From the Deputy Principal Senior Years

As the year draws to a close, now is a perfect time to stop and reflect on all that we have achieved together this year.

Year 12 DP Curriculum
Congratulations must go to our Year 12 cohort who completed their schooling journey on 11 November after three weeks of intense final IB examinations. As the exams came to an end, we celebrated with the Year 12 Farewell Assembly and the Year 12s final walk around the courtyard to say goodbye to their InSteps and their friends from younger year levels. Following this was a spectacular Valedictory evening at the Brisbane Convention Centre, which was a beautiful way to end six years at QASMT. To our Year 12 families – congratulations, what an impressive achievement to have supported your child through their entire school journey – they couldn’t have done it without you. To all our Year 12 students – we wish you all the best with the release of results in December, and with your next steps in your journey!

 Year 10 DPP and 11 DP Curriculum
Our Year 10 students have now completed their Diploma Preparation Programme and are about to start in their Diploma next year. As preparation for this big step, one of the best things you can do is make sure your child has all their stationery and textbooks. It is important that students take a well-earned break during this holiday time and come back refreshed and ready to learn next year!

Our Year 11 students are now fully into their Diploma, having completed their English IO and TOK Exhibition, and have begun their Extended Essay. Many students have started to collect data for their Science IAs, and students in Economics have had their first IB assessment draft due. These upcoming holidays are a good time for our Year 11 students to reflect on what has worked well for them in their Diploma so far, and to begin to plan how they want next year to look. But it is also essential that students allow themselves to rest and unwind before Year 12 begins.

Year 11 students and families – save the date – in 2025 the Year 12 Valedictory evening will be on Monday 17 November.

I would like to thank our wonderful students for their dedication to their learning this year. I would like to also thank our wonderful teachers, support staff, the leadership team, and our engaged parent and caregiver body – it is together that we make this school the best school for our students.

Have a wonderful and well-earned break over this coming holiday. Be safe and see you all again in 2025.

Esme Hatchell, Deputy Principal Senior Years

From Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC)

It has been an eventful term for EOTC! 

Our students have been engaged in a number of activities, highlighting their talents on the courts during the Junior Schools Cup, crafting fitness and dance routines in Physical and Health Education, and witnessing the Year 11 cohort culminate their inaugural year of CAS. It has been a whirlwind of involvement and accomplishments across various domains.

Sport

Volleyball Extension – Junior Schools Cup
The Junior Schools Cup unfolded over three exciting days, showcasing our Year 7 and 8 boys and girls volleyball across various venues on the Gold Coast. This is a very prestigious competition that features the best volleyball schools in Queensland with over 110 schools competing. We had a Year 7 and 8 boys and girls teams in the competition who did very well, achieving some excellent results. The Year 7 boys won a silver medal in their division and showed some real potential. The Year 8 girls won a bronze medal in their division and have a bright future with several very talented players in their team. The Year 8 boys and Year 7 girls showed great teamwork and sportsmanship and competed well in their divisions.

In a testament to our collective effort, I am thrilled to announce that QASMT secured an impressive 20^th rank out of 223 schools in Queensland for the Champion Schools Volleyball Tournaments. This is a great result that speaks volumes about the relentless dedication of our coaches and the exceptional performance of our students in the volleyball extension program. Huge congratulations to all involved for this incredible achievement.

QASMT Cricket Triumph
The success continues for the QASMT cricket team for their remarkable victory over Yeronga in a thrilling match, clinching a well-deserved win by five runs.

This victory is a testament to the dedication and effort of all the players who exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and skill throughout the match. A special acknowledgment goes to Mr "Cricket" Meyer for managing the match, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Once again, congratulations to the entire QASMT cricket team for their exceptional effort and achievement on the field!

Sports Ambassadors
A resounding congratulations to the Sports Ambassador Team for their exceptional dedication and contributions throughout 2024. Their commitment has left a mark, establishing a remarkable legacy that resonates within our school community.

The 2025 Sports Ambassador Team embarked on their leadership journey by organising a spirited staff versus students volleyball match. Though the outcome favoured the staff, this event marked a promising beginning to their tenure, displaying their enthusiasm and initiative in fostering community engagement through sports.

The upcoming year holds exciting prospects as the 2025 team has already set the wheels in motion, planning a series of engaging activities. We eagerly anticipate their future initiatives, which promise to further enrich our school community. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting array of events and activities orchestrated by our dynamic Sports Ambassador Team.

Girls State Finals Report
11 students from QASMT competed against 17 students from other schools at the 2024 Girls’ State Secondary Schools Chess Finals. The event was played on 11 October at Holland Park State School, with seven 30-minute games. The majority of our players had never participated in an interschool competition before. It was a high stakes tournament with a qualifying place at the national championships in Perth to be offered to the winning team of four players. Erin obtained the best result with 4.5 points and was awarded a merit ribbon for this achievement. Other notable results were obtained by Tiffany, Lena, Amelia, Sarah and Anushka scoring 4, 4, 3, 3, and 3 points, respectively.

Our players should feel proud of themselves placing second out of eight teams in our first visit to the Girls’ State Finals. This positive experience should inspire them to continue on their competitive chess journey.

Chess coordinators: Guy McNicol and Daniel Turner.

BIAC Chess Report 
I feel privileged to have been associated with the chess program this year during a period of unprecedented growth.   

No where has this been more evident than the demand by students to attend interschool tournaments. There was no exception with the Brisbane Individual Age Championships (BIAC), which was held at Calamvale Community College on Thursday 7 November. Interest by students was nearly double this year compared to last year. In 2023, we had 12 students attend the BIAC, whereas this year the school bus was nearly at capacity with 23 players registering. 

Over the seven-round competition the results that these players achieved against opponents born in the same year were also outstanding with numerous students receiving extrinsic rewards such as medals and ribbons.   Kaiden proved once again why he is the best player in the school by scoring six points and winning his age group.  Reyansh also played brilliantly to win six points, coming second in his age group. Two other students got within the medals achieving bronze. They were Malcolm and Nikola with 5 and 5.5 points, respectively. Merit ribbons were awarded to all students that achieved more than 4.5 points. Our students that received ribbons were Mason, Aarav, Nikita, Pranav, and Jason. 

All students that participated should be commended for their efforts, for making the program stronger, even if they did not receive a medal or ribbon. 

As the curtain closes on the fifth and final interschool tournament for 2024, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous work that Daniel Turner has done to put the chess program on its current trajectory. 

Certainly, the future looks bright for chess here at QASMT!  

Chess Coordinator, Guy McNicol. 

Welcome to CAS Year 10s
Year 10 students at QASMT were recently introduced to the Creativity, Activity, Service program, preparing them for their upcoming CAS journey. Through an introductory presentation, students learnt about the program's significance in shaping well-rounded IB learners.

The session highlighted CAS requirements and its role in complementing academic learning, focusing on encouraging diverse avenues within CAS. We hope that CAS will be a fulfilling and enriching journey for Year 10s, promoting personal growth and a deeper connection to the world around them.

I look forward to collaborating with our Year 10 students as we commence our CAS journey together next year!

Curriculum – Year 7 and 8 Spotlight!
The Year 7 students have evolved into fitness enthusiasts this term, showcasing remarkable teamwork and communication skills. Their task was to devise fitness routines tailored to improve specific fitness components, identified as weaknesses from earlier fitness assessments. Collaborating within their groups, they orchestrated intricate routines utilising various movement strategies, demonstrating synchronisation, timing, and creativity. Each year we witness an elevation in the quality of these routines, with some groups surpassing expectations.

Meanwhile, Year 8 students collaborated to create dance routines in their preferred genres. The school buzzed with their vibrant energy as they practiced their unique routines, displaying dedication and teamwork.  Each group poured their passion into crafting unique and captivating performances reflective of their chosen styles.

These experiences in Physical and Health Education foster not just fitness or dance skills but also teamwork and creativity, enriching our students' overall well-being.

Yanah Floridis, Head of Education Outside the Classroom

From the Guidance Officers

This is a wonderful time of year when we get to reflect and appreciate all that has been experienced in yet another full year!  

There have been so many stories of determination, perseverance and people working together to grow our QASMT community. Your curiosity and creativity have enabled us to find exciting solutions and pathways to achieving student goals. Thank you for your support as we have explored together.

Our Year 10 students have completed a series of lessons on ‘How to Choose”. We explored career clusters, comparing universities, industry outlook and preparing a resume. There was a focus on building a career portfolio with things you can do at school and over the holidays. Our unit culminated with students reviewing and updating their SET (Senior Education and Training) Plans to best prepare for their transition to the Diploma Programme in the new year.

Congratulations to our graduating students with many already accepting offers from universities around Australia and overseas. Students have embraced the opportunities of 2024. All universities are offering flexible support services over the summer break and students of all year levels are encouraged to contact them to explore the ways they can support their learning and future planning. 

