Mackay State High School
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123 Milton Street
Mackay QLD 4740
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Email: admin@mackayshs.eq.edu.au
Phone: 4957 9179
Fax: 4957 9100

Principal's Update

Welcome to Semester 2

Roberts_Felicity.jpgWelcome back to Term 3! I hope you and your family enjoyed a restful break and are ready for another busy and exciting term at Mackay State High School.

Welcoming New and Returning Deputy Principals

We are pleased to welcome Mr Ethan Johns to our leadership team as our newest Deputy Principal. Mr Johns will be working with our Year 9 and 10 students this term. Mrs Liz O’Neill remains on leave until Week 4, and in the interim, Ms Claire Blessas will continue supporting our Year 7 and 8 students.

For your reference, our Deputy Principal team for Term 3 is as follows:

  • Ms Blessas / Mrs O’Neill – Year 7 & 8
  • Mr Johns – Year 9 & 10
  • Mrs Barnard – Year 11 & 12
  • Mrs Baira – Inclusion (supporting students with disability and those in out-of-home care)

Please continue to direct any enquiries or concerns to the relevant Deputy Principal.

Subject Selection & Careers Focus

Term 3 is an important time for Year 8 and Year 10 students as they begin making decisions about their 2026 pathways.

  • Year 8 Students will select two elective subjects for 2026.
  • Year 10 Students will make highly individualised course selections, with English and Mathematics remaining essential. We offer a very diverse range of both academic and vocational subjects for your child to consider.

We strongly encourage parents to attend our Subject Selection Evening on Tuesday, 5 August commencing in the Hall:

  • Year 10 Session – 5:30 pm
  • Year 8 Session – 6:30 pm

This evening is a valuable opportunity to speak with Heads of Department, teachers, CQ University and James Cook University representatives, and the Mackay Engineering College about subjects, pathways, and future career opportunities.

In Week 6, Year 10 families will also meet with a member of the executive team as part of the Senior Education and Training (SET) Planning process to finalise subject choices for 2026.

Enrolments and Sporting Academy Trials

  • Year 6 Enrolments: Our second round of enrolment interviews for 2026 Year 7 students will take place in Week 4 this term. Information has been distributed to our feeder primary schools.
  • Sporting Academy Trials: A second round of trials for our Sporting Academies will occur in Week 5 for future students interested in joining these programs.

Assessment Calendars

Assessment calendars for Term 3 will be distributed on Monday next week to help

 students stay organised and up to date with their studies.

Finally, thank you to the many parents who attended Parent-Teacher Interviews this week. Your engagement and partnership are vital to your child’s success, and we appreciate your ongoing support.

I look forward to another fantastic term of learning and achievement at Mackay State High School.

Felicity Roberts

Principal