It is a pleasure to open Week 6 with so much to celebrate. Our robotics teams have made their mark on the competition field, our Year 11 researchers have represented the Academy in Japan, and our Year 12s have now completed their final IB examinations.
Last week, we welcomed home Abby, Lena and Daisy, all in Year 11, who represented the Academy at the Japan Super Science Fair. They presented the research they conducted through the STEM Research Project Program in an oral presentation and a poster session. Their project was titled Saving the World One Apple at a Time: Investigating Alginate- and Chitosan-based Edible Coatings to Prolong Shelf Life.
The students took part in much more than their presentations, and there were some highlights along the way:
- Lena's group won the Most Wonderful JSSF Letter Award in the Icebreaker.
- A different group Lena was in placed 2nd in the Science Showdown, where students designed and built a boat from provided materials. The boat had to float and travel as quickly as possible down a bamboo track with a fan at one end. This same group also won their block's Techno Entrepreneurship Workshop Best Product or Service Award, and Daisy's group won the same award for their block.
Our students also shared Australian culture with their hosts. They matched Australian slang with its meaning, guessed where famous Australian landmarks are located on a map, and sampled Tim Tams, Caramello Koalas and Vegemite shapes. In return, they enjoyed Japanese cultural activities such as dressing in kimonos and learning traditional calligraphy. They also made lasting friendships with our three buddies from Ritsumeikan, Kei, Nami and Kento. Thank you again to Kirsten Baker and Jen Colley for accompanying the group.
Last weekend, three QASMT teams participated in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Regional Qualification competition at St Peters. Since September, our students have been working on their designs, using CAD software, 3D printing and laser cutting bespoke components alongside FTC technology to solve a real-world problem. As always, our students were outstanding in their conduct, and every team achieved highly on the day.
We are proud of Team Manuel Labour, named for their Captain Manuel Joseph, who will also be our 2027 Academy Captain. They finished at the top of the teams that did not progress to the playoffs, equivalent to 5th place overall. Their solution to the challenge was consistent, and their design was unique and well made.
VegeMight (17556) is a well-known team with a long history in the QASMT robotics program, starting in FIRST LEGO League. At this competition they achieved the coveted Connect Award with an all-new team mentored by our outgoing Captain, Mariah Smith. The Connect Award recognises the team that connects with its local science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community to learn and adopt new tools through effort and persistence. This team developed a clear plan and showed the steps they took to achieve their goals. It was wonderful to see our Year 12s working so well with Year 11s and Year 9s to keep this legacy going.
Team Axiom (23334) was selected as a semi-finalist alliance, finishing in joint 3rd place overall. Made up of students in Years 8, 9 and 11, the team was exemplary in its performance and was also awarded the elite Inspire Award. This award goes to the team that is a strong ambassador for FIRST programs and a role model for others. Team Axiom acts with Gracious Professionalism® on and off the playing field, sharing their experiences, enthusiasm and knowledge with other teams, sponsors, their community and the judges. Their consistently high-performing robot has earned them a place at the Australian National Championships in December. Congratulations to all of our teams and their mentors.
Congratulations also to our QASMT team at the UQ-QAMT State Final. Representing West Brisbane, Maxwell, Mira and Charmaine competed against 24 schools from across Queensland and finished equal first overall with Toowoomba Grammar School. Following a tie-break, our team secured an outstanding 2nd place in Queensland. I thank Soo Lee, our acting Head of Department Mathematics for her support of the team. Congratulations to our students on this incredible 
achievement.
Turning to this week at the Academy, we marked National Recycling Week, a good moment to think about the small choices that add up across our campus. I encouraged all students and staff to reduce waste where they can, reuse what they already have and make sure items go into the right bin. The week was a chance to bring that thinking into our everyday habits.
Our Year 12 students completed the final IB papers of their time at the Academy, bringing two years of rigorous study to a close. To our Year 12s, whatever your last paper was, you can look back knowing how far you have come. The dedication you have shown, both in the classroom and in supporting one another, is a credit to you and your families, and the whole Academy community is proud of you.
On Tuesday, Leo Club held its final fundraising sausage sizzle for the year, bringing students and staff together for lunch. I thank Arthur from the Lions Club of West Brisbane and our Leo Club coordinator, Chris Panousis, for their organisation and support. Thank you also to our Leo Club members for their energy and commitment to service throughout the year, and for the funds they have raised.
We also held the first meeting of the Academy Representative Council (ARC) with our 2027 Captains. This was an important first step in the Captains' leadership journey, and I look forward to the ideas and energy they will bring to student voice at the Academy next year.
On Wednesday we marked Remembrance Day, a day to remember and honour those who have served and sacrificed for our country. It is a time for quiet reflection, and I hope our students and staff took a moment to pause and remember.
Thursday was a full day across the Academy, with a range of cultural and community events taking place.
During the lunch break, the German language department hosted a German Gingerbread House Making activity, to which all students were warmly invited. It was an enjoyable and creative opportunity to engage with German cultural traditions.
After lunch break our remaining Year 9 houses, Agnesi, Curie, Franklin and Jackson, gathered for their Journey Calling Ceremony, following the Da Vinci, Hawking, Hollows and Newton houses who took part in Week 4. Each student placed a pledge card on the flames, publicly committing to let go of the habits and mindsets that were holding them back from becoming adult learners. Our House Deans joined them, adding their own pledge cards as a reminder that growth is a lifelong process. Our Deputy Principal Middle Years, Kirsten Baker, presented every student with their Journey badge, a symbol of our hope that they will be outstanding members of their communities who inspire those around them. Congratulations, Year 9!
Friday was World Kindness Day, a simple reminder that small acts of kindness make a big difference to a community. I encouraged everyone to take a moment to do something kind for a classmate, colleague or family member, whether that was a thank-you, a compliment or helping someone with a task. Kindness is at the heart of a strong school culture, and I am proud of the care our students show one another every day.
On Friday afternoon, I also had my first collaborative meeting with our 2027 Academy Captains, Rachel, Arianna, Jishnu and Charmaine. We discussed their vision for 2027 of creating a sense of integrated connectivity and inclusivity across the school. It was wonderful to hear their perspectives and discuss opportunities for the year ahead. They already have many exciting ideas and are working incredibly hard behind the scenes to serve the student community. Their enthusiasm and commitment to the Academy are already evident and I am very excited to work with them and see this vision come to life.
Next Monday, we look forward to our Year 12 Valedictory, a special occasion to celebrate our graduating cohort and everything they have achieved at the Academy. It will be a chance to reflect on their journey, recognise their accomplishments and wish them well as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
Week 6 has been a reminder of how much our community achieves together, from the robotics competition field to the Year 9 Calling Ceremony. Congratulations to our Year 12s on completing their final IB papers. We look forward to celebrating with you at Monday's Valedictory. To everyone who gave their time to make this week so rewarding, thank you, and enjoy the weekend ahead.
Warm regards,
Kath Kayrooz
Principal
Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology