Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of academic, cultural, sporting and community focused activities.
Sports
Students from all year levels are encouraged to participate in the wide variety of sports offered by the school. Opportunities are provided to participate in trials for selection at district (Karawatha) and regional (Metropolitan West) representative levels. The school has a large number of regional, state and national representatives.
Sunnybank State High School provides students with opportunities to participate in inter-school competitions within the Karawatha Sports District. This includes Touch Football, Softball, Basketball, Volleyball and Cricket.
There are also a number of opportunities for students to participate in team sports in other competitions outside of school hours.
Inter-house sporting events include the school swimming carnival, track and field carnival and cross country where healthy inter-house competition is enthusiastically contested.
eSports
Sunnybank SHS began it's eSports journey in 2022, winning two early trophies at the Queensland eSports High School competition in Term 3, 2022. Since then, students at Sunnybank SHS have been able to participate in eSports club weekly on Monday and Thursday lunches in our eSports room (AR3). Students are able to immerse themselves in virtual reality games, play Nintendo Switches and create meaningful friendships and experiences.
In 2023, students in Year 7 and 8 have been lucky enough to study eSports as a term-long unit in Digital Technologies, learning about the billion-dollar industry, the career opportunities involved and debating whether eSports is a real sport.
All students are welcome to get involved in eSports club at lunch times, or compete in our term-long eSports competitions. These have included students versus teachers in Just Dance, and a Mario Kart competition which culminated in a grand final pizza party.
Music and choir
An instrumental music program is offered in percussion, woodwind and brass with students performing in a range of contexts including school events and ANZAC Day ceremonies. A choir provides students with the opportunity to develop their choral work and small groups perform at school events throughout the year. Other arts based activities are undertaken by all year 11 students and facilitated by an interagency community team with links to Brisbane City Council, PCYC and Griffith University.
Multicultural week
Students are encouraged to perform during Multicultural week when their first culture is recognised and celebrated. This is a time when the rich diversity of our school is celebrated.
Student council
Student leaders are elected from each year group to represent their cohort and oversee the operation of the student council in the school. This group promotes student lead initiatives to develop and strengthen school and community spirit. Additional activities include, but are not limited to, programs identified by student groups such as World Vision 40 Hour Famine, Daffodil Day, Refugee Day, Community Connect and Multicultural Week.
STEM
STEM education has become an increasingly important focus in schools, with the goal of preparing students for the future job market. From Year 7 to Year 10, students are able to study a specialist Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subject under the Technologies faculty. This subject will expose students to 21st century skills and learning and challenges them to think outside the box to survive zombie apocalypses, create renewable energy, land a rocket on mars and much more!
In addition to classroom learning, students can participate in a range of STEM extracurricular activities and events, which help to deepen their understanding and foster their passion for these subjects. Our STEM ambassadors are able to participate in a STEM scholarship through the University of Queensland, getting them priority access to STEM courses in tertiary education. We also offer primary school students a variety of STEM challenge days and activities and our Sunnybank SHS STEM ambassadors are able to lead these events.
STEM education not only develops students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills but also encourages creativity and innovation. Through exposure to a range of STEM subjects and extracurricular activities, students can explore their interests and discover potential career paths in these fields.
Reading, short story writing, poetry writing groups
Small groups meet regularly to discuss their favourite books and others focus on short story writing workshops. Poetry groups also meet throughout the year and they have produced an anthology of student work.
Public speaking
Students are encouraged to participate in public speaking competitions that are conducted by local service clubs.
Other
Other extra curricular activities are offered and include chemistry and mathematics competitions, the debating club and cultural programs.