Filter Content
- Deputy Principal's Update
- Book Week 2025
- Bullying NO WAY Week!
- State School Leavers Survey
- Winds of Joy Sailing Program
- Year 6 Transition Day
- The Arts
- Sports Update
- Agriculture Update
- BYOx and Tech Update
- Sweetest Schools Competition
- Swimming Carnival
- Education Queensland State-wide Phone Policy
- School Based Health Nurse
- Student Free Day Reminder
- P & C Association
- Career Opportunities
- Community Notices
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we move into the final weeks of Term 3, our school is a hive of activity with many important events and opportunities ahead.
Firstly, a reminder that Friday 5th September is a Student Free Day. This day provides staff with valuable time for professional learning and planning. We thank families for their support in making alternative arrangements for students on this day.
Also due on Friday 5th September are the Swimming Carnival permission notes. The Carnival will be held on Thursday 18th September and promises to be a highlight of the term. We encourage all students to participate and cheer on their house teams in what is always a fun and energetic day.
This week, Year 10 SET Plan interviews have been conducted. It has been a pleasure to meet with students and their families to discuss future pathways and explore the opportunities available in senior schooling and beyond. These conversations are an important step in preparing our students for success.
A reminder too that applications for Mackay Engineering College are due to the Senior Hub by Week 7. Students interested in this pathway should ensure all documentation is completed and submitted on time.
Meanwhile, Year 12 students and parents have been attending QTAC interviews, carefully considering post-school options and making informed choices about university and training pathways. It has been wonderful to see the level of thought and planning going into these discussions.
With just four weeks remaining in Term 3, our calendar is certainly busy. Thank you to students, parents, and staff for their continued engagement and support as we navigate this important part of the school year together.
Kind Regards
Sharon Barnard
Our Student Support Services Team spent last week organising multiple activities for Mackay State High School Students, to recognise Bullying NO WAY Week. Some activities included, a free sausage sizzle, face painting, arts and crafts, a whole school parade, and more! Our school came together to show that we stand strong against bullying!
The Department of Education is keen to hear from Year 10, 11 and 12 students who left school during 2024, before completing Year 12.
Eligible students will shortly receive a letter with a personalised link to complete a 5-minute survey. Students may also be contacted by email or phone and have the chance to win an iPad Air for participating.
The results will help us improve learning experiences and supports for future students. We ask that parents and carers please encourage them to take part.
For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/nextstep/ or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.
Last week the Year 9 and 10, Access Centre Students, embarked on a fun-filled day on the water with the Winds of Joy Sailing Program. After being farewelled by Mayor Greg Williamson, the students gained valuable skills and knowledge, as they sailed in and out of the harbour. The students were congratulated on their awesome behaviour and enthusiastic participation!
Thank you to all the future year 7 students that attended our transition days last week. We hope you enjoyed your experience at Mackay State High School and we look forward to welcoming many of you in 2027!
Congratulations to our Instrumental Music students who
performed at Mackay Eisteddfod this week! Great work everyone!
Mackay SHS Open Girls Rugby League Team Heads to State Final After Karen Murphy Cup Victory
Mackay State High School’s Open Girls Rugby League team has triumphed in the North Queensland regional finals of the prestigious Karen Murphy Cup, securing their place in the Queensland state final to be held on the Sunshine Coast.
In a thrilling match at Jack Manski Oval, the team edged out Emerald SHS with a hard-fought 18–12 victory. Their performance showcased grit, teamwork, and determination, earning them a well-deserved spot in the state-wide final’s series. Mackay SHS’s success in the Opens division highlights the school’s commitment to fostering female sporting talent and promoting excellence in rugby league. The team will now travel to the Sunshine Coast to represent North Queensland in the state final, where they’ll face off against top teams from across the state. Their journey is a testament to the strength of school sport in the region and the dedication of the players and coaching staff.
Congratulations to the Mackay SHS Open Girls team—your community is behind you all the way!
Mackay SHS Netball Academy Triumphs at Capricornia Coast Carnival
Mackay State High School’s Netball Academy has returned from Yeppoon with outstanding results after competing in the Capricornia Coast Carnival held at the Barmaryee Sports Complex, Yeppoon. The U13 Girls team emerged as champions, going undefeated across seven games, and showcasing exceptional teamwork, skill, and determination. The Capricornia Coast Carnival continues to be a key event for regional netball development. Congratulations to all Mackay SHS netballers for their incredible efforts and achievements. Your school and community are proud of you!
Our Year 12 Certificate II in Agriculture students have been learning how to drive the school tractor as part of their units for their certificate. The students showed some natural abilities driving the tractors while helping plough our area where the sugar cane has been planted. Last week they were all assessed as competent in tractor driving and only have 2 more units to achieve competency on to receive their certificates.
