Mackay West State School enjoys an excellent reputation in the community. The operations of the school are based on a set of actively shared values which underpin quality teaching and learning experiences for all students. The school has a proud heritage of success and achievement by students and staff in academic, cultural and sporting endeavours. Instrumental Music programs include Strings, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion groups. These groups, together with highly skilled Specialist Music teachers and school wide Music and Arts programs, enable our students to participate in many cultural events such as Eisteddfods, Fanfare, Mackay Orchestra and Band Festivals, Wakakirri and Rock Pop Mime Shows. A highly anticipated and well attended School Concert, 'Best of West', is held biennially. Artist in Residence programs are regularly organised to allow students to be exposed to the talents of authors, artists and musicians from the local and wider community. Mackay West has participated in Regional Opti-MINDS competitions for well over a decade and has enjoyed great success in these, with teams from the school representing the region in State Finals in almost every year. Mackay West also enjoys success across a large range of school sports including Athletics, Track and Field, Cross Country, Tennis, Netball, Hockey, Soccer, AFL, Cricket, Basketball, Touch Football, Vigoro and many others. Students are regularly selected to represent at district, regional and state levels. Many staff members are accredited coaches and managers for Primary School Sports teams. Mackay West State School also plays an important role in the community. 'Productive Partnerships' is a nationally and internationally recognised program which promotes awareness of the valuable role of the public library as a co- educator, especially in the core business area of Literacy. It provides a learning network which runs parallel with formal school education and effectively increases numbers of students who become active borrowers from Council Library..