Mathematics and Statistics: Pāngarau

Mathematics and Statistics at WHS is grounded in patterns, relationships, reasoning, and precision. Students develop confidence in exploring, modelling, and solving problems across the domains of number, algebra, geometry, measurement, probability, and statistics. They engage with mathematics as both a precise and creative discipline, learning to generalise relationships, justify solutions, and communicate ideas clearly using mathematical language. 

Mathematical knowledge is a shared human endeavour, shaped by people from many times, places, and cultures. Students learn that diverse ways of knowing, including te ao Māori, contribute valuable perspectives on number, pattern, relationships, and space; enriching their understanding of mathematics and its place in the world. 

​Years 9 and 10

Students develop and apply mathematical thinking across a broad and connected range of concepts and contexts.

They use proportional reasoning to solve problems involving quantities, measurement, scale, and right-angled triangles. Students generalise relationships using tables, equations, and graphs, exploring patterns and the connections between different representations. They extend their understanding of perimeter, area, surface area, and volume across a range of two- and three-dimensional shapes.

Students use data visualisations to investigate and explain patterns, trends, relationships, and variation, and apply their understanding to situations involving chance. They learn to interpret statistical findings critically, justify conclusions using evidence, and communicate mathematical ideas with precision and clarity. 

Years 11 to 13

Students deepen their mathematical and statistical thinking through increasingly abstract, connected, and specialised learning. They develop the ability to reason logically, recognise structure and relationships, apply mathematical methods, and solve problems in both theoretical and contextual situations.

Students extend and connect ideas across algebra, functions, calculus, geometry, probability, statistics, and modelling. They learn to select appropriate methods, justify conclusions using mathematical reasoning, and interpret information critically using a range of representations. 

These skills and experiences support pathways into tertiary study and careers in engineering, data science, finance, health, and environmental management.