Innovation in Aviation Program
The Innovation in Aviation school holiday program will see students tackling a range of challenges, as they explore how emerging aviation innovations such as vertical take-off and landing aircraft, low orbit space travel, and hydrogen powered planes, are changing the way we fly now and into the future. Students will be participating in hands-on challenges, hearing from guest speakers from the aviation industry, touring aircraft maintenance hangers and flight safety training facilities, as they design and develop their own future flying innovations to move passengers around the world in the next 100 years. To find out more and grab your tickets, head to: bit.ly/flying2025

University Enrolment Timelines
When university offers are released (usually in January), students only have a few days to respond. Probably, students will need to accept the offer from the tertiary admissions centre (e.g. QTAC) AND enrol at the university. That is two steps.  Students will only receive one offer at a time from a TAC but may receive multiple offers by applying interstate or by accessing early offer programs.

It is possible to accept multiple offers and enrol in several courses while waiting to consider options and make a choice.  However, it is essential that withdrawal from any unwanted courses is done before the Census Date.

The Census date is:

• the date which your enrolment is considered finalised for the semester.
• the last date you can withdraw from a course (subject) without receiving a financial penalty. If you withdraw from a course (subject) after this date you will still be liable for any fees relating to the course (subject).
• the last day for commonwealth supported students to submit their Request for Commonwealth Assistance Form.
• the last date to make an upfront payment on your account. If you have not paid by this date, your enrolment will be cancelled and you will be notified in writing.
• If you have set up HELP loan (HECS-Help, FEE-Help and SA-Help), your fees will defer shortly after this date.

If you have enrolled at more than one university (e.g. A Queensland university and an interstate university), be sure to cancel your unwanted enrolments before their census date to avoid financial penalties.

Holiday Wishes:
The Careers Office will finish the year on Thursday, 12 December. During the holidays, you can access career support through individual universities or the following services:

1300 467 822 – QTAC (for Queensland university application queries)

1300 275 822 – UAC (for NSW/ACT university application queries)

(03) 9926 1020 – VTAC (for Victoria university application queries)

Remember to explore the QASMT Career Hub for free access to Study Work Grow resources and local QASMT career documents and news - https://studyworkgrow.com/education/school/queensland-academy-for-science-mathematics-and-technology/.

As we head into a season of holidays, it is vitally important that we all take time for family and rest. I encourage everyone to prioritise time for reflection and rejuvenation over these next weeks so that we can all feel refreshed for whatever 2025 may hold.

For a smile, you might like to look back at these nine unusual Christmas jobs:  https://studyworkgrow.com.au/2023/11/23/9-unusual-christmas-jobs-to-consider/

Wishing you all a restful holiday!

Katrina Judge, Guidance Officer Career Planning

Holidays are here again!

I hope you are all able to take the time to enjoy some rest and relaxation during the break. It is important to build in some down time to recharge your batteries; this applies to staff, students, and our families - you too parents! December is a whirlwind of activity, but it’s also the perfect time to pause and focus on self-care. As the year winds down, consider gifting yourself moments of mindfulness, rest, and balance. Self-care is not just about bubble baths - it’s about setting boundaries, prioritising mental health, and recharging so you can step into the new year with clarity and calm.

I have attached a link to the calendar for December Kindness 2024. These calendars have been shared during 2024 and will continue to be shared with the school community during 2025. The calendars provide a daily focus around different themes each month e.g., Mindful March, Friendly February etc.

This month, December, we are encouraged to carry out small acts of kindness. Kindness is contagious, and helping others has been proven to make us feel better too! Let's try to focus on being generous with our time and attention - it's free and better for everyone, as well as our planet!

There is an app,’ Action for Happiness’ that you can download that links to the calendar and a daily feed of positiveness. https://www.actionforhappiness.org/smartphone-app

The Action for Happiness app is based on the themes and actions from the monthly calendars and aims to give users a couple of friendly "nudges" each day - firstly that day's action in the morning and secondly an inspiring message towards the end of the day. A media app with a positive impact.

Community Support Services to access during the break:

For your children:

• Talk to your parents - they are your biggest advocates and think you are wonderful - they will listen to you and support you.

• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 1800  www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/
• Positive self-talk: Link here
• Problem solving: Link here

• Lifeline: 13 11 14  www.lifeline.org.au/Get-help/Online-Services/crisis-chat

• E-Headspace: 1800 650 890   www.eheadspace.org.au (e-headspace is not for crisis support).
• About Headspace digital services: Link here
• Register for a Headspace account: Link here
• 7 tips for a Healthy Headspace booklet: Link here
• How to help a friend going through a tough time: Link here
• How to handle a tough time: Link here

• Youth Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 

• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 551 800 - suicidecallbackservice.org.au 

For parents and community:

• SchoolTV: https://qasmt.eq.schooltv.me/
• Headspace Support for family: https://headspace.org.au/services/family/
• Parentline: 1300 30 1300 https://parentline.com.au/
• Family and Child Connect: 13 32 64 https://familychildconnect.org.au/
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au/
• Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277 relationships.org.au/
• Butterfly: https://butterfly.org.au/
• Griefline: 1300 845 754 https://griefline.org.au/
• 1800Respect: 1800 737 732 https://www.1800respect.org.au/
• Beyond Blue: Parenting and mental health – Link here
• Kids helpline for parents: Link here
• Raising children: Australian parenting – Link here

Stay safe over the break - be kind to yourself and each other.

Tara Le Pla, Guidance Officer Student Support

From the House Deans

As the year draws to a close, we reflect on an action-packed term filled with achievements, transitions and community spirit. 

From farewells to fresh beginnings, the QASMT community has continued to flourish and embody the values that make our school a vibrant and supportive environment.

Year 9 Calling Ceremony
This term, we had the privilege of celebrating the Year 9 Calling Ceremony, celebrating the conclusion of the MYP journey and transition into the Diploma Preparation Programme. Over the past few terms, the Year 9s have engaged in the Journey program, reflecting on their growth, and defining themselves as they prepare for this next exciting chapter. It has been incredible to witness their development, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will make as senior students.

Year 11 Semi-Formal
The Year 11 Semi-Formal was a spectacular event held at Victoria Park. Students arrived dressed to impress, and the night was filled with great food, incredible dancing, and lots of laughter. The students’ behaviour was exceptional, and it was a pleasure to celebrate with them. This memorable evening has everyone looking forward to next year’s Formal as Year 12s!

Year 12 Valedictory and Farewell
Saying goodbye to our Year 12s was bittersweet. From the tradition of senior videos and staff responses at the final assembly, to the heartfelt farewell lap of the school, every moment celebrated the remarkable impact this cohort has had on our community.

The Valedictory dinner at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre was a highlight, bringing students, parents, and staff together to mark the end of an extraordinary journey. The evening was filled with music, speeches, and plenty of emotion as we celebrated the achievements of our graduating class. We could not be prouder of our 2024 seniors, and they will be deeply missed.

Charity Updates
This term, our students once again showed their incredible dedication to making a difference in the community through three remarkable charity initiatives:

• Agnesi House brought the “Fill the Van” campaign to life, working tirelessly to collect an amazing range of toys, crafts, stationery, and games for the Brisbane Children’s Hospital. The students rallied support from across the school, demonstrating true community spirit. Their efforts will bring joy to countless children, and they should be incredibly proud of the difference they have made.
• Da Vinci House went above and beyond with their “Dessert Stall” fundraiser for Canteen Australia, which supports teenagers impacted by cancer. Students coordinated donations, prepared 38 batters of pancake mix, and served freshly made desserts during lunchtime. It was an enormous effort that raised $622.00 that proudly will go towards supporting less fortunate teens in our community.
• Jackson House transformed lunchtime into a carnival with their “Festival of the Phoenix.” Students created and ran a series of fun games, drawing a huge crowd and raising over $800.00 for the Mater Little Miracles Foundation, which supports families with premature babies. Their creativity and hard work brought joy to participants while contributing to an important cause.

These initiatives are a testament to the compassion, energy, and ingenuity of our students. They remind us of the positive impact we can make when we unite for a purpose.

Year 6 Transition Day
This term, we were excited to welcome our incoming Year 6 students for their Transition Day. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to get a taste of life at QASMT and begin forming connections within their new community.

Students also explored the campus, met staff, and contributed to a collaborative house art project, symbolising their first steps into the QASMT community. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were infectious, and it is clear this cohort is ready to thrive.

We are thrilled to have such a vibrant group of students join us and look forward to seeing them grow in 2025 and beyond.

House Points: Celebrating Our 2024 Champions
Each year, our houses come together to foster community spirit, celebrate achievements, and embrace healthy competition. The two major awards - The Spirit Cup and The Overall House Championship - represent different aspects of our school values.

