Newsletter - 25/10/2024
Principal News
What a term we have had thus far!
A look into the past four weeks shows just how much the students of Fitzgerald get to engage in.
Wakakirri – National Champions – Salt meets Sand
Fitzgerald State School has taken home a National Award for excellence in storytelling, raising awareness, and the performing arts for their performance Salt meets Sand as part of the 2024 National Wakakirri Story-Dance Festival.
Wakakirri is Australia’s largest performing arts event for schools with 180 taking part in 2024. Participating schools are inspired by the Wakakirri ethos ‘great stories inspire change’ to create and perform story-dances that reflect students’ thoughts, ideas and aspirations.
Salt Meets Sand represents the coming together of two cultures and their respect for the land, sea, sky and sharing it with our non-indigenous brothers and sisters. It’s about acknowledging and accepting our differences, celebrating diversity, and forming a deeper connection to one another. It’s about finding a place, a common thread, a safe community, a family where we can all stand strong together and belong.
The Wakakirri Ambassador Samuel McKeown described the performance as “A performance that felt authentic in its storytelling, dancing, and costuming, beautifully presented to tell the heartfelt story of coming together.”
Awakening Spirits Performance – Cultural Arts in Dance Program
Congratulations to the students who participated in the Awakening Spirits Performance last Thursday evening. These students have worked extremely hard throughout the year during their lunch times to learn cultural dancing which they performed at the MECC alongside other schools, both Primary and High School. Our students exemplified the Fitzy spirit of excellence in the Arts performing with confidence, enthusiasm and pride in their First Nations culture. A big thank you to Patrick Thaiday and the Cultural Arts in Dance team for working with our Fitzgerald students. Thank you also to the parents who transported our students to rehearsals and the performance and made sure that they were ready for their performance on the night. The performance was truly remarkable and allowed students to engage with culture through dance. Attendees at the Prep – Year 3 Spectacular Concert will have the privilege of watching this performance.
CAID - Awakening Spirits
Mackay Orchestra and Band Competition
On the 12 of October, our String Ensemble and Concert Band performed at the Mackay Orchestra and Band Competition where they both came away with Silver Awards. Thank you to the Instrumental and Music teachers who have worked with or students along with the parents who spent part of their weekend ensuring that students were where they were needed at the correct times.
Take Your Hat off To a Teacher
Today we celebrated World Teacher’s Day with the theme, take you hat off to a teacher. Teachers at Fitzgerald go above and beyond to support the students of Fitzgerald. With a typical work day not being 9am to 3pm. More than likely, your child’s teacher is planning future lessons, marking work, coaching teams, attending rehearsals, thinking about modifications that need to be made to a lesson to make it accessible, while still extending others. They are attending weekend and evening performances, supervising students, doing playground duties and the list goes on. It is said that Teachers are super heroes, however they are not. They are people who put their heart and soul into yours and my children and I ask you all to spare a thought and a heartfelt thanks for all that they do.
2025 Considerations
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 reply via the link below to advise us if your child is not returning to Fitzgerald for the 2025 school year. Please note that we are beginning to compile class lists next week.
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 5 (01 Nov). 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.
Tracey Adams
Principal
From the Guidance Officer
What is Day for Daniel?
Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day
Friday 25 October, 2024
Held annually on the last Friday of October, Day for Daniel honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe. We ask all Australians on this very special day to Wear Red, Educate and Donate.
Parents, carers, and educators are encouraged to start a conversation with children and young people about personal safety. Schools and early learning centres conduct child safety education activities.
Day for Daniel is the Daniel Morcombe Foundation’s biggest fundraiser each year. Your support through fundraising helps us to continue developing free resources and programs for parents, carers, and educators to teach children how to stay safe. Funds also contribute to supporting young victims of crime.
Finance & Front Office
Music
Instrumental Program 2025
Congratulations to our new Woodwind, Brass, Percussion instrumental recruits, who have now selected their instruments for 2025. Information has been sent home with all students regarding all forms and fees for the Instrumental Program. Please ensure you have received this information and returned all necessary forms. Our Strings Students are currently finalising choices ready for 2025.
Instruments Interviews
Interviews for parents of instrumental students will be available to be booked via the Schoolzine App. Bookings will be opened on Monday 11th November.
Interviews will be undertaken in Week 9 or 10 of Term 4:
- Monday 25th November (Mrs Mora)
- Wednesday 4th December (Mrs Williams)
- Friday 6th December (Mrs Holdsworth)
Interviews (either in person or over the phone) are compulsory for the parents of all beginning instrumental students and welcomed for all other parents.
MOB (Mackay Orchestra’s and Band Competition)
Congratulations to our Senior Concert Band and Senior String Ensemble, who both performed on Saturday 12th October at MOB (Mackay Orchestra and Bands) at Mackay Christian College. Both ensemble performed very well and received a Silver Award. As always, thank you so much to all of the parents and families for ensuring our students are able to have these amazing opportunities to perform.
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday 13th November - Spectacular Junior Concert – small group of Concert Band students performing in foyer
Thursday 5th December (Week 10) – Awards night 6pm – Concert Band performing
Monday 9th December (Week 11) – Whole School Carols 9:30am (choirs, recorder ensemble performing)
Wednesday 11th December (Week 11) - Recorder Ensemble Christmas Tour
Linda Miller
Music Teacher/Instrumental Music Coordinator
Upcoming Events
| 5th November | First Day of Year 6 Spectacular 'Ghost Camp' Cast Concludes 7th November |
6th November | Spectacular | Prep to Year 5 incl. Year 6 Wakakirri, Drama Group and CAID Students |
7th November | Spectacular Concert Year 4-6 |
| 20th November | Prep Vision Screening |
| 21st November | Prep Vision Screening |
| 25th November | First Day of Swimming Lessons Concludes 6th December |
| 29th November | Prep - Mad Animal Petting Farm |
| 4th December | Year 6 Graduation Dinner - 5:45 - 8:45 @ Magpies Sporting Club |
| 5th December | Awards Night @ 6:00pm |
| 13th December | Year 6 End of Year Activities |
From the Library
Brittany Kendall
Teacher Librarian
Community News
Day for Daniel
Young Engineer Program
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
Mackay Gymnastics
