Newsletter - 28/05/2025

Principal News

Last week we held our Under 8s morning with children having the opportunity to engage in activities designed for them to celebrate learning through play. Play isn’t just fun—it’s one of the most effective ways young children learn. In a play-based learning environment, children explore, imagine, and create while developing critical skills that lay the foundation for lifelong success.

Research shows that play supports all areas of development—cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. Whether building with blocks, engaging in pretend play, or exploring nature, children are developing language skills, practicing problem-solving, learning cooperation, and discovering how the world works.

Play-based learning also fosters creativity, independence, and a love for learning. It allows children to take the lead, follow their curiosity, and make meaningful connections at their own pace.

By valuing play as a central part of early education, we help children build the confidence, skills, and mindset they need not only for school, but for life.

Thanks must go to all the Prep to Year 2 teachers along with all of the groups who came to support this day.

Last Wednesday night we also held our first Twilight Concert for the year. A big thanks to all of our Instrumental music teachers along with all of the teachers who came to support the evening. Thanks also goes to our parent community who ensure that our students are ready and where they need to be with all of their equipment.  

During the winter months, we tend to have a fair amount of sickness within the school. We can help prevent the spread of viruses through proper hygiene practices. These include regular washing of hands, particularly when you have sneezed or coughed. Proper disposal of tissues and use of elbows to cover your mouths and noses if sneezing or coughing. Please do not send your child to school sick as this spreads not only to other children but also to teachers as well.

Currently, we have large numbers of teachers absent due to illness. This is posing a problem as we do not have the large numbers of relief teachers to cover all teacher absences. In this instance, we as a school do our very best to support leaning within the school and ensure that teachers are in front of every class. This may mean that some group work or individualised instruction may not happen or we draw teachers from other areas of the school. Please bear with us as we do our very best to ensure continuity of learning for all classes within the school.

Recently the Minister for Education and the Arts released a set of consistent state-wide expectations for communication between parents/carers and their child’s school in response to interim red tape reduction consultation findings.

At Fitzgerald, we value open and respectful parent/carer communication, to support your child’s learning and engagement. Guidelines are now available to help parents/carers understand the types of information they can expect to receive from state schools and appropriate contact channels. Find out more about these guidelines in Queensland state schools by clicking the link below.

Contacting your child’s school

Follow the school's process for communicating with them—as a parent, your needs and concerns are important to your child's school. Schools have communication processes set up so your needs can be met by the right person as quickly as possible. If you aren't sure about the communication process for your child's school, contact the office and they will tell you the best way to communicate with them.

Know the outcome you want—before you contact your child's school, be clear about your needs and have some ideas about how the school can help. Make sure you begin the conversation when you're in a clear head space so you can have a constructive conversation about taking action.

Organise a time in advance—school staff want to support your child's learning and wellbeing. But, just like you, they can have limited time and juggle many priorities. Allow staff time to prepare so they can better support your family.

Plan next steps—if more communication with your child's school is needed, ask about how and when this will happen. Accommodate their needs where you can, to make the process happen as smoothly as possible.

Keep your contact details up-to-date—make sure your child's school has details on the best way to contact you.

Be patient—school staff might not be able to respond to your request immediately—but that doesn't mean you're not important to them. Allow staff to have boundaries around their communication and give them reasonable time to respond.

Be polite and respectful—when communicating with school staff, in writing or in person, be polite. School staff deserve to be treated with respect because they, just like you, want the best outcomes for your child. Be considerate of how you're speaking and the impact it can have on the staff.

Be a team player—your child's school is on your team when it comes to supporting your child. Be open to new ideas and be prepared that you might need to compromise to reach an agreement. You and your child's school have different kinds of expertise when it comes to raising your child, and that expertise can be much more powerful when combined.

There is a lot more information inside the newsletter with regards to Choral Fanfare, NAIDOC celebrations and First Nations Transition session with Mackay North State High School, Reconciliation Week, Sports updates and much, much more.

Tracey Adams
Principal

Heath & Physical Education

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Ondine Wendt who has earned selection in the Capricornia Cross Country 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

Russell Hope
HPE Teacher

From the Guidance Officer

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
Performance Times:  Junior 9:20am  |  Senior 10:05am  *Please note the Senior time change
Location:  Fitzgerald School Hall

Junior Choir students to meet in the music room at 8:15am.  Senior Choir students to meet in the music room 8:45am.  All students will wear their everyday school uniform with fully black shoes and white socks.

Permission via QParents is now required for this event.

INSTRUMENTAL NEWS

Twilight Concert

Congratulations to our instrumental students and recorder ensemble, who performed at the school’s Twilight Concert last Wednesday evening.

Linda Miller
Music Teacher / Instrumental Music Coordinator 

Medication Policy Reminder

In order to safely administer medications to students during school hours and/or school-related activities, it is a requirement of the Department of Education that all medications be labelled correctly, and the appropriate documents be completed.

Please refer to the below table as a guide to what is required:

From the Library

Brittany Kendall          Jo Struthers
Teacher Librarian       Teacher Aide

Reconciliation Week

Year 5 & 6 ATSI Transition Day

Thank you to Mackay North State High School for inviting our Year 5 and 6 First Nation students to their NAIDOC celebrations. This event also acted as a transition activity with students having the opportunity to tour the school and start to develop relationships with staff and students.

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)

Carolyn Berck
Teacher - Special Needs

Shop for Schools | Mt P Shopping Centre

Upcoming Events

P&C News

🎉 A MASSIVE Thank You, Fitzy Fam! 🍩

The P&C would like to give a HUGE shout-out to our amazing Fitzy community for your mammoth efforts with the Krispy Kreme fundraiser! Thanks to your sweet support, we're busy tallying the orders and getting ready to place them, with delicious deliveries expected around June 12–13. Keep an eye on your phones — we’ll text you once the final details are confirmed!

But wait... there’s more! 🎉
Mark your calendars — the P&C will be firing up the canteen for Senior Sports Day on Friday 20th June, so come hungry and cheer loud!

And… get ready for Term 3’s BIGGEST fundraiser yet! 🧠💡 It’s going to be running across most of the term and trust us — you won’t want to miss this one. Get your thinking caps on and stay tuned for the big reveal!

Lastly, our next P&C meeting is happening Tuesday 24th June (Week 10) in the laptop space next to the library. Everyone's welcome — come along and help shape the fun at Fitzy!

Jess Majid
P&C President

FITZY'S TUCKERBOX MENU

Community News

Have you ever wanted to publish a book? You might have heard about self-publishing, but felt overwhelmed or confused about where to begin.

Join me in this one-day workshop where I will share:
- a step-by-step process of how to self-publish your book on Amazon,
- where to find cover designers and editors,
- what software you can use to make your author career easier,
- how to distribute to bookstores and libraries,
- the best practise of how to market yourself and your book,
- and finally (and the most important one of all!), how to hold a physical copy of your book in your own hands!

The intention of this workshop is to help you share your story (it's not a get-rich-quick-scheme).

Your end goal might be:
- to help educate others,
- to share your family history,
- the personal achievement of having created a book,
- to leave a legacy for your children, or
- to treat it as a business where the end goal is to earn an income from book sales.

WORKSHOP DETAILS
When: 6th July
Time: 9am - 2pm
Where: CQ Uni, Ooralea
Cost: $60

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am a Mackay-based author and have self-published five urban fantasy novels and one children's book since 2020. My books have made it into the top 100 in Amazon Australia, UK, and Canada, and top 600 in the Amazon US store. I love sharing the information I have learnt over the past four years with aspiring authors and look forward to hearing your story.