Dear Parents/Caregivers

We are almost at half-way mark through term 2 and, we have certainly hit the ground running with events. A massive thank you to all the parents who attended the Parent-teacher Interview evening in week 3, it was great to see collaboration happening.

The central focus this term is student improvement. We are supporting students to achieve their grades, effort in class, attendance and behaviour. Every student over this fortnight, will be reviewing their Track Ed profiles and setting SMART goals for this term with their Home Group teachers. Students are all beginning to work on assessments and should be utilising their assessment calendars to assist with time management. If your student is going to be away from school, please complete an AARA form in advance of planned absence so assessment dates can be adjusted and communicated with students and teachers.

Preparations are underway for incoming students in 2026. School visits have started, Cadet visits to High school are ongoing and our Open Night is happening next Tuesday at 5-7pm. All of our faculties and services have planned wonderful interactive presentations for year 6 students to engage with and get a taste of the experiences and opportunities we offer at school. A special thank you to the students who have volunteered their time to be student ambassadors for Open Night- your Mackay High spirit will shine through at this event.

Kind Regards

Liz O'Neill

Do It For Dolly Day

Thank you to our amazing Support Services team, Access Centre staff, our Inclusion Prefects and Year 12 helpers – 1st break came alive with BLUE in Kakadu! Platters of free fruit, iced cookies and fairy bread were enjoyed while students met MADEC Youth Workers to find out how they help young people in our community. Students who purchased blueberry muffins, slices, fairy floss and other delicious treats all raised funds that will go directly to Dolly’s Dream, the foundation that provides free support and resources to help navigate the challenges of bullying and it's impacts, advocates to connect young people with services, and education strategies to create a kinder, safer world.

Toolkit for Girls 2025

MEC Toolkit 4 Girls (Yr 10) Application 2025 and Flyer.

This event is Free for students to attend and catering is supplied.

Limited numbers.

Applications need to be in by Wednesday, 28 May 2025.

2026 BMA Apprenticeships

How to change your diet to sleep better

Healthy Teen Sleep Habits

Mackay  West  State  School  Mayfair

Date: Saturday, May 24th

Time: 4pm to 8pm

Location: Mackay West State School, Pinder Street, West Mackay

Details: The MWSS P&C presents Mayfair 2025, a fun-filled evening featuring amusements, rides, market stalls, cent sales, raffles, food stalls, plant stalls, bottle stalls, a BBQ dinner and more!

Heaps of fun for the whole family! Pre-purchase unlimited rides for $40. For more information, contact pandc@mackaywestss.eq.edu.au

Internet Safe Webinar

Ai Character Bot programs have been in the media lately, programs that allow a user to engage in a realistic online relationship with a computer generated program. These programs have already caused concern for parents and carers as it relates to their children with one mother taking a company to court over the suicide of her son.

Our founder Brett Lee recently conducted a webinar about one of these programs called PolyBuzz. In the webinar, Brett outlines what these programs are and everything we need to know as a parent or carer to protect our children from potential issues surrounding them.

Please feel free to share the link to the webinar (see below) with your school community. We feel that there are many parents who don't understand the seriousness of this new technology.

If you would like information about our presentations for students, staff and or parents, please contact me us on 1300 650 491 or email us at di@internetsafeeducation.com