Newsletter - 14/05/2025

Principal News

It is wonderful to be back with the students, staff and parents of Fitzgerald. As I catch up with all that has occurred in my absence, I am filled with a sense of pride for the way that our students have conducted themselves across various events that were held as well as within settled classrooms where learning is occurring. A big thank you to Tim Campbell, Kathryn Zammit and Teri Robson for stepping up into Leadership roles in my absence. It is wonderful that we have such a depth of staff who are highly capable of stepping up and leading and supporting our school.

This Friday is Walk Safe to School Day. We will have staff walking from the touch football field carpark up to the school with groups of students at 8:15am. If you are going to be later than 8:15am please check to see if we are there before leaving your child to walk. We look forward to seeing students and parents joining with us as we walk to school this Friday.

As we come into the middle of the Term 2 it is a great time to remember our school focus Areas.

Every Student Succeeding – Every student successfully accesses a connected and engaging curriculum, has a positive attitude to learning and articulates next steps in their individualised learning.

Every Educator Effective – Every educator working collaboratively towards the consistent implementation of a three-dimensional, quality assured curriculum and research-based pedagogies, focussed on success for every 21^st century student.

Every Person Safe, Valued and Well -- Every person within the school community positively contributes to an inclusive environment that is welcoming, safe and respectful.

Our school priorities for 2025 are around;
- The implementation of the V9 curriculum through planning, teaching, assessing and moderating student work,
- The Simple View of Reading through the modification of instructional routines used within the school to teach reading and
- A Whole School Approach to Pedagogy through a focus on the approaches and practices used to teach and engage students.

As we move into the cooler months, I would like to ask for parental support in ensuring that children are dressed in school uniform and colours. We know that wearing a school uniform plays an important role in creating a positive and focused learning environment. Uniforms promoting a sense of belonging and school pride. When everyone is dressed alike, it reduces distractions and helps students concentrate more on their learning.

Wearing a uniform also helps set the tone for a respectful school culture, teaches children to take pride in their appearance and prepares them for future settings where dress codes may apply.

We kindly ask for your continued support in ensuring your child wears the correct school uniform (as seen below) each day. Together, we can help our students start each day ready to learn and grow.

Tracey Adams
Principal

UNIFORM REMINDER
Sports Uniform: To be worn on days, students participate in PE or school sporting events
Hats: A royal blue hat (with or without logo) with broad brim (must be 7cm) or legionnaire hat.  No caps.
Winter: Royal blue jacket, tracksuit or windcheater (with or without school logo)
Shoes: Fully enclosed shoes preferably black or mainly white sports shoes with white socks

Introduction to the Science of Reading

The ability to read proficiently is fundamental to a student’s success at school and in later life. The science of reading provides the strongest evidence about how young children learn to read. Understanding the cognitive science behind how students learn to read and the research on effective instruction makes it easier for educators to align policy and classroom teaching with evidence.
*extract from Australian Education Research Org

Continue reading via the link below.

Teri Robson
Head of Department / Curriculum

Heath & Physical Education

CROSS COUNTRY

Congratulations to the following athletes who represented Northern Suburbs at the Mackay District Cross Country trials last Friday.

10 years: Eden Steindl Corrie
11 years: Ondine Wendt
12 years: Isabella Campbell, Jonathan Lucas

All students ran their hearts out and should be proud of their efforts.  Congratulations to Eden and Ondine (pictured) who finished 3^rd and 5^th and will now represent Mackay at the Capricornia Trials.

CAPRICORNIA REPRESENTATION

Congratulations to Elijah Simeon on his recent selection in the Capricornia Under 11 Rugby League team.

MACKTOWN SHOWDOWN

The Mackay Meteors and Meteorettes will be at Fitzgerald on Friday 30 May to take on the Fitzgerald Fury! All students are encouraged to come along to this event and cheer on our Fitzy basketballers as they try take down the Meteor and Meteorettes players. Be there, Fitzgerald SS Hall at big lunch on May 30 for this exciting event!

SPORTS DAY NOMINATIONS

On the dates below in weeks 6 and 7, students will be out of class trialling for shot put, long jump, high jump and sprint events.  The top 3 students from each house will qualify for the field events finals in week 9.  Sprint nominations are used to rank students for the heats on Sports Day.

