Newsletter - 19/03/2025

Principal News

As we come into the final few weeks of Term, we would love to continue to see students at school. We have had a great term in respect to the attendance rate of students and are currently sitting at just above 91% attendance for the year, which is a huge jump up from last year, but still a little way away from our school target of 95%. Let’s finish the term strong, ensuring that children are at school every day and staying at school for the whole day, unless they are sick.

Congratulations to the following classes who have had above 95% attendance in the past two weeks.

Prep – Year 2: 1D, 2B

Years 3 – 6: 3C, 4A, 4C, 5/6D

Our Fitzy PBL Focus in Weeks 7 and 8 is around safety with the catch phrase “When you play – do it the right way! The importance of safe play cannot be understated and I would encourage parents to talk to your children about what it means to play safely. Further information about PBL is later on in the newsletter.

This Friday is Harmony Day. On the 21^st of March each year, our school recognises Harmony Day, a special day that highlights the importance of diversity, respect, and inclusion. Harmony Day is all about celebrating the rich mix of cultures that make our community unique. We are reminded on this day that everyone has a place in our school, no matter where they come from. Together, we create a vibrant and welcoming environment for all.

Some fun facts about the diversity of our school:

• We currently have the following backgrounds represented within our school, Australian, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islands, South Sea Islands, Nigeria, New Zealand, South Africa, Philippines, Singapore, England, Ireland, India, Egypt, Isle of Man, Thailand, America, Belgium, Brazil, China, Columbia, Croatia, Fiji, Germany, Macau, Morocco, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Samoa, Scotland, Taiwan, Tonga, Ukraine, Wales.
  
  
• We have 244 students whose families have emigrated to Australia. This means that 38.4% of our population was born outside of Australia or their parents were born outside of Australia.

This Friday we invite students to come to school wearing orange, whether it be socks, ribbons, gloves, belts or clothes. Let's continue to respect and appreciate the diversity that makes our school so special.

During the past two weeks our Year 3 and Year 5 students have been participating in NAPLAN. Well done to the students for their focus during the testing times. Thanks must also go to the school P&C who during these test days have provided fresh fruit for the students to ensure that they start the session with a nutritious snack. Next Monday will see the completion of the test window and the completion of make up tests for students who have been away.

Next Tuesday afternoon between 2 and 3pm our school psychologist Mrs Howlett will be conducting a session about Separation Anxiety. If you are a parent who would like to attend, please register for this session through the school office on 49656333.

I will be on leave between the 25^th of March and the 11^th of May. During this time Mr Tim Campbell will be acting Principal in my stead and Mrs Kathryn Zammit will be acting Deputy Principal until the school holidays with Mrs Teri Robson taking this position for the first three weeks of Term 2. During my absence, Mr Campbell will be looking after the Year 6 cohort and Mrs Zammit / Mrs Robson will be line managing Prep – Year 2. Before I leave, I would like to acknowledge the hard work that the students and staff have been doing throughout the term. Thank you all for a wonderful term so far and wish all families a wonderful Easter break.

Tracey Adams
Principal

Introducing SZapp

The Parent Teacher interviews will be OPEN for bookings from Monday 17th March until Thursday 27th March.  We have provided quick links below for direct access during this time. 

If sessions times are full please contact your child's teacher to organise an alternative date and time. 

If you have any difficulties please contact the school office for assistance.

Learning Support

Whitsunday Voices Writing Competition Now Open:

Fitzgerald students in Year 3-6 are invited to enter The Whitsunday Voices Writing Competition. Amazing cash prizes are up for grabs! It is a wonderful community competition that receives hundreds of entries from all over the region. Fitzgerald students have been very successful in the past, and we would love to have some more students try their luck and skill this year.

Competition details can be found at:

https://www.whitsundayvoices.com.au/short-story-competition-copy

Mrs Ebert is available every Monday lunch from 1-1:30pm in Mod 3, if students would like to bring their story ideas for feedback or to use the space for a quiet place to write.  

Entries are due to Mrs Ebert by Thursday April 24^th.

heber4@eq.edu.au

Happy writing!

Helen Ebert
Learning Support Teacher

Guidance Officer

Fitzgerald State School has been celebrating Harmony Week this week with Harmony Day on Friday 21^st March. 

EVERYONE BELONGS is this year’s theme and EVERYONE is invited to wear orange this Friday to show their support.

Harmony Week is an annual celebration of Australia’s cultural diversity and the benefits it brings to the Australian community. It’s a time to reflect on the importance of respecting each other and our differences. It is about inclusiveness and belonging for all Australians.

Building on over 65,000 years of First Nations cultures, Australia has become home to migrants from nearly 300 different ancestries.

Did you know?

• More than half (51.5 per cent) of Australian residents were born overseas or have at least one parent who was
• Nearly every single country from around the world was represented in Australia's population in 2020
• More than 150 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander languages are spoken in Australia
• Apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Italian, Cantonese and Punjabi.

The message of respect and belonging can be lived by each of us, every day, not just during Harmony Week.

Visit harmony.gov.au for more information

Alexia Wotherspoon
Guidance Officer

Karen Howlett - Psychologist

Karen Howlett
Psychologist

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Katelyn Sartor
PBL Coach

HPE

CROSS COUNTRY

With the current rain and condition of the grounds, a decision on the postponement of the Cross Country event will be made by Wednesday afternoon,  19 March and a message will be placed on the school Facebook page.

The school office will also communicate this to parents via text / email.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to our second Capricornia representative for 2025. Harper Hawkins earned selection in the Capricornia Hockey Team. Well done Harper and we look forward to hearing your results from the State Trials in Toowoomba.

Russell Hope
HPE Teacher

Music & Instrumental

Instrumental News

Instrumental Camp invitations for

Year 6 Instrumental Students

have been handed out to students

and are due back to Mrs Miller asap.

Linda Miller
Music Teacher/Instrumental Music Coordinator 

From the Resource Centre

                                  Brittany Kendall              Jo Struthers
                                     Teacher Librarian           Teacher Aide

Upcoming Events

HARMONY DAY - Friday 21st March

From the P&C

Easter Hat Parade - Prep-Yr2

Community News