Last week our school started our entry into the Sweetest Schools Competition run by Canegrowers Mackay. Last week, our Grower Mentor, Andrew Newberry, showed our Year 9 students how we take a soil sample. Students also created the furrows for our cane to be planted into under the watchful eye of Andrew. This week, the Year 9 students were guided in planting the 2 different varieties of sugar cane. The competition will conclude at the Mackay Show next year where there will be two classes, best 12 sticks of two varieties, and heaviest six sticks. This is a fantastic hands on opportunity for our students to put their current term's learning about sugar cane into action.
Queensland state schools are committed to reducing the distraction of mobile devices to provide optimal learning environments for all students.
For the purpose of this procedure, mobile devices include mobile phones, wearables such as smartwatches, handheld devices and other emerging technologies which have the ability to connect to telecommunication networks or the internet.
All state school students must keep mobile phones switched off and ‘away for the day’ during school hours. Wearable devices, such as smartwatches, must have notifications switched off so that phone calls, messages and other notifications cannot be sent or received during school hours.
Students and their parents may apply for an exemption from this requirement based on certain criteria. Students with pre-existing school approval to use a mobile device on an ongoing basis to support certain medical, disability and/or wellbeing needs will not need to reapply under this procedure.
This procedure does not apply to personal or school-owned devices, such as iPads, tablets or laptops, that are approved for educational use as part of the school’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOx) approach.
Parents
- support their child to meet expectations of the school's local policy approach for student use of mobile devices, as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct
- support implementation of the local policy approach by using the school’s preferred communication channels to contact their child during school hours
- if required, apply for exemptions for medical, disability and/or wellbeing reasons in accordance with the school's local policy approach, outlined in the Student Code of Conduct
- work with the school to resolve issues regarding student compliance with the school's local policy approach.
Students
- keep mobile phones switched off and away for the day, and notifications disabled on wearable devices during school hours
- if required, apply for exemptions for medical, disability or wellbeing reasons in accordance with the school's local policy approach, outlined in the Student Code of Conduct
- if permitted to use a mobile device at school under an approved exemption, only use it for the intended and agreed purpose.
Dragging yourself through the school day? Can’t focus? Kinda grumpy? Turns out, your secret weapon might be... lunch. Yep — real food = energy. Give these lunch hacks a go.
Are you feeling run-down or on the edge of a cold this flu season?
Here are a few simple habits that can help keep your body strong and your immune system firing.
- Digital Detox: A Night to Rethink Tech | hosted by Nigel Dalton Member for Mackay, this community event is for parents, teens, educators and families looking to stay one step ahead in an ever-changing tech landscape. Join international guest speaker Brad Huddleston, a leading voice on the impact of technology and AI on mental health, productivity and mental health.
- Digital Detox: A Night to Rethink Tech
Tuesday 2 September, 5:45pm - 7:00pm
Harrup Park Lancaster Room, Juliet Street Mackay - Reserve Your Spot Here »
- *See event flyer attached for more information
- SEEN – The Film, is returning to Mackay for a second screening on 2nd September at the CQUniversity Mackay Ooralea Campus.
I'm excited to share that SEEN -The Film, A Parent TV Documentary, is returning to Mackay for a second screening. If you joined us in July, you’ll know the impact of this film. If you missed it, now is your chance!
Please consider sharing this event with your friends, families, and colleagues. Your voice helps bring this important conversation to more people who need it.
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
6:00pm for 6:30pm start
CQUniversity Mackay Ooralea Campus
$10 + booking fee via Humanitix
- Regional Arts Development Fund | Would you like to be a member of the RADF Committee? There are four volunteer positions available! Mackay Regional Council is seeking nominations from local artists, arts and cultural workers, members of cultural and/or heritage groups, local organisations or associations and people active within the arts, culture and heritage community to become members of our RADF Committee (email attached).
The Regional Arts Development fund is undertaking its yearly search for 4 new committee members & we would like you to share this information with your networks to help us find our next RADF committee super stars!
Would you like to be a member of our Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) Committee?
We have FOUR volunteer positions available.
Mackay Regional Council is seeking nominations from local artists, arts and cultural workers, members of cultural and/or heritage groups, local organisations or associations and people active within the arts, culture and heritage community to become members of our RADF Committee.
The RADF Committee assess applications to the RADF Funding Pool using the RADF Guidelines, (which link to Council’s Corporate Plan and Arts and Cultural Policy), and recommend applicants for funding. They also act as mentors to successful applicants and advocate about the program in their community.
Hit the link to get your application started! https://mackay.smartygrants.com.au/RADFCommittee2025
Expressions of interest close on the 8th of September 2025
Got questions? Call 1300 MACKAY or email creative@mackay.qld.gov.au to have a chat.
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