The Spirit Cup, awarded for participation, war cry performances, and engagement in house events, was claimed by Da Vinci House this year. Their vibrant spirit and commitment to fostering unity within their house shone brightly throughout 2024. Congratulations to Da Vinci for embodying the heart and energy of QASMT! The final Spirit Cup standings were:

1. Da Vinci
2. Agnesi
3. Newton
4. Franklin and Hawking (tied)
5. Hollows and Jackson (tied)
6. Curie

The Overall House Championship, which recognises excellence across attendance, academic achievements, athletic events, and house competitions, was an extraordinary triumph for Newton House. Their hard work and dedication throughout the year were unmatched, making this victory a true testament to their perseverance and teamwork. Newton’s achievement reflects the exceptional effort of every member of the house. The final standings for the Overall House Championship were:

1. Newton
2. Da Vinci
3. Agnesi
4. Franklin
5. Jackson
6. Curie
7. Hollows
8. Hawking

Congratulations to all houses for their outstanding efforts this year. The competition was fierce, but the camaraderie and spirit on display were what truly made 2024 an unforgettable year. Let us see what 2025 has in store!

Thank you all for an incredible Term 4. Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to seeing you all in 2025 for another fantastic year at QASMT.

Aileen Davis, House Dean Agnesi; Marc Wheeler, House Dean Curie; Zoe Kirby, House Dean Da Vinci; Tyler Pearson House Dean Franklin; Jae Morris, House Dean Hawking; Kate Oxenford, House Deans Hollows; Dean Aspland, House Dean Jackson; and Deva Prasad, House Dean Newton.

From the Department of Mathematics

Term 4 is almost over and what a big term it has been with competition certificates presented, many concepts investigated in lessons, escape rooms, more competitions, final exams for our Year 12s, and assessments to culminate learning in subjects!

In the Classroom
Year 7 and 8 students have completed interesting real-life application assessments (Criterion D). Being able to read and critically analyse food labels in terms of recommended dietary requirements was part of a Year 7 assessment covering fractions, percentage and ratios. Year 8 students have developed a research question and analysed data on different health and well-being variables to see if there is any relationship between the categorical and numerical data provided to them. Probability patterns were the challenge for Year 9 students to investigate in their second Criterion B assessment for the year.  

Year 10s became proficient with using online programs, along with their quadratic knowledge to model bridges. The skills used for this assignment, in particular the format and style of writing, will be beneficial for the Diploma Programme Internal Assessments (IAs).

Year 11 HL students in both AA (Analysis and Approaches) and AI (Application and Interpretation) have had their first try at a Paper 3 which is an investigative style of assessment. The AI SL students started drafting their final IAs which will be due in Term 1 next year.

Congratulations to our Year 12s who worked hard over the past two years to prepare for their November exams. I look forward to seeing excellent results and wish them every success in the future.

From the Maths Ambassadors
The Mathematics Leadership Team was thrilled to bring a variety of engaging activities to students and staff throughout Term 4. Over the past few weeks, we've been hard at work organising exciting escape rooms for QASMT students, as well as bringing weekly maths challenges to add some extra spark to life at QASMT. Our ongoing Questions of the Week have provided fantastic opportunities for students and staff alike to solve fun, thought-provoking problems.

Looking ahead to 2025, our newly appointed team is already planning fresh and exciting activities to celebrate Pi Day, along with many other innovative events to inspire a love of mathematics. Stay tuned - we can’t wait to share these moments with you!

As we wrap up an incredible 2024, we want to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and participation. We can’t wait to continue making mathematics exciting for all QASMT students and staff in 2025.

Your Local Mathematics Leadership Team

From the Robotics Ambassadors
This term, our Robotics Ambassadors continued to deliver workshops to the school community. These are designed to develop skills in our junior students by offering 3D modelling and 3D printing, and 2D modelling with laser cutting. In addition, various programming workshops for robotics students and other interested students, will be offered during lunch breaks and after school in 2025.

The new First Tech Challenge (FTC) season for 2024-25 commenced on Sunday 8 September; the teams have analysed the game for strategy and have created designs and plans to meet the new challenges presented. Four of our teams were selected to compete at the State Qualifier Match held at St Peter’s Lutheran College on 16 November. Their dedicated design, coding and construction of the robots led to them taking out the match with team ACE Robotics and team Shabster forming an alliance to win first position over our other two teams in the second place alliance, team Trial and Error and team VegeMight.

Team VegeMight also won the prestigious top award called Inspire, which is awarded to a team that is “an inspiration to other teams, acting with Gracious Professionalism® both on and off the playing field. This team shares their experiences, enthusiasm and knowledge with other teams, sponsors, their community, and the judges. Working as a unit, this team will have shown success in performing the task of designing and building a robot.” Congratulations go to Mariah, Yvette, Caleb, Charlie and Bella. 

Top four teams from the state qualifier competition.

The Think Award was won by ACE Robotics and is awarded to the team that embodies the engineering design process during the build season, with the winning portfolio demonstrating the focus on the design and build stage of the team’s robot. Congratulations to the team consisting of Juan, Ben, Bilal, Reef, Disath, Isaac, Nevaan, Hugo, Mehul, Theo and Shainthra.

Trial and Error, in addition to second place overall, came away with the Connect Award for connecting with their local STEM community. The recipient of this award is recognised for helping the community understand the FTC values, and shares them with others. Congratulations to Lucas, Joshua, Evan, Eason, Ryan and Ian.

All four teams were selected to go on to compete in the national competition in Sydney from 6-8 December.

Senior Robotics also continues to develop our community links, with our arrangement with UQ Innovate becoming a regular excursion. Our Senior Robocup students have been able to engage in mentoring with UQ engineers for printed circuit board design and manufacture, and soldering and circuit building training. While the FTC teams have been using the fibre laser cutter to make their bespoke robot structural elements.

Russell Hams, Head of Department Mathematics and Senior Robotics

From the Department of Life Sciences

2024 was an amazing science filled year for all our students.

We said goodbye to our Year 12s and wished them all the best for their future journeys, and our Year 7s have finished their first big year at QASMT! With a 41 week school year, we are definitely ready for a break and looking forward to 2025.

Year 7
Year 7 students spent the term learning about ecosystems, habitats and animal adaptations. They then investigated the impacts on ecosystems, in particular invasive species. They focused their attention on the Arid Environment Recovery Project Case Study, where they applied all their knowledge and understanding to analyse data and investigate impacts. They ended the term by exploring six different ecosystems using the Queensland Museum kits set up for students as an exhibit. Overall, Year 7 students have had a great first year at QASMT.

Year 8
Year 8 students spent the term learning about rocks and how our understanding of geology applies in industry and plate tectonics. In particular, they looked at different types of mines and how each mine can be rehabilitated. Students were also able to engage kit activities from the Queensland Museum that allowed them to better understand rock structure, plate tectonics and the impacts of earthquakes and volcanoes. They finished the term with an engineering design project looking at designing and developing an earthquake proof building.

STEM Futures
Year 9 Sustainable Futures students finished exploring Sustainable Development Goal #11 “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” and became future city developers this term. They had to identify a current issue that their chosen city aspect has. For example, students that chose water management explored concepts around water production through desalination and greywater recycling. They also looked at affordability for the consumer. Each group then developed a digital build through TinkerCAD that focused on solutions to their current issue. Students evaluated their solutions to see whether it would work in real life.

Year 9 Biomedical Engineering students were able to put their researched plans from Term 3 to action by using TinkerCAD and Prusa-Slicer to design their hip implant models, which then were 3D printed. In order to get to this stage, students learned about a variety of patients who might need a hip implant. Each student focused on a particular patient and conducted research to design the most appropriate hip implant. They successfully did this with some impressive results.

Kids STEM Convention
In Week 2 of the term, Year 7 students who participated in the Kids STEM Convention celebrated their projects with almost 300 other students from around Brisbane. They proudly and confidently presented their projects to an array of judges.

Congratulations to Tue Anh, Meili, Angie and Amelia who all won encouragement awards in the Science category.

Biotech Futures Symposium
On Monday 14 October, two Year 11 students - Bhavya and Prabha - presented at the National BIOtech Futures Conference in Sydney. They had three minutes to present to a panel of academic judges and then answer subsequent questions. They placed second nationally should be extremely proud of their efforts. What an amazing achievement.

Lord Mayor’s Young Environmental Leadership Network
On Wednesday 6 November, Seoirsin, Sahana and Gavin presented at the Lord Mayor’s Young Environmental Leadership Network (LMYELN) Graduation Showcase. They shared their projects on Toowong Creek restoration and recycling school supplies at QASMT. They even spent time talking with a number of Local MPs as well as the Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. They have worked extremely hard this year on their projects and should be extremely proud of their efforts.

Saengdao Philavane, Head of Department Life Sciences 

From the Department of Physical Sciences

I cannot believe it is the end of another school year and what a term it has been.

Some of the highlights include our Science Fair trip to Japan for JSSF 2024, our Year 12 students completing their final IB examinations and the completion of our Year 11 Physics Internal Assessments (IAs). Let us have a closer look at some of these key events, as well as a review of what has been going on for each of the year levels in the Physical Sciences.

STEM Futures subjects
Our Year 9 students have now completed their STEM electives experience for 2024. They should now have a good idea of where their strengths lie and have made an informed decision as to which of the Physical Sciences they will pursue into Year 10.

For our Year 10 students, having just received their Term 4 exam results, they should have a good indication of what they need to work on to improve in their chemistry or physics in preparation for the step up to IB Diploma for Year 11. Despite all the excellent preparation that we go through in our Year 10 Diploma Preparation Programme, the step up to IB Diploma is a challenge for most students, so please be aware of this when they start back in Term 1.

Diploma subjects
As mentioned in my introduction, our Year 11 Physics students have now finished their IAs and their drafts are being reviewed by their teachers. Their final reports will be due early in Term 1. Meanwhile the chemicals and equipment for our Year 11 Chemistry students are being prepared so that these students can start into their IA practical work in Term 1, 2025. I want to personally thank Ms Pham for her hard work in getting everything ready, she has been fantastic in supporting us all as our Chemistry laboratory technician.

For our Year 12 students, school is probably already becoming a distant memory as they turn their sights towards the next chapter in their education. I really do hope that they are all having a well-earned break and are, by this stage, feeling refreshed and recovered. We wish them all the best with their results this summer and hope that they receive the results that they want for their next steps.

STEM Research Project Programme (STEM RPP)
During Term 4 we sent Year 11 students from our program to two different fairs. In early November, Katherine, Claire and Jessica attended the Japan Super Science Fair (JSSF) in Kyoto. Our students had the opportunity to meet and share ideas with students from many different countries and a special mention goes to Katherine for her excellent presentation on the ‘anthocyanin content of the bottle brush flower,’ which is native to Australia. I would like to thank Dr Wyenberg and Ms Baker for accompanying our students on this fair. These fairs cannot happen without the support of our staff, which we greatly appreciate.

In Week 9, Ian, Siddharth and Ermia went to the Australian Science Schools Fair at John Monash Science School in Melbourne. The focus of their presentation was on the ‘noise cancelling ability of analogue versus digital devices.’ These students had a great experience and spent their days sharing ideas with the other visiting students.

I also thank Ms Manwaring and Dr Slessor, who accompanied the three students on this trip.

We are already planning for our next international fair, the International Science Schools Fair (ISSF), which takes place in the last week of January 2025.

For students who are interested in joining the STEM RPP in 2025, I would advise them to keep a look out for the student/parent letter which will be sent out early in Term 2.

And finally, to everyone who has helped to support our students through 2024, I thank tyou, and I hope that you all have a great holiday!

Robert Hughes, Head of Department Physical Sciences

From the Department of Individuals and Societies

Term 4 is always busy as we close one year and prepare for the next.

Term 4 is always busy as we close one year and prepare for the next.

Congratulations to all the students and staff who finished the year strong - it was wonderful to see such high engagement. Of particular note was Year 7 I&S students who concluded the last three weeks of the year doing a “Capstone” unit that tied the four facets of humanities together, while focusing on the four MYP concepts. Students created their own civilisation (Civics and Citizenship) and considered the resources, goods and services (Business and Economics) that they would provide. Using the world map (Geography), students were assigned a location for the civilization - 47 random experiences then “took place” to shape that country’s history.

Year 10 Economics students practiced internal assessment commentary and learnt the importance of a quality article selection, while Year 11 students in Business Management, Economics and Psychology finished the year with an exam. They also received their IA draft feedback with the final submission due early in Term 1 of Year 12.

Thank you to departing staff
Mr Sumit Giri joined us this year as a Business teacher, with one of our teachers on sick leave. Mr Giri has been a popular colleague who developed positive relationships and rapport with all his students. We thank him for his contributions this year and wish him all the best on his next endeavours.

I wish all students and staff a safe, happy and relaxing summer break.

DP1 Theory of Knowledge

In Term 4, Year 11 students achieved a major milestone in their Theory of Knowledge (TOK) studies by completing and presenting their exhibitions. This internal assessment, which accounts for 33% of their final TOK grade, required students to critically explore a TOK prompt by connecting it to three carefully chosen objects. After receiving feedback in the first week of the term, students refined their exhibitions during class time over Weeks 1-3, incorporating guidance from their teachers and Tuesday lunchtime tutorials.

The culmination of this work was an engaging and insightful exhibition event where Year 11 students shared their projects with Year 10 students. This peer-to-peer interaction allowed Year 11s to showcase their understanding of how TOK concepts manifest in the real world and provided Year 10s with an inspiring glimpse into their upcoming TOK journey.

As part of their exhibitions, students emphasised creating strong justifications for their chosen objects and supported their claims with evidence such as personal experiences, contextual features, and academic insights. Feedback from Year 10 students and staff highlighted the depth of thought and creativity evident in the displays.

With the exhibitions complete, Year 11 students transitioned to exploring the area of knowledge of History. This inquiry focused on how historians interpret and reconstruct the past, the role of documentary evidence, and how differing perspectives shape historical narratives. Students also began preliminary preparations for their final TOK assessment, the TOK essay, including unpacking the May 2025 essay titles.

Term 4 was a vibrant period of critical thinking and intellectual growth, marking significant achievements and paving the way for Year 11 students’ continued success in Theory of Knowledge.

Joshua Kiehne – TOK Coordinator

Lyle Fredericksen, Head of Department Individuals and Societies

From the Department of Technology

This is our final Term in Review for the Technology Faculty.

Looking back over the semester and the year, it has been an incredible year of technology rich activities, rewarding experiences and innovative learning.

MYP Programme for Years 7 and 8

Year 7 Design
During Term 4, the students had an immersive experience in the field of robotics using the TinyBit programable robot cars. They embarked on a project centered around designing Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) to be used now or in the future. To showcase their ideas, they presented a functional prototype of an AV navigating a predefined route entirely on its own. Throughout this process students honed their problem-solving abilities by identifying and addressing issues, whether they stemmed from the hardware or the logical aspects of the software. Students utilised their AVs for various purposes, including driverless taxis, robo-buses, parcel and food delivery services, long-haul trucking, lunar and challenging terrain exploration, entertainment rides in theme parks, and more. As part of the assessment, students were tasked with researching applications for autonomous vehicles in the present or future, fostering creativity and imagination in the process.

Year 8 Design
This term in Year 8 Design, students transitioned from the web context of HTML/CSS to developing simple command-line programs in Python. Placing emphasis on algorithmic thinking and flowcharts, the students enjoyed a variety of exercises that introduced them to concepts such as variables, data types, input, output, selection, iteration and modularisation. Students applied these important skills to a new project, which required them to develop a digital mathematics quiz for a target audience of their choosing. Working through the design cycle, students were able to create and evaluate the success of their prototype using authentic product testing. It has been an extremely rewarding end to the year, and the students are no doubt leaving the course with lifelong skills in computational thinking and digital literacy.

Middle Year Robotics program
At the RoboCup National Championships 2024 conducted at the University of Queensland, we entered 8 teams in the competition. There were 180+ Teams registered from across Australia and New Zealand. We achieved 3rd place in Soccer Standard, the major event at the National Championships. An excellent achievement by our team who have strategised, coded, built and practiced all year. It was great to see how passionate and focused our students were at the Championships. Fantastic also to see many of the student’s parents spectate for the two days. We have a wonderful cohort of passionate and focused junior robotic students who represented the Academy exceptionally at all levels at the Championships.

Larry Vint, Head of Department Technology and Middle Years Robotics

From the Department of Language Acquisition and The arts

As the term comes to an end, we reflect on a busy but rewarding period filled with exciting events and academic achievements.

Year 10 Spanish Ab Initio
Our Year 10 Spanish ab initio students have successfully completed their preparation year, demonstrating great progress and enthusiasm. They are now ready to embark on their Diploma Programme in 2025, and we are confident they will continue to excel.

Japanese Language and Culture Highlights
In late October, we celebrated a milestone as our first cohort of Japanese B students completed their final exams. We wish all our Year 12 students the best as they move forward into the next phase of their lives.

A highlight of the term was Mr Nishimoto’s inspiring Kendo demonstration with the Year 9s. Students were captivated by the cultural significance of Kendo and its connection to the Japanese language. An observing teacher praised Mr Nishimoto’s Kendo demonstration, highlighting his engaging teaching approach and ability to connect cultural significance with practical participation. They were particularly inspired by his empowering message: “If you do your best and fail, you can still hold your head up high.” This perspective resonated deeply, encouraging resilience and self-respect, and the teacher plans to incorporate it into their own practice.

Farewell to Morimoto Sensei
At the end of this year, we say goodbye to Morimoto Sensei, who has been with QASMT for three wonderful years. She brought a wealth of IB experience and engaged our students in enriching cultural activities such as onigiri-making, Setsubun, and Tanabata traditions. Her contributions to the Japanese Readers and Speakers CCA have been invaluable. On behalf of the entire QASMT community, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Morimoto Sensei for her dedication and support.

Visual Art

Media Arts - Years 7 and 8
In Term 4 our Year 7 and 8 Visual Arts Students explored Media Arts.

Year 7 students devised and created a one minute silent film. In groups they learnt about camera angles, storyboarding, filming and editing - applying silent film conventions to a story based on fables. In Year 8, our students created a stop motion Claymation about a STEAM Influencer. Students learnt three-dimensional construction techniques and basic editing to create their Claymation animations.

