School Walkthrough – Complete Transcript
Mrs Jane Grieger - Principal
Hi. Welcome to Mackay North State High School. At Mackay North we have a proud tradition of excellence in cultural, academic and sporting fields. Our students are always striving to do the best in everything that they do. Students are able to select from a wide variety of academic and vocational subjects from Chemistry and Physics right through to Engineering, Construction, Hospitality and Boating.    We also have a thriving music excellence program at Mackay North which includes our world renowned marching band. Mackay North is situated in Central Queensland, with the Great Barrier Reef right on our doorstep. From our beautiful beaches to the lush tropical rainforests, Mackay just has so much to offer. 
Clara – Student from Brazil: My name is Clara and I am from Brazil and attending Mackay North High has been one of the best experiences of my life and one of the reasons for that is how friendly the community is. Since my first day, I felt really welcome and part of the Australian lifestyle. Every day I learn something new with my friends and they learn with me about my culture. It is a big and fun exchange of knowledge and makes my experience amazing.
Sharon – Homestay parent: When the students first arrive they are very shy and they are very quiet and they’re very unsure, um, but then after the first four weeks they start to just settle in more.
Carol – Homestay parent: It is a culture shock to start with because it is so different from Europe, um …
Sharon – Homestay parent: It’s very laid back here. Schooling is very different - much more relaxed.
Emma – Homestay parent: My mum has had multiple host students stay with her, probably around eight to ten students and um, I really enjoyed having every student stay with me. It’s like having a brother or sister.
Johnathon – Homestay parent: It’s good. We get to experience different cultures and ah, see sort of, what they expect Australian life to be. So the experience is two ways. We experience what their culture is by them coming over and they get to experience what we’re like so we get to see sort of, what the outgoing image of Australia is. 
Michelle – Homestay parent: I had German boys coming here in the middle of winter, swimming, I’m on the beach with a rug and he’s swimming in the water saying “These beaches are awesome, these beaches are awesome”. I took him to the Sunshine Coast and he actually learned how to surf and he said that was the highlight of his whole stay – learning to surf.
Mrs Jane Grieger - Principal
We hope that if you choose Mackay North you’ll find the experience rewarding and you’ll have the opportunity to achieve success in your studies and make some new friends at the same time.