Kathy Mackey is a leader who is all about fostering the passion of her staff, better enabling them to lead the innovators of our future. 
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In her role as Deputy Principal, Kathy oversees the student selective entry process at the Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology (QASMT) at Toowong. 

Through her thorough analysis of data, Kathy selects the students most deserving of acceptance to the Academy –a school built to support and develop the skills of some of the most exceptionally gifted students in the state. This includes students who come from a wide range of backgrounds, as well those not from an English-speaking home.

In alignment with the state-school improvement model, Kathy creates conversation about what she discovers in her analysis, and empowers staff to provide professional, ethical feedback to families throughout all stages of the admission process. 

This means that Academy leaders are supported in their decision-making as a result of Kathy’s thorough research, that has led to student population growth across all three campuses.

In 2015 Kathy was the recipient of the Smithsonian Fellowship, which enabled her to spend three months in the United States of America learning about the relationships between the museum and the education sectors. 
Kathy led a range of programs for gifted children including ‘Bright Minds’, ‘Brilliant Futures’ and ‘Young Scholars’, pairing them with external stakeholders like QUT, UQ and QAGOMA. 

The boost Kathy was given through her Fellowship experience enabled her to mentor staff and other Fellows to build on their own leadership skills. 

“Kathy’s sharp, narrow focus is directed to dynamic partnerships based on trust, respect and a shared commitment to the common purpose of mobilising strategies for highly achieving students,” says QASMT administration officer and nominator, Kerry Bullock. 

“Her comprehensive knowledge of curriculum allows her to create deep, unique learning and teaching programs that meet the specific needs of highly capable students across Queensland.” 

With her passion for science, technologies, engineering and maths propelling her along the way, Kathy also managed the annual STEM Girl Power Camp. The camp is a four-day-long immersion in STEM for selected girls across Queensland and is designed to nurture girls and their love for the subjects, empowering them to consider pursuing their love for STEM in their future. 

Because of Kathy’s leadership skills and love of learning, the Queensland Academies Partnership Schools membership has grown –providing further opportunities for students across Queensland. 

Congratulations Kathy on your QCT Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award nomination.