Principal’s Blog – Week 8, Term 3, 2026

There is something particularly rewarding about seeing students engage with learning in ways that challenge them to think differently, work together and step beyond what is familiar. This week at QASMT has been a valuable example of this, with students across several year levels embracing new experiences that encouraged them to explore emerging technologies, tackle physical and personal challenges, experience university life and take important steps towards their future. Each of these activities has helped our students discover new possibilities while developing the confidence and resilience to make the most of them.​

This week, our Year 7 and Year 8 students participated in their Media Art Design Intensive Day, providing them with valuable learning experiences that explored how innovation, creativity and emerging technologies can be used to communicate ideas and make a positive difference in their communities.

Our Year 7 students took part in BOP Industries' Community Creators program, which challenged students to explore how innovation and technology can be used to create positive change within their local community. Through practical and creative activities, students were encouraged to think about the needs of their communities, consider possible solutions and explore how technology can be used to turn ideas into meaningful action.

For our Year 8 students, the XR Creators program introduced them to the exciting possibilities of extended reality and emerging technologies. Through a range of hands-on and conceptual challenges, students explored technologies including virtual reality, augmented reality and holograms. These sessions encouraged students to consider not only how these technologies work, but also how they can be used to communicate ideas, tell stories and create engaging experiences for others.

Learning experiences such as these are an important part of the learning journey at QASMT. They encourage students to be creative and open-minded while developing their ability to collaborate, solve problems and consider the impact of technology on the world around them. Importantly, they also encourage our students to look beyond what is possible today and imagine what might be possible tomorrow.

Our Year 9 students also had a particularly active and rewarding week through three significant engagement activities.

As part of the Year 9 Journey Program, students participated in a Kokoda Challenge hike facilitated by Character Builders, taking part in a range of team challenges designed to develop confidence, resilience, perseverance and teamwork.

The physical challenge of the day gave students an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and discover what they can achieve when they work together and support one another. The day was about much more than completing a hike; it was an opportunity for students to develop the resilience, confidence and teamwork skills that help young people navigate challenges, overcome setbacks and achieve success in a range of situations.

Learning in the natural environment provides students with a unique opportunity to experience challenge in a different way. Away from the familiar routines of the classroom, students are able to rely on one another, step outside their comfort zones and create shared memories. I am sure the Year 9 students will look back on the day as an important part of their journey through QASMT.

Later in the week, our Year 9 students participated in an Engagement Day at The University of Queensland, where they were able to familiarise themselves with the university campus, its facilities and the range of research and study pathways available to them.

For our students at QASMT, conversations about the future often include exploring university pathways and the possibilities that lie ahead. Visiting a university campus at this stage of their schooling allows students to begin imagining themselves in a university environment and develop a greater understanding of the opportunities available to them. I hope the day encouraged our students to be ambitious in considering their future pathways and to recognise the many possibilities that can emerge from their interests, curiosity and hard work.

Complementing this experience, our Year 9 students also had the opportunity to hear from QASMT alumnus Ewan Beach, who graduated from the Academy in 2020 and has since continued his studies at the University of Oxford. As part of their PEP lesson, Ewan shared his journey from QASMT to Oxford, providing students with an insight into his experiences, the opportunities he has pursued and the decisions that have shaped his pathway. He also offered valuable advice about making the most of their time at QASMT, pursuing their interests and remaining open to the opportunities that may arise along the way.

Hearing directly from a former QASMT student provided our Year 9 students with a relatable example of where their own journey could lead. Ewan's experience demonstrated the importance of curiosity, perseverance and embracing new opportunities, while encouraging our students to think ambitiously about their own futures. Together, the university experience and Ewan's story provided our students with both a glimpse into university life and a personal perspective on the possibilities that can follow their time at QASMT.

This week also provided an important professional learning opportunity for SMT staff, as we undertook First Aid Professional Development training, including CPR training. Maintaining strong first aid knowledge and preparedness is an important responsibility within any school community, and I would like to thank Immediate Response First Aid Training and Suppliers for facilitating this valuable training. The opportunity to refresh and develop these skills is an important contribution to the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.

On Friday, we welcomed our 2027 Year 7 students for our Transition Day. This annual day is always a special occasion as students begin to take their first steps towards joining our Academy community. It was great to see our future Year 7 students discovering QASMT, meeting staff and beginning to build connections with the school they will soon call their own.

Starting secondary school is a significant milestone in a young person's life, and we recognise the importance of making this transition a positive and welcoming experience. We look forward to continuing to work with our incoming students and their families as they prepare for the beginning of their QASMT journey in 2027.

Finally, this weekend marks the departure of our students and staff for the Annual International STEM Tours. This is an exciting way for our students to extend their learning beyond the Academy and engage with STEM education, research, innovation and culture on an international scale.

International learning allows students to see their studies through a different lens, encounter new perspectives and develop a deeper appreciation of the role that science, technology, engineering and mathematics play in shaping our world. I am particularly looking forward to sharing this experience with our students, seeing their curiosity and enthusiasm firsthand, and watching them engage with the many STEM innovations and cultural experiences that await us. I am sure the tour will provide many memorable moments, meaningful learning and plenty of stories to bring back to our QASMT community. 

I would like to thank our staff for the considerable planning, organisation and care that underpin these programs and activities. Whether supporting students through intensive learning programs, coordinating Year 9 Journey activities, facilitating university engagement days, preparing our incoming Year 7 students or accompanying students on international tours, their commitment to providing rich and meaningful learning opportunities is greatly valued.

As we move towards the final weeks of Term 3, I encourage all our students to continue making the most of every chance to learn, challenge themselves and support one another. Every challenge and new learning experience — whether inside or outside the classroom — contributes to the young people they are becoming.

Thank you to our students, staff and families for another rewarding week at QASMT. As we prepare to embark on the International STEM Tours, I look forward to sharing this exciting journey with our students and staff, embracing new discoveries, learning together and creating lasting memories along the way. I wish our entire travelling group a safe, enriching and inspiring journey, and look forward to returning with many stories and experiences to share with our Academy community. 

Warm regards,

Kath Kayrooz
Principal
Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology​