Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology

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. By 2021, QASMT will have a full-fledged Middle School, with grades 7 to 9. To cater for the new students, QASMT is being 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 will deliver 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, will be completed by mid-2020.

Principals:

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

QASMT was advertised as a school for "Queensland's best and brightest" students.[7] It was designed as a school where the most academically minded Year 10, 11 and 12 students in the state could conglomerate in a university-like environment.

Student entry to QASMT is via a multi-stage selection process.[8] Following application, students sit a general academic test designed by eduTest. This exam is presented to students in several parts: an English comprehension exam, an English writing exam, a mathematics, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. The entrance for Year 7 can be written in Year 5 and 6 while a harder test is given in Year 8 and 9 to successfully enter for Year 10. Successful students who reach the specified benchmark in all exams then progress to an interview with Education Queensland and QASMT's staff. The interview panel assess each candidates' suitability to the Academy's learning environment and their ability to contribute to the Academy community. Three main criteria are assessed: motivation and like-mindedness; personal capabilities and knowledge of the Academy; and work ethic and past reports. Students who are successful in the interview receive a formal invitation to attend the Academy.

Several means of financial assistance are offered to students. The Queensland Academies Isolated Students (QAIS) Bursary is offered to rural and remote students who meet certain criteria. In addition, a maximum of three scholarships (for all three years of enrolment), which cover IB costs and resource fees, are offered to Year 10 students each year.

The school uniform is a source of great pride at QASMT. The colours of white, charcoal, red and navy are incorporated into both the boys and girls' uniforms.

The formal boy's uniform consists of charcoal long trousers, white shirt with the school crest and striped charcoal, red and navy tie, must be worn throughout an entire school year, regardless of external conditions.

The formal girl's uniform includes a knee-length charcoal skirt with a white blouse with the school's crest, with a striped charcoal, red and navy scarf knotted around the collar.

An "active wear" uniform which consists of navy shorts and a white sport's T-shirt is worn once a week.

In 2010:

• 2 students received perfect IB scores of 45
• 46% of students received an OP 1 equivalent (selection rank 99)
• 77% received an OP 1-5 equivalent (selection rank 99-92)
• 100% received an OP 1-10 equivalent (selection rank 99-81)
• 100% of graduates received tertiary offers

The students of QASMT study the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program in Years 11-12. In Year 10 students study a Pre-IB course designed to prepare them for taking the diploma, where they 'sample' each of the subjects offered in order to make an informed decision when they come to choose their subjects after the first semester of Year 10. The subjects offered at the Academy follow the International Baccalaureate's guidelines, where students are required to select a subject from each of the IB's 6 specified groups, take three subjects and Higher Level and three at Standard Level and complete CAS, Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay. Students are encouraged to select a second group 4 subject instead of choosing one from group 6.

Students choose from:

• Group 1 (Studies in Language and Literature - Primary Language) – English Literature (SL/HL), Chinese Language and Literature (SL/HL)
• Group 2 (Language B - Secondary Language) – English (SL/HL), French (ab initio/SL), German (ab initio/SL), Japanese (ab initio/SL), Spanish (ab initio/SL)
• Group 3 (Individuals and Societies) – Psychology (HL), Economics (HL), Information Technology in a Global Society (HL)
• Group 4 (Sciences) – Biology (SL/HL), Chemistry (SL/HL), Physics (SL/HL), Computer Science (HL), Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences (HL)
• Group 5 (Mathematics) – Mathematics (SL/HL), Mathematical Studies (SL) [N.B. These subjects will change for first examinations in 2021]
• Group 6 (The Arts) – Visual Arts (HL)

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

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
• RoboCup Junior
• Fist Lego League
• First Technical 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:

• Electronics tutorials
• Robotics
• High Performance Computing Club
• Science Ambassadors
• IT Mentors
• Lectures run through the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology
• Involvement in several other universities (Griffith University, QIMR, etc.)
• Astronomy
• Chess

Most of these activities contribute towards IB CAS requirements.

• International Baccalaureate Organisation
• Queensland Academy for Creative Industries
• Queensland Academy for Health Sciences

• Queensland Academies Homepage
• QASMT Homepage