Da Vinci and Newton Charity Bake Sale
On Tuesday, the courtyard was filled with the sweet scent of pancakes and baked treats as Da Vinci and Newton House hosted their annual Charity Bake and Pancake Sale. Students flocked to the blue and green stalls in support of two incredible causes: the Miracle Babies Foundation and Canteen. Brownies and classic golden pancakes with a rainbow of toppings, there was something to tempt every sweet tooth.
I was thrilled to roll up my sleeves and jump behind the grill to help cook pancakes alongside our House Mentors and Deans. The sizzle of batter, the chatter of students lining up, and the joy of knowing that every dollar was going to a worthy cause made it one of those small but powerful moments that remind me how community-focused our school truly is. I left with sticky fingers, a full heart, and immense pride in our students’ generosity and spirit.
What really stood out to me was how many students not only bought treats, but also stopped to ask about the charities they were supporting. It showed a genuine care and curiosity, and those are the qualities I love to see being nurtured in our QASMT community. These bake sales are never just about the food; they’re about making a difference together.
Staff Morning Tea
There’s something incredibly special about pausing to share a cup of tea and good conversation with colleagues, and this Thursday’s Whole Staff Morning Tea was a perfect example of that. Held in our cosy Staff Wellbeing Room, this event was beautifully catered by our thoughtful House Deans and the Individuals & Societies Department. From home-baked goods and fresh fruit platters to aromatic coffee and tea, everything was carefully arranged to make us feel appreciated.
I felt so grateful in that moment, not just for the food, but for the genuine sense of care and collegiality we share at QASMT. The laughter, support, and stories shared over pastries and coffee are the kind of nourishment that isn’t found on any menu. These moments with my fellow staff refill my energy tank and remind me how lucky I am to work in such a kind and connected community.
There’s a wonderful rhythm in the way we support each other here, whether through team collaboration or thoughtful gestures like this. It’s part of what makes our school feel like a second home, and I always leave these gatherings feeling more grounded and uplifted.
National Reconciliation Week and Sorry Day
This week also marked a powerful time of reflection and respect as we observed National Reconciliation Week and Sorry Day. Four of our Academy Representative Council students, together with Ms Jane Manwaring and Mr Dean Aspland, attended a Sorry Day Ceremony hosted by the Benawarra Solidarity Group. Their participation reflected the values we hold dear at SMT - truth, empathy, and reconciliation.
Hearing our students speak afterwards about the significance of the ceremony moved me deeply. Their willingness to listen, learn, and lead these conversations is nothing short of inspiring. These events are more than symbolic. They are necessary steps toward building an Australia that recognises and values its First Nations people. As an educator and a citizen, I feel hopeful knowing our students are carrying that torch forward.
Reconciliation is an ongoing journey, and it’s something we strive to embed across everything we do. I’m proud of the space we give our students to engage with this journey in meaningful ways, and I’m always learning from their insight and compassion.
Mario Kart Competition Finals
The finals of our annual Mario Kart Competition were the perfect mix of digital mayhem and sheer school spirit! All week, semi-finals brought tense battles and joyful moments, leading up to the grand final showdown.
What I love most about this event is how it brings together students across year levels, united by a shared love of gaming and fun. Watching the final play out on the big screen, I couldn’t help but feel that wonderful school magic that comes from shared experience and community. It was such a fun and light-hearted way to finish the week, and a reminder that joy and competition go hand in hand at SMT.
Congratulations to all the competitors and especially our 2024 champion! A special shout-out also to Mr Fredericksen, who won the staff race for the second year in a row! I’ll have to invest in my own Nintendo to practice on in time for next year’s race to try and unseat him myself.
A special thank you goes to Bilal, one of our Technology Ambassadors, who designed and 3D-printed the winning trophy, and to Hugo, our Technology Captain, for running such a popular and successful event. This event continues to be a beloved fixture in our calendar, celebrating gaming, creativity, and community.
STEM Seminar with Dr Hannah Gullo
Another standout moment this week was the launch of our 2024 STEM Seminar Series with an extraordinary lecture by Dr Hannah Gullo: “From Neuroscience to Neurorehabilitation.”
Dr Gullo’s presentation was deeply engaging, and I found myself as captivated as the students. Her ability to weave together complex neuroscience with human-centred recovery stories was nothing short of brilliant. The Q&A session that followed showed just how inspired our students were, with thoughtful, curious questions from all year levels.
It’s always a pleasure to see students so enthralled by discovery. I walked out of that seminar with renewed admiration for the passion our students bring to science, and deep appreciation for the role guest speakers like Dr Gullo play in inspiring our future researchers and innovators.
Year 11 Collaborative Sciences Project Planning Day
This week, our Year 11 students engaged in a full-day planning session for their Collaborative Sciences Project in preparation for the upcoming Year 7 & 11 Science Workshops, taking place during National Science Week in Term 3. These workshops are a valued part of our science engagement program and give senior students the opportunity to design and deliver hands-on science lessons to younger peers as they approach their final year of schooling.
Students spent the day working in groups to develop lesson plans, trial activities, and refine their communication strategies to ensure their scientific knowledge could be shared in creative and engaging ways. The level of collaboration and thoughtfulness demonstrated throughout the day was truly impressive. These workshops not only enhance the learning experience for our Year 7s but also build leadership, confidence, and a deeper understanding of scientific concepts for our Year 11s. We’re excited to see their ideas come to life in Term 3!
Student Achievements
Our students continue to amaze me with their drive, talent, and commitment to excellence. One of our youngest achievers, Drake in Year 7, flew to Melbourne over the weekend to compete in the Pokémon Regional Championship and won! As the youngest competitor in his age group, Drake not only claimed the title but also secured his ranking as number one in Oceania. His focus, strategic thinking, and poise are beyond impressive. What a rising star!
We also received the wonderful news that Angelina, Rio, and Valarie were accepted into the 2025 QUT Future You Summit, selected from over 500 applicants. They’ll join hundreds of other ambitious young minds for four days of workshops and hands-on experiences. Delivered in the June/July school holidays, participants will be treated like real QUT undergraduate students, with access to QUT's world class facilities across both Brisbane campuses.
These stories of success and ambition are a big part of what makes working here so fulfilling. I get to watch students grow from curious minds into confident trailblazers. Every achievement like this feels like a celebration for our whole community.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the second half of Term 2, there’s still so much to look forward to! Next week, Franklin House will host their Charity Bake Sale, and we’ll also be having our Bubble Tea Chappie Fundraiser, which will bring a wave of excitement (and long lines!) across the courtyard.
Week 8 will see students knuckling down for Exam Block, and while it’s a time of focus and challenge, I’m always amazed by the resilience and determination our students show. Then in Week 9, we get to celebrate creativity in all its forms at the Festival of Creativity, an event that fills our hearts with colour, sound, and innovation. And finally, in Week 10, we wrap up the term with our Sustainability Week and the Athletics Carnival, which was postponed earlier due to wet weather. It’s a grand finale that blends passion, participation, and school pride.
Here’s to the weeks ahead, filled with spirit, learning, and celebration. Thank you, once again, for your ongoing support and partnership in education. Together, we are shaping a future-focused, inclusive, and high-achieving learning community that aligns with our theme in 2025: Be More Selfless, putting others first, even when it’s hard.
Warm regards,
Ms. Kath Kayrooz
Principal