Parents and Guardians,

It’s been a busy and exciting fortnight at Mackay State High School with many events taking place across our school community.

Recently, we held our Subject Selection Evening for Year 8 and Year 10 students and their families. For our Year 8 students, this marks their first real conversation about future learning pathways. As they enter Year 9, students will continue with core subjects—English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, and Health & Physical Education—while also having the opportunity to choose two elective subjects from a broad range of Technology and The Arts options. Subject selection forms are due to the front office by the end of Week 7.

At the same evening, Mrs Roberts provided valuable insights into the senior school pathways available at Mackay State High School, including:

• The ATAR/University Pathway
• Trade-based Pathways
• A Blended Model for those combining academic and vocational goals

We are proud to support students who pursue distance education or undertake university study while still in Years 11 and 12.

For our Year 10 families, it is now time to book a SET Planning Interview. These 20-minute interviews with members of the Executive Leadership Team are essential for confirming subject selections for Year 11 and 12. Bookings can be made via the Compass App under the Conferences section.

Last weekend, our talented students took to the stage for “13 Jr: The Musical” under the direction of Ms Mia Luxford, Head of Department – The Arts. It was a wonderful showcase of dedication and talent, and I’m always in awe of what our students are capable of. There is already talk of “what’s next” for 2026, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with!

Next Thursday and Friday, we welcome our future Year 7 students for their first Transition Mornings. These mornings are open to students from both our feeder and non-feeder schools. A big thank you to Mrs Kennedy and Miss Williams for their preparation in creating a welcoming and engaging experience for our incoming students. We’re excited to meet them and show them what Mackay State High School is all about.

Behind the scenes, planning is well underway for our 2026 Timetable Construction. As always, changes to structure involve significant consultation. We’re grateful to our P&C, who continue to offer valuable feedback, especially regarding our Tuesday Period 4 staff consultation time. Their input is vital to ensuring the structure of our school day supports both staff and student success.

Finally, thank you for your continued support during Protected Industrial Action. As teaching staff, we are committed to advocating for the best possible conditions to attract and retain quality educators. At Mackay State High School, we strive to create an environment where every student feels safe, supported, and a strong sense of belonging.

There’s always something exciting happening at our school—make sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram pages to stay up to date!

Warm regards,
Cicely Baira
Deputy Principal
Mackay State High School