Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology


The Queensland Academies – Science Mathematics & Technology Campus 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 and 10 students. The institution consistently performs above IB world-average, and is one of the highest performing schools in Queensland based on OP1-equivalents and tertiary acceptance rates.
In 2016, Better Education ranked Queensland Academies - Science Mathematics & Technology Campus as the top performing school in the state of Queensland.

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 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."
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 and subsequently the residence of his brother-in-law Hugh Mosman. Easton Gray was sold in 1944 for the construction of Toowong State High School, later Toowong College.
The first cohort of students graduated from QASMT in 2008.
Two other academies were created. In 2007 the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries 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 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 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:
QASMT was advertised as a school for "Queensland's best and brightest" students. 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. 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 Bursary is offered to rural and remote students who meet certain criteria. In addition, a maximum of three scholarships, 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 and a white sport's T-shirt is worn once a week.

Academic results

In 2010:
The students of QASMT study the International Baccalaureate 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:
QASMT offers a variety of activities that are run through the school or externally.
Sporting :
Volunteer and Community Work:
Competitions:
Creative:
Other:
Most of these activities contribute towards IB CAS requirements.