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Mathematics at Calrossy is about far more than numbers on a page. In Year 10 classrooms this term, students are exploring how mathematical concepts shape real financial decisions — from managing income and understanding tax to calculating interest and evaluating credit.
As part of their Financial Mathematics unit, students are studying topics including percentages, buying on terms, credit cards, simple and compound interest, and the Australian tax system. Concepts such as PAYG tax, Medicare levy, deductions, taxable income, gross and net pay, and holiday leave loading are helping students understand how mathematics applies directly to adult life.
Head of Mathematics, Stephen Lawson, said the goal is to help students see mathematics as a practical tool.
“Financial mathematics gives students a real sense of how numbers shape everyday decisions. Whether it’s understanding how interest grows over time or calculating take-home pay, these are skills that build confidence and independence.”
As students progress through the unit and into algebra, their learning also extends into Microsoft Excel — one of the world’s most widely used spreadsheet and data analysis tools.
Used by more than 750 million people worldwide, Excel is widely applied across industries including finance, banking, retail, logistics, healthcare and business management. In the classroom, students are learning how spreadsheets organise data through rows, columns and formulas to calculate interest, analyse financial scenarios and visualise information through charts and tables.
To strengthen these skills, the Mathematics faculty is also using the online learning platform Excel Exercises , which provides short, hands-on activities that reinforce formulas, shortcuts and data analysis techniques.
Rather than simply watching tutorials, students learn by actively completing tasks — a method the Mathematics team believes builds practical confidence more quickly.
“Students learn these skills far more effectively when they actually do them,” Mr Lawson said. “Because every student has access to a computer, we can use programs like Excel to reinforce concepts and demonstrate how mathematics works in real situations.”
Students seeking additional support can also access Maths Leg Up at Calrossy, a relaxed drop-in program held in the library where members of the Mathematics team provide extra help and guidance.
