Principal’s Blog – Week 1, Term 4, 2026

Travelling internationally encourages students to become more independent, adaptable and culturally aware, and to put their language skills into practice in real-world settings. My sincere thanks to the staff who supported our students throughout the tour, and to the families who supported their children on this journey.

It gives me great pleasure to share that our RoboCup Robotics students, Elliott (Year 7) and Ryan (Year 7), achieved 1st place in the 2026 RoboCup Junior Australia National Competition in Canberra, officially becoming the National Open Rescue Line Champions.

This is a monumental achievement. The competition was incredibly intense, spanning 12 preliminary rounds and 3 final rounds. Remarkably, as Year 7 students, Elliott and Ryan defeated Australia's best teams of senior high school students. Their passion, drive and tireless hard work, combined with the wonderful support of their families, have earned them this well-deserved success.

I would also like to acknowledge Larry Vint, our Robotics RoboCup Coordinator, who has supported Elliott and Ryan endlessly throughout their journey. His dedication and commitment have played a significant part in this result, and we are very grateful to him.

Elliott and Ryan would like to present their championship trophy to the school, where it will be proudly displayed in the Student Services Building (A-Block) trophy cabinet. Official photos from RoboCup Australia will also be available in the coming weeks.

This experience has taught these young men one of life's most valuable lessons: there is nothing they cannot accomplish if they are willing to put in the work. Congratulations, Elliott and Ryan, and thank you, Mr Vint!​

On Wednesday, students from Years 9 to 12 and their parents were invited to take part in a Career Information Session on applying to study in the United States, featuring guest speaker Cora Lavin, Education Outreach Manager at the U.S. Consulate General Sydney. Sessions like this help students understand the pathways available after school, the options within tertiary study and what to consider as they plan their next steps. This is especially valuable for our senior students as they look ahead to life beyond QASMT.

Thank you to Cora for sharing her time and insights, and to Ms Katrina Judge, Guidance Officer (Career Planning), for organising the event.

On Thursday, we celebrated World Teachers' and Support Staff Appreciation Day. Our teachers and support staff are central to everything we do at the Academy. Their dedication, care and professionalism shape the daily experience of every student, both in and out of the classroom. To mark the occasion, the Christ Church community kindly arranged a coffee van and morning tea in the Wellbeing Centre. On behalf of the whole school community, I would like to sincerely thank our staff for the difference they make, and the Christ Church community for their generous support.

Mental Health Week was also observed this week, with a range of courtyard activities organised by our school nurse, Emma. Students enjoyed friendship bracelet making, stress ball making, rock painting, self-portrait drawing and games of Jenga, among other activities. They also wrote gratitude cards, which were hung on the trees in the courtyard as a lovely reminder of the many things we have to be thankful for. Headspace also joined us on the day, speaking with our students about the importance of looking after their mental health and sharing practical information about where to find support, both at school and in the wider community.

These activities gave students the chance to pause, connect with their peers and engage in positive wellbeing practices in a relaxed setting. Emma's efforts to promote wellbeing and open conversations about mental health are greatly appreciated, and I thank her for her work in organising the week. I would also like to thank the team from Headspace for visiting us.  

We are delighted to celebrate a tremendous debating triumph, with our Year 10, 11 and 12 teams all securing victory over Brisbane Boys’ College on Thursday night to claim the 2026 Miskin Cup! The debates were hard-fought and intellectually rigorous, conducted throughout in a spirit of friendly competition and mutual respect. Debating builds critical thinking, public speaking, teamwork and the ability to construct and defend a well-reasoned argument, skills that will serve our students well in their studies and beyond. We are immensely proud of our students, not only for their outstanding achievement, but also for the skill, integrity and graciousness they demonstrated along the way. Congratulations to all of our students who represented the Academy, and thank you to the staff, including David Bracken, who coached and supported them.

The week concluded on Friday evening with the Year 11 Semi-Formal. Events like this are a great opportunity for students to celebrate together, build friendships and create lasting memories. Thank you to the staff and students who helped organise and supervise the evening and well done to our Year 11 cohort on a special occasion. ​​

As we settle into Term 4, I encourage all students to set clear goals for the weeks ahead and make the most of the opportunities available to them. This term is a valuable time to build on the progress made so far, whether that is through academic effort, co-curricular involvement or contributing to our school community. To our Year 12 students entering the final stretch of their IB journey, I encourage you to stay focused, look after your wellbeing and make use of the support available to you from your teachers, Guidance Officers and each other.

This week has shown what can be achieved with passion, hard work and the support of those around us, from our national RoboCup champions to our debaters and our wellbeing activities. Thank you to our families and wider community for your continued support. Your encouragement plays a vital role in our students' success, and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the term brings.

Warm regards,

Kath Kayrooz
Principal
Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology