Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology

The Queensland Academies – Science Mathematics & Technology Campus (QASMT) is a selective entry high school in Queensland, Australia, developed in partnership with the University of Queensland. QASMT offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program to students in Years 11 and 12, and also offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program to Year 7-10 students. The institution consistently performs above IB world-average, and is the highest performing school in Queensland based on OP1-equivalents and tertiary acceptance rates.[1]

Queensland Academies – Science Mathematics & Technology Campus
Address
78 Bywong Street, Toowong

Queensland

Australia
Coordinates27.487194°S 152.979296°E / -27.487194; 152.979296
Information
TypePublic (selective)
MottoInspiring Great Minds
Established2007
PrincipalKath Kayrooz
Enrolment1300
CampusToowong
Colour(s)Blue and Red    
Websitehttp://qasmt.eq.edu.au

In 2016, Better Education ranked Queensland Academies - Science Mathematics & Technology Campus as the top performing school in the state of Queensland.[2]

History

The creation of the Queensland Academies was announced by Premier Peter Beattie on 17 April 2005 as part of the Queensland Government's Smart State Strategy – a policy designed to foster knowledge, creativity and innovation within QLD. The Queensland Academies – Science Mathematics & Technology Campus (QASMT) subsequently opened in January 2007. The school was established in partnership with the University of Queensland with a focus on sciences and mathematics. The site occupied by QASMT was formerly Toowong College; this location was chosen "to capitalise on its close educational and geographic links with the University of Queensland."[3]

The site was originally occupied by the house known as Ormlie and later as Easton Gray and owned by Sir Arthur Hunter Palmer, Premier of Queensland[4] and subsequently the residence of his brother-in-law Hugh Mosman (who discovered gold at Charters Towers).[5] Easton Gray was sold in 1944 for the construction of Toowong State High School, later Toowong College.[6]

The first cohort of students graduated from QASMT in 2008.

Two other academies were created (with close ties to QASMT). In 2007 the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries (QACI) was established in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology with a focus towards media, film, design and technology, music, theatre arts and visual arts. In 2008, the Queensland Academy for Health Sciences (QAHS) was developed in partnership with Griffith University with a focus towards medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, optometry and medical research.

In 2019, QASMT introduced its Middle School Program, with its new Grade 7 cohort. In 2021, QASMT became a fully complete 7-12 school. To cater for the new students, QASMT was expanded in a 2-stage approach.

Stage 1 was completed in January 2019 to accommodate the first cohort of Year 7 students. Stage 1 included the refurbishment of existing buildings and the installation of prefabricated accommodation while stage 2 was being delivered.

Stage 2 delivered new educational infrastructure and facilities to cater for the Years 8 and 9 students at the school. Stage 2 works commenced in February 2019 and includes the delivery of a new Northern Learning Centre and a new Eastern Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) hub.

The construction of the new Eastern Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics was completed in December 2019 and is currently in use. The remaining Stage 2 building works, including the Northern Learning Centre, were completed in mid-2020.

Principals:

  • Stephen Loggie (2007–2009)
  • Kath Kayrooz (2010–2013)
  • Judy Neilson (2014)
  • Kath Kayrooz (2015–present)

Uniform

The school uniform at QASMT incorporates the colours of white, charcoal, red and navy into all options.

The boy's formal uniform consists of charcoal grey long trousers or charcoal grey shorts, a white shirt with the school emblem, and a charcoal grey (seniors) or navy blue (juniors) tie with thin red and white stripes, and the school emblem.

The girl's formal uniform consists of a knee-length charcoal skirt or charcoal grey long trousers, a white blouse with the school's crest and a striped charcoal, red and grey scarf knotted around the collar.

The gender neutral formal uniform consists of charcoal grey long trousers, a white blouse with the school's emblem and a charcoal grey tie with thin red and white stripes.

During the Winter months of term 2 and 3, all students are required to wear a blazer to and from school. Junior years (7, 8 and 9) have a red blazer, and senior years (10, 11 and 12) have a charcoal blazer, both consisting of all badges the student has achieved (optional), and the school emblem on the pocket. They are not required during Summer - terms 1 and 4 except for formal occasions like assemblies.

An "active wear" uniform consisting of a white sports t-shirt with either red or navy elements and either red shorts for juniors or navy shorts for seniors are worn once a week.

Academic results

In 2021:[7]

  • 9 students received perfect IB score of 45
  • 19 students received an IB score of 44
  • 92 students achieved an IB score of 40+

Facilities
  • STEM Building
  • University-standard science laboratories
  • Wireless campus
  • Modern gymnasium
  • Refectory
  • 300 seat lecture theatre
  • Music facilities
  • Observatory

Extra-curricular activities

QASMT offers a variety of activities that are run through the school or externally.

Sporting (for a maximum of one hour per week unless representing the school in other various inter-school competitions throughout the year) :

  • Cricket (Metropolitan West Champions 2019)
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Table tennis
  • Basketball
  • Ultimate disk
  • Lawn bowls
  • Gym
  • Touch Football
  • Rowing

Volunteer and Community Work:

  • LEOs Club
  • Social Media for the Elderly

Competitions:

  • United Nations Youth Summits and Competitions
  • Various mathematical competitions aimed at high school students
  • RoboCup Junior
  • FIRST LEGO League
  • FIRST Tech Challenge
  • Optiminds
  • Brain Bee Challenge
  • Future Problem Solvers
  • OzClo
  • Bring It On

Creative:

  • String orchestra
  • Contemporary orchestra
  • Jazz band
  • Talent quests
  • Creative generations
  • School Musical
  • Choir
  • Music Camp
  • Art Show Case

Other:

Most of these activities contribute towards IB CAS requirements.

See also

References
  1. "Queensland Academies – Science, Mathematics and Technology Campus – Success". qasmt.eq.edu.au. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  2. Family, Wang. "OP/IBD School Ranking - 2016". bettereducation.com.au. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  3. Welford, Rod. "Queensland's first 'Smart State Academy' for Toowong". Archived from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
  4. "LINKS WITH THE LONG AGO". The Queenslander. National Library of Australia. 30 October 1930. p. 7. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  5. "Death of Hon. Hugh Mosman". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. LXVI, no. 16, 177. Queensland, Australia. 16 November 1909. p. 4. Retrieved 15 December 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "STATE HIGH SCHOOL FOR TOOWONG AREA". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 7 February 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  7. "Updated 2021 IB Results". Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
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