Dear Parents/Guardians,

Our Year 7 students have been actively engaged in a variety of learning experiences this term, building essential skills both inside and outside the classroom. A key focus has been on NAPLAN readiness, ensuring students feel confident and ready to showcase their learning. Alongside this, we have emphasised the importance of harmonious relationships, fostering a positive and respectful environment for all and seeking support when needed.

As assessments approach, students have been developing strategies to manage their workload, stay organised, and approach challenges with resilience. We have encouraged them to push through moments of fatigue, recognising that perseverance is the key to success. It has been wonderful to see their determination and commitment to growth.

We are proud of the progress Year 7s have made and look forward to seeing them continue to thrive!

Please note: on Monday we will be conducting our final audit of student devices to ensure each and every student is ready to commence their NAPLAN examinations on Wednesday.  Please ensure your student brings their fully charged device and headphones to school EVERY DAY next week.

Additionally, please be aware NAPLAN exams are only scheduled for one or two periods of the day, the remainder of the day students will have time to focus on drafting and crafting their subject specific assessment responses. Attendance is key.

Thank you so much for your time and support, together we can ensure your student’s progress.  

Kind Regards,

Liz O'Neill - Deputy Principal

Ugly Duckling Cafe

Students from the Access Centre are back into the swing of things at the Ugly Duckling Café, where students learn to work together and understand workplace processes, through a hospitality lesson. Students deliver yummy treats to staff, learning to communicate and develop life skills to apply in the workplace.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YEAR 8? 

Community Impact Project: Year 8s have begun planning for their Community Impact Project.  This year we have offered support to the Mackay Hospital Foundation. There are a heap of opportunities to support - simply fundraising; volunteering at the hospital (helping the gift shop; doing the library rounds etc...); volunteering with fundraising events, such as the Family Day, gift wrapping at Mt P or guiding the Easter Bunny around with eggs. We are looking forward to giving back to the community in which we live.   

Attendance - up to week 4, we had over 100 of our year 8 students with 100% attendance.  Well done!  Those students were rewarded with a Zooper-Dooper voucher. 

Assessment – coming up are a few weeks that are very heavy with assessment.  Please check in with your student to see that they are going to meet their deadlines and let their teachers know early if there are any problems. 

The Resilience Project – each week in terms 1 & 2 your student attends a Resilience Project lesson.  These lessons are about building strong mental health within our students.  Sometimes there will be home activities to do – like cook a meal together or sit around at dinner and talk about good things or challenges that are happening in their lives.  Ask your student about the flyers that outline these activities and explain their benefits to mental health.  

Year 8 Camp – planning is underway.  Keep an eye out for camp notes which will be sent home shortly, asking for a deposit.  There has been a delay in getting these out due to needing quotes from bus companies/the camp itself. 

2025 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey

All Year 12 completers from last year will soon receive an invitation to participate in the Next Step survey. This is their chance to help our school to understand the different pathways of the 2024 Year 12 students and to improve our senior programs and supports for future students. The survey only takes five minutes and asks graduates about their study and work activities since finishing school.

As a thank you for participating, Year 12 completers who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a MacBook Air.

We ask parents, siblings and friends to encourage our graduates to complete the survey. If their contact details have changed, please assist survey interviewers by providing their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Graduates may receive an invitation by mail, email or phone. The survey can be completed online or by phone.

For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit http://www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.

YEAR 11 & 12 EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES STUDENTS visit COOL BEANZ SUNS HARRUP PARK Early Learning Centre.

Student had the great opportunity to be given a tour of the new state of the art facility. The two classes only visited for one hour on two separate days but enjoyed the experience immensely.  Cool Beanz staff were a little nervous about the size of our kids compared to theirs but soon realised the students were eager to participate in the tour and learn as much as they could about the innovative approach to daycare being used in Mackay at this facility.  The ECS students were great ambassadors for the school with respect and responsibility on display at all times.

Mackay State High School is calling on all AFL players to represent us in the Q Schools Cup! Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, this is your chance to wear our brand-new AFL uniform - as modelled by Hayden Flynn & Lani Minster - and compete against the best in Mackay!

- JUNIOR (Grades 7 & 8) Friday 2nd May

- YOUTH (Grades 8, 9 & 10) Friday 21st March

- SENIOR (Grades 10, 11 & 12) Friday 28th March

Get involved, showcase your skills, and represent MSHS with pride! See Miss Robertson for more info or to sign up. Let’s go, Mackay High!

Gardiner Chess Tournament Term One

Eighteen students represented the school in the recent Gardiner Interschool Tournament. With several key players graduating last year, it was great to see other players step up into higher divisions. An influx of new Year 7 talent performing well also bodes well for the future of our teams.

Congratulations to the following players for achieving individual merit awards:

• Siguo Jiang
• Hanzo Abe
• Koen Robertson
• Josh Villela
• Emmanuel Dionisio
• Zack Ferrer

And congratulations to the following teams for their achievements:

As always, the real highlight of the day is seeing this group of young adults conduct themselves with integrity, representing the school well with great displays of sportsmanship. Well done to all involved!

Parents and Citizens meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month, commencing at 5.30pm in the Learning Lounge in the administration building.

Attending these meetings will provide a better understanding of our school and the opportunity to contribute to our school community. Everyone is welcome to attend and voice suggestions, opinions and offer feedback. 

P & C meeting dates for 2025 are as follows:

Monday 24th March - Annual General Meeting

Monday 28th April

Monday 26th May

We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) Mackay! With generous support from St George Foundation, five Mackay State High School students have kicked off an exciting journey over the coming months in HPHH’s programs.

Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) exists to create positive connections between socially isolated Australians and rescue animals.  Their focus is to help participants on their journey from isolation to social inclusion and wellbeing. Collaborating with animal shelters such as RSPCA Qld, they provide animal-care programs offering connection, skills development and vocational pathways. By helping rescue animals in need, participants gain confidence in an array of areas, ultimately improving their quality of life.

For hearts, outcomes include improved well-being, wider social networks, improved communication, independence and skills for vocational pathways. 

For paws, they provide training, socialisation and a better chance to find the purrfect forever home – with loads of time for cuddles and much needed TLC while in the shelter. 

Over the coming months, five senior school students will participate in HPHH’s Handle Program delivered at RSPCA Animal Care Campus, Mackay. This program focuses on building self-confidence, communication skills, resilience, teamwork and connection with others, all while working in a supportive hands-on environment.

Following their Handle program, they will transition into HPHH’s Explore Program; an Employment Pathways Program for young people needing a helping paw as they take the huge leap into work, volunteering, or further study. While the students help the animals get ready for their future forever homes, they will simultaneously be building valuable life skills working in a shelter environment, culminating with work experience, to support their own vocational pathways—whether that’s into employment, further study, or volunteering.

We’re so excited to see these students embark on this unique learning journey and are incredibly grateful to St George Foundation for funding these spots for students and making this partnership possible.

You can learn more about Happy Paws Happy Hearts and their in-shelter programs at https://www.hphhfoundation.org/shelter-program/.