Year 9 Ski Trip to Perisher
This week it was the Year 9 students' turn to head off on the highly anticipated Perisher Ski Trip, swapping in for our Year 10s who returned at the end of last week. From all accounts, the mountain conditions were beautiful, and our students have been skiing and enjoying all the experiences that make this trip such a special tradition here at SMT.
Beyond the skiing, it is the shared experiences, the friendships strengthened, and the resilience built through learning a new skill (or perfecting an old one!) that make this trip so valuable. I can't wait to hear all their stories when they return, as these are the kinds of memories that will stay with them for years to come.
QSPA Conference
While our students were away in the snow, I, along with members of the Senior Leadership Team, attended the Queensland Secondary Principals' Association (QSPA) Conference. This year's theme was “What If…?" - an invitation for us as leaders to reflect on the questions that drive our work and the possibilities that arise when we push boundaries and reimagine what education could look like.
The conference was also a celebration of 60 years of QSPA, bringing together leaders from across the state, the Minister for Education and the Arts, the Hon. John-Paul Langbroek, and many inspiring speakers. It was a privilege to hear from voices such as Jane Caro, Dr Simon Breakspear, Dr Jason Fox, Dr Sarah McKay, Louka Parry, and Hugh Van Cuylenburg, among others, who challenged us to think differently about leadership, resilience, creativity, and the future of learning.
Conferences like these are so important for us as educators, as they give us the chance to step back, reflect, and bring back new ideas and practical strategies to benefit our students and school community. I returned feeling energised, inspired, and deeply proud to be part of such a vibrant educational network.
STEM Seminar - Associate Professor Ramiro Lafuente
Back on campus, we welcomed Associate Professor Ramiro Lafuente from the School of Mathematics and Physics at UQ, who delivered a fascinating STEM Seminar in our Lecture Theatre. His presentation, “Geometry: A journey from Euclid to Einstein", took students on a journey through time, exploring how the study of shapes and space has evolved into the modern geometry that underpins much of contemporary physics.
It was wonderful to see so many students engaged and asking thoughtful questions. Sessions like this highlight the incredible opportunities our students have to learn directly from leading academics and researchers. I am always grateful for our strong partnerships with UQ, which enrich our learning environment and provide such authentic windows into higher education.
Student Achievements
This week brought a truly impressive array of student achievements across multiple fields.
Firstly, three of our outstanding Year 12 students, Claire, Ermia, and Katherine, received the prestigious Peter Doherty Award for Outstanding Senior STEM Student. This is a state-wide recognition of excellence in STEM, and we could not be prouder of their incredible dedication, innovation, and leadership.
We also had fantastic results at the 2025 RoboCup Junior Queensland Championships, with 43 of our students competing across 15 teams. QASMT came away with 5 trophies and 17 medals, lifting our results from four to five award-winning teams compared to last year. Our winning teams included:
Mephistophelian Dragons (Soccer Lightweight League Innovation Award)
Busters (Soccer Lightweight League Spirit of RoboCup Award)
I4C (Soccer Open League Innovation Award)
Devious Dogs (Soccer Open League 3rd Place)
Pebbles (Open Rescue Line Spirit of RoboCup Award).
With 36 schools competing, these results showcase the creativity, innovation, and sheer hard work of our robotics students. Congratulations to all involved! You have once again shown why QASMT is a powerhouse in STEM education.
Looking Ahead
As we move into Week 7, our Year 12s will continue with their mock IB exams, a demanding but important milestone on their journey towards graduation. Monday will also see our Year 7s heading to the Abbey Museum for their annual excursion, an enriching day that connects history, culture, and curiosity.
Friday brings Wear It Purple Day, one of the highlights of the year, where our ARC team leads an ARC Uniform Free Day to support inclusivity, belonging and respect. I always love seeing the sea of purple across the campus and the powerful message it sends about who we are as a community.
Looking slightly further ahead, Week 8 will bring the Year 12 Conference and the start of exam blocks for Years 10 and 11, before we build towards the excitement of Week 9, when our Europe and Japan STEM Tours depart. I am especially excited to once again accompany the Europe Tour. It is an absolute highlight of my year, and I cannot wait to share in the incredible opportunities our students will experience abroad.
Warm regards,
Kath Kayrooz
Principal