Marsden State High School

{{Short description|Secondary school in Queensland, Australia}} {{Distinguish|text=Marsden High School in Meadowbank, New South Wales}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox school | name = Marsden State High School | image = | caption = | motto = Success Through Industry (1987–2010)<br/>Empowering Individuals, Expanding Horizons, Creating Futures (2010–2012)<br/>Dare to Inspire, Make a Difference (2013–present) | established = 1987 | city = Logan City | state = Queensland | country = Australia | coordinates = {{coord|-27.6852|153.1106|type:edu_region:AU-|display=inline,title}} | principal = Marcus Jones | type = Co-education, secondary, public | campus = | enrolment = 3,702 (2023) | grades = 7–12 | colours = Maroon {{Color box|#8B1538|border=darkgray}} and ash {{Color box|#63757F|border=darkgray}} | website = [https://marsdenshs.eq.edu.au/] }} '''Marsden State High School''' ('''MSHS''') is a public co-educational secondary school located in the Logan City suburb of Waterford West, Queensland, Australia.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Marsden State High School {{!}} Department of Education |url=https://schoolsdirectory.eq.edu.au/Details/2176 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709055910/https://schoolsdirectory.eq.edu.au/Details/2176 |archive-date=2024-07-09 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Schools Directory}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=ACARA Data Access Program - School Profile 2023 |url=https://dataandreporting.blob.core.windows.net/anrdataportal/Data-Access-Program/School%20Profile%202023.xlsx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501085934/https://dataandreporting.blob.core.windows.net/anrdataportal/Data-Access-Program/School%20Profile%202023.xlsx |archive-date=2024-05-01 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority}}</ref> It is administered by the Department of Education, with an enrolment of 3,823 students and a teaching staff of 261, as of 2024.<ref name=":1" /> The school serves students from Year 7 to Year 12,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> and is the largest high school by enrolments in Australia,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Judith |date=3 March 2022 |title=Marsden State High School chalks up record as country's largest secondary school |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/logan/marsden-state-high-school-chalks-up-record-as-countrys-largest-secondary-school/news-story/e2fe6de56e6eff36e6551814915fb3fa |access-date=13 May 2024 |publisher=The Courier Mail}}</ref> exceeding 4,000 students in March 2024.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Caldwell |first=Felicity |date=2024-03-24 |title=Qld's biggest high school hires extra staff as enrolments exceed 4000 |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/qld-s-biggest-high-school-hires-extra-staff-as-enrolments-exceed-4000-20240313-p5fc2b.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814060740/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/qld-s-biggest-high-school-hires-extra-staff-as-enrolments-exceed-4000-20240313-p5fc2b.html |archive-date=2024-08-14 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The Brisbane Times}}</ref>

== History == The school opened on 27 January 1987,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-14 |title=Opening and closing dates of Queensland schools |url=https://education.qld.gov.au/about/history/Documents/historical-summary-prior-1999.xlsx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724064755/https://education.qld.gov.au/about/history/Documents/historical-summary-prior-1999.xlsx |archive-date=2024-07-24 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Queensland Department of Education |language=en}}</ref> in the suburb's west.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waterford West {{!}} Queensland Places |url=https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/waterford-west |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414205813/https://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/waterford-west |archive-date=2024-04-14 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website= |publisher=University of Queensland}}</ref>

In 2013, a vegemite sandwich<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Jabour |first=Bridie |date=2013-05-08 |title=Sandwich 'thrower' suspended |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/sandwich-thrower-suspended-20130509-2j8st.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210092811/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/sandwich-thrower-suspended-20130509-2j8st.html |archive-date=2023-02-10 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Brisbane Times |language=en}}</ref> was thrown at the then prime minister, Julia Gillard, by a student, the student who was caught denied any wrongdoing of the incident and was promptly suspended.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-05-08 |title=Queensland student denies throwing sandwich at PM |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-student-denies-throwing-sandwich-at-pm/fb7a2ac2-9cfe-453f-b743-40966e5859b6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814101604/https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-student-denies-throwing-sandwich-at-pm/fb7a2ac2-9cfe-453f-b743-40966e5859b6 |archive-date=2024-08-14 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Nine News}}</ref> His suspension lasted three weeks, and he later "confronted her on radio to protest his innocence," the prime minister laughed it off and "sort of" sympathised, but did not help to appeal his suspension.<ref name=":6" />

