As we reach the conclusion of Term 2, it is an opportune time to reflect on the many achievements, experiences and opportunities that have enriched life at QASMT over the past ten weeks. This term has been characterised by academic curiosity, personal growth, service, creativity and excellence across a wide range of pursuits. As always, our students have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm, demonstrating the values of our Academy through their commitment to learning, leadership and community engagement.
This final week of term is no exception, with students participating in a range of activities that showcase the diverse experiences that contribute to a well-rounded education.
Throughout this week, our Academy has celebrated Sustainability Week, providing students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of environmental responsibility and consider the actions we can all take to contribute to a more sustainable future.
The week was formally launched with a Sustainability Assembly featuring guest speaker Dr Juri Karlovšek, Co-Director of the UQ Sustainable Infrastructure Research Hub (SIRH) at The University of Queensland. Dr Karlovšek shared insights into how sustainability and innovation intersect in practice, highlighting how small ideas can grow into meaningful and lasting change. His message encouraged students to think creatively and act purposefully in addressing global sustainability challenges.
The week has also featured the ever-popular Sustainability Fashion Parade, where students have demonstrated remarkable creativity by repurposing and reimagining materials to create innovative and thought-provoking designs. Congratulations to groups in Franklin and Newton for being named winners of this year's parade. These events not only highlight environmental awareness but also encourage students to think critically about consumption, waste and the role individuals can play in addressing global sustainability challenges.
Thank you to the students and staff who have contributed to the planning and delivery of Sustainability Week. Your efforts continue to inspire meaningful conversations and positive action within our school community.
Sport continues to play an important role in fostering teamwork, resilience, leadership and school spirit, and this week many of our students have proudly represented the Academy through Gala Day competitions.
Our Year 7 boys participated in the Gala Day Soccer competition, embracing the opportunity to challenge themselves, work collaboratively and demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship. Whether competing for results or simply enjoying the experience of representing their school, these events provide valuable opportunities for personal development and connection beyond the classroom.
We thank the staff who have supported and coordinated these events and congratulate all students who participated with enthusiasm, determination and pride.
Experiential learning is a hallmark of education at QASMT, and this week our Year 10 Economics students have had the opportunity to participate in an excursion to The University of Queensland.
Students attended a UQ School of Economics workshop focusing on case studies and activities related to the sustainable use of common access resources. The excursion enabled students to engage with economic concepts in authentic contexts, deepening their understanding of how resources are managed and the challenges involved in balancing individual and collective interests.
These experiences help students make meaningful connections between classroom learning and the wider world while also providing valuable insight into future pathways in higher education and related fields.
We thank The University of Queensland for providing this opportunity and acknowledge our staff for facilitating this valuable learning experience.
This week we also celebrate the dedication and talent of our student musicians who represented QASMT at the Instrumental Fanfare 2026 Metro North Regional Final.
Competing against nine secondary schools, the ensemble was one of two groups awarded Most Outstanding Performance for Secondary Schools.
Participation in an event of this calibre reflects countless hours of practice, commitment and collaboration. Music provides students with opportunities to develop creativity, discipline, confidence and teamwork, and we are incredibly proud of the professionalism and passion our performers bring to every rehearsal and performance.
We now await confirmation in the coming weeks as to whether the ensemble will progress to the State Finals. An exciting prospect and a testament to their exceptional achievement to date.
We wish our musicians every success and thank Ms Teena Sullivan for her ongoing guidance and support.
Continuing our celebration of student achievement, congratulations to our outstanding First LEGO League Division team, Elliott and Ryan, on their remarkable success at the Canada Cup of Robotics in Brock, Ontario. Competing against 99 teams from 27 countries, they were awarded first place in the Engineering Excellence division.
This milestone is the culmination of a journey that began last year when the students were in Year 6. Along the way, they were named Regional Champions among 24 teams before going on to place third nationally out of 48 teams. Their dedication, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving skills have shone through at every stage of the competition.
The experience has been both enriching and inspiring, and we could not be prouder of what they have achieved. Their success is a testament to their hard work, perseverance and passion for STEM, and serves as an inspiration to our entire school community.
We look forward to seeing Elliott and Ryan continue their robotics journey and represent QASMT with distinction at the RoboCup Junior State Competition in August.
In further celebrations of student achievement, congratulations to Year 12 students Chinmay, Viranj, Nethaka, Yuchen and Antony on their outstanding achievement.
Their coding education initiative, Thadus CodeLabs, has been recognised as a Top 5 Queensland finalist in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards. Through their innovative program, they are delivering accessible offline coding education to young people in rural communities across multiple countries.
This recognition reflects their leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to making a positive impact on a global scale. We are incredibly proud of their dedication to empowering young people through education and look forward to seeing the continued growth of their initiative.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.
As we conclude another successful term, I would like to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of our students, staff and families. Throughout Term 2, our community has celebrated academic achievement, sporting participation, artistic expression, leadership, service and wellbeing. From international competition success and musical performances to fundraising initiatives, vocational learning opportunities, excursions and sporting events, our students have continued to demonstrate the qualities that make QASMT such a vibrant and exceptional learning community.
The end of term also provides an opportunity to pause and recognise the dedication shown by our teaching and support staff, whose commitment to student success extends far beyond the classroom. Their passion, expertise and care ensure that every student is supported to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
I encourage all students to take time during the holiday break to rest, recharge and reflect on the progress they have made this semester. Whether your achievements have been large or small, every challenge overcome and every goal pursued contributes to your growth as a learner and as a person.
On behalf of the Academy, I thank our families for their ongoing partnership and support throughout the term. Together, we continue to create an environment where students are empowered to pursue excellence, embrace opportunities and make meaningful contributions to the world around them.
I wish everyone a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday break and look forward to welcoming students back for another exciting term of learning and achievement in Term 3.
Warm regards,
Kath Kayrooz
Principal
Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology