Newsletter - 15/10/2025

Principal News

Welcome back to Term 4, the last and arguably the busiest term of the year. I must confess that it is my favourite due to the wonderful activities we have planned for our students. Don’t be fooled though, our students are still hard at work in their classrooms.

Our school focus across Term 4 continues to be around the set of strategic instructional practices known as Explicit Instruction.

“When looking at Explicit Instruction we know that it is an unambiguous and direct approach to teaching that includes both instructional design and delivery procedures.”

We are also delving into further understanding how the brain works to remember new information and transfer it into longer term memory while dealing with outside and internal influences.

This being the case, we will be trialling for the remainder of the term, a Priority Learning Session every day for the first session where we will minimise any interruptions to learning occurring in classes. What does this mean???

• Phone calls to classrooms will not occur between 8:45am and 10:45am. Any messages with regards to students needing to attend appointments are to be communicated directly to teachers either by email prior to 8:30am or by a written note sent in with your child. Other nonurgent messages will be passed on following the first session.
• PA announcements will only be made after 10:40am.
• Instrumental music students will have to know when their lesson is and have organised with their teacher a way to ensure that they are at their lesson on time.
• Therapists who are attending the school to work with students will need to have this organised prior to their visit to the school.
• Parents are asked to leave classes by the final bell to ensure that teaching can start as soon as possible.

At the end of the term we will be asking for parent feedback on the Priority Learning Session with the hopes of tweaking small things to make this session even better for learning

A new Fitzgerald Complaints and Concerns process has been developed in line with the Department of Education Complaints Management policy. The Department of Education quick reference guide has been attached for your information. I have also attached the school complaints process document for your perusal. Please note that these documents have gone through the P&C for consultation and will be available from the school website.

Leadership Workshop
I am so proud of our Student Councillors and First Nations Ambassadors who last week were involved with other student leaders from across our cluster schools to discuss and share ideas about ways to boost belonging across the school. The leaders worked with enthusiasm in the development of these strategies and will be working with students from across Fitzgerald during Term 4 to really boost belonging.

Enrolments 2026
We are really excited to this week meet our new Preppies for 2026 as the first two groups attend our Prep Transition Sessions. The Prep Transition sessions will be held on Wednesdays across the coming six weeks.

At this time of the year we turn part of our attention to the new year and currently have quite a few applications for enrolment in 2026. If your child / children are in Prep – Year 5 and will be leaving Fitzgerald at the end of the school year, we ask that you complete the enrolment intention form which will be sent home with the youngest in each family. Please only return the form if your child/children is not returning.

Staffing
Our fantastic DP Mr Tim Campbell has accepted an Acting Principal role at Andergrove between the 22^nd of October – 4^th of November. We know that Mr Campbell will do an incredible job at Andergrove for these two weeks and will be back just in time to MC our junior Spectacular concert. During these two weeks Teri Robson and Tamara Madelaine will be acting as Deputy Principal.

World Teacher’s Day
This year we recognise World Teacher’s Day on Friday, October 31. This year we will be giving students and family members the opportunity to send a postcard to their teacher or their child’s teacher. Every student will be given a postcard to write on and there will be postcards available at the office if parents would like one to write on. We ask that these are returned to the office so that they can be collated and delivered during the day to teachers in their classrooms.

Tracey Adams
Principal

Heath & Physical Education

Swimming Carnival  |  Years 4, 5 & 6

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the swimming carnival. Below is a list of our major award winners.

9 years: Emity Watson and Archie Edmondston
10 years: Audrey Schweitzer and Matthew Wanstall
11 years: Ondine Wendt and Elijah Simeon
12 years: Isabella Campbell and Andrew Hawkins

Overall Champions: Isabella Campbell, Elijah Simeon and Archie Edmondston

Champion House: Jabiru

Hot Off The Press

Our very own ‘pocket rocket’, Eden Steindl-Corrie has been representing Capricornia at the state track & field titles. Eden made it through to the semi-finals for the 100m but didn’t make the finals. She ran well with PB’s in both her 100m & 200m. Congratulations Eden!

Russell Hope
HPE Teacher

Instrumental Music

MOB - Mackay Orchestras and Bands Competition

Saturday 18^th October
Junior Concert Band, Junior String Ensemble and Senior String Ensemble all performing

Venue
Powerhouse
Located at MCC Junior Campus
17 Ambrose Way, North Mackay

Times

Uniform
Junior Strings and Junior Concert Band: School uniform - including white socks and fully black shoes
Senior Strings: Full cultural uniform - including long, black socks and fully black shoes

Tickets
Available at the door

Instrumental Program 2026

The student list for the 2026 Instrumental Program has now been finalised.  Letters have been sent home with all students who applied for a place for 2026.  Instrument selection sessions are now taking place (Strings – Monday Weeks 2 and 3; Woodwind / Brass / Percussion – Tuesdays Weeks 2, 3 and 4).  Please ensure students are at school to attend these sessions (as per timetable sent home with each child).  All Year 2 and 3 classrooms have a copy of the timetable and spare copies are available from Mrs Miller in the music room.

Linda Miller
Music Teacher / Instrumental Music Coordinator 

Mental Health Week

Karen Howlett
Psychologist

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Katelyn Sartor
6C Teacher

From the Arts

Drama Group Eisteddfod

Congratulations to our Year 5/6 Drama Group who competed at the Mackay Eisteddfod on Sunday 12/10/25.

They received a 3rd place in the Year 6 and under Dramatic Excerpt. Adjudicator, Pamela Cassidy said it was "A most entertaining performance!"

Sam Scott-Girgenti
Dance/Drama Teacher

You're Invited

Upcoming Events

Day for Daniel

Healthy Minds Happy Hearts

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 

P&C News

Monstar Disco

FITZY'S TUCKERBOX MENU

NEW BREAKFAST MENU

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 🌟

Schoolwear at Lowes

The Smith Family

Community News