On 9 November 2015, investigators started talking to students about the disappearance of student Tiahleigh Palmer.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=2015-11-08 |title=Tiahleigh Palmer suspected murder: school security debated as community mourns 12yo girl |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-09/candlelight-vigl-12yo-tiahleigh-palmer-security-cameras/6922926 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614024549/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-09/candlelight-vigl-12yo-tiahleigh-palmer-security-cameras/6922926 |archive-date=2024-06-14 |access-date=2024-08-14 |work=ABC News Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> Approximately 70 students were questioned by police as of 11 November,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-11-11 |title=Police and SES scour land near school for clues in Tiahleigh Palmer case |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-11/tiahleigh-palmer-suspected-murder-police-ses-search-school/6930198 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418051845/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-11/tiahleigh-palmer-suspected-murder-police-ses-search-school/6930198 |archive-date=2017-04-18 |access-date=2024-08-14 |work=ABC News Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> with investigators encouraging students to speak up if they had any knowledge regarding her disappearance and eventual death.<ref name=":8" /> The incident prompted a debate on school security.<ref name=":7" />

In 2018, Marsden was selected as School of the Year for South East Queensland by The South East Showcase Awards,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Future Logan: Marsden State High School named South East's School of the Year |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/special-features/in-depth/future-logan-marsden-state-high-school-named-south-easts-school-of-the-year/news-story/492ce5c1964bc60c2f0e22bb97e86d5c |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814093935/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/special-features/in-depth/future-logan-marsden-state-high-school-named-south-easts-school-of-the-year/news-story/492ce5c1964bc60c2f0e22bb97e86d5c?nk=b9664971e9b3d19ac626f204d3015b29-1723628375 |archive-date=2024-08-14 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> and in 2020, it was named the 'best public school in the country' due to being the finalist in nine out of the twenty-five categories in the Australian Education Awards, an all-time record.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-26 |title=Marsden State High School named best public school in the country |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-breakfast/andrew-peach/12926674 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814091915/https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-breakfast/andrew-peach/12926674 |archive-date=2024-08-14 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=ABC listen |language=en-AU}}</ref>

A brawl between Marsden students and a member of the public occurred in 2020, with footage being uploaded to social media.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2020-10-27 |title=Footage of students of Marsden State High School fighting man sparks investigation |url=https://7news.com.au/news/qld/footage-of-students-of-marsden-state-high-school-fighting-man-sparks-investigation-c-1466879 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928175927/https://7news.com.au/news/qld/footage-of-students-of-marsden-state-high-school-fighting-man-sparks-investigation-c-1466879 |archive-date=2021-09-28 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Seven News |language=en}}</ref> A police investigation was prompted by the incident.<ref name=":9" />

Student enrollment was recorded at 4,043 in March 2024, even though the school's maximum enrollment capacity peaked at 3,444 students.<ref name=":5" /> It was estimated if current trends continue, student enrollment could reach 4,882 within four years (2028).<ref name=":5" /> Land in Logan Reserve was acquired by the state government to construct a new school in order to relieve the pressure on Marsden State High.<ref name=":5" />

The school was brought into the public eye in 2025, due to a teacher allegedly identifying as a cat.<ref>{{cite web | title=Does This High School Teacher Identify as a Cat? Her Students Say She Does | date=17 February 2025 | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/does-this-high-school-teacher-identify-as-a-cat-her-students-say-she-does/ }}</ref> The teacher, who was purported to tell students to refer to her as 'Miss Purr' whilst wearing cat ears, was removed from the school.

== Programs == The school's current sporting, academic and awareness programs are:

* MTC – Mates Talk Change, a program encouraging good mental health provides a variety of positive mental strategies, including Top 5 Squad * ELP – Exceptional Learners Program, a discipline for high achievers * Soccer Excellence – a popular sporting excellence program * Rugby League Excellence – a popular sporting excellence, see notable alumni. * Basketball Excellence – a popular sporting excellence program

===Basketball Team Achievements=== ====Championship Women (Open)==== *'''Australian Schools Championships''' : {{Bronze3}} Third Place: 2023 * Dance Excellence – a program in which exceptional dancers join * Music Excellence – Exceptional students can choose to sing or play an instrument * The Arts – The arts is a group of subjects in the creative fields such as Music, Dance, Film & Television and art. * AVID – A class built on traditional American-style AVID principles. * M.A.D. – Make a difference program, bringing change to the community.

