Opportunities to Excel

Student enrichment, extracurricular & extension programs

At Marrickville High School, we offer a wide range of enrichment, extracurricular and extension programs and opportunities in the classroom, across the school, and beyond. These programs help students build new skills, develop their talents, explore their passions, discover new interests, and make new friends and connections.

Recent highlights

Theatre Residency Program: Mary Poppins the Musical

For the second year running, Marrickville High School was accepted into the Combined Schools Musical, Mary Poppins, run by The Arts Unit. Our ensemble of 19 actors, singers and dancers rehearsed for over two hours each week throughout Term 1, taking centre stage as they performed 'Feed the Birds' and the Finale, within a combined cast of more than 150 students from schools across the region.

Big Band Day Workshop

MHS musicians welcomed local primary school students for a Big Band Day Workshop, joined by guest conductor John Benson from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Students rehearsed four jazz and big band pieces before performing for family and friends, with our MHS musicians leading the way with leadership, teamwork and encouragement throughout the day.

Robotics Club: FIRST LEGO League

Our Robotics Club competes in the FIRST LEGO League, designing, building and programming robots for real-world challenges in our brand-new STEM room. In 2025, the team placed 4th in the regional Robot Games, just missing the national finals, a remarkable result for a team formed only in 2024.

Mathematics Stretch Club

High-achieving students are challenged through workshops, competitions and problem-solving activities, including a live International Pi Day webinar with renowned teacher Eddie Woo.

Write a Book in a Day

Students from Marrickville High School and Marrickville Public School teamed up to write full books in just six hours, each including two human characters, one non-human character, a setting, an issue, and five surprise words.

Creative & Performing Arts (CAPA)

From music and drama to visual art, Marrickville High School students have countless ways to explore their creative talents:

Art Club
Big Band Workshop - Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Choir
Combined Schools Musical
Guitar Ensemble
Jazz Band
Senior Rock Band, and Year 7, 8/9, 9/10 and 11 Rock Bands
Girls Senior Punk Band
Girls Junior Punk Band
Improv Australia Competition
Junior Theatre Sports
Shakespeare Carnival
Theatre Residency Program

View our full range of CAPA opportunities.

background

off white

Sport & physical activity

At Marrickville High School, students build fitness, teamwork and leadership through school sport and structured physical activity programs:

Run Club
Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) Coaches Program
Sporting Knockout Competitions: Basketball, Rugby League, Football, Cricket, Netball, Tennis, Volleyball.

background

off white

STEM & technology

Marrickville High School students explore technology, engineering and problem-solving through hands-on clubs and extension programs:

Robotics Club
iStem Club
Mathematics Stretch Club
Sewing Club
Engineers Without Borders
Engineers Australia

background

off white

Our CSIRO partnership

Marrickville High School has an ongoing partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), giving every student direct access to leading STEM professionals and real-world research.

This term, students welcomed two exceptional STEM ambassadors. Dr Natasha Kumar, a neuroscientist and senior lecturer at UNSW and CSIRO, led an interactive session on neuroscience and pharmacology for Year 7 and 8 students, including hands-on experiments exploring how the brain responds to different stimuli. Mr Leon Berkelmans, Senior Economist at the Reserve Bank of Australia and a regular contributor to our Mathematics Stretch Club, returned to mark Pi Day with a session exploring real-world economics and mathematics through pizza sizing.

These experiences are open to all students and offer genuine insight into research and STEM career pathways, guided by working scientists, economists and mentors. Stay tuned for more STEM events and opportunities at Marrickville High School.

At Marrickville High School, we offer a variety of enrichment, extra-curricular and extension programs and opportunities in the classroom and across, and beyond the school to help students build new skills, develop their talents, explore their passions, develop new interests, and make new friends and connections.

background

dark

Spotlight: Women in STEM

Nationally, women remain significantly underrepresented in STEM careers. Alongside the STEM opportunities open to all our students, Marrickville High School runs a dedicated Women in STEM program, offering specialised classes, talks and workshops for girls in Years 7 and 8, extending into the middle and senior years.

These sessions build confidence, showcase female role models in science and mathematics, and give girls a clear pathway to pursue STEM subjects and careers, supported by dedicated teachers and STEM mentors.

It's one part of a much bigger STEM offering at Marrickville High, where every student benefits from CSIRO partnerships, guest experts, and hands-on clubs designed to spark curiosity and open doors to future careers.

background

dark