Newsletter - 05/03/2025

Principal News

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we reach the halfway point of the first term, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the wonderful progress our students have made and share a few updates with you.

Our classrooms have been buzzing with excitement and energy as students dive into their lessons, explore new topics, and build friendships. It has been fantastic to see so many students embrace their learning with enthusiasm and curiosity. From science experiments to embedding digital literacies within speaking tasks, the first half of the term has certainly set a positive tone for the rest of the year.

Over the coming issues I will focus in on the school priorities for 2025 so that the school community are aware of what we as a school are prioritising this year.

One key focus this year is around the Reading through the Australian Curriculum Version 9. We are excited to see how the updated curriculum enhances our approach to teaching and learning, with a strong emphasis on teaching students to read through evidence-based practices such as decoding. This along with intentional, explicit instructional routines which link decoding to writing which supports the development of strong reading skills and helps students gain confidence in their ability to read independently. Our teachers have been working hard to align their lessons with the new curriculum approaches, ensuring that each student is able to access the curriculum at their level.

Supporting Decoding at Home

You, as parents and guardians, play an essential role in reinforcing these skills at home. Here are some simple yet effective strategies you can use to support your child’s decoding journey:

1. Practice Phonics
   Help your child sound out words by breaking them down into individual sounds. For example, when reading the word "cat," break it down into /c/ /a/ /t/ and blend them together. You can practice with flashcards, word games, or by reading books that emphasize phonetic patterns. (Check with your child’s teacher as to the phonics that they have learnt so far this term.)
   
   
2. Read Aloud Together
   Take time to read together every day. Point to the words as you read, helping your child connect the written words with the sounds. Encourage them to read aloud too, offering praise for their efforts and gently guiding them if needed.
   
   
3. Use Rhyming Games
   Rhyming helps children recognize patterns in words and makes decoding easier. Play rhyming games or sing songs that emphasize rhyme, as this reinforces sound patterns that children can use to decode unfamiliar words.
   
   
4. Provide a Rich Reading Environment
   Make books and reading materials easily accessible at home. Having a variety of texts, from picture books to early chapter books, helps children see the importance and joy of reading. Choose books with repeating patterns or simple sentences that encourage decoding practice.
   
   
5. Praise and Patience
   Recognize your child’s efforts, even when they make mistakes. Positive reinforcement helps build their confidence, which is key to their success in reading.

We are committed to ensuring that each student develops a strong foundation in reading, and with your support, we can make great strides together. If you have any questions about decoding or other literacy strategies, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher for further guidance.

As always, our focus remains on providing a safe, nurturing environment where each child can thrive academically and emotionally. We encourage all families to stay connected with us, whether it’s through upcoming parent-teacher meetings or by keeping in touch via our school communication channels.

Parent / Teacher Interviews will take place on Monday of Week 10 (31st March) and bookings will be open through the schoolzine app and further information regarding this can be found further in today’s newsletter.

Every morning prior to staff being on site, there are children who are left at school without any supervision. Please do not bring children to school before 8am unless they have an instrumental ensemble. Similarly, children are being left at school without supervision after 3:25pm when the school supervision ceases. This practice is not safe for children who are the responsibility of their parents following this time. We do have access to PCYC before school and after school and the cost is very reasonable. Please contact PCYC on 0428669914 to book children in for this service.

Looking ahead, we have several exciting events planned for the second half of the term starting this Friday with the Student Council’s first event, a Crazy Sock and Crazy Hair Day.

Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing all that our students accomplish as we move through the rest of the term.

Tracey Adams
Principal

Introducing SZapp

The Parent Teacher interviews will be OPEN for bookings from Monday 17th March until Thursday 27th March.  We have provided quick links below for direct access during this time. 

Head of Department/Curriculum

Teri Robson
Head of Department/Curriculum

Learning Support

Whitsunday Voices Writing Competition Now Open:

Fitzgerald students in Year 3-6 are invited to enter The Whitsunday Voices Writing Competition. Amazing cash prizes are up for grabs! It is a wonderful community competition that receives hundreds of entries from all over the region. Fitzgerald students have been very successful in the past, and we would love to have some more students try their luck and skill this year.

Competition details can be found at:

https://www.whitsundayvoices.com.au/short-story-competition-copy

Mrs Ebert is available every Monday lunch from 1-1:30pm in Mod 3, if students would like to bring their story ideas for feedback or to use the space for a quiet place to write.  

Entries are due to Mrs Ebert by Thursday April 24^th.

heber4@eq.edu.au

Happy writing!

