 49 girls sitting their IGCSE early and we look forward to their results in August.

News

Vicky Tuck – Telegraph Articles

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