MATHEMATICS
At this time of year, I am reminded what a busy, stressful and frustrating job we do in secondary
schools. I am also reminded of just why I am so proud to work at Avon Valley School. Each day the
Maths department is buzzing with Year 11 students desperate to improve their maths. They use
every available opportunity to get the extra help they need to reach their potential, which creates a
fantastic atmosphere. They are often heard “counselling” students in lower years as to how hard
they should be working, how important a good education is and how grateful they should be to be in
a school that really cares. Year 11 have such a short time left with us. We wish them all the very
best of luck and want to remind them that we are here to help at all times, particularly before lessons
on a Thursday and after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These sessions are really valuable for
students to enable them to sort out those topics that remain a stumbling block.
With the Bank Holiday, half term and the summer approaching, I am reminded that holidays are
always an issue in maths as students need to continue to practise their skills on a regular basis. It is
always really useful for all students to try to do some maths throughout each holiday so that they do
not lose the skills that they have worked so hard to acquire. Old homework sheets are a great place
to start or for a change they could use some of the many tasks on Doddle, MYMATHS, the maths
CD,