Helen Ebert
Learning Support Teacher

Guidance Officer

Parentline is a confidential telephone and online service providing professional counselling and support. 

We offer FREE one-off or ongoing counselling, education, and support for parents and others who care for children in Queensland and the Northern Territory. We know that families are complex and that anything can affect the functioning of a family. 

Whether your concerns feel big or small, we are here to support your family needs. Call or webchat. 8am - 10pm 7 days per week. Every day of the year. 1300 30 1300 or parentline.com.au.

FREE WORKSHOP….

Keeping Cool, Calm & Collected in the Chaos: A Guide to Self Regulation as a Caregiver

When

Wednesday 19th March, 9:30AM - 11:30AM AEST

Where

43 Shakespeare Street East Mackay  

Delivered by Courtney form Playful Possibilities

Keeping Cool, Calm & Collected in the Chaos: A Guide to Self Regulation as a Caregiver

Parenting is one of the most rewarding – and challenging – journeys we take. But what if the key to helping your child thrive lies in your own growth?

This compassionate, science-backed training is designed for parents and caregivers. It focuses on building your emotional resilience and self-regulation skills to create a calmer, more connected home. Guided by neuroscience, polyvagal theory, and an attachment-based perspective, you’ll discover practical tools to:

✨ Understand your stress responses and regulate emotions effectively.
✨ Strengthen your relationship with your child through connection.
✨ Respond to challenging behaviours with empathy and confidence.

We know parenting can bring up feelings of guilt or self-doubt. This training meets you where you are—with zero judgment—providing gentle guidance to support you and your family.

Transform your parenting journey by starting with you. 

Email chloeb@tnhub.org.au to secure your FREE spot. 

Alexia Wotherspoon
Guidance Officer

Karen Howlett - Psychologist

Karen Howlett
Psychologist

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Katelyn Sartor
PBL Coach

HPE

CROSS COUNTRY
Our cross country is fast approaching and is set down for March 21.  The last training will be Tuesday 18^th March.  Students will have already walked / jogged the course so they should know where go on the day.  Please note that the cross country is only open to students in years 3 to 6 and to those students who have returned the notes giving permission for them to run.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to our first Capricornia representative for 2025.  Elijah Simeon earned selection in the Capricornia Swimming team. Well done Elijah and we look forward to hearing your results from the State Swimming trials which will be held in Brisbane.

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in Mackay teams over the past few weeks.

Hockey: Olivia Dunn, Harper Hawkins and Kaiser Crawford

Squash: Ari Harris

Russell Hope
HPE Teacher

Music & Instrumental

Instrumental News

Recorder Band

Recorder Band notes have been sent home with interested students in Years 4, 5 and 6.  It’s not too late.  Please see Mrs Miller for a note and music.  There is no cost to participate in Recorder Ensemble.  All students will need a black display folder for their music.  Rehearsals are in the music room at 8am on Thursday mornings.

Linda Miller
Music Teacher/Instrumental Music Coordinator 

From the Resource Centre

School Library Week
is coming up on the
10th - 14th March 2025.

Brittany Kendall
Teacher Librarian

Upcoming Events

From the P&C

From PCYC Fun Squad

Fun Squad Update: Exciting Activities, New Additions & More Fun Ahead!

Dear Fun Squad Families,

As the heat continues to rise, our Fun Squad has been cooling off with a variety of exciting indoor activities! We’ve been loving our cozy, creative, and action-packed indoor sessions—keeping the kids engaged and entertained, no matter the weather.

In more exciting news, we’re thrilled to announce the arrival of a Pickleball set! Pickleball has quickly become a favourite sport at PCYC, and we can’t wait for the kids to get involved. This new addition brings even more opportunities for fun and friendly competition during service.

Welcoming New Families:
Our Fun Squad community is growing, and we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming lots of new families recently. It’s wonderful to see so many fresh faces joining the Fun Squad family, and we’re excited to continue building an even stronger, inclusive community.

Looking Ahead to Term 2:
We’re also happy to share that we’ll be able to welcome more children from the waitlist in the next term! If you’re interested in joining or know someone who is, don’t hesitate to get in touch to secure a spot.

We can’t wait to continue offering a fun, safe, and enriching environment for all our kids. Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for being a part of the Fun Squad family!

Warm regards,
The Fun Squad Team

Jordyn Hay
OSHC Service Manager

Crazy Hair & Sock Day

Easter Hat Parade - Prep-Yr2

Job Vacancies