Mid-Term Reflections
As we reach the midpoint of Term 1, I continue to be inspired by the energy, commitment and quiet pride that defines our school community. Week 5 has been one of celebration, opportunity and leadership, a vivid reminder of the remarkable calibre of our students and staff alike.
International Women's Day
Next week, we will acknowledge International Women's Day with a breakfast event held here at the Academy on Friday 6 March from 7.15am. This day is both a celebration and a call to action: it recognises the achievements of women and girls and reminds us of the ongoing journey toward gender equity.
At QASMT, students will explore leadership, resilience and the impact of women - locally, nationally and globally, through classroom discussions and activities. We encourage our community to wear a touch of purple in solidarity with this important day.
International Women's Day is not just a date in the calendar; it is an opportunity to empower every young person to lead with confidence, compassion and courage.
Tickets are available through the Qkr! app.
Student Leadership Induction Ceremony - Whole School Assembly
Leadership at QASMT is built on service, integrity and responsibility. Our student leaders play a vital role in modelling positive behaviour, building school spirit and amplifying student voice.
I congratulate each student being inducted. Leadership is not defined by a badge, but by actions, and I am confident this cohort will lead with authenticity, pride and humility.
Principal's Commendation
This week has also been a time for celebration in both academic and sporting arenas.
Our Principal's Commendation is awarded as recognition to students who consistently demonstrate QASMT values through effort, improvement, and positive contribution. These students exemplify the quiet determination that leads to lasting success.
Special congratulations to our swimming and volleyball students for their recent achievements. Teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship are at the heart of their success and reflect the very best of our school culture.
Well done to all award recipients, we are incredibly proud of you.
Year 7 Camp
Our Year 7 students headed off to camp on Wednesday morning. This is a wonderful opportunity to build resilience, confidence, and camaraderie through positive relationships. This year we are holding our camp at the scenic Tamborine Mountain QCCC where students are encouraged to step outside their usual routines, tackle challenges, and develop independence in this supportive, beautiful and fun environment. Camp life allows new friendships to be forged and lifelong memories to be made.
Parent Information Evening
This week also saw our Year 8-12 Parent Information Evening. It was a pleasure to chat with our Year 10 cohort about upcoming International STEM Tours to Japan and European destinations. The evening in whole was invaluable in maintaining a strong connection with families and celebrating student learning journeys. As usual we have emailed home slides of presentations for your planning.
Year 7 parent Morning Tea and presentation
We were delighted to welcome Year 7 parents to a Morning Tea on Wednesday. These gatherings are a vital part of our partnership with families, allowing us to share insights, listen to perspectives, and ensure parents feel supported in their child's transition into secondary life.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, your engagement makes a tangible difference to the student experience. For those parents unable to attend, slides of the presentation have been emailed to families.
Parent Representative Meeting
At our first Parent Representative Meeting of the year, we were delighted to welcome both new and returning members.
We extend a warm welcome to our new Parent Representatives - Loai, Sonal, Rupalee, Yuyu, Ken and Eltham - who join the group with enthusiasm and a shared commitment to strengthening the partnership between home and school.
They are joined by our continuing representatives across the year levels:
Year 8: Jas, Shipra and Louise
Year 9: Corianda, Andrea
Year 10: Rebecca
Year 11: Tamsin, Julie and Lily
Year 12: Rowan and Mala
The meeting provided an opportunity to reconnect, outline priorities for the year ahead, and reaffirm the vital role Parent Representatives play in supporting communication, collaboration and community engagement within our school.
School Council Update – Term 1 Meeting
This week we held our first School Council meeting for the term, bringing together our council members to continue their important work guiding the strategic direction of our school. School councils play a key role in strengthening community involvement and ensuring that the needs and aspirations of students, staff and families are reflected in the long‑term planning of Queensland state schools. According to Education Queensland, school councils help monitor the school's strategic direction, approve strategic plans and policies, and advise the principal on key strategic matters. They also serve as a vital bridge between the school and its broader community, contributing to decisions that support innovation, local engagement, and improved student outcomes.
At this first meeting, we were pleased to introduce our 2026 School Council members:
Principal, Parent Reps - Tamsin and Alpesh. Staff Reps are Ainsley and June. Student Reps are senior school Captains. Appointed members are Simone Small and Councillor Penny Wolf.
Their commitment ensures our school continues to grow with strong governance, transparency, and community voice at the centre of our decision making.
During the meeting, the council reviewed and approved several key documents that shape the direction of our school for the coming year:
- Annual Implementation Plan
- School Data Plan
- School Budget (as school councils approve documents affecting strategic matters, including annual estimates of revenue and expenditure)
- Proposed 2027 Student School Tours
We thank our council members for their time, insight, and dedication as we work together to ensure the best possible learning outcomes for our students.
Classroom Visits
Classroom visits are focused on strengthening professional practice through observation, feedback and reflective conversations.
During recent visits, I was impressed with:
- Strong learning intentions and success criteria clearly communicated to students
- High levels of studsent engagement and collaboration
- Positive classroom enviroments where respectful relationships support learning
Thank you to our teachers for welcoming us into their classrooms!
Festival of Creativity
Preparations for our annual Festival of Creativity on Friday 20 March are well underway. The festival is one of the most anticipated events on our calendar, bringing together the full spectrum of student talent, from visual arts to music and performance, creative writing and design.
This year's theme, Twilight Traditions, invites us to explore the beauty of diversity and inclusion, and to celebrate the unique voices that make our academy community so vibrant. Students will share performances, showcase artworks and engage with interactive cultural experiences that honour creativity and connection.
Our festival is a reminder that learning is not just about knowledge, but about curiosity, imagination and the joy of expression. I encourage all families to join us in celebrating this remarkable showcase of student talent on Friday 20 March. Tickets will go on sale in the coming days.
In Closing
As we move into Week 6, I would like to take a moment to reaffirm our QASMT Vision:
“Inspiring great minds through the provision of a world-class education that nurtures personal excellence and develops young people who are able to contribute positively to an ever-changing world."
Delivering a world-class education is at the heart of everything we do. Central to this is our focus on high-quality teaching, because, as education research tells us, the teacher remains the single greatest influence on student growth. Every day, our staff bring creativity, expertise and care into the classroom, helping your child learn, grow and thrive.
To ensure consistency and clarity in learning experiences across the school, our Heads of Department have worked closely with our leadership team to outline the key teaching practices we aim to see in every classroom. These practices guide our lesson planning, classroom walkthroughs and feedback discussions, all with the goal of giving students the very best learning opportunities.
In short, whether it's in a science lab, a music rehearsal, or a mathematics lesson, every teacher is focused on helping your child reach their potential - and we are excited to share this journey with our parent community.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. The partnership between students, families and staff is what makes QASMT a dynamic, caring, and inspiring place to learn and grow.
I look forward to another positive week ahead, filled with curiosity, creativity and community spirit.
Warm regards,