NICHOLAS LOFTUS

NICHOLAS LOFTUS

Ascot Students Excel in STEM Learning and Sports

A class of Year 9 students in St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Ascot designed, built, and programmed a 3D printed prosthetic hand. The said project is conducted as part of the school’s commitment to hands-on approach towards STEM learning for students.

The students involved in the project have performed biological dissection of the anatomy of the arm and hand, designed it using 3D software, and learnt about circuit design and computer coding. By the end of the year, they look forward to have the hand programmed to grasp and pick up an object.

Meanwhile, year 11 boarder Rhiannon Revell-Blair has been named City North New’s Junior Individual Sports Start at the recent Quest Local Sports Stars awards night held in Queensland Cricketer’s Club, The Gabba. She is currently awaiting the official decision on whether she will be included in the Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens squad that will be undergoing training in New Zealand. She will be the co-captain of the St Margaret’s touch football team in 2018.

St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School in Ascot is an independent boarding school. It welcomes students from pre-preparatory level to Year 12. The school only accepts boys in pre-prep and prep.

Students listening to a lecture
Credit: St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School Facebook

Early this month, the school has introduced the basic of computer coding for its prep students as part of its focus on STEM education. Prep students use basic animation software in computer activities which are included in a weekly in-class programme on coding.

The school currently has 879 students of which 260 are primary students and 610 are girls in the secondary school. The boarding house has 170 boarders from Years 5 to 12.

Aside from its pastoral environment, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School has always been known for its focus on academic excellence, quality learning, and teaching. The school also takes pride in providing their students with a well-rounded exposure to experiences in and out of school that will help them gain a broad perspective of the world outside the school walls.

To know more about the school, click here.

Catch the Final Pink’d Up BBQ Event in Ascot This Year

Don’t miss the final Pink’d Up BBQ for this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month on October 27!

Everyone is invited to attend the event happening in 111 Racecourse Rd, Ascot. The Bank of Queensland will be selling cupcakes and proceeds will go to Chicks in Pink, a foundation that supports women living with breast cancer.

Pink’d Up 2017 is extra special for the community as they aim to raise $100,000, which could be their highest donation to date. They have always been proud to support women with breast cancer. This year’s efforts promises to contribute more for the women’s needs.

Pink’d Up BBQ Event in Ascot
Credit: Racecourse RD Facebook

As always, the 72 olden Poinciana trees from the River to the Racetrack on Racecourse Road are decorated with pink ornaments. The community works together to adorn the trees with ribbons and artworks as they participate as one in the annual Pink’d Up Racecourse Rd event.

Credit: Racecourse Rd Facebook

Elsewhere in the state and across Australia, a massive concerted effort is in place to raise awareness about the disease. Concerned groups gather all means of support for affected women, including survivors of breast cancer. In Queensland for example, researchers are now utilizing 3D printers to develop biodegradable implants for breast cancer survivors who have undergone mastectomy.

According to the University of Queensland, there are one in eight Queensland women that will be diagnosed with breast cancer prior the age of 85. Younger women afflicted with the disease have less chance of surviving than their older counterparts. The university highlights that more funding is required for more relevant research and clinical trials to take place.


Credit: ARC ITTC in Additive Biomanufacturing YouTube

In Brisbane, breast cancer survivors find support with Dragons Abreast. These are women who fought the disease and maintain active lifestyle by engaging in Dragon Boat Racing. The group continues to promote breast cancer awareness as they pursue a fun and healthy lifestyle. They train every Saturday morning and meet up at the BRD container, behind the State Hockey Centre, 400 Lytton Road at Colmslie.

Meanwhile, the Brisbane Racing Club is behind the 2017 Spring Racing Carnival, Australia’s most prestigious 2400 metre handicap race and the second biggest Cup race of the spring behind the Melbourne Cup. The activities are done for a good cause as $5 from every General Admission ticket sold is to be given to Breast Cancer Network Australia.

2017 Spring Racing Carnival
Credit: Brisbane Racing Club Facebook

These and other similar activities, usually happening to celebrate October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, are held yearly. If you couldn’t come to Ascot Pink’d Up barbeque this year, you still have your chance next year.

Click here to be updated about the scheduled events in Ascot.

From Ascot, Taro’s Ramen Is Coming to South Brisbane

Taro’s Ramen, with a shop at 145 Racecourse Rd Ascot, is set to open another restaurant in South Brisbane in mid-November.

Restaurant owner, Taro Akimoto, said that the new restaurant will be located on the ground floor of 154 Melbourne in South Brisbane. It will seat 80 people and will retain the fitments of the building owned by the Centurion Property Group. Akimoto shared that the South Brisbane shop will be somewhat similar to Wagaya in Fortitude Valley, where partitions go all the way up to above eye height. Elsewhere, the new Taro’s Ramen will be akin to how the Ascot restaurant is being operated.

Taro’s Ramen is popular for its menu that features a delectable combination of authentic Japanese shochu, sake, and side dishes which complement their ramen. Ascot and Hamilton reviewers have given the restaurant a 5-star rating on Eat Now, and a 4.5-star rating on Yelp.

Ramen
Credit: Taro’s Ramen Facebook

“Given that I eat Japanese food on a weekly basis, It’s a tragedy that I haven’t eaten at Taro’s Ramen until today! Fast forward: there’s an empty bowl and a happy, full tummy, it was as if I had been transported back to Japan for an hour or so… I can’t wait to get back to Taro’s and work my way through the menu.” – Elizabeth, Yelp

“Love Taro’s. Their food is so good! Always delicious.” – Maree, Eat Now

“Great as always, attention to detail, amazing customer service, quality ingredients, nice variety, great flavours. A must in Brisbane.” – David, Eat Now

“Awesome meal. We didn’t have to wait long to pick up our order. The staff are always so friendly and helpful. Best ramen in Brisbane.” – Jessica, Eat Now

Akimoto, a former resource industry investment analyst, was born and raised in Japan. His mother was from Saga, Kyushu where he also spent much of his childhood and adolescence. The place greatly influenced his passion for ramen. He subsequently brought the different ramen flavours of his childhood into his own cooking.

Taro Akimoto
Credit: Taro’s Ramen Facebook

While travelling around Japan during his university years, Akimoto saw to it that he experienced all kinds of ramen there is. It was in Tenkaippin where he learnt that oily and thick soup adds up to the flavour of ramen. It was in Kitakata where he learnt that ramen is best when served with handmade noodles. By the new millennium, he already knew about fusion ramen and that it can be as good without MSG. A few years after, he was in Australia, bringing along his exquisite knowledge about the cuisine.

Ramen
Credit: Taro’s Ramen Facebook

Because of this rich background of Japanese culture, Taro’s Ramen has consistently served patrons with the most authentic ramen in Australia. Their natural ingredients were shipped directly from selected suppliers in Japan. All restaurants promised that they do not serve dishes with MSG or other preservatives. For more information about Taro’s Ramen or for placing order, click here.