Magnetic Island State School is in the unique position of catering for a population that resides on an island eight kilometres off the eastern coast of Australia. Although the island is a suburb of Townsville, the constraints placed on travel between the island and the resources of that city mean that the community experiences many of the isolation factors associated with more remote communities.
Originally, there were three small schools on the Island - Picnic Bay, Horseshoe Bay and Nelly Bay. A decision was made in 1970 to close the school at Picnic Bay and in 1972, the Horseshoe Bay School closed. The students from those schools were transported to the central school at Nelly Bay, which then became Magnetic Island State School.
The Nelly Bay Provisional School opened on the 15th September 1924 and became a State School in September 1928. The original school building has been relocated within the grounds but is still used as a classroom. As the school population has grown, additional learning areas have been built or transported from other sites. School facilities now include an outstanding resource centre, outdoor and indoor learning spaces, well maintained sporting and arts facilities and an extensive food and bush tucker garden. All learning spaces include wi-fi networking, there is a computer lab, as well as moveable laptops and iPads for all students to access. The school also manages the Gerry Winn Community Pool, located on the school site.
Overwhelmingly, the Island community is supportive of the school with many positive community partnerships, including:
- MICDA (Magnetic Island Community Development Association)
- MINCA (Magnetic Island Nature Care Association)
- MIFCO (Magnetic Island Fauna Care Organisation) Magnetic Island Museum
- Men’s Shed; local Rotary Club; Community Care;
- R.S.L.
- SeaLink Queensland;
- Magnetic Island Boat Club
- The local Police (Adopt-a-Cop).
The school, its practices and facilities, are seen as integral to the well-being of
the Island, with many of the school’s resources being valued and used by the different organisations within the community.