Friday May 30: 11 / 12 years – students born 2013, 2014: Session 1 (9:15am to 10:45pm)
Friday May 30:  9 / 10 years – students born 2015, 2016: Session 2 (11:15am to 12:45pm)
Friday June 06: 11 /12 years – students born 2013, 2014: Session 1 (9:15am to 10:45pm)
Friday June 06:  9 / 10 years – students born 2015, 2016: Session 2 (11:15am to 12:45pm)

Please note: 8-year-old students in year 3, born 2017, class results are used for nominations in the field events finals day. Mr Campbell and Mr Hope also run a sprint nominations session during a lunch time to work out seedings for the heats of the 80 sprint races on sports day.

SPORTS DAYS  |  WEEK 9

Tuesday June 17
Field Events Finals
800m for 10,11, 12 years (held at second break)

Wednesday June 18
Junior Sports Day: Prep – Year 2
800m 8 & 9 years (held at second break)

Thursday June 19 Mackay Show Holiday

Friday June 20
Senior Sports Day

From the Guidance Officer

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

It’s not only children and teens who benefit from positive parenting. It also makes family life more enjoyable, easier and more rewarding for parents.

More and more parents understand that it’s okay to ask for help and, in Queensland, positive parenting support to suit every family is free for any parent or carer of a child up to 18 years old.

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is used around the world and was developed right here in Queensland. It helps parents to raise children and teens who grow up to be happy and healthy. Thousands of Queensland parents have already done Triple P and recommend it.

Triple P offers practical skills and tools to help parents:
- Develop strong, positive relationships with their children
- Set limits and establish family routines that work
- Encourage and teach prosocial skills
- Confidently respond to challenges
- Balance work and family with less stress
- Create a happy, safe, and supportive family

What support is available for parents?
No matter what stage of life your child is at—or what challenges you’re facing—Triple P can help you learn simple but proven ways to give them the best opportunity to reach their full potential. It offers a range of seminars, group workshops and one-on-one consultations delivered as either:
- One-off sessions
- Part of a series over several weeks or months
- Self-paced online courses including Teen Triple P.

You can choose as much or as little help as you like—depending on your individual preferences and situation—and you choose which strategies you'd like to try at home.

How can I do Triple P for free?
- Start doing Teen Triple P Online at any time.
- Visit the Triple P Queensland website to learn more about the program and search for a free Triple P provider in your local area (note that providers manage their own listings on the website).
- Find out when free Triple P sessions are being delivered, either in person or via video conference (note that providers manage their own listings).

Alexia Wotherspoon
Guidance Officer

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Katelyn Sartor
Teacher 6C

Music & Instrumental

CHORAL NEWS

Choral Fanfare

The Junior and Senior Choirs will be competing in the Mackay Regional Final competition.  Parents and community members are most welcome to attend. 
Date:  Monday 9^th June
Location:  Fitzgerald School Hall

Please note the change in times for the Senior Choir – now performing at 10:05am.  Senior Choir students need to be at school by 8:45am and meet in the music room.

 Permission via QParents is now required for this event.

SHEP  |  State Honours Ensemble Program 

Nomination for students for this event are due by 24^th May.  Notes have been sent home with interested students in Year 5 and 6 (Senior Choir) who are eligible to nominate for Choral SHEP – an educational program for choral students to pursue musical excellence.  This program is run by the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. Further information about SHEP can be via the link below.

Fee:  $290
Dates:  August 29 – 31
Venue:  Mackay North SHS (Valley Street)
Times:  Friday 4pm – 7pm; Saturday 8am – 4pm

Please return your SHEP notes as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this event.
Return to Mrs Miller - lmill269@eq.edu.au

INSTRUMENTAL NEWS

Twilight Concert

For all beginning and continuing instrumental students and recorder ensemble.
Week 5, Term 2  |  Wednesday, May 21, 6pm in School Hall

Regional Instrument Camp

Congratulations to the 12 Year Six instrumental students who were accepted to attend this event.
Camp forms and payment are due by Friday, May 23.

Dates:  Sunday, June 22 – Wednesday June 25
Location:  Seaforth

Linda Miller
Music Teacher / Instrumental Music Coordinator 

From the Finance Team

Walk Safely to School Day | Friday, May 16

National "Walk Safely to School Day" is on Friday, May 16.  This annual event is where Primary School children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school.  This is a School Community Event seeking to promote road safety, health, public transport and the environment.

