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Welcome parents and new families to Mackay State High School for our final term of the year!
It’s shaping up to be a very busy one, filled with celebrations, important milestones, and opportunities to finish the year strong.
I want to take a moment to thank everyone for your continued support and teamwork across our school community. This was especially highlighted at our Sports Awards Evening held this week — an event that was incredibly well organised and beautifully presented.
A massive thank you to Ms Nina Jones and the HPE Team for their efforts in bringing this event together. It was wonderful listening to our coaches reflect on their seasons and to celebrate the achievements of so many talented student athletes who proudly represent Mackay High.
We were also privileged to hear from our keynote speaker, Olympic Gold Medallist and former Mackay State High School student, Tracey Belbin, who shar
ed a powerful message about “grit” — the importance of working hard, pushing through challenges, and striving for success. Her story was an inspiring reminder of what’s possible when determination meets opportunity.
Farewell and Best Wishes
This week marks a major milestone for our Year 12 students, who will officially complete their final week of classes before entering their external exam period. We wish all of our students the very best of luck.
A special thank you to our Year 12 teachers, who have invested an incredible amount of time and care in preparing our students for this important stage. We will hold a special parade on Monday to celebrate this milestone and wish our students well as they take their next steps.
Our Year 11 students will be on exam block in Week 3— please check the schedule to ensure your child is aware of their exam commitments.
On Friday, we will also farewell two valued staff members — Ms Nina Jones and Mr Vincent Propsting — who have made an enormous contribution to our school. Nina and Vince are returning home to the Northern Territory, and we wish them every success in their next chapters.
Welcome to Mackay SHS!
We are delighted to welcome back Mr Zach Schill, who will be stepping into the role of Head of Department – Health & Physical Education and Sporting Academies. Zach returns to us after leading the Wellbeing and Education branch at the Mackay Cutters. We are also thrilled to welcome Mr Samuel Paul, our new Chaplain, who will be a wonderful addition to our Student Support Services team.
Reminders and Expectations
As we move further into Term 4, please help us by ensuring your child is prepared and ready for learning every day.
Students are expected to:
- Attend school every day and be on time for each class.
- Bring a charged laptop, writing materials, and a water bottle to school each day.
- Wear a hat when outside during breaks, as the weather continues to warm up.
Water bottles are permitted in classrooms; however, students should not be leaving lessons to get drinks. Please remind your child to be organised and ready to learn each day.
We have also noticed a small number of disruptive and defiant behaviours appearing in some classrooms. Our teachers follow a consistent process to manage behaviour, which includes:
- Using non-verbal corrections
- Using verbal corrections
- Giving a choice
- Implementing a consequence – which may include temporary removal to a Buddy Classroom
Our teachers are here to provide your child with a quality education, and students who disrupt learning will have appropriate consequences issued. We appreciate the ongoing support of our parents and caregivers in reinforcing these expectations at home.
Thank you again for your continued support and partnership. As always, we remain proud of our students, our staff, and the strong sense of community that makes Mackay State High School such a special place.
Yours in Education,
Felicity Roberts
Principal
#MackayHighPride
#StrongerTogether
Tuesday night’s Sports Awards Evening was a vibrant celebration of sporting talent across the school and our five sporting academies. From emerging athletes to seasoned competitors, the evening honoured dedication, teamwork, and achievement at every level. We were privileged to hear from former student and Olympic gold medalist Tracey Belgian, whose powerful reflections on grit, determination, and the realities of professional sport left a lasting impression.
A special shoutout to our Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Connor Stephens, whose commitment and performance have been nothing short of inspiring.
And a huge round of applause for Peter Schatkowski, named Senior Sportsperson of the Year, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and achievements.
Here’s to another year of sporting success and community pride!
A special shoutout to our Junior Sportsperson of the Year, Connor Stephens, whose commitment and performance have been nothing short of inspiring.
And a huge round of applause for Peter Schatkowski, named Senior Sportsperson of the Year, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and achievements.
? Mental Health Week may be over, but our commitment to mental wellness continues! ?
Thank you to everyone who joined in, and helped break the stigma around mental health. Let’s keep the conversation going—because mental health matters every day, not just one week a year.
Remember to check in on yourself and those around you, practice self-care, and seek support when needed. Together, we can build a kinder, more understanding community.
? Keep shining, keep supporting, and keep prioritizing your mental well-being.
National Futsal Team Selection
Our annual Arts Showcase is approaching fast! This will take place on Friday October 24th, Week 3 in the MSHS Hall. Our Junior Showcase will kick of at 3:45pm and our Senior Showcase will be from 5pm. Our Art Exhibit will be open from 3:15pm and between the two sessions. There will be drinks and snacks available for purchase at the Hall Canteen. Come along and support our amazing Arts students and celebrate their achievements for this year! Tickets are FREE and can be booked through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mackay-shs-2025-arts-showcase-tickets-1783244986759?aff=oddtdtcreator
We’re excited to share that our apprenticeship programs are now open and accepting applications!
These opportunities are ideal for students who are ready to take the next step in their career journey, offering hands-on experience, structured training, and support from experienced mentors across a range of industries.
Please find the attached flyer with full details on the available apprenticeships, eligibility, and how to apply.
We would greatly appreciate your support in sharing this information with students, parents, and staff. These programs are a fantastic pathway for young people to gain valuable skills and start building their future.
- YIRS | Management Committee positions available. Do you have a passion or skill and want to use it to support youth in our community? Get in contact with YIRS before October 13 (flyer attached).
- Headspace | Join headspace Mackay, Whitsundays & Sarina in celebrating headspace Day 2025 with a movie night this Thursday October 9. Limited number of tickets available for young people 12-25 and their friends and family (flyer attached).
- Artspace Mackay | Blueprint 2026 is open for submissions until November 7. Do you know a young and/or emerging artist who would like to showcase their artwork? Blueprint is open to anyone 14+ who lives in the Mackay region and would like to showcase their art for an artist’s fee of $1000! You don’t need to be an established artist, you could be an emerging artist, student, or just someone with a love of art and a creative flair. Find more information here: https://www.artspacemackay.com.au/get_involved/exhibition-opportunities/blueprint