==Notable alumni== This is a list of the Notable alumni of Marsden State High School in alphabetical order, by last name.

* Corey Allan<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-04-06 |title=Schoolboys trial game to be played before Titans v Eels match this Saturday |url=https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/04/06/school-boys-trial-game-to-be-played-before-titans-v-eels-match-this-saturday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406053956/https://www.titans.com.au/news/2022/04/06/school-boys-trial-game-to-be-played-before-titans-v-eels-match-this-saturday/ |archive-date=2022-04-06 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Gold Coast Titans |language=en}}</ref> – rugby league player with the Sydney Roosters. * Israel Folau<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Dan |date=2020-10-16 |title='Talk it out': Allan's lasting legacy in critical mental health battles |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/16/talk-it-out-allans-lasting-legacy-in-critical-mental-health-battles/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822093946/https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/16/talk-it-out-allans-lasting-legacy-in-critical-mental-health-battles/ |archive-date=2023-08-22 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=National Rugby League |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Matt |date=2009-04-23 |title=School days to class acts |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/school-days-to-class-acts/story-e6frfgbo-1225702277172 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614153641/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/school-days-to-class-acts/story-e6frfgbo-1225702277172 |archive-date=2011-06-14 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> – rugby league player with the Catalans Dragons, former Australian rules and former Rugby Union player for the New South Wales Waratahs. * Hulita Haukinima<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cormack |first=Michael |date=2015-09-09 |title=Marsden's Hulita Haukinima earns the final place on the Queensland Firebirds' 2016 roster |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/logan/marsdens-hulita-haukinima-earns-the-final-place-on-the-queensland-firebirds-2016-roster/news-story/4fef83999063d218861e627f710d1515 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The Courier Mail}}</ref> – Queensland Firebirds netball player. * Brenko Lee<ref name=":2" /> – current NRL player for Dolphins. * Patrick Mago{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} – former NRL player for Brisbane Broncos and South Sydney Rabbitohs, currently with the Super League team Wigan. * Tesi Niu<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-02 |title=Tesi & Tony: The Story Behind A Photo |url=https://www.broncos.com.au/news/2020/06/03/tesi--tony-the-story-behind-a-photo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625054526/https://www.broncos.com.au/news/2020/06/03/tesi--tony-the-story-behind-a-photo/ |archive-date=2022-06-25 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The Brisbane Broncos |language=en}}</ref> – rugby league player with the Dolphins. * Tiahleigh Palmer<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Rafferty |first=Michelle |date=2015-11-13 |title=Tiahleigh Palmer planned to skip school the day she disappeared, police say |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-13/tiahleigh-palmer-planned-skip-school-police-believe/6940052 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418051836/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-13/tiahleigh-palmer-planned-skip-school-police-believe/6940052 |archive-date=2017-04-18 |access-date=2024-08-14 |work=ABC News Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> – student who was murdered by her foster father in 2015. * Chris Sandow<ref name=":4" /> – rugby league player. * Cameron Smith<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> – rugby league former player with the Melbourne Storm. * Jaydn Su'A<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> – rugby league player with the St George Illawarra Dragons. * Caleb Timu<ref>{{Cite web |title=Caleb Kalisi Timu {{!}} Player Profile {{!}} Classic Wallabies |url=https://classicwallabies.com.au/players/caleb-kalisi-timu/1128 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411054842/https://classicwallabies.com.au/players/caleb-kalisi-timu/1128 |archive-date=2024-04-11 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The Classic Wallabies |language=en}}</ref> – former NRL player for the Brisbane Broncos, former Rugby Union player for the Queensland Reds, Australia national rugby union team Wallabies, and Montpellier Hérault Rugby. * Joe Tomane<ref name=":4" /> – former professional rugby league footballer, now rugby union player. * Antonio Winterstein<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> – rugby league player.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://marsdenshs.eq.edu.au/ Marsden State High School website]

Category:Public high schools in Queensland Category:Schools in Logan City Category:Educational institutions established in 1987 Category:1987 establishments in Australia