The Scottish Mathematical Council was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Professor Edward Fraenkel FRS after a long and illustrious career.  In addition to his major work in his professional life he made several significant donations to support the work of Mathematical Challenges and the SMC is very grateful for them.

We have published a report on SQA qualifications in Mathematics and English (1986-2018). The report, and the supporting data, can be found at

https://www.scottishmathematicalcouncil.org/wp1/sqa-exam-data/

The report is intended for learners, teachers, policymakers, and others with an interest in these qualifications. We hope that it will help everyone to view attainment in Mathematics in a wider context, and to understand the differences and similarities between the two largest subjects in Scottish school education.

Every school in Scotland is sent the SMC Journal or the SMC Primary Journal… but are they any good? Please let us know what you like about them and what you don’t, what you would like to see in them in the future, and what might make them better.

Feedback by email please to Chris Pritchard (chrispritchard2@aol.com) or Carol Lyon (LyonC@angus.gov.uk).

Do you know an exceptional maths teacher or an inspirational leader in mathematics education, someone who has made a significant contribution to mathematics education locally or across Scotland over a period of time?

Then please nominate that person for the 2020 SMC Achievement Award by contacting the SMC Chair, Dr Chris Pritchard, by email at chrispritchard2@aol.com.

Note: nominations should come from staff members rather than pupils. We’ve been inundated with nominations by pupils of some of their favourite teachers, which is a huge tribute to those teachers but  makes the job of the award panel very difficult!

The SQA are running a number of Understanding Standards events for Advanced Higher in the near future, which they have asked us to publicise. There are plenty of vacancies in particular for the Aberdeen and Inverness events. The dates are:

• Advanced Higher Statistics – 26th February – Glasgow
• Advanced Higher Mathematics of Mechanics – 5th March – Aberdeen
• Advanced Higher Mathematics – 6th March – Edinburgh
• Advanced Higher Mathematics of Mechanics – 7th March – Glasgow
• Advanced Higher Mathematics – 12th March – Glasgow
• Advanced Higher Mathematics – 13th March – Aberdeen
• Advanced Higher Mathematics – 14th March – Inverness

Further details about Understanding Standards events can be found at https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/72990.5926.html.

The current schedule of events can be found at https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/UnderstandingStandardsEvents201819.pdf.

Booking is via https://athena.sqameet.net.