Our senior students represented the Academy with pride at the Senior Winter Gala Day, demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork and determination across a range of sports. Congratulations to the following teams on their outstanding achievements:
- Open Boys Badminton – Gala Day Champions
- Senior Boys Football – Second Place
- Year 10 Girls Netball – Third Place
- Year 10 Girls – Fourth Place
- Year 10 Boys – Fourth Place
- Senior Girls – Fourth Place
We congratulate every student who participated and thank our staff coaches and supporters for their commitment throughout the day.
Congratulations to Middle Years student, Drake, and Senior Years student, Joesph, on winning this year's Golden Paddle Tournament. It was wonderful to see so many students participating throughout the competition, demonstrating enthusiasm, skill and excellent sportsmanship. Congratulations to all students who took part and contributed to another successful tournament.
This week we also celebrated an outstanding individual achievement by Year 10 student, Saketh, who received a Highly Commended Award in the 2026 Queensland Quantum Challenge (Year 10 Individual category). Earlier this week, Saketh attended the Queensland Quantum Challenge Awards Ceremony following his participation in the Quantum Experience program at The University of Queensland, where he presented his work to leading quantum science experts and connected with fellow award recipients.
This recognition reflects Saketh's curiosity, creativity and commitment to STEM, and we are incredibly proud of his achievement. We look forward to seeing where his passion for quantum science takes him in the future.
Saketh's achievement also reinforces a theme that I recently explored in my article, Opinion: How STEM Education Can Evolve in Australian Secondary Schools. As the pace of scientific and technological advancement continues to accelerate, it is increasingly important that schools provide learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom and allow students to engage with authentic, real-world challenges. Future-focused STEM education is not simply about developing technical knowledge; it is about nurturing curiosity, creativity, critical thinking and the confidence to apply learning in meaningful ways. Through partnerships with universities, industry and the research sector, students are provided with valuable opportunities to collaborate, innovate and explore emerging fields that will help shape Australia's future.
At QASMT, this philosophy is embedded in the learning experiences we provide for our students. Through student-led research, inquiry-based learning and opportunities such as the Queensland Quantum Challenge, our students are encouraged to think deeply, ask complex questions and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems. These experiences contribute to the rich and rewarding journey our students undertake at the Academy, while helping them develop the skills, confidence and curiosity needed to make a meaningful contribution beyond school.
I explore these ideas further in my article, Opinion: How STEM Education Can Evolve in Australian Secondary Schools, which you can read here.
Preparing students for the future extends beyond developing exceptional STEM knowledge. It also means fostering a supportive community where students build meaningful friendships, celebrate milestones together and create lasting memories throughout their Academy journey.
On Friday evening, our Year 12 students will gather to celebrate one of the most significant milestones of their final year, the Year 12 Formal. This special occasion offers students the opportunity to celebrate friendships, reflect on the experiences that have shaped their journey through the Academy and create lasting memories as they approach the conclusion of their time at QASMT. We hope all students enjoy a wonderful evening and thank House Deans, Mr Deva Prasad and Mr Andrew Chen for their support in organising this significant event.
Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate QASMT Science Fair Week, taking place from Monday 10 August to Friday 14 August. Science Fair Week is always a highlight of the Academy calendar, showcasing the curiosity, innovation and research excellence of our students.
Throughout the week, students will also have the opportunity to participate in and observe a range of exciting science experiments during the lunch break in the courtyard, hosted by our dedicated Science Ambassadors. These interactive demonstrations will provide a fun and engaging way for students to explore scientific concepts, share their curiosity and celebrate the spirit of discovery that is central to our STEM community.
Families and members of our community are warmly invited to attend our STEM Showcase and Poster Exhibition on Monday 10 August from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm in the Research Centre, where students will present an impressive range of STEM research projects developed throughout the year. This exhibition provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate the outstanding scientific inquiry taking place across the Academy.
Students can also look forward to our popular Brunch with a Scientist event on Thursday morning, where they will have the opportunity to engage with professionals from industry and academia across diverse STEM fields, including synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, astrophysics, brewing, mathematics, environmental science and many more. These conversations provide valuable insights into future pathways while inspiring students through real-world scientific careers.
Science Fair Week will conclude with our annual Star Party on Thursday evening from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Hosted by our Astronomy Club, the evening will feature telescope viewing, astronomy-themed activities, giant games, music, karaoke and an astronomy trivia quiz, offering a fun and engaging opportunity for students and families to celebrate science together under the night sky while enjoying a slice of pizza.
As always, thank you to our dedicated staff, supportive families and outstanding students for making QASMT such a vibrant and connected learning community. It has been wonderful to see our students embracing every opportunity to challenge themselves, celebrate one another's successes and contribute positively to Academy life. I look forward to another exciting week ahead as we continue to showcase the passion, curiosity and excellence that define our Academy.
Warm regards,
Kath Kayrooz
Principal
Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology