Newsletter - 17/09/2025

Principal News

As we reach the midpoint of the final week of term, it’s been encouraging to see students continuing to engage thoughtfully with their learning and each other. The past weeks have brought steady progress, quiet achievements, and moments of growth across all year levels.

Congratulations to our Year 5 & 6 boys cricket team who smashed it out of the park to win the shield and bragging rights for the next year. A big thank you to Mrs Dodd for your support of these budding cricketers.

Our P&C colour run went by on Sunday despite the showers that loomed, the rain only adding to the stickability of the powders being used. Colour, slime, water – what a winning combination. I think that it is fair to say that both students and parents who joined in enjoyed the experience. A big thanks to the P&C for organising this, along with the brave volunteers who put their hand up to be slimed. (I don’t recall ever having the opportunity to slime a teacher as a student 🤣). Thanks must also go to the army of volunteers who came to help on the day to ensure that this run, ran smoothly and everyone had a great time.

Thank you for your engagement in our Parent / Teacher Interviews for Term 3 on Monday afternoon. It is always a good opportunity to have a focussed conversation with our child’s teachers around their successes and challenges and goals that they have for the remainder of the year. For those parents whose teacher was away on Monday, Miss Lucy from our front office will be in touch to reschedule a new date and time.

On Friday we have our school swimming carnival for our Year 4 – 6 students. I am looking forward to seeing records tumble and students joining in a little friendly competition. Students not attending the swimming carnival will continue learning at school. This is the last day of the term, let’s finish it well.

With just a few days to go, we’re focusing on finishing well — tying up loose ends, celebrating successes, and preparing for a restful break. Thank you for your continued support throughout the term. We wish the few departing families a fond farewell, thanking each of you for adding to our Fitzy community. To everyone else, we wish you a safe and happy holidays and look forward to a really full and rewarding Term 4.

Tracey Adams
Principal

Heath & Physical Education

Swimming Carnival  |  Years 4, 5 & 6

Reminder regarding changes to the swimming carnival
- Start time will be approximately 9:15am
- Students will come to school as usual and be marked off the roll.
- Students will then proceed to the stop drop and go, where we will then walk over the Mackay North’s pool.
- The day will start with the 50m events, then the 25m events, finishing with the 100m IM.
- We won’t know exact times for individual races! We expect the day to finish around 1pm to 1:30pm, however this maybe earlier or later. 
- Once completed we will head back to school where we will present the ribbons for races and the age champion medals.

Congratulations

A big congratulations to the Fitzy Fireballs year 5/6 cricketers who won the Mackay District School Sports Interschool cricket competition, defeating Glenella SS to take out the 2025 Tim Campbell Shield.

Russell Hope
HPE Teacher

From the Guidance Officer

Lately there have been many reports from families of anxiety, whether formally diagnosed or not. While anxiety can be a natural response to perceived threats and can serve as a protective mechanism, it is important to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy anxiety.  Healthy anxiety can motivate us to take action and perform well in certain situations.  However, if anxiety becomes overwhelming or is excessive, it can interfere with daily functioning and lead to anxiety disorders.  Some level of anxiety is normal and needed. Parents must also ask themselves what they can do to address the anxiety and not unwittingly enable it. The more we protect our children from things that will make them anxious, the more they will remain anxious about situations or avoid them altogether.  School refusal is one of them.  Unfortunately, our rates of attendance have decreased in the last few years and school refusal is a pattern that is hard to break and difficult for schools to support, which then puts the onus back on the parents/carers to manage.

Parenting and Relationship Education programs are offered by the Family Relationship Centre in Mackay.  They also do counselling.  There is currently capacity to take on board new clients and they will offer group and individual sessions.  Details of other practical courses as follows.  If interested contact

Family Relationship Centre (FRC)
58 Sydney Street, Mackay QLD 4740
Ph: 1300 783 544 
e: katiemarlborough@catholiccarecq.com
w: www.catholiccarecq.com         

TRIPLE P online also offers many different types of programs for parents, which can be done in their own time. 

10 tips for surviving school holidays

While school holidays are a welcome break from the busyness of school routines, there is never a break from parenting. The following tips will help you have fun and connect with your kids so you make the most of the school holidays.

