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Mackay North State High School

Three reasons to choose us

  1. ​​​Access to the Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef and rainforest areas​
  2. Friendly, safe and supportive community
  3. Wide range of subjects and extracurricular activities with outstanding educational outcomes

Principal's welcome

Mackay North State High School has a proud tradition of educational excellence in the Mackay region. We have an enrolment of 1,300 students from Years 7 to 12, we are committed to providing every student with the opportunity to succeed—academically, personally and socially.

Our dedicated staff deliver high-quality education tailored to each stage of student development, from junior secondary through to senior secondary. Whether students pursue academic, vocational or creative pathways, they are supported every step of the way.

We offer a wide range of programs designed to meet the needs of all learners:

  • academic excellence programs
  • vocational education and training (VET)
  • specialist arts and STEM programs
  • leadership and student wellbeing initiatives.​

Our core values of respect, resilience and confidence are embedded in every aspect of school life—from classrooms to co-curricular programs. These values guide student behaviour and shape a positive, inclusive ​and high-performing school culture.

North High is more than a school—it's a vibrant community. We value our strong partnerships with families and the wider Mackay community, working together to ensure the best outcomes for all students.

We are proud of the achievements of our students and staff across academic, cultural, sporting and civic domains. Their success reflects the high expectations and collective efforts of the entire North High community.

Mackay North State High School is a place where every student is encouraged and equipped to be their best. We welcome new families and look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence with our current school community.

Mackay North State High School is the biggest school in the Mackay Region, educating over 1300 students. As a large school, we can offer several extra-curricular activities, and our instrumental music program is world renowned. As an international student, you are welcomed to take part in all extra-curricular activities, however some may come at an extra cost.

We have several great facilities at Mackay North State High School. Our facilities include 2 ovals, a senior centre, an auditorium, a swimming pool, a gym and a multipurpose community hall.​

School overview

Number of students

Year school established

School website

Our school is located in the tropical Queensland coastal city of Mackay, approximately 1,000km north of Brisbane and 150km from the world-famous beachside community of Airlie Beach, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands.

Our school has a reputation for academic excellence and outstanding achievement in sport, music, and visual and performing arts. We are well resourced and able to offer an extensive range of subjects and extracurricular activities.

The Mackay region offers a wide variety of experiences, including boating, fishing, wildlife watching and cultural events. Enjoy weekends with your homestay family discovering our tropical rainforests coastal islands and wallabies at sunrise on our sandy beaches.

Our community is safe, welcoming and committed to ensuring a positive experience for our students. We invite you to join our international family.

EQI programs offered

HS
High School
RSA
Regional Study Abroad

Special programs

  • Marine Studies—including boating and field trips to local beaches, Mackay Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands.
  • Excellence in music and art programs
  • Highly regarded instrumental musical program​

Extracurricular activities

  • Chess competition, debating
  • Science Week activities, Opti MINDS
  • Readers' Cup, writing competitions
  • Australasian Problem Solving Maths Olympiad (APSMO), Mathematics Challenge for Young Australians, ICAS and AMC maths competitions
  • Swimming, cross-country, athletics
  • Rugby league, hockey, volleyball, netball, soccer, rugby union, AFL, cricket, touch football
  • Marching band, string orchestra, stage band, senior concert band, drumline ensemble, show choir, folk ensemble
  • Mackay Regional Show—food and art competitions, May Fair art exhibition and competition, visiting artists
  • Rock-Pop-Mime
  • Dance troupe and cheer
  • Japanese trip, ski trip, Year 8 and 11 camps
  • Sampling work experience​

School facilities

  • Health and physical education facilities include: a 25-metre swimming pool, extensive playing fields, a gym and a covered basketball court
  • Senior centre facilities include an auditorium, senior study room and an international room
  • Junior secondary precinct provides indoor and outdoor educational and recreational areas
  • Arts facilities include an art studio, performing arts area, music practice rooms and a dance floor
  • Vocational education facilities include a commercial kitchen and training restaurant, and engineering and building workshops

Tertiary pathways

  • CQ University (Mackay/Rockhampton)
  • James Cook University (Townsville/Cairns)
  • University of Queensland (Brisbane)
  • Griffith University (Gold Coast)
  • University of Sunshine Coast​
  • QUT (Brisbane)

Languages

  • ​Japanese

Homestay and accommodation

By living with an Australian host family international students become part of the local community and have a fantastic opportunity to practise their English in a safe and caring home environment.

Students have their own bedroom with study facilities, three meals a day, and access to transport to and from school, and to school activities.

Read more about homestay and accommodation options.

Holiday adventure programs

Holiday adventure programs are an exciting and safe way for students to travel and sightsee during school holidays.

All holiday adventures are fully guided and escorted by qualified teachers and staff to ensure student safety.

Find out more about our holiday adventure programs.

Contact details

Disclaimer

The information and data in this webpage is subject to change without notice. Before submitting your application, if you are interested in:

  • a particular subject, sport, program or extracurricular activity offered by an EQI school; or
  • particular school facilities;

please contact EQI or the school directly to confirm it will be offered and/or available in the year you intend to study.

Last updated 07 November 2025