Maclean High School is a district comprehensive secondary school servicing the educational needs of the entire Lower Clarence geographical area. The drawing area includes the towns and villages of Maclean, Yamba, Iluka, Brooms Head, Lawrence, Angourie, Harwood, Chatsworth Island, Palmers Island, Ashby and Tyndale. Approximately 65% of the school population is bused daily from outlying areas.
The school has a student population of 900 students with a complement of over 100 teaching and support staff. The staff are dedicated, experienced and stable. The school core values are FRESH, standing for FAIR, RESPECT, EFFORT, SAFE and HONEST. All that we do at Maclean High School can be linked to these values.
The school has first class facilities. The rebuilding program of the 90’s upgraded our facilities. Facilities include a performance space, gymnasium, modern spacious library, rowing shed, state of the art home science, industrial technology and science blocks. The school also has very good sporting and creative arts facilities. The school farm occupies 2¼ hectares of river floodplain. The school also has a brand new Trade Training Centre specialising in construction. In 2017 all teaching spaces have been air conditioned.
The school is guided by the philosophy of developing each individual student to his or her full potential whether that be in an academic, cultural, sporting or social sense. All educational programs developed in the school are directed at improving and maximising the development of the all-round personal skills of each student. It is worthwhile noting the levels of excellence achieved recently in academic performance, music, drama, debating and public speaking, in addition to our legendary performances in regional and state sporting contests. Gifted and Talented students are supported through various programs and special attention from staff.
An extensive curriculum of Board of Studies courses, school courses and Vocational Education and Training courses are offered in the school. The school also caters for students with learning difficulties with four specialist staff solely associated with servicing the needs of such children. The school also has a strong student welfare platform. All staff recognise the value of a caring approach to learning and ensure that the self-image of each individual student is enhanced at all times. A unique levels system of rewarding students for positive behaviours and outcomes exists in the school. All students are therefore constantly challenged to improve themselves. Specialist staff working in this area include the School Counsellor, Student Adviser Girls, Student Adviser Boys, Year Advisers, the Aboriginal Education Officer, the Careers Adviser, the Learning & Support Assistant, and four Special Education Teachers. The school is also well served with Learning Support Officers.