1. There is a strong emphasis on teaching basic mathematics. Decimals, percentage, fractions, area, volume, algebra and geometry are taught thoroughly.

2. All mathematics classes are streamed on mathematics ability and are taught by specialist mathematics teachers.

3. All mathematics classes have 4 hours of mathematics per week.

4. Burnside High School Mathematics Department supports NCEA but believes also in assessment by examinations and tests.

• All Year 9 and Year 10 students have common tests between classes and examinations.
• All Year 11 students sit NCEA tests and Burnside High School tests and exams.
• Year 12 students are encouraged to sit the NCEA tests and also the Burnside High School tests and examinations.
• Year 13 students sit the NCEA Bursaries and Scholarships tests and examinations.

5. Neatness and setting out is insisted on. Students are taught to express their work clearly, concisely and logically.

6. The text books used in mathematics for Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 students are written by
Burnside High School mathematics teachers. They have been written with the Burnside High School student in mind.
The books are very popular and used in secondary schools throughout New Zealand.

7. Every mathematics student is issued with a text book to study and work from.
All students are expected to do at least 20 minutes homework in mathemtaics for five evenings per week.

8. There are two Year 12 and two Year 13 Accelerated Mathematics classes. These classes are for the very able student and the teaching is aimed at the Scholarship examinations. Standards in these classes are very high.

9. Some students from the Year 13 Mathematics classes study Stage 1 Mathematics (MATH 104)
at the University of Canterbury each year. This is in addition to their Year 13 work.

10. Students in Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 Mathematics classes are given extension work as required.
The top stream classes are given lots of work and investigations outside of the normal curriculum.

11. Problem solving, investigations, projects, puzzles, games, math-trails are all part of the mathematics scene at Burnside High School. Students read and use the Mathematical Digest.

12. All Year 9 and Year 10 students are expected to enter displays, projects, posters, designs,games and models in the Cantamath exhibition held in August at the Christchurch Town Hall.

13. Team competitions within classes and between classes are an important extra in mathematics at Burnside High School. The champion Year 9 and Year 10 class teams represent the school at Cantamath.

14. Incentive pen awards are given each half-year to students for achievement and improvement in mathematics. Three awards are made to students in every Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 Mathematics class. Students may win an incentive award only once in any one year.

15. As part of their extension work, students work towards the Burnside High School Mathematics Certificate which is a very attractive certificate awarded each year to successful mathematics students in Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 classes. The standard is quite high and the certificates are very much coveted.