The Festival of the Phoenix: Jackson House Carnival
This week, Jackson House hosted their annual carnival charity event, "The Festival of the Phoenix," which took over the courtyard with a variety of fun-filled activities and games. Students had the chance to show off their aim at the plastic axe-throwing targets, get creative with friendship bracelet making, and test their luck in the ring toss.
A karaoke station had students belting out tunes, while others tried
their best in the Oreo challenge, attempting to slide the cookie from their
forehead to their mouth without using their hands! A jar full of jellybeans
also sparked competition, as students placed their bets on how many were
inside, with the closest guess taking home the entire jar. All proceeds from
the festival went towards the Mater Little Miracles Foundation, supporting a
great cause while students had an absolute blast.
Miskin Cup Volleyball: QASMT vs. BBC
In the latest Miskin Cup event, our Year 8 boys volleyball team faced off against Brisbane Boys' College (BBC) in our sports auditorium. After an intense and hard-fought match, BBC emerged victorious, marking their first win against us in the Miskin Cup series this year.
Despite the loss, our team showed incredible resilience and sportsmanship, pushing BBC to the limit with every set. I look forward to seeing our matches against BBC in 2025 and seeing who will come out on top next time!
Awards Night Celebrations: A Night of Achievement and Inspiration
This week, we hosted our highly anticipated Awards Ceremonies to celebrate the outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements of our students.
The night was an unforgettable celebration of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Students across Middle Years and Senior Years were recognised with academic awards for their exceptional efforts, as well as special awards celebrating leadership, community service, and unique contributions to our school community.
The atmosphere in the auditorium was one of pride and excitement as we watched students step onto the stage to receive their accolades, cheered on by their peers, teachers, and families. It was a true testament to the effort our students have invested in their studies and the extracurricular programs that enrich their education at QASMT.
We were also honoured to welcome a host of special guests, whose presence added to the significance of the evening. A sincere thank you to:
- Professor Tony Roberts, Head of School, Mathematical Science, Queensland University of Technology
- Professor Kelly Matthews, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), The University of Queensland
- Professor Robin Shields, Head of School, Faculty of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, and Chair of the UQ-QASMT Executive Steering Committee, The University of Queensland
- Professor Katie Makar, Leader in Mathematics Education in The University of Queensland School of Education, and QASMT School Council appointed member
- Dr Gurion Ang, Director of Engagement and Advancement, The University of Queensland, and our keynote speaker for the evening
- Mr Jogvan Klein, Director, Future Students in the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Global Engagement, The University of Queensland
- Dr Rowena Long, Relationships Manager for QASMT, The University of Queensland
- Mr Gary Austen, Regional Director, Metro North Region
- Ms Vanessa Rebgetz, Principal, Queensland Academy of Health Sciences
- Mr Winand D'Souza, Parent Representative, recipient of the Parent Contribution to QASMT Award
- Ms Rebecca Bissett, Year 9 Parent Representative
- Ms Tamsin Terry, Year 9 Parent Representative
- Ms Rowan Alick, Year 10 Parent Representative
- Ms Angelin Achari, Year 10 Parent Representative
- Ms Kylie Rule, Year 11 Parent Representative
- Ms Christine Chew, Year 11 Parent Representative
- Ms Tracy Zhao, Year 12 Parent Representative, and;
- Mr Darren Greer, QASMT School Council Parent Representative.
The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the engaging and inspiring keynote presentation from Dr Gurion Ang (known as Dr G), Director of Engagement and Advancement at UQ. Dr G captivated the audience with his lively storytelling, discussing the importance of lifelong learning, curiosity, and perseverance in the face of challenges. His words resonated deeply with students, leaving us all feeling motivated and inspired.
This year, we introduced the inaugural Excellence in Teaching Award. This prestigious award recognises a staff member that goes above and beyond in their commitment to our school's values and the exceptional educational standards of the IB program.
Congratulations to Elin Williams! Elin has introduced a fully revamped curriculum unit that fosters critical thinking and enhances student skills. Elin empowers students with greater decision-making and engagement opportunities; and is always the first to volunteer in curriculum development, ensuring it is engaging and differentiated to meet all students needs. Beyond the classroom, Elin leads extracurricular activities, mentors in pastoral care, and supports students during lunch hours. Elin's dedication to our students and her colleagues is exceptional, and she is a true asset to our entire school community.
Another exciting moment was the announcement of our incoming Academy Captains for 2025. Congratulations to Milana and Jessica, who will take on the roles of Senior Captains, and Abby and Virat, our new Middle Years Captains. In keeping with tradition, the outgoing captains ceremoniously pinned the leadership badges onto the blazers of their successors, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in their leadership journeys.
The night was a fitting tribute to the talents, efforts, and spirit of our entire QASMT community, and we are incredibly proud of all the students who were recognised.