1. Plan
- Get your kids involved in making a list of activities that they would like to do
- Plan for good and bad weather
- Schedule downtime and time-out as well as time for one-on-one and family group activities

2. The best things in life are free
- Make sure the list includes plenty of free activities such as picnics, bike rides, trips to the beach, the local library and the great outdoors

3. Boredom is good
- Unstructured time and time away from electronic devices is good for young minds

4. Use opportunities to teach new skills and self-reliance
- Not having the pressure to rush out the door in the morning can allow for kids to develop new skills such as getting their own breakfast and lunch, taking the dog for a walk or going to the shops by themselves.

5. Ask for help
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help to share the load. For example, asking friends or family to help care for children or to provide assistance in other ways.

6. Accept that things may not always go to plan
- Even the best made plans may need to be discarded at the last minute due to unforeseen events such as weather, illness or accidents. Whilst stressful, these unforeseen events often teach us and our kids valuable life lessons and may even become the source of family bonding or stories down the track.

7. Don’t forget self-care
- Look after yourself and take time out to relax, even if it’s half an hour whilst you have a cuppa and read a book. Remember, happy and relaxed parents make for happy children.

8. Support and company
- Having a support system can be crucial to any parent. It also gives parents the opportunity to interact with other parents whilst giving the kids a bit of play time.

9. Consider your child’s mental health and wellbeing
- Whilst it may be a family tradition to go on an annual family holiday or attend a family dinner, maybe your teenager is too depressed or your child with ADHD will be labelled by judgemental relatives. Consider if it’s really worth maintaining the tradition when it may be at the cost of mental health and wellbeing.

10. Holiday connections help us the rest of the year
- School holidays provide unique opportunities to connect with, listen to and get to know your kids. Use the time to spend one-on-one time with each family member.

Alexia Wotherspoon
Guidance Officer

Instrumental Music

SHEP - State Honours Ensemble Program
Congratulations to our 4 Fitzgerald students who participated in the SHEP weekend (run by the Queensland Conservatorium of Music) held recently at North Mackay State High School.  We congratulate Mia A, Andrew H and Sophie F, who participated in the inaugural Choral SHEP, and Ashton J who participated in the String Ensemble.

MOB - Mackay Orchestras and Bands Competition
Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th October (date and time to be advised) - Junior Concert Band, Senior Concert Band, Junior String Ensemble and Senior String Ensemble all performing.

Instrumental Program 2026
Parent Meetings for the 2026 and 2027 Instrumental Program have been held.  Any parent/s wishing their Year 2 or 3 student (current year level) to learn an instrument next year, need to contact Mrs Miller as a matter of urgency (lmill269@eq.edu.au) – 2026 lists will be finalised at the end of Term 3.

Linda Miller
Music Teacher / Instrumental Music Coordinator 

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Katelyn Sartor
6C Teacher

From the Arts

Drama Group Eisteddfod

Our Year 5/6 Drama Group has been busy rehearsing for the Eisteddfod after the holidays. Today the students were given an updated note and some final details about costuming etc. (note linked below).  All students have an individual note attached with more details about hair and makeup as well. Please check all information and email Mrs Sam Scott (sscot64@eq.edu.au) if you have any questions.

Eisteddfod Performance
Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre - Theatre
Sunday, October 12, 2025
8:30am - Session 44, Section 469
Tickets to watch can be purchased online or from the box office on the day for $10

Spectacular

Spectacular Tickets went on sale on Tuesday 16/09/25 and in one day, there are already over half of the tickets sold for both nights. If you haven’t purchased your tickets, please organise as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Sam Scott-Girgenti
Dance/Drama Teacher

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Upcoming Events

Cutting for a Cure

🎗️I’m Donating My Hair for Blood Cancer Awareness 💇‍♀️❤️ 

Hi, I’m Zara Stead, and I’ve decided to cut and donate my hair to support those who are fighting Blood Cancer. ✂️ 

This isn’t just about hair, it’s about hope, strength, and standing beside the warriors battling leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood-related cancers. Every strand and every piece I give is a symbol of love, care and solidarity. This cause is close to people's heart, and I wanted to take a step. For many going through treatment, losing their hair can be one of the hardest parts, so I’m giving my hair to help create happiness and spread awareness about the challenges blood cancer that people face every day. This is more than just a haircut, it’s a statement of compassion and a call to action. I invite you to support this journey by donating. 

I’m doing this to raise awareness and support for those affected by blood cancer. I invite you to support this journey by donating and joining me in this mission as it would mean the world if you could help 💇‍♀️❤️ 

Let’s turn something simple into something powerful. 💖 

#BloodCancerAwareness #DonateHair #ZarasJourney #CuttingForACure #HopeInEveryStrand #FightBloodCancer 

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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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