Newsletter - 23/07/2025

Principal News

What a wonderful start to the new term we had last week. It was full of lots of wonderful activities for all of the students to enjoy. From Northern Suburbs Athletics to Whitsunday Voices to NAIDOC celebrations and even a celebration of 100 days of Prep where classes dressed up as 100-year-olds. A big thank you to our First Nations Reference Group for your support of the NAIDOC celebrations and the Fitzy P&C for supplying the cake for the 100 Days of Prep.

We have a number of new families who have started at school this term and we welcome them to our ‘Fitzy Family’.

As we get back into the new school term, it is a great time to ensure that our uniforms are worn as outlined in the school enrolment packs. During Winter, we ask that all students wear royal blue jumpers without hoods. Hoodies and non-royal blue jumpers are not permitted at school and where children are wearing them, they will be asked to remove them. (For our Year 6 families, the local high school also have this expectation, so it is important that they learn to follow the school dress code now). Do not worry that your child will be cold. If they are wearing an incorrect jumper, they may borrow one for the day and return it at the end of the school day. Tracksuit pants should also be royal blue. We appreciate your support in this.

Individual NAPLAN reports for students in Years 3 and 5 were sent home last week. These are a point in time test which assesses children’s knowledge and understanding against the Australian Curriculum expectations.

The 2025 School Opinion Survey is currently open for completion. The suite of School Opinion Surveys is undertaken each year by the Department of Education to obtain opinions about our school from families, school staff and students in target year levels (5, 6, 8 and 11). The surveys will help identify what we are doing well and understand where we can improve.

The survey invitation will be emailed in the week beginning 21 July and is titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2025. Each school family will receive one email invitation from the Department of Education to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey. The survey is anonymous, and the results are not reported in ways that an individual’s response can be identified by the school.

Parents/caregivers are encouraged to complete the survey. The survey can be completed via computers, tablets or smart phones with an internet connection. For parents/caregivers who do not have access to the internet, school computers/tablets will be made available. Parents/caregivers who experience difficulties accessing the survey can request a new survey from the School Opinion Survey team via email schoolopinionsurvey@qed.qld.gov.au.

It’s important that as many parents/caregivers as possible complete the survey, so we would appreciate if members of this committee would raise awareness of this survey with other parents and caregivers. Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.

Tracey Adams
Principal

Heath & Physical Education

Mackay District School Sport

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent Northern Suburbs at the upcoming MDSS Track and Field Trials during week 2. Best of luck to these students:
- Ondine Wendt
- Eden Steindl-Corrie
- Marli Steindl-Corrie
- Jack Goddard
- Hudson Glasgow
- Elijah Simeon
- Kason Grant
- Telesia-Grace Amuia
- Chad Hendry
- Willea Jordaan
- Piper Holt

Mackay District Cricket Trials

Congratulations to George Harriot and Jack Harriot who have been selected in the MDSS 10-12 Year Boys Cricket Team. Best of luck for the Capricornia Trials.

Queensland Cross Country Trials

Well done to Ondine Wendt who recently represented Capricornia the QLD School Sport State Cross Country Championships. Ondine place in the top 25 of competitors in the state and also made the relay team for the Capricornia team. Fantastic work Ondine!

Mackay District School Sport- Interschool Cricket Competition

Notes have gone home to interested students in grades 3-6 who are interested in this after school competition, running on Wednesday afternoons from the 6^th August to 10^th September. There are 4 age groups in the competition: Year 3/ 4 Girls, Year 3/ 4 Boys, Year 5/6 Girls, Year 5/6 Boys. Notes and payment need to be returned by Friday 25^th July.

From the Guidance Officer

School Refusal

Sometimes, the idea of going to school can be cause for severe distress for a young person and can result in a reluctance to go to school and an increase in nonattendance. 

Key points
- School refusal is when children get very upset about going to school, and they won’t or can’t go.
- Children might refuse to go to school because of worries about leaving home, learning difficulties, social challenges or other reasons.
- The best way to get children back to school is by working with the school.
- If school refusal is related to anxiety or depression, children might also need mental health support.
- It’s good to acknowledge children’s feelings about school, but let them know that you expect them to go back to school.

Working on school refusal at home: practical strategies
Here are practical things you can do at home to encourage your child to go to school.

Talking to your child
- Show your child that you understand. For example, you could say, ‘I can see you’re worried about going to school. I know it’s hard, but it’s good for you to go. Your teacher and I will help you’.
- Use clear, calm statements that let your child know you expect them to go to school. Say ‘when’ rather than ‘if’. For example, ‘When you’re at school tomorrow ...’ instead of ‘If you make it to school tomorrow ...’.
- Show that you believe your child can go to school by saying positive and encouraging things. For example, ‘You’re showing how brave you are by going to school’. This will build your child’s self-confidence.
- Use direct statements or choices that don’t give your child the chance to say ‘No!’ For example, ‘It’s time to get out of bed’ or ‘Will you have your breakfast or your shower first?’

At home with your child
- Stay calm. If your child sees that you’re worried, stressed or frustrated, it can make your child’s anxiety worse.
- Plan for a calm start to the day by having morning and evening routines. For example, get uniforms, lunches and school bags ready the night before, get your child to have a shower or bath in the evening, and get your child to bed at a regular time.
- Praise your child when they show brave behaviour, like getting ready for school. For example, you could say, ‘I know this is hard for you, but I think it’s great that you’re giving it a go. Well done’.
- Make your home ‘boring’ during school hours so that you don’t accidentally reward your child for not going to school. This means little or no TV or video games and so on. You could think about not letting your child use their phone during school hours.
- Get your child to do work provided by the school while at home. This can help your child keep up.

