Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology explained

Queensland Academies – Science Mathematics & Technology Campus
Motto:Inspiring Great Minds
Established:2007
Type:Public (selective)
Principal:Kath Kayrooz
Campus:Toowong
Enrolment:1300
Colours:Blue and red
Houses:Agnesi, Curie, DaVinci, Franklin, Hawking, Hollows, Jackson and Newton
Homepage:https://qasmt.eq.edu.au

The Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology (QASMT) is a selective entry high school in Toowong, Queensland, Australia.[1] It was developed in partnership with the University of Queensland. QASMT offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to students in Year 11 and 12, and also offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme to Year 7–9 students. Year 10 is an IB Diploma preparation year designed by the school.[2] The school is one of three state high schools for highly capable students in Queensland; the others are the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries and Queensland Academy for Health Sciences.

In 2024, Better Education ranked Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics & Technology 3rd in the state of Queensland based on ATAR 90+ results.[3]

History

Premier Peter Beattie announced the creation of the Queensland Academies 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 Academy for Science Mathematics & Technology (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."[4]

The site was occupied by the house known as Ormlie originally and later as Easton Gray and owned by Sir Arthur Hunter Palmer, Premier of Queensland[5] and subsequently the residence of his brother-in-law Hugh Mosman (who discovered gold at Charters Towers).[6] Easton Gray was sold in 1944 for the construction of Toowong State High School, later Toowong College.[7]

In 2007, The Queensland Academy for Creative Industries (QACI) was established in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology with a focus on 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 on medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, optometry, and medical research.[8]

The construction of the new Eastern Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics building (L-Block) was completed in December 2019. The Northern Learning Centre building (M-Block), was completed in mid-2020.

Principals

Criticisms and Controversies

In recent years, QASMT has been the subject of media attention regarding various issues. Headlines include:

“We feel betrayed: neighbours fear school will lock them out” [9]

“Community scores win after school opens up green space” [10]

“How P&C at Qld’s most elite school imploded” [11]

“Top Brisbane school petitioned for apology to LGBTQI+ students” [12]

“QASMT accused of misleading parents on year 12 results”. [13]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Holdsworth . Matty . Exclusive Brisbane school at centre of alleged data breach . 2 November 2024 . The Courier-Mail . 20 May 2022.
  2. Web site: QASMT Curriculum. 2024-03-31 . qasmt.eq.edu.au.
  3. Web site: QCE ATAR / IBD Results and School Rankings – Top QLD Schools – 2023/2024 . 2024-03-31 . bettereducation.com.au.
  4. Web site: Queensland's first 'Smart State Academy' for Toowong. Welford. Rod. https://web.archive.org/web/20171014004429/http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/42015. 14 October 2017. live. 21 August 2011.
  5. News: LINKS WITH THE LONG AGO.. 30 October 1930. National Library of Australia. The Queenslander. 7. 22 June 2014.
  6. News: Death of Hon. Hugh Mosman.. 16 November 1909. The Brisbane Courier. 16,177. Queensland, Australia. LXVI . 4. National Library of Australia. 15 December 2016.
  7. News: STATE HIGH SCHOOL FOR TOOWONG AREA. . . Brisbane . 7 February 1944 . 22 June 2014 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  8. Web site: 2020-02-25 . Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus . 2024-10-17 . Queensland Academies . en.
  9. Web site: 2020-05-20. We Feel Betrayed . 2024-03-31. Courier Mail . en.
  10. Web site: 2020-05-10. Community scores win . 2024-03-31. Courier Mail . en.
  11. Web site: 2023-03-24. How QASMT P&C imploded . 2024-03-31. Courier Mail . en.
  12. Web site: 2021-09-09. QASMT petitioned for apology to LGBTQI students . 2024-03-31. Q News . en.
  13. Web site: 2021-12-05. QASMT accused of misleading parents . 2024-03-31. Courier Mail . en.