ATAR Success

December 22, 2020

For Laura Leeson, discovering her ATAR score of 99.6 made for an incredibly happy end to what has been a very challenging year.


‘I was aiming for a 97 – so to see 99.6 on the screen – was a wonderful moment for me and my Mum and Dad. It means that I’m into Advanced Finance and Economics at UQ which is very exciting.’


Laura was the second highest result at Fairholme this year, with Zoe Crooke receiving a near perfect ATAR of 99.75 – the highest for Fairholme’s first year of ATAR.


‘For me my result takes a lot of pressure off deciding on a Uni course because I now have all the options open to me,’ says Zoe. 


‘But it also validates a lot of the work I did put in over the year - I was accepted into ANU with early entry earlier in the year, so while I knew I was already accepted into Uni, I was excited to see what result I could get.’


Zoe intends to study advanced science at either ANU or UQ, before proceeding into medicine or research.


Tarryn Sorour is now focused on the next step in her learning journey after receiving an ATAR of 98.75. Tarryn is off to study a Bachelor of Law and Economics at UQ.


‘I needed a 98 to get into that course, so I’m thrilled. It’s nice to know the hard work pays off – especially as I have five long years of study ahead of me now,’ she says laughing.


Charlotte Kath was working when results arrived, but she snuck into the toilet to check for the magic numbers.


‘I didn’t want to make a big deal in case it wasn’t what I had been hoping for – but it was a 98.7! I was very happy. Then I went back to the dishes,’ she says laughing. 


Charlotte already has a 100% Bond scholarship for a bachelor of Law and Commerce, which begins in less than a month’s time. 


Not everyone is preparing to hit the books as soon as that. Olivia Ross is still undecided about what she might study – but with an ATAR of 98, there are many, many options for her to weigh up.


‘I was just aiming for above 90 – a 98 was an amazing result for me. I have no idea what I will actually do with it yet but I’m keeping all those options open.’


And for the Head Day girl of 2020, Phoebe Meyer Elks, a goal of 94 was smashed.


‘To end up with a 97.45 well and truly exceeded my expectations. I think a lot of the girls in our cohort are really happy with their results. We’ve all achieved higher than we expected and that means we can explore our options a little more. For me personally, it means that I am able to get into the course I wanted – a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at UQ.


Six Fairholme girls achieved an ATAR equivalent to an OP1, with 13% receiving an ATAR of 98 and above. One fifth of the cohort is in the top 5% of the State, after achieving a 95 or above. 


Three Fairholme girls achieved perfect scores (a 100% result) in three subjects.


University offers are expected mid-January.

More News…

Victory for our Debaters

By Sarah Richardson • August 29, 2025
This year’s Queensland Debating Union (QDU) Toowoomba Secondary Schools Competition saw Fairholme teams deliver an outstanding season of debating, showcasing sharp thinking, quick wit, and true Fairholme spirit. ‘We have such a wonderful culture of debating at Fairholme, with a great number of students keen to participate every year. The growth I observe in our debaters is extraordinary, from their confidence in speaking, to their exceptional teamwork and critical reasoning when preparing arguments on a wide range of contemporary issues’, says our Debating Co-ordinator, Mrs Kim Scudamore. A special congratulations goes to our Year 7.4 team, who claimed the Grand Final victory against Toowoomba Grammar School. They successfully argued the affirmative on the topic: ‘That we should actively encourage the use of Artificial Intelligence in classrooms.’ Their ability to build persuasive cases and respond confidently to rebuttals was a testament to their hard work and teamwork throughout the season. Our Year 8, Year 10 and Senior teams also impressed, each reaching their respective Grand Finals and finishing as runners-up after tightly contested debates. Their efforts reflected not only strong debating skills but also resilience and camaraderie in high-pressure settings. In total, 16 Fairholme teams competed this season, with 12 teams making it through to the finals. Congratulations to every debater who took part in this year’s competition. The future of debating at Fairholme is certainly in good hands. Fairholme Grand Final Debaters: Team 7.4 - Sophie Cussons, Suzana Yusaf, Abigail Walker, Norah Joseph and Bella Cherry Team 8.2 - Tanishka Chaudhary