MATHS

TEACHER INTERVIEW

Do you enjoy your job?

I do, well I like helping boys to learn what they need to learn especially for the maths concept. I also like the excitement when a student understands a particular concept.

What do you enjoy about teaching boys at Bally?

The relationship we build, we have to synchronise and when the boys grow mature enough you get that mature understanding between boys, from a young boy to a young man. And yeah I just like the connection and relationship that we build on.

When did you start teaching at Bally Boys?

2014.

Why did you chose to teach maths?

Well there's a few reasons, firstly because I wanted my family to have a similar timetable to me when I worked so once I finished work I can go home and see my kids, and a teacher seemed to be the perfect job that matches that description. I also had a big inspiration from my previous teacher which helped me want to become a teacher so I could help elevate students and to help strengthen not just their maths skills but also their ethics.

Was teaching your dream job when you were young?

Yes, that's right.

Would you recommend this school for any Year 7 student?

Of course! Personally I don't live locally but out of  high schools around here Balgowlah is by far the best.

Do you have any tips for upcoming Year 7 students?

Learn to put yourself into a bigger environment, they will be a lot of new things to try out so give everything a go. Make sure you do your homework and make some new friends and just enjoy life at high school in general!

CREATIVE WRITING

I walked into my math’s classroom for the first time as my fingers shook nervously, the teacher’s gaze beamed on to me like a large spotlight in the night making me feel uneasy and uncomfortable. The rest of the class also stared at me like I was some sort of monster from hell, but I quickly realized that they found out that my fly was undone. I trembled in embarrassment and rushed into the furthest seat away from the class. As I sat down, the chair creaked and squealed, making the class eerily quiet. The teacher resumed his lesson about some kind of problem on algebra. I tried to follow along, but as I came into the classroom 15 minutes late, I was completely lost for the rest of the lesson wondering why school existed in the first place.

 When the bell finally rang for recess, the teacher yelled ‘PACK IT UP!’, and I jumped out of my seat. All of the class was racing to the canteen line like a hungry pack, eager to get in line at the canteen. Recess was awkward for me because people were already spread out into their own little tribe-like groups, and I was an outcast. I found a little corner by a stone column and a wall, and pulled my lunch out, a cheese and ham sandwich. A little basic, but I got up incredibly late that morning so there were few options for me. I ate quite quickly while I could see everyone else eating and talking, and some were even using their laptops.

I looked out on the quad, and saw a group of boys playing soccer. They looked so happy as I was contemplating running out of school, laying on the ground and crying for the rest of the day. But I knew that wouldn't happen and I would just have to be the outcast in the school. As the bell rang in my ears, I rushed to the gym for my next class while sweat rushed down my face. The students footsteps echoed loudly in the large room, making it almost impossible for the teacher to gain control of the savage class eager to participate in PE. The old teacher with a wispy like beard and scruffy hair came out of the dungeon like storeroom with balls and braids. Everyone thought the teacher looked like he was picked off the street due to his ragged appearance.

Suddenly, the ground shook and pieces of brick fell of the walls thumping down hard on the ground. The hobo-like PE teacher grumbled under his breath and shook his head nervously as spurts of green mucus came out of him in an explosive way. The green muck flew in all directions like bullets and thickly covered the gym. Suddenly, the teacher turned into a ball of incredible light and then settled into a sort of monster with great big yellow eyes and jagged wings. He snatched me up and tried to fly away with me. I was absolutely petrified when he did this and wondered how I could get out of it. Then I saw it: a roof. I assumed that the monster would not be that dense to crash into the roof but, like many things, it amazed me by being stupid enough to crash into the massive roof right above us. It let go of me as it turned into gold dust and disappeared. I thought I was going to die from the fall, but my fellow classmates all managed to catch me. I was given some treats for what I just went through. The rest of the day was canceled and we all went home.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN MATHS

1. Listen Carefully to what the teacher is saying.
2. Put 110% effort into tests and classes.
3. Study or revise 10 minutes of work every night.
4. Obey the class rules and respect the teacher.
5. Don’t be scared to ask friends or the teacher for help.
6. Complete homework well and on time.
7. Get to class early or on time.
8. Respect your peers and everyone else.
9. There is no need to be stressed with work.
10. Always enjoy yourself.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

In my personal opinion, maths is the most useful subject in school. Before I came to high school I thought maths would be boring, slow and filled with repetitive equations. However, I thought wrong. Maths is a fun-filled and fast paced adventure full of challenging equations. In maths you don't only learn about topics but also put your knowledge to the test in real life problems. Maths is obviously my favourite subject. The teachers are helpful and caring of your improvement and development, by offering free extra tutoring help, for free. Also, in my experience I was placed in a maths class where everybody else has a similar level of understanding and enjoyment of maths, so we can all proceed in maths at the same rate.

Flynn (Year 7 student of 2017)