Newsletter - 11/10/2024

Principal News

Term 4 is now well on its way with students settled in classes across the first two weeks of the term. We have a number of new families at Fitzgerald this term and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome them to the school and our school community.

NAPLAN

Our NAPLAN results have come through for 2024 and our school results across all aspects in Year 5 are in alignment with our A – E results along with the areas of Reading, Writing and Grammar and Punctuation in Year 3. Across all areas our data is equivalent with or better than Regional data. We still have work to do and this information plays a small part in our planning for 2025. Well done to all.

Week 11 Confirmation 

Parents should have received a massage with regards to week 11 of this term last week. This text asked if your child would be attending school during Week 11. I ask that all parents please respond to this text message so that we can effectively plan for that week.

Change of Events

Please be aware that the following events have been moved to Week 10 to ensure maximum participation and that we do not disadvantage those who have holidays planned in Week 11.

• Awards Night (Years 5 & 6) 5th December @ 6:00 
• Awards Parade (Years 3 & 4)
• Year 6 Dinner
• Bump up afternoon

2025 Enrolment

We are currently in planning for our 2025 school year and as such need to know the number of children in each year level who will be attending our school. Please advise the office by text if your child / children will not be returning to Fitzgerald for the 2025 school year by the end of Week 4 (25 Oct) to allow us to better prepare for 2025 classes.

Every year we compile classes and have quite a number of considerations during this process. If you have a request with regards considerations for your child’s placement in 2025, please send in a sealed envelope clearly marked Private and Confidential for the Principal by the end of Week 4 (25 Oct). Please DO NOT request particular teachers. It is also important that parents do not promise their child that they will be in a specific class or with a specific teacher.

Our Year 6 students are currently preparing for their transition into High School with a number of transition sessions occurring this term. Please ensure that your child’s high school enrolment forms are handed in as soon as possible to ensure that they are able to fully participate in all transition activities.

No Excuse for School Abuse 

There is a new campaign announced by the Minister and the Dept of Education around Occupational Violence and Aggression.

No excuse for school abuse is a new public awareness campaign to address violence and abuse towards teachers and school staff.  All students have the right to learn and teachers and school staff have a right to work—in a safe environment.

The No excuse for school abuse campaign highlights that schools are workplaces and, just like any workplace, abuse or aggression of any kind is unacceptable.                

Hospital Parking | No Parking 

I must say a huge thank you to all of the parents who do not park in the grounds or car park of the Mackay Private Hospital. Having said this, I have had several complaints in just the first two weeks of this term with regards to parents who do not do the right thing with regards to parking in this facility. Please find below an email that I have received from a community member stating their concerns over people parking in the Mackay Private Hospital carpark. Please be considerate of the needs of patients attending this hospital and do not park in the car park.

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I was attending two appointments at Mackay Private Hospital this afternoon and had time between appointments from 3pm to 3.45pm. During this time I noticed multiple parents using the hospital carpark to collect their children from your school. This made it impossible for people visiting the hospital for appointments or to see inpatients as there were no available car parks until after 3.15pm.

It is highly inappropriate for parents to use a hospital carpark with very limited space for their convenience to pick up their children. There is vacant land across the road that parents can utilise or they can wait their turn instead of inhibiting people access to medical treatment, or those with mobility issues, access to the facility.

It would be appreciated if it could be impressed upon parents that the hospital carpark is private property for patients and visitors of the hospital. Though I doubt that would matter to those selfish enough to use it in the first place.

Tracey Adams
Principal

From The Psychologist

5–13 October 2024

Mental Health Week is a national annual awareness week that aims to open up discussions and raise awareness of mental health.  Mental Health Week takes place in the week of World Mental Health Day, which is on the 10^th October every year.  This year the theme for Qld Mental Health Week is ‘Connect for Mental Health”, which encourages individuals to work on building meaningful connections with ourselves, others, our communities and nature.  As such, a barbeque morning-tea was held on World Mental Health Day for Fitzgerald State School staff, to acknowledge and thank them for their individual and team efforts in supporting our students.   A special ‘shout out’ goes to Clinton and his staff at Woolworths Mt Pleasant, who kindly donated the food for our staff barbeque. 

Remember, building meaningful relationships with friends, family and peers is crucial for our emotional wellbeing.  Reach out and make connections!

