Mackay North State High School

Mackay North State High School is located just a few kilometers from the beach and the center of Mackay, surrounded by tropical rainforests and with direct access to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. The good reputation of this progressive school with a diverse range of subjects and a large selection of extracurricular activities attracts students far beyond the local area. The school currently has 1,450 students who form a committed, friendly and safe community.

Mackay North State High School places particular emphasis on music and the performing arts, and offers excellence programs in these areas. There is a wide range of orchestras and ensembles, with a prominent position held by the “Marching Band”, the largest school brass band in Australia with over 140 members. This band has represented Australia at the Olympic Games in Sydney and Beijing, the Shanghai Tourism Festival, Disneyland and the Los Angeles Independence Day Parade, among others.

There are numerous dance and drama activities with an annual drama production for years 7 through 12 and special drama performances for years 10 and 12. The award-winning dance troupe “North High Crew” and the cheerleading squad “Fire Crackers” are very popular.

Other subjects offered at Mackay North State High School include such exciting courses as engineering, IT, graphic design, tourism and hospitality. For the latter, the school has a training restaurant and a commercial standard kitchen.

Mackay North State High School is a Reef Guardian School and is involved in a wide range of activities. These include action pledges, coastal and beach clean-up days, eco-challenges, participation in the “Eye on the Reef” program and poster competitions.

Camps and field trips are an important part of normal school life at Mackay North, where important learning objectives are achieved. Annual camps and excursions include boat trips and excursions to local beaches, Mackay Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands, particularly in the Marine Science course. There are also team-building camps and the annual ski trip.