Newsletter - 29/10/2025

Principal News

We are in for a busy next two weeks with World Teachers’ Day, Day for Daniel and Spectacular all coming up. This week we also celebrate State Education Week, which is an annual event that celebrates Queensland state schools and public education. Students at Fitzgerald have access to opportunities across academic, sporting and cultural fields. Our students excel across these areas with highlights this year including:

Academic
- Greater than 50% of students in Years 3 & 5 Achieved Strong or Exceeding results in NAPLAN across the domains of reading and writing with Year 5 also achieving similar results in Grammar and Punctuation and Numeracy.
- 4% of students achieved a C or better in the end of Semester 1 reporting. 52.4% of students achieved an A or B in English for the same period. In Mathematics 55.8% of students achieved and A or B whilst 85.6% of students achieved a C or better.
- A group of Year 6 girls attended a Women in STEM morning tea at Mackay North State High School.

Sporting
- Fitzgerald students were winners in the Cathy Freeman relay challenge and Mackay and District Interschool Cricket.
- Students represented Fitzgerald, Northern Suburbs, Mackay and District and Capricornia across a number of sports this year.
- Our tennis players achieved the Fair Play and School Spirit shield at the Mackay school tennis challenge.
- Students with a disability were able to attend the All Abilities Sports Day.
- We participated in Gala Sports Days.

Cultural
- Fitzy ensembles and groups were successful in Mackay Orchestra and Band Competition, the Eisteddfod, Wakakirri and Choral Fanfare.
- Cultural students were treated to performances by the Mackay North State High School Dance and Instrumental ensembles as well as watching the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

These are only a sliver of what Fitzgerald Students have the opportunity to engage in. Our State School is a Great School!

Today some of our instrumental and cultural students had the opportunity to attend a performance by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. This was the first time that the Orchestra had been in Mackay in over a decade. The band master was a former Mackay local having grown here. This incredible concert was appreciated by all of the students who got to hear a range of pieces from the soft and lilting through to the fast and jaunty and was described by one concert goer as, “Like being in a Disney movie.”

This Friday we recognise two events concurrently. World Teachers’ Day and Day for Daniel.

World Teacher’s Day is a day that we recognise our teachers for all that they do every day to support our students to succeed. Teaching can be a difficult job, one that requires teachers to wear multiple hats in one day. From teacher to counsellor to behaviour manager to support worker, to champion to planner and even events co-ordinator. This all occurs in one job and is a daily requirement of our teachers. We have postcards at the office available for parents to drop a quick line to the outstanding educators that we have at Fitzgerald. These can also be completed by our students, so I encourage you to reach out and thank a teacher this Friday.

Oh the Teachers You’ll Know!
In a school or online, in a class or a hall,
Teachers are heroes, the greatest of all!
They teach us to read and to write and to think,
To dream up big ideas in just one short blink.

They juggle the questions, the laughter, the tears,
They guide us through spelling and multiplying fears.
With lessons and laughter, with books and with flair,
They show us the world and how much they care.

So here’s to the teachers, both near and afar,
You shine like a beacon, a bright guiding star!
On this special day, we cheer and we say—
Thank you, dear teachers, hip-hip-hooray!

Day For Daniel
Held annually on the last Friday of October, Day for Daniel is Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness event.

This special day honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe and reinforces the vital message that keeping kids safe is a responsibility we all share—parents, carers, educators, businesses…the entire community.

We encourage children to bring a gold coin donation which will be forwarded on to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

Spectacular is next week! We can’t wait for our classes to take to the stage on Wednesday and Thursday evenings to demonstrate their learning of dance across the past 15 weeks. From the cuteness overload of our Preps right through to a very professional Year 6 production, this is always a highlight of our calendar.

Tracey Adams
Principal

Heath & Physical Education

Well Done!

On Sunday six students from Fitzgerald competed in the 2025 Mackay School Tennis Challenge.

Noah, Sophie, Logan, Archie, Violet and Matty competed in the event for Fitzgerald. All students played amazingly and represented Fitzgerald with pride. 

The Fitzgerald team were awarded the best Fair Play and School Spirit shield and should be very proud of their effort. 

Russell Hope
HPE Teacher

From the Guidance Officer

October 31 - Day for Daniel

Together, we’re Keeping Kids Safe

Held annually on the last Friday of October, Day for Daniel is Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness event.

This special day honours the memory of Daniel Morcombe and reinforces the vital message that keeping kids safe is a responsibility we all share—parents, carers, educators, businesses…the entire community.

Children first learn these important messages at home.  Have you had a discussion with your child about how to keep their body safe?

Recent Australian eSafety Commissioner research tells us that 38% of young people chat to strangers online and that 1 in 4 have been contacted by someone they didn’t know. With over 80% of Australian children 8 to 12 years old accessing online apps and games with public and private chat functions, groomers have an increased opportunity contact them and build trust. They will often pretend to be a friend of a friend, someone with similar likes or of a similar age to encourage children to talk to them and share information.

Safe Bedrooms is a suite of resources which equips parents and carers with the tools to lock predators out.

Online grooming can happen to any child. However, 97% of Australian parents and carers hadn’t previously considered online grooming a threat.

Safe Bedrooms provides information for parents and carers on how to recognise, react and report online grooming. Through the series of videos and resources, parents and carers can learn about the warning signs of online grooming, how to protect their children and what to do if they are concerned about a child. By becoming informed, parents and carers can keep their children safe online.

Alexia Wotherspoon
Guidance Officer

Instrumental Music

MOB - Mackay Orchestras and Bands Competition

On Saturday 18^th October , The Fitzgerald State School Junior Concert Band, Junior String Ensemble and Senior String Ensemble performed at Mackay Orchestras and Bands Competition, at Mackay Christian College Junior Campus.

Junior String Ensemble      GOLD AWARD
Junior Concert Band          GOLD AWARD
Senior String Ensemble     GOLD AWARD and over PLATINUM AWARD for Most Outstanding Primary Ensemble

Linda Miller
Music Teacher / Instrumental Music Coordinator 

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Katelyn Sartor
6C Teacher

Head of Special Education Services

Carolyn Berck
Teacher - Special Needs

Library News

Brittany Kendall          Jo Struthers
Teacher Librarian       Teacher Aide

From the Arts

SPECTACULAR

A further note has been emailed home.  These have been linked below. 

Sam Scott-Girgenti
Dance/Drama Teacher

You're Invited

Year 6 Senior Shirts 2026

Please return order forms to the office ASAP, with payment due by November 14.  NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED! 

We recommend the students coming into the office with a parent/guardian to try on a sample shirt for size as the school will take no responsibility for the incorrect size ordered. 

Upcoming Events

Healthy Minds Happy Hearts

Keeping the Flying Doctor Flying

Hey guys, it’s Parker Clayton and I love planes and most especially the Royal Flying Doctor Service. When my dad needed a helping hand the Royal Flying Doctors were there to help. 

So, I’ve set myself a challenge for a charity that the Royal Flying Doctors are hosting. My goal is to walk and run 42km in the month of October. It would mean the world to me if you could raise some money for me to donate to the RFDS.

In conclusion, I’m only nine years old so no matter your age or location could you please raise some money with me please. It would be a dream come true if the royal flying doctors are still in business when I start my piloting career.

Thank you so very much for listening to my opinion.
My name is Parker Clayton and I am the junior pilot of the RFDS ✈️

P&C News

FITZY'S TUCKERBOX 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 🌟

Community News