Hair-raising salon at Mabel Park State High School

One of Logan’s busiest hair and beauty salons can be found at a most unexpected location: Mabel Park State High School, where students run an onsite salon, getting them job-ready for positions at local hairdressers.

Teacher Tish Rice, the school’s Hair and Beauty Coordinator, says the Mabel Park State High School Hair + Beauty Hub is one of a kind in Logan, delivering innovative, non-traditional school subjects as part of the regular school timetable.

‘The courses include a hands-on component where students are rostered into a commercial salon 3 days a week. The salon Inspire@MP offers hairdressing and beauty treatments to paying clients as students work towards a Certification in Beauty, Retail Cosmetics, or Salon Assistant,’ Tish says.

‘It’s a hands-on experience and students are rostered on like they would be in a salon, answering phones, chatting to clients and providing treatments.’

Tish says one of the greatest benefits of the program is that it helps students build the skills needed to get employment straight out of school.

‘My favourite part of this program is that we are helping to develop smart, independent women who are able to have their own source of income and employment,’ she says.

‘Students went straight into jobs as apprentices last year and many of the students come back when they have a day off and mentor others in the class.’

The program encourages families and the community to participate in their students learning, providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.

‘A lot of the teachers at school are clients, we provide services for the local nursing home, Logan City Special School and students going to formals.

‘We are usually fully booked out!’

By Phoebe Grealy