Regents Review - Summer 2026

The Regents Review Summer 2026

Mathematics DEPARTMENTAL NEWS Maths at RPCC This term has been another exciting one in Mathematics, with students across all year groups continuing to build confidence, develop problem solving skills and achieve fantastic progress. It has been great to see such positive engagement in lessons. Think you’ve got what it takes? Have a go at our Maths Challenge. Hand a copy of your submission to Miss Booth in room 32 for the chance to win a fantastic prize and certificate of entry. Deadline is Friday 11th September 2026. (Open to current RPCC students only at time of deadline). Fill in the hexagonal grid using the numbers 1 to 19 so every row and diagonal adds up to the same number. Summer Maths Challenge

make the ball smoother and rounder, so it moves more accurately in the air and wobbles less. Who knew so much maths went into designing something as simple as a football? Maths Reading Corner Reading about mathematics can help you see it in a new way and foster an interest in the subject. There are plenty of books out there on the history of maths, recreational maths and thinking mathematically. Here are our recommendations: Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D’Agnese (Recommended for ages 8+) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (Recommended for ages 11+) Alex’s Adventures in Numberland by Alex Bellos (Recommended for ages 13+) How Many Socks Make a Pair? by Rob Eastaway (Recommended for ages 13+) The Great Mathematical Problems by Ian Stewart (Recommended for ages 16+) Sparx Success Students across the school continue to make excellent use of Sparx Maths, building independent study habits and strengthening their understanding through regular practice. Throughout June and July, staff have been highlighting the impact of regular engagement with their classes and demonstrating the new features included. Flash cards is a new feature of Sparx, that RPCC has early access to. They are designed to be focused, meaningful and quick, supporting deeper understanding. We hope all students will enjoy using the new and improved Sparx platform.

Maths in Real Life Think about a football. You might picture a sphere made from lots of shapes, like pentagons and hexagons stitched together. This iconic design is made up of 32 panels of material and called the telstar ball. The FIFA World Cup 2026 match ball, called the trionda, is designed very differently. It is made from just four panels – the fewest ever used in a World Cup ball. In the previous tournament, footballs had 20 panels. Mathematicians designed the trionda ball shape to

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