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 grades 11 and 12, and is also open to grade 7,8 and 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)Blues 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. 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, were completed in mid-2020.

Principals:

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

Aims

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

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 (starting 2021, tests are only able to be taken in 5-6 as the school completes its middle school expansion). 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.

Uniform

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,(grade 10-12)red shorts (grade 7-9)and a white sport's T-shirt is worn once a week.

Academic results

In 2020:

  • 1 student received perfect IB score of 45
  • 6 students received an IB score of 44
  • 43 students achieved an IB score of 40+
  • 157 students achieved an 90+ Atar equivalent

Curriculum

Students in Years 7-9 at QASMT study the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.[9] Following this, 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. In Years 11-12, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is undertaken. 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, where at least three subjects must be taken at Higher Level (HL), whilst the remainder are taken at Standard Level (SL). If a student does not wish to study a Group 6 (Arts) subject, they may instead take a second subject from Group 4 (Experimental Sciences).[10] In addition, students must complete the compulsory IB inner core, which consists of Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Extended Essay (EE).[10]

In Years 11-12, the following subjects may be selected:[10]

Group Available Subjects
Group 1 (Studies in Language and Literature - Primary Language) English Language and Literature (SL/HL), School-Supported Self-Taught Literature (SL)
Group 2 (Language B - Secondary Language) French Ab Initio (SL), Spanish Ab Initio (SL), Japanese Ab Initio (SL), German Ab Initio (SL)
Group 3 (Individuals and Societies) Business Management (HL), Economics (HL), Information Technology in a Global Society (HL), Psychology (HL)
Group 4 (Experimental Sciences) Biology (SL/HL), Chemistry (SL/HL), Physics (SL/HL), Sports Exercise and Health Science (HL), Computer Science (HL)
Group 5 (Mathematics) Mathematics Applications and Interpretations (SL/HL), Mathematics Analysis and Approaches (SL/HL)
Group 6 (The Arts) or a Second Group 4 Subject Visual Art (HL)

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
  • 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:

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. LXVI (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. " Bringing together the best and brightest" Accessed 7 April 2007
  8. "Selective Entry Process". Accessed 13 November 2014
  9. "Curriculum". Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  10. Diploma Program (Year 11 & 12) Curriculum Handbook (PDF). 2020.
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