Ayr State High School is the largest and most popular school in the Burdekin area. Located in Ayr, 88 kilometres south-east of Townsville, the school has provided quality education to the northern Burdekin region since 1932.
The school caters for Senior Secondary students from Years 10, 11, 12 and Junior Secondary – currently from Years 8 and 9 with the integration of Year 7 students from 2015. Each academic cohort of approximately 110 students is educated by dedicated specialist teachers to enhance curriculum exposure and rigor in a wide variety of subject areas. The school is therefore able to offer all the benefits of a large school (broad range of subject choice and co-curricular activities) while enjoying the advantages of a small school (close personal relationships between teachers and students).
Subjects Years 7 to 10: English, Mathematics, Science, History/SOSE, Languages other than English – Japanese, Business Studies, Information Communication & Technologies, Art, Drama, Music, Graphics, Food Studies, and Physical Education.
Subjects Years 11 and 12: English, Mathematics A, Mathematics B, Mathematics C, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Accounting, Business Communication & Technologies, Information Processing and Technology, Information Technology Systems, Legal Studies, Visual Art, Drama, Music, Graphics, Physical Education, English Communication, Prevocational Mathematics, Science in Practice, Information & Communications Technology, Visual Art Studies, Drama Studies, Music Studies, Industrial Graphics, Industrial Technology Studies, Physical Recreation Studies, Certificate II Horticulture, Certificate I in Construction, Certificate II in Hospitality VET Subjects via TAFE, Certificate II in Automotive Mechanical (Pre-Apprenticeship), Certificate II in Engineering Studies, Certificate II in Furniture Making, Certificate II in Retail Cosmetic Services, Certificate III Child Services.
Welfare and personal development: Guidance Officer (GO), Community Education Counsellor (CEC), School Chaplain, Responsible Behaviour Teachers, School Based Youth Health Nurse (SBYHN), Youth Support Coordinator (YSC), Special Education Unit (SEU) – Learning Support Services (LSS).
Special features: The school is focused on transitioning students from primary school through to further studies and or employment by providing individual case management of students through academic, career, social and emotional development. For students looking to directly enter the workforce upon completion of Year 12, the school offers a range of Authority Registered and VET courses. The VET Courses are either delivered on site or in partnership with Barrier Reef TAFE at the Home Hill Campus.