Maleny State High School is located in the Queensland Sunshine Coast Hinterland, 100km north of Brisbane and 35 minutes’ drive from the beautiful Sunshine Coast beaches. The school services the communities of the Blackall Range, Upper Mary Valley, part of the rail corridor and surrounding areas. The school was established in 1987 and has a reputation for a diverse, innovative curriculum, excellent facilities and a pleasant environment for student learning.
The school offers a diverse curriculum program which recognises the importance of traditional academic subjects as preparation for tertiary entrance while at the same time offering a wide range of vocational education courses. The school aims to provide students with maximum opportunities to achieve credits towards their Queensland Certificates of Education. The school actively pursues the principle of 'Learning for Living'.
Many students have extended and enriched their secondary experience by accessing subjects offered by universities, as well as Brisbane School of Distance Education.
The middle years (Years 7–9) curriculum studies are based on the Australian Curriculum, emphasizing team planning and literacy.
During the senior phase of learning (Years 10–12) students are provided with opportunities to extend their studies and diversify as they work towards obtaining their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). QCS Test and OP performance is usually above the state average in the higher bands. Over the last five years, an average of 24.0% of our year 12 students have been placed in the OP bands of 1–7, compared with 22.7% across Queensland. 97% of Maleny SHS students who apply for tertiary entrance receive a QTAC offer for a tertiary place. On average, over 60% of year 12s are OP eligible, with more than 85% of all year 12s gaining either an OP or VET qualifications. 25%–30% of senior students undertake a traineeship and nearly all of these exit year 12 with a VET certificate at AQTF level I or II.
Maleny State High School is an accredited Education Queensland International school and offers places to international students from all around the world. We also host regular International Study Tours each year, mainly from Japan.
A large number of students participate in and gain success in a range of extension and co-academic activities such as competitions and cultural events within the strong arts fields of drama, music, dance and visual arts, as well as a strong sporting presence. Students undertake a range of leadership roles through the student council, interact club, school captaincy and house sports positions.
The school grounds have an area of 15.4 hectares and include a 7 hectare agricultural section which regularly showcases its successful cattle handling teams and other primary industry initiatives. A large multipurpose activities centre and dance studio cater for sport, performances and assembly and are hired regularly by community groups.