Year 9 Visual Art - Artists as Changemakers
After developing skills in different media and techniques in Term 3, our Year 9 art students spent Term 4 creating artworks with meaning in both imagery and materiality. Students conceived and created their own artworks that communicated a personal or societal narrative, connecting their ideas with their audience.

“This main figure in my art, looking upwards to show emotional overwhelm, is surrounded by external hands reaching towards them. This symbolises the external influences and expectations of our identity reaching for us and trying to change who we are.” (AH)

“My artwork explores the innovation process as a balance between creativity and structure. By focusing on this interplay between creative freedom and technical precision, I aim to portray innovation development as dynamic, exciting and multifaceted.” (LM)

“In this artwork, I was inspired by my family's experience migrating to Australia before my birth and aimed to encapsulate some of their positive and negative emotions and experiences from the time.” (AS)

Farewell to Ms Johnson
At the end of this year, we also bid a heartfelt farewell to Ms Johnson, our talented Visual Arts teacher. Ms Johnson brought her artistic flair to our school, inspiring and supporting students in their creative pursuits. Her contributions to the Festival of Creativity, particularly the stunning gallery displays, provided a vibrant space to showcase the artistic talents of both students and staff. She will be greatly missed, and we extend our best wishes as she embarks on her new endeavours - thank you, Ms Johnson, for your passion, creativity, and lasting impact on our community.

Classroom and Instrumental Music

Music Year 7
This term, our Year 7 students explored the world of musicals in classroom music. They developed their understanding of chord structures and used this knowledge to create melodies for their own songs, which they notated using MuseScore. Additionally, students showcased their talents by performing a solo piece or song from a musical and delivered engaging musical pitches to their peers.

Music Year 8
This term, Year 8 students delved into the art of re-imagining music across different genres, both through creative compositions and individual performances. They worked on developing their skills in tuned percussion, guitar, and drums, with a focus on collaboration and musical expression. The term concluded with impressive group performances where students demonstrated their growth, creativity, and teamwork, leaving their peers and teachers thoroughly impressed.

Year 9
This term, Year 9 students explored the fascinating world of video game music, discovering how it enhances atmosphere and action. Using DAW technology or traditional notation, they composed original music for a chosen three minute video game sequence. Through this process, students learned to create and develop motifs to represent characters or moods, weaving these themes into their compositions. To cap off the term, students showcased their talents by performing a video game music solo to their peers, demonstrating their creativity and skill.

Instrumental Music
It has been a busy term for IM performances! Music was provided for the Awards ceremonies – String quartet, Big Band and Big Band 2 performed amazingly well. Thanks also to Katherine and Prabha for performing the National Anthem at these special events. Felix and Mokhyada performed a duet for voice and piano at Valedictory, a lovely way to end their time in the Music Program.

An end of year performance celebration was held in front of M Block in Week 7, for parents/caregivers, staff and students. Strings, big band, percussion and smaller ensembles entertained with festive and other music.

Big Band 2 received a gold award at the Jacaranda Festival performing “Happy” and “Big Band Theory.” One comment was made on how the band had improved since their performance at Fanfare; students’ hard work has truly paid off!

Recently, Leonardo was awarded third place for the ASME Queensland composition competition. The workshop involved several learning experiences, for example, professional composition techniques, musical inspiration and an opportunity for students to communicate with several of Queensland's forefront composers. Leonardo also recently conducted strings at the end of year morning performance and will take part in QSO Compose in 2025. Well done Leonardo!

Well done also to Jemma for attending SHEP (State Honours) and Marilyn and Jonathan for attending AHEP (Australian Honours Ensembles Program).

Thank you to our students, staff, and families for a fantastic 2024. Your hard work and creativity have been truly inspiring.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday break. We look forward to another exciting year in 2025!

Fiona Scarth, Head of Department Asian Language Acquisition and The Arts

From the Department of Language and Literature

As the curtain falls on Term 4, it is impossible not to marvel at the extraordinary energy and focus that has defined the past few months at QASMT. 

This season has been a vibrant celebration of learning and achievement, a testament to the dedication of our students and the careful orchestration of their academic journey. Like the ripening of fruit in a Blakean summer landscape, this term showcased the fruition of months of effort. The air seemed charged with the echoes of critical discussions, creative performances, and rigorous analysis. The metaphorical songs of learning, articulated through essays, presentations, and performances, created a symphony that celebrated the transformative power of education.

A Collective Triumph
Term 4 has been a resounding success - not just for individual students but for the QASMT community as a whole. Every lesson, project, and performance has underscored the transformative power of education to shape curious, creative, and critically engaged minds. Our students have moved through each learning challenge with determination. Their collaboration and energy demonstrate a drive to learn and to continually adapt to new learning situations and contexts.

As the year draws to a close, we celebrate a harvest of accomplishments and a future brimming with possibility. This term reminds us of what is possible when young minds are given the tools, opportunities, and support to thrive. In their triumphs, we see the promise of a brighter tomorrow - one shaped by the thoughtful, resilient, and globally conscious leaders who began their journey here.

David Bracken, Head of Department Language and Literature

From the Deputy Principal Middle Years

Throughout Term 4 our Middle Years’ students have continued to shine. 

QASMT offers all students a wealth of activities and experiences outside of their general curriculum studies, and it is wonderful to see so many students embracing them. Our students’ enthusiasm is infectious, and I know that in years to come our students will look back fondly on their many experiences at QASMT.

On the academic front, in October we celebrated student achievement at our annual QASMT Awards Evening. As the pinnacle event on the academic calendar, it was very pleasing to see large numbers of Middle Years’ students on stage accepting a range of academic and special awards. Congratulations students. 

And finally, on behalf of the entire Middle Years’ community I would like to thank our Middle Years’ parent delegates for their tireless efforts this year in supporting our families and the school.

I would like to end by thanking all Middle Years’ students for a wonderful year. I wish everyone a safe and relaxing summer break.

Kirsten Baker, Deputy Principal Middle Years

From the Senior Leadership Team

As we begin our school holidays, we’d like to share our gratitude for the privilege of being part of such an exceptional community of students, parents and staff. 

This past year has been absolutely amazing, filled with achievements that make us incredibly proud of our students at QASMT. Your continued support and commitment have been essential in bringing these successes to life. Thank you!

At our recent Valedictory celebration, Principal Kayrooz offered warm congratulations and meaningful support, creating a memorable experience for everyone present. It was an especially emotional evening, as these graduates were our foundation Year 7 students, now completing their journey as Year 12s. Principal Kayrooz spoke with genuine passion for the Academy and its students, and her inspiring words left a strong impression on both students and parents. She reminded our graduates that they hold the power to shape the future, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions with perseverance and integrity. Quoting Eleanor Roosevelt, she said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” and urged them to embrace mistakes as essential steps in true learning. Ms Kayrooz received positive feedback from parents following the ceremony.

“Thank you for a wonderful Year 12 Valedictory celebration. It was lovely to see the close bonds formed between students and staff, and to celebrate the amazing growth and accomplishment of this inaugural group of QASMT Year 7s. We feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be part of such a fabulous learning community. Our students' future looks bright!”

- Rowan Alick

As we look back on the past term, we are grateful for the many memorable moments and exciting events that brought our community together. World Teachers’ Day was a particular highlight, giving us the chance to honour the incredible contributions of our teachers and support staff. We extend our thanks to Chaplain Denise for organising a wonderful morning tea and coffee van, and to the remarkable group of ARC students who went above and beyond to recognise our teachers in such a thoughtful way. They created personal cards and delivered small treats to each staff member’s desk - a gesture made possible by the generosity of a dedicated group of parents and led by our Production Captain, Aaron.

The term presented a myriad of opportunities, and while the list may not be exhaustive, please find a summary below.

Our students really enjoyed all of these activities, and we would like to thank the many teachers, support staff and parents who made these opportunities a reality.

At QASMT, we are dedicated to enriching every dimension of our school experience, with a commitment that goes beyond academic achievement to foster the holistic development of our students. The 2025 timetable not only adjusts the school day for our Year 7 and 8 students, but also makes space for an intentional focus on wellbeing, introducing four pillars as standalone subjects. This reflects our Wellbeing Framework vision: “Learning to Flourish, Flourishing to Learn.”

These four pillars - InStep Program, Positive Education, International Baccalaureate Learner Attributes, and Respectful Relationships, are designed to empower students with the skills, resilience, and self-awareness necessary for personal growth. By embedding these core areas into their learning, we are helping to create a supportive environment where students can thrive both in school and beyond, laying a strong foundation for their future success.

This year, we have seen an increase in students taking personal leave, resulting in ‘unauthorised leave’. While we understand the disruptions caused by the global pandemic, international travel has been fully accessible since 2022. We accommodated travel during term time in 2022 and 2023; however, in alignment with the Department of Education’s absence criteria, a stricter policy has been in place this year. Leave requests during term time are only approved in cases of genuine emergencies. Any unauthorised leave taken outside of these circumstances is a breach of the Enrichment and Student Leadership Policy. Vacations, family gatherings, weddings and similar events are expected to be scheduled exclusively during official school breaks. The school will, however, continue to support leave applications for approved academic and sporting competitions. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us prioritise uninterrupted learning for all students.

Academic success is deeply influenced by consistent attendance, which goes together with effective teaching and student engagement. Each school day is crucial in shaping the educational path of our students. Research from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) underscores the negative impact that absenteeism has on students' academic performance, particularly in literacy and numeracy. Regular attendance is essential to ensure students meet their academic potential.

In addition, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) has found a strong link between attendance and academic outcomes for IB students. Studies show that students who attend regularly not only develop essential skills like critical thinking and self-management, but they also have significantly higher rates of university enrolment and persistence compared to peers with lower attendance rates. DP students who score higher in IB assessments and maintain consistent attendance have been shown to be better prepared for selective universities and achieve more success in postsecondary education​.

As a school community, we collectively bear the responsibility to prioritise daily attendance, recognising it as a key contributor to both personal and academic growth. In Nelson Mandela's words, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Let us ensure our students are equipped with this 'weapon' through regular, engaged attendance.

For further reading, you can explore the following resources.

1. Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) 2022 report on the link between attendance and academic performance: Spotlight: Attendance Matters
2. International​l Baccalaureate outcomes and attendance impact: IB Research on Postsecondary Outcomes.

These studies provide deeper insights into the essential role of attendance in achieving academic success and building lifelong skills.

QASMT is excited to continue our engagement with Daymap in 2025. Through the access of Daymap Parent Portal, parents and caregivers are able to track student attendance, access the school calendar, and receive updates on assessment task due dates. At the start of 2025, continuing parents and caregivers will receive instructions to reset their password for Daymap Parent Portal. During these communications, we also hope to share some reminders on the most effective means of accessing the portal, and relevant IT contact details, should you have access concerns. We encourage new members of our parent and caregiver community to first register with QParents. Once this step has been completed, more information about Daymap will be shared. Of course, more information will be released about QParents at the start of the year.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our year level parent representatives, as well as the many other parents who have generously contributed throughout the year. It has been a pleasure celebrating your involvement during events such as the Festival of Creativity thank you afternoon tea. Many thanks to the parents who have volunteered at our Refectory, Festival of Creativity, International Women’s Day, and the Mother’s Day Stalls - your participation in these events is very much appreciated. Thank you also to the many parents who donated treats for our World Teachers’ Day celebration, and a special thank you to Tamsin for leading this with our Academy Representative Council. We truly appreciate the strong partnership we have between home and school. The contribution each of you makes to our community is invaluable, and the effort you put into supporting our students allows them to flourish. Your involvement helps create a welcoming environment where students feel a sense of belonging, and together, we celebrate their achievements and growth. Thank you for being such an important part of our school journey.

Parent Honour Board

We extend our gratitude to the parents listed below, whose invaluable contributions have enriched our school community in countless ways. QASMT appreciates your dedication and the positive impact you’ve made in fostering a truly exceptional environment for all.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Winand for his incredible contributions over the past six years. His dedication, passion and loyal support have made a lasting impact on our community. Whether through your leadership, creativity, or countless acts of kindness, you have enriched our lives in immeasurable ways. As you finish this chapter, we wish you all the best in your next endeavours. Your legacy will continue to inspire and be cherished for years to come. Thank you for everything!

We also want to take a moment to acknowledge the exceptional teachers we have at QASMT. Their dedication to academic excellence and their genuine passion for supporting and inspiring our students are key to the positive environment at our school. It’s clear that their hard work, both inside and outside the classroom, has made a significant impact on the growth and success of our students. The innovative teaching approaches and the care they show for each individual’s development help create a nurturing environment where students thrive. We appreciate the continuous effort of our teachers to provide an enriching and meaningful educational experience at QASMT.

As we head into the festive season, we wish the entire QASMT community a restful, safe and joyful holiday. In late January, Principal Kath Kayrooz will reach out to share the exciting achievements of our 2024 cohort’s Diploma results. 

School will resume on Tuesday 28 January for Year 7 and new Year 10 students, and on Wednesday 29 January for all other year levels. We truly appreciate your ongoing support and involvement, which help make QASMT such a special place for our students.

Kath Kayrooz, Principal; Kerry Bullock, Associate Principal; Catherine de Freitas Pessoa, Deputy Principal Performance; Sam Weston, Deputy Principal Academic; Jane Manwaring, Deputy Principal Engagement

From the Deputy Principal Senior Years

Welcome back for Term 4. I hope all our families have had a wonderful holiday and are ready for the final term of 2024.   

Year 12 IB Updates

This term brings with it the final IB examinations for our Year 12 students, as well as the culmination of their schooling journey. I am looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our Year 12 students and families towards the end of the term. Before then though, come the final exams – a challenging and exciting time for all our Year 12s. They have prepared for these exams for almost two years, and at this point there are only a few weeks until the exams. The exams begin Monday 21 October, and run until 11 November. I would like to remind our Year 12s to ensure they continue to follow their study plans that they made last term during the Year 12 Conference, whilst ensuring they keep a healthy diet and sleep pattern, so they have every opportunity to be at their best health for the exam period. Maintaining energy levels and a positive mindset over this three-week period is essential. I would also like to thank our Year 12 families for everything you are doing to support your child through this time, they couldn’t do this without your support - it is certainly an important time for both students and their families.

Year 11 Updates

Our Year 11 students continue their Diploma Programme (DP) journey; this term embarking on their Extended Essays and submitting their final Theory of Knowledge Exhibition. Along with CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), these three elements make up the IB Inner Core, and success in these three elements is essential to passing their Diploma. Block exams will take place in Week 8 this term, so I advise students to start their preparations early by working on their study plans with their subject teachers and House Dean, focusing on areas for improvement and ensuring they keep their goals in sight.

Year 10 Updates

Our Year 10 students continue their Diploma Preparation Programme (DPP), both through their subjects and their Wednesday sessions in the Lecture Theatre. All Year 10 students should now be in the subjects and levels that they intend to study in their Diploma, and if this is not the case, they need to make an appointment with either their House Dean, HOD, the Deputy Principal Performance, or myself as soon as possible. As our Year 10s complete their final term before their Diploma starts, I encourage all Year 10s to reflect on what skills they learn this term which will allow them to flourish next year.

Have a productive Term 4 

At the end of each term, I bring you an update on what I have seen during my walkthroughs over the term, focussing on ATL. I am very much looking forward to seeing what our students and teachers are up to in their classrooms this coming term, and I will report back to you soon. I have already seen some wonderful classes where communication, research and thinking have been at the forefront of the lesson, and where students have been fully engaged in the learning experience.

To all our families, students and teachers - have a wonderful and productive Term 4.

Esme Hatchell, Deputy Principal Senior Years

From Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC)

Before we look ahead to the exciting EOTC activities planned for Term 4, I want to congratulate all the students selected to represent QASMT at the WBSSS Gala Day in Week 10 of Term 3. I would also like to express my gratitude to the incredible staff members who generously dedicated their time to support the students and ensure their participation in the Gala Day.

Volleyball Extension: Junior School Cup

Our talented Year 7 and 8 students are eagerly preparing for an exciting challenge at the Junior Schools Cup, taking place on 19 – 21 October. These dedicated young athletes have been putting in countless hours of training, and their coaches are excited about their potential. The Junior Schools Cup is a prestigious event that gathers schools from across Queensland to highlight the skills of young volleyball players. This is a fantastic opportunity for our Year 7 and 8 students to showcase their abilities and skills on a larger stage.

Our Volleyball Extension Program has played a key role in preparing these students for the tournament, and we are eager to improve our state rankings with this being the last tournament of the year. Best of luck to our outstanding athletes!

School Sport

We are excited to launch our first year of social rotational games, along with a Round 2 offering for badminton, as part of our much-anticipated Term 4 Sports Program, kicking off in Week 2. With the Gala Day schedule having wrapped up, this term offers a fantastic way to end the year on a high note with a fun and engaging program that encourages students to stay active and compete against one another.

We are also thrilled to host a cricket scrimmage in Week 6, where we will welcome Indooroopilly SHS for a friendly match. This will further build on the continued success of our cricket program.

Please note, the Year 8 and 9 programs will merge this term, with sessions held on Fridays from 2:15pm to 3:15pm. Additionally, there are some minor changes to the Year 7 schedule, which have been communicated via email.

We look forward to a term filled with skill development, respectful and friendly competition!

Chess Program

In Week 6, a group of Year 7–11 students will represent the school at the Brisbane Individual Age Chess Championships, taking place from 7 - 11 November. This prestigious event serves as the culmination of our chess program for the year, and after checkmate-worthy performances in the lead-up tournaments, we have high expectations for our team.

Additionally, the Gardiner Chess Girls State Finals will be held in Week 2, and we wish all competitors the very best of luck. We are confident that the dedication and effort they have shown throughout the Friday chess program will be rewarded.