Karen Howlett 
Psychologist 

Finance & Front Office

Music

Instrumental Program 2025

Congratulations to our new instrumental recruits for 2025.  A note and timetable has been sent home this week regarding times for instrument selections this term.  Please contact Mrs Miller if you haven’t received this information yet.  lmill269@eq.edu.au

Instrumental Information:

MOB (Mackay Orchestra’s and Bands Competition) - Saturday 12^th October – Mackay Christian College (Quarry St, North Mackay)

• Senior Concert Band – meet at 8:30am – perform 9:25am – Adjudication 9:55am
• Senior String Ensemble – meet at 10:00am – perform 11:00am - Adjudication 11:30

North Mackay State High School Instrumental Orientation Sessions:

• Grade 6 Strings: Friday 11^th October 1.30-2.45pm
  • Students will be walking to and from North High with a staff member and will return to Fitzgerald for collection at 3pm. 

• Grade 6 Woodwind/Brass/Percussion: Thursday 10^th October 1.30pm – 2.45pm
  • Students will be walking to and from North High with a staff member and will return to Fitzgerald for collection at 3pm. 

Linda Miller
Music Teacher/Instrumental Music Coordinator

Drama

Eisteddfod

Congratulations to our Year 5/6 Drama Group for achieving a third place at the Mackay Eisteddfod on Sunday 13 October.

Sam Scott  
Drama Teacher 

Sport

Swimming Carnival 

Well done to all the students from years 4-6 who attended the swimming carnival on the last day of term 3.  It was a great day of competition and fun for all of our students.

Congratulations all our major winners on the day. 

9 years age champions: Audrey Schweitzer, Riley Vella

10 years age champions: Willea Jordaan, Elijah Simeon

11 years age champions: Olivia Schweitzer, Jonathon Lucas

12 years age champions: Jayashri Naidu and Evan Chapman

Champion Boy: Evan Chapman & Elijah Simeon

Champion Girls: Audrey Schweitzer, Olivia Schweitzer & Jayashri Naidu

Champion House: Jabiru

A final congratulations to Elijah Simeon who broke 7 records and Olivia Schwietzer who broke 2 records.

HPE Lessons

We are now coming into the hot time of the year and most lessons for PE this term will be held outdoors.  It is important that all students have their school hat to wear, and a water bottle is advised! Sunscreen is also made readily available for all students during PE lessons.

Russell Hope 
Sports Coordinator/HPE Teacher 

Upcoming Events

From the Guidance Officer

Almost half of Australians have had a mental health condition, and one in five Australians experience mental ill-health each year. Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) will be held from 5-13 October to raise community awareness and understanding of mental health, reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health conditions, and promote positive mental health and wellbeing. The 2024 theme is ‘Connect for mental health’, so take time this QMHW to learn what activities boost your mental wellbeing, look out for those you care about, and connect with your community.

Alexia Wotherspoon 
Guidance Officer 

From the Library

Brittany Kendall 
Teacher Librarian 

Community News

Do you need help with School Education Costs?

Are you curious to know more about Saver Plus? We’ve got some very quick explainer videos on our YouTube channel. #SaverPlus #Education costs

Saver Plus explainer (youtube.com)

Day for Daniel 

Young Engineer Program 

Mackay Cricket Association

Just a quick reminder about our social media comp and promotion of Junior Cricket which starts up this week. Any promotion you can do in the school space to get more kids involved and playing cricket is greatly appreciated.

Here’s a reminder of what you need to do.

Here’s what you need to do

1. Like our post on Mackay Cricket Facebook page. Link to post https://www.facebook.com/share/p/8aE6YqWRTzPjWDLs/?mibextid=oFDknk
2. Share the post on your School facebook page and tag Mackay Cricket in the post.
3. For a bonus entry place the attached flyers in your school newsletter and email me sportsadmin@harruppark.com  to confirm you have done this.

It’s that simple!!!

Competition closes Week 4 Term 4. Winner will be drawn Friday 25^th Oct, with the winner notified in  Week 5.

What You Win

A Cricket Starter Pack including carry bag, stumps, bats, balls and few other goodies

Let’s get the word out that cricket registrations are now open.

Thanks for your support and we look forward to another great Cricket Season ahead.

Light Party | An Alternative to Halloween 

Two Feet & A Heartbeat Walk 

2 of our students, Albert and Benson, will be participating in this years heart kid ambassadors for ‘Two Feet and a Heart Beat Walk’. We are encouraging other Heartkids parents and friends and family to get involved and get a great crowd behind the boys. Only the children need to register if big families can’t aid to register as they will get an arm band which allows them to free rides and other activities. 

Come down to help support Albert and Benson and have a fun filled day!!!

Mackay Gymnastics