To promote this important day, we are encouraging parents to drop their children off at the Norris Road Touch Football Field car park on Friday, May 16 at 8:15am.  School staff will also be in attendance to supervise the children at the carpark and then walking them up Norris Road to school for the day.

Students across all year levels are welcome to attend the "Walk Safely to School Day".  When students get to school, they will be escorted to their classes by school staff.

Parents or younger siblings are also welcome to walk to school with students.

After school pick up is as per normal.

Please contact the office if you would like further information.

Head of Special Education Services

Circus Quirkus has been organised by the Mackay PCYC as a special outing to bring some joy and laughter to the children, teenagers and families who have been having a hard time due to illness, disabilities or other health related issues. This also includes those who may be experiencing emotional and/or financial difficulties.

They will do their best to provide you with tickets, however they are limited in the number of tickets available, therefore they cannot guarantee you will receive all the tickets you request until orders have been received. Tickets will be sent 2 weeks prior to the show at the latest. The show is recommended as suitable for the ages of 2 years and above.

For ticket orders and if you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to send an email to showtickets@helpthekids.com.au or Call Rae on (07) 3810 2587 (MON – WED, 10AM - 2PM)

DETAILS
DATE: Monday, June 30, 2025
TIME: Tentatively 2pm
DURATION: 1 hour
LOCATION: Mackay PCYC  |  33 Norris Road, Park Access, North Mackay
TICKETS & SEATING: 1x per person attending the show, carers included.  Adults MUST accompany minors.  Seating isn't allocated

Carolyn Berck
Teacher - Special Needs

Screentime Research

Upcoming Events

P&C News

🌸 Fitzy Feels the Love! 🌸
What an incredible fortnight it’s been! Thanks to our amazing Fitzy families and wider community, we raised a whopping $7,999 through our Mother’s Day Markets (3rd May) and the Mother’s Day Stall (8th & 9th May)! 💐🎉

A HUGE shoutout to our generous sponsors Jamaica Blue Canelands and Coral Tree Property — your support made it all possible! From snapping up raffle tickets to shopping the stalls, every bit of kindness helped us reach this fantastic total.

We still have numbers available on our $2 and $5 100 Boards — jump in for your chance to win! 🎟️ Purchase via Flexischools or contact Jess via email to grab your lucky number - fitzgeraldsspc@outlook.com.

The P&C committee is absolutely overjoyed and so proud to be part of such a generous and spirited school community. THANK YOU for making Fitzy the amazing place it is! 💕

🥪 Tuckerbox is in Full Swing!
Our tuckshop is now officially open 5 days a week — woohoo! The team has been working hard behind the scenes to make sure every child is catered for and nothing is missed. We've received loads of positive feedback already — thank you! And to those who pointed out some selection issues on Flexischools, we really appreciate your help. We believe it’s all sorted now and we’re pumped for the first full week of service.

The Tuckerbox staff are prepped, passionate, and ready to serve up fresh, tasty meals all week long!
More info coming soon — keep an eye on social media, and check your child’s bag for a new menu arriving in the next week or so!

🍩 Krispy Kreme is Coming! 🍩
Keep an eye out in your child’s bag next week for Krispy Kreme order forms! We know how much our Fitzy Families love KK donuts, and we’re hoping to continue our proud tradition of being Australia’s biggest Krispy Kreme fundraiser. Let’s make it another record-breaking year!

👥 P&C Update – You're Invited!
We’re excited to share that we now have 23 active P&C members, and our meetings have been full of great ideas, collaboration, and exciting plans for Fitzy. There’s no pressure — if you’re curious about what happens behind the scenes or just want to see what we’re up to, you’re more than welcome to come along!

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, 20th May at 5:30pm in the Laptop Space near the library. We'd love to see some new faces and welcome everyone with open arms!

Jess Majid
P&C President

FITZY'S TUCKERBOX MENU

Community News

Toddler Time Soft Play Hire

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Let’s create a fun and joyful atmosphere for our children! We can’t wait to hear from you!

Warm regards,
Alysha
Toddler Time Soft Play Hire 🌟

Packages A, B, C & D pictured below