CAS

As we approach Week 5, our Year 11 students are gearing up for their second interviews.  In the lead up to this, they have been diving headfirst into some fantastic CAS experiences that have not only enriched their lives but also helped them grow as individuals.  We look forward to hearing all about their reflections as they discuss their experiences so far.

Our Year 10 students are about to dip their toes into the world of CAS during a series of induction activities as part of their PEP curriculum. It is the start of a journey that promises to be filled with meaningful experiences, personal growth, and a whole lot of fun.  We are excited to introduce our Year 10s to the realms of creativity, activity, and service!

Yanah Floridis, Head of Education Outside the Classroom

From the Guidance Officers

Greetings everyone! Looking ahead at Term 4 is always very rewarding with many opportunities to celebrate the year.  Our Year 12 students should now have submitted their university applications and be preparing for their final exams.  Be sure to contact me if I can support the application process in any way.  Year 10 students participate in a series of career planning lessons entitled “How to choose”, building on their previous career work and revising their SET plans as they move into their Diploma Programme.

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors may boost your selection rank and can improve your chances of gaining a place in your preferred degree at university.

Adjustment schemes are intended to recognise various backgrounds and experiences.  They may also reflect a student’s unique skills and talents.

Schemes vary between universities and individual courses but may be awarded for studying particular subjects, such as a second language, for rural or regional backgrounds, for disadvantage, for elite performance (athletes, performers, leaders) or other criteria.  UQ, Griffith and QUT offer adjustment factors in recognition of the rigour of various IB subjects with specific details on their websites.

Some assistance schemes are automatic while others require students to indicate their eligibility in their application process.  Further information can be found on university or Tertiary Admissions Centre (eg.QTAC) websites.

Career Planning Resources and Events

Information Sessions:  Throughout the year, Career Information Sessions are held focussing on timely information for career planning.  Sessions will have a target audience (e.g. parents or a specific year level) but others are welcome to attend.  Topics will include application processes, university specific information and study field focus sessions.  During Term 4, sessions are exploring Careers in Health. Why study health? What are the options and pathways? What is the difference between courses? How to prepare?

QUT - START QUT (STEM Intensive)

START QUT (STEM Intensive) delivers a first-year QUT STEM unit in a two-week intensive study program during the summer holidays in January 2025. This unique program is designed for current Year 11 students entering Year 12 in 2025.

STEM Intensive courses:

• Spatial Materiality (Architecture and Built Environment)
• Engineering Design and Professional Practice
• Design of Computer Systems
• Grand Challenges in Science

Applications open                               1 August, 2024

Applications close                               31 October, 2024

Orientation                                          December, 2024

Class timetable                                   TBC (2 weeks in January 2025)

Course details and further information: https://www.qut.edu.au/study/options/start-qut-stem-intensive

Study Work Grow – Scholarships Guide 

The next publication from Study Work Grow has just been released.  Expanding their popular guide series, you can now access their Scholarships Guide.  It includes:

• Equity Scholarships
• Merit Scholarships
• Co-op Scholarships
• Industry Scholarships

Plus, who they are for, eligibility, benefits, and how to find and apply for them. The Guide now links to our new Scholarships Database, which ensures it stays current all year long.

Use the Career Hub details below to utilise our Academy subscription for free access to Study Work Grow newsletters, guides and resources.

Careers with STEM – Parent Portal (2 images in K drive – Parent Portal and Engineering mag)

Free magazines, job kits and guides exploring all you need to know about the job you always wanted, and some you never knew about!  If you would love to learn about what potential STEM career paths are available, make sure to try the Careers with STEM parents’ newsletter.

Check out a previous edition of the newsletter here. 

Sign up for the parents newsletter here. 

I am looking forward to a productive and rewarding final term for 2024!

Katrina Judge, Guidance Officer Career Planning

Welcome to the final term for 2024. Term 4 always disappears in a flash, so it is important that we all take the time to be present along the way.

To support students and our wider QASMT community, during Term 4 I will share the following strategies to encourage moments of ‘pause’ for us to focus on our own, and each other’s wellbeing this term:

• Student wellbeing tips and strategies
• Staff wellbeing updates from Happy Schools
• Strategy spotlight to whole QASMT community
• Action for Happiness Calendar of daily tasks and reminders.
  

In addition to these resources, SchoolTV have a fantastic Positive Parenting Series that includes resources in the following:

• Understanding adolescence
• Friendship and belonging
• Happiness and gratitude
• Resilience
• Blended families
• Positive Parenting

https://qasmt.eq.schooltv.me/channel-newsletter/318

Strategy Spotlight

The joint student, staff, parent and community learning opportunity with the ‘Strategy Spotlight’ always receives a great response from those who have engaged with the resources.

This term, the ‘Strategy Spotlight’ will include strategies that focus on:

• Tactile sensations
• Strengths-based and solution-focussed methods
• Optimism
• Positive psychology
• Mindfulness
• Interoceptive awareness
• Association and dissociation techniques
• Distraction
• Humour and imagery

I hope you enjoy exploring these strategies with your family.

It is important to remember that we all have two key parts to our minds; the part that worries and freaks out, and the part that cleverly calms us down with its words of wisdom. Our wise mind is often very present when we are helping others with their problems, and we could all benefit by accessing this wise mind for our own inner thoughts as well. The third stick figure is useful for somebody else’s helpful words; a little objectivity can be very useful in times of worry. This activity draws on the powerful externalisation technique of creating an observer or audience for our experience. Drawing stick figures and thought bubbles to represent the different modes of thought is a great way to get it out of the head and onto the paper, making it easier to see what effect  thoughts have on us. Maybe it can even look humorous when we see the difference between the voices of the stick figures. Drawing from cognitive behavioural therapy, voice dialogue and art therapy methods, this process helps us to be more aware of the voice of the wise mind, and perhaps more easily access its helpful dialogue in times of need. 

One of the key aspects of optimism or positive psychology is to know that all unwanted experiences are temporary. When things are difficult it’s easy to think it will be like this forever, which feels awful, scary and unbearable. But it won’t always be that way because this too shall pass. There’s a reason why this concept has been part of all key belief systems for centuries. It’s because it is true. This will pass. Use this cognitive (CBT), solution-focussed method for all intense states. Repeat the phrase ‘This too will pass’ over and over if you need to. In neuro linguistic programming (NLP) moving to a more abstract or wider perspective like this is called ‘chunking up’. It is helpful and normalising to see our own individual experience in the context of wider human experience, which, like the seasons, includes a natural flow of smooth and not so smooth. It’s ok. 

External supports and assessment requests

In this current climate, the number of students accessing support for social/emotional wellbeing and other types of psychosocial support is increasing. The importance of looking after wellbeing has been highlighted in recent years. Accessing supports to maintain wellbeing, and not just respond to poor wellbeing, is becoming more accessible. At times, support providers working with our students may request information from schools to support their hypothesis for diagnosis and treatment options. Please be aware that QASMT take the privacy of our students very seriously. There are strict protocols to follow when sharing or providing external supports for any information. If specialists are requiring additional information from the school, please direct any request directly to either Tara Le Pla, Guidance Officer or June Balfour, Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing. Please do not approach your child’s teachers with such requests. This will ensure correct and appropriate sharing of information with informed consent from all parties.

Tara Le Pla, Guidance Officer Student Support

From the House Deans

Welcome to Term 4, 2024.

House fundraisers

In Week 6, Da Vinci House will be coming together for a very significant cause, and in a very delicious way! At lunchtime on Thursday, from 10:45am to 11:45am, Da Vinci dragons will be selling pancake desserts and ice cream sundaes with multiple toppings on offer. All proceeds will go to Canteen Australia, which provides life-changing support to young people navigating the challenges of cancer. Don’t miss out on this sweet opportunity to make a real impact!

Year 12 Farewell Assembly and Valedictory

The end of an era is fast approaching for our Year 12s. QASMT will soon farewell another successful group of Year 12 students after their final IB exams this term. The hard work and determination employed to undertake final IB exams is sure to pay off very soon.

Year 11 Semi-formal

On 4 October 2024, Year 11 students gathered at Victoria Park Function Centre at Herston for their Semi-formal. An important rite of passage, students had a fun time together, with everyone dressed in ‘smart casual’ outfits. Thank you to all the teachers and organisers for this wonderful event. Students are looking forward to the Formal next year for Year 12.

Aileen Davis, House Dean Agnesi; Marc Wheeler, House Dean Curie; Zoe Kirby, House Dean Da Vinci; Ross Bray, House Dean Franklin; Jae Morris, House Dean Hawking; Kate Oxenford, House Deans Hollows; Dean Aspland, House Dean Jackson; and Deva Prasad, House Dean Newton.

From the Department of Mathematics

Welcome to the last term for the year. It will be a busy one with Year 12s completing final exams, Year 10 and 11 students only having seven weeks of learning before their exam block, and our MYP students having a little longer to complete the learning of new content.

In the classrooms…….

Our Year 12 students are working very hard on their exam preparation program with many opting to come into school as they review concepts, practise past papers and discuss exam strategies. We wish them every success in the upcoming exams.