Getting to school
- Get someone else to drop your child at school, if you can. Children often cope better with separation at home rather than at the school gate.
- Praise your child when they go to school. You could also reward them. For example, if your child goes regularly, they could earn bonus technology time, a special outing with a parent to their favourite park, or their favourite meal for dinner.

Your child needs your love and support to get back to school. Focus on any efforts your child makes to go back, be patient with your child’s progress, and try to keep frustration to yourself. This will help your child to build the confidence they need to get back to school regularly.

Getting professional help for school refusal
- Families can get professional help to learn about managing school refusal and to sort out the problems behind it.
- If your child is saying they feel sick, make an appointment with your GP to check it out.
- If there are no physical reasons for your child feeling sick, your GP might refer you to a paediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist.

A psychiatrist or psychologist will usually do an assessment to see whether the school refusal is linked to issues like anxiety or depression. Therapies and supports for school refusal will probably work better if your child is also getting help for anxiety or depression.

It’s a good idea to ask your child’s health professional about any strategies you can use at home to support your child’s return to school. You may be able to get a mental health plan through your GP to assist with free access to professional support.

Looking after yourself
School refusal can be hard to handle, and it can be very worrying. Looking after yourself with healthy food, regular exercise and enough rest is good for your health and wellbeing. And when you’re healthy and well, you’ll be better able to support your child to go to school.

Getting support from a trusted friend or a mental health professional can often be a big help too.

Information sourced from https://raisingchildren.net.au

Alexia Wotherspoon
Guidance Officer

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Katelyn Sartor
Teacher 6C

Music & Instrumental

Instrumental Camp

12 Fitzgerald students attended the Regional Instrumental Camp last term.  These students participated in 4 days of fun, friendship and hard work at Seaforth Pines Outdoor Education Centre.  We were treated to a wonderful concert on the final afternoon at Beaconsfield State School, which showcased their dedication in learning many new pieces and techniques over the camp. 

Congratulations to our four medal recipients – Sean, Ashton, Audra and Andrew, who received Outstanding Musician medals for their instrument.

A big thank-you to our wonderful regional instrumental teachers who attending the camp, and especially to Mrs Williams, the camp coordinator.

Sing On

Emily and Kataya attended the Inaugural Secondary Sing On event last term, which Year 6 students were invited to as a taste of what is to come in High School next year.  The girls participated with a wonderful group of singers from across 8 different schools (including only 2 primary school and 6 secondary schools) and worked with renowned conductor, Mrs Jenny Moon, over 3 days at Whitsunday Anglican School.

We congratulate both girls for participating and sharing their music making at the culminating concert on the final day, to a very appreciative audience.

Upcoming Cultural Events

Cultural Evening
Wednesday, August 06, 6pm in the School Hall
All choirs and instrumental groups will be performing

Mackay Eisteddfod at the MECC
Thursday 14^th August: Year 3 Junior Choir, Folk Group, Senior Choir
Friday 15^th August: Year 4 Choir, Senior Choir (Novelty Section)
Monday 18^th August: Beginner String Ensemble, Senior String Ensemble, Beginner Concert Band, Senior Concert Band

2026 Instrumental Program Parent Sessions
For parents of students wishing to join the 2026 Instrumental Program (Strings – Year 3 / Woodwind, Brass, Percussion – Year 4) – parents must attend 1 session for their child to be considered.
- Wednesday 10^th September 6pm
- Thursday 11^th September 2pm
- Friday 12^th September 2pm

Linda Miller
Music Teacher / Instrumental Music Coordinator 

Head of Special Education Services

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) this is currently being collated for 2025. The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019). Parents will receive a letter and information in the next few weeks if your child has been included in this Data Collection.

Children who may be identified in this data, may not necessarily have a recognized disability, but are included because they require some level of support to access all areas of schooling. This could be due to one or more of the following reasons:

• they have a permanent disability of ASD; Intellectual Disability; Vision Impairment; Deaf/Hard of Hearing; or Physical Disability.
• they have academic difficulties requiring them to need support to access the curriculum.
• they have communication difficulties and are on an Individual Speech Program
• they have a medical diagnosis that effects their functioning at school e.g. Epilepsy, Anaphylaxis, Diabetes, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, Anxiety etc
• they are receiving Social Emotional support for Anxiety from our School Psychologist or Guidance Officer

Carolyn Berck
Head of Special Education

From the Library

Brittany Kendall          Jo Struthers
Teacher Librarian       Teacher Aide

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PCYC Fitzgerald Fun Squad

JOIN THE FUN SQUAD AT PCYC FITZGERALD! 

Looking for a fun, active, and engaging way for your kids to burn energy, build confidence, and make new friends? Look no further than PCYC Fitzgerald’s Fun Squad – where every session is packed with excitement, movement, and unforgettable memories!

What’s Fun Squad all about?
It’s a high-energy program designed for primary school-aged kids who love to move, laugh, and try new things. Think obstacle courses, team games, creative challenges, and loads of surprises – all run by our friendly, experienced youth workers and coaches.

Why parents love it:
- Promotes healthy habits
- Builds teamwork and leadership
- Safe, inclusive, and supervised environment
- Helps kids unplug from screens and connect in real life!

Perfect for kids who:
- Have endless energy
- Need a confidence boost
- Want to make new friends
- Just love having FUN!

Sessions run before school, after school and on the holidays! Spots are filling fast – don’t miss out!

Visit the link below to enrol today.  Let your kids join the squad where fun is the goal, and every child is a star 🌟

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