In Year 11, the students studying HL courses will have their first practise of a Paper 3 this term, which is a more investigative style of exam. Year 11 AI (Application and Interpretation) SL students have begun work on their Internal Assessment (IA) with the draft due in Week 4. The other courses – both HL and AA SL – are beginning to consider topic choices for their IAs but will not begin working on this until next year.

All Year 10 students have bridge designs on their mind, as they use their knowledge of quadratics to model a function for their bridge using technology and some algebraic skills. This assignment serves as a chance to learn the skills they will need to complete an IA in the Diploma Programme.

Probability, consumer arithmetic (percentage, interest, depreciation), rates, direct proportion and statistics are the concepts to be covered by Year 9 in their unit “How Likely”. They will complete a Criterion B (Investigating Patterns) task early in the term and then a Criterion A (Knowledge) test in exam block in Week 8.

Criterion C (Communication) and D (Real life context) tests are the focus for both Year 7 and 8 students this term. Year 7 students will then begin their final unit, “Can mathematics be beautiful?” which applies knowledge of the cartesian plane, algebra and transformations to the real world. Meanwhile the Year 8 students are busy learning about data literacy and statistics which will form the basis of their assessment, as they consider the Statement of Inquiry: Health and wellbeing information can be communicated using a variety of equivalent forms of representation. The second half of the term will focus on algebra and all things quadrilateral with a final Criterion A test in Week 9.

Enrichment Opportunities

Only a few competitions are left this year:  

• 38 students have almost completed the Maths Enrichment program offered by the Australian Maths Trust. Over the last 16 weeks they have been solving 12-16 difficult problem-solving questions.
• We have three teams in the second round of the QAMT Year 7/8 Maths Quiz; hopefully one of them will qualify to represent the school in the state finals.
• A number of students have entered in the STAQ Contest (Mathematical Investigation Division).

We are still waiting for some results from earlier competitions. These will be delivered to students when they arrive.  It is always encouraging to see the number of students who stretch themselves mathematically outside the classroom by taking on extra tasks and challenges.

An update from the Mathematics Ambassadors:

This term, the maths team are putting together a new edition of our beloved escape rooms, including new puzzles and new clues up for challenge. This will take place during lunchtimes in Week 2 and Week 3. Also, we are hosting the annual jellybean guessing competition. Please come along in Week 2 lunchtimes and take your guess. There's a chance of winning a whole jar of jellybeans!

An update from the Robotics Ambassadors:

This term our Robotics Ambassadors will continue to deliver workshops to the school community. These are designed to develop skills in our junior students by offering 3D modelling, 3D printing and 2D modelling with laser cutting. In addition, various programming workshops for Robotics students and others with special interest, will be offered during lunch breaks and after school.

The new FTC season for 2024-25 commenced on Sunday 8 September; the teams have analysed the game for strategy and have created designs and plans to meet the new challenges presented. The eight teams we currently have preparing for this competition, have already made great progress in building their new robots for the season and in the next few weeks will be finetuning their robots. The senior teams have been mentoring our new members (rookies) to prepare them to be competitive the State Qualifier Match to be held at St Peters Lutheran College on 16 November. After this we hope that some will be successful in achieving a place in the FTC Nationals Competition held in the final week of school this year.

I wish everyone a rewarding term and a special “good luck” to the Year 12 cohort for their final exams.

Russell Hams, Head of Department Mathematics and Senior Robotics

From the Department of Life Sciences

Welcome back to Term 4, our last term of 2024. I hope all families have had a restful break after a very busy Term 3, and that all our students are ready for another science-filled term ahead.

Curriculum

Year 7

Year 7 students are finishing the year with their ecology unit “Circle of Life”.

Their statement of inquiry for this unit is: “Understanding interactions in the environment enables humans to develop global and local solutions.”

In this unit they will explore biomes and ecosystems. Students will understand the different adaptations that animals have to live in their habitats and analyse the different relationships animals have from predator prey to symbiotic relationships. They will finish with a case study investigating human impacts on ecosystems and analyse a specific Australian ecosystem.

Year 8

Year 8 students are finishing the year with their geology unit “From the Earth”.

Their statement of inquiry for this unit is: “The Earth is made of rocks, which over time undergo a cycle of change and transformation which can be modelled scientifically.”

Students will be looking at the rock cycle, plate tectonics and geological time scale. They will then use this knowledge to explore and evaluate the human impacts on Earth’s geological time scale, in particular the impacts of mining. They will finish the term with a STEM challenge in building an earthquake proof tower.

Year 9 Sustainable Futures

Year 9 Sustainable Futures students are exploring Sustainable Development Goal #11 “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. They will be doing this by researching, designing and building one aspect of a sustainable city. Students may look at energy production, or inner-city development, or even educational settings. Through this, students will develop a deeper understanding of the current problems with these city areas and look at current and future solutions to these problems.

Year 10 Diploma Preparation Programme

Biology students are learning about human body systems, particularly the nervous system and endocrine system to explore their roles in communication and homeostasis. Students will also learn about the kidneys and their role in excretion and the respiratory system and its role in gas exchange. They are also analysing the data they collected at the end of last term for their practice Internal Assessment to give them a sense of what the IA will be like in the Diploma Programme. 

Environmental Systems and Societies are investigating the socio-economic disparities in different London boroughs of the United Kingdom and whether there is a correlation with carbon dioxide emissions. Students will learn how to collect and analyse secondary data as a practice for their Internal Assessment. They will also study ecosystems, biodiversity and evolution to end the term.

Diploma Programme

Year 11 Biology students are in the thick of their final IAs. They are currently conducting their experiments and collecting data. It is important that they meet all checkpoints and that they are constantly checking in with their teachers.

Year 11 ESS students are learning about food production systems from aquaculture to farming. They will explore sustainable practices and evaluate various case studies. Students will also start planning for their final IA.

We wish our Year 12 Biology and ESS students the best of luck as they continue their study and revision for their final exams this term. You can do it!

Wishing everyone a happy and productive term ahead!

Saengdao Philavane, Head of Department Life Sciences 

From the Department of Physical Sciences

Welcome to Term 4, the last term of the year. I hope you and your families all had a restful break after a very busy Term 3, and that you are all ready for the final term for the year.

STEM Futures subjects

This term sees our Year 9s move into the second term of their semester STEM Futures subjects. Biochemical Solutions, Fuelling the Planet, Medical Physics and World of Reactions students will find themselves immersed in their contextual learning as they continue their MYP journey. Year 10 students continue to progress through their chosen DPP subjects and are now in either Higher Level or Standard Level classes. At this point it is important that our Year 10 students reflect on the level that they are currently taking for Chemistry or Physics. We openly invite discussion around this in our department as we want to ensure that each of our students are in the level which will allow for them to best succeed as they move into their Diploma Programme.

Diploma subjects

Our Year 11 students are already approaching the end of their first year of the IB Diploma. This is also a significant milestone for us as a department as this signals the first full year of our roll out of the new curriculum resources for both Chemistry and Physics. I would like to take this opportunity to whole heartedly thank all members of the team who have been instrumental in the preparation of these resources. They have given hours of their time to ensure that our Physical Science students have access to the best resources that we can provide for them, and I have been very pleased with our progress so far.  

Our Physics students have started their final Individual Investigations. By now they should all have begun to collect data and, in some cases, have already finished. If you have a Year 11 Physics student in your family, be sure to ask them what their experiment is about. I have thoroughly enjoyed walking through some of these lessons to witness these investigations in action. The atmosphere has been very positive with students really engaged in what they were investigating.

Year 11 Chemistry students are now in the planning stages of their Investigations. This is a challenging stage, where students must make sure they have researched the area they intend to investigate before they finalise their topics. Teachers will be working closely with our Year 11s to ensure they have finalised their ideas and completed their risk assessment this term, ready to start their experimentation in Term 1 next year. In the meantime, teaching of new content will continue in all Chemistry classes.

Our Year 12s are now preparing for their final IB exams, and we will be supporting them all the way with our IB Exam Preparation Tutorial program (‘SWOTVAC’) for both Chemistry and Physics. These tutorials occur during the normal Year 12 rostered Chemistry and Physics class times and any student is welcome to attend if their lessons fall at that time. With their final IB exams approaching in Week 4, please know that we are all here to help.

STEM Research Project Programme (STEM RPP)

And, finally, it is a good opportunity for me to update you all on the status of our, ever popular, STEM RPP. During National Science Week we had two of our students present their work in front of staff and students from three other schools. We are sending three students to the Japan Super Science Fair (JSSF) this term, as well as another group of students to the Australian Schools Science Fair (ASSF) in Melbourne at The John Monash Science School. Meanwhile, our next wave of students coming through on the programme for 2024-2025, are already coming to the end of their projects and should now be considering what fairs they would like to apply for that are coming in 2025. There is a huge amount of work that goes into making these trips possible for our students and so I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr Kate Slessor for all of her hard work so far this year.

On that note, thanks to everyone for their hard work so far this year and now let’s finish it out strong!

Robert Hughes, Head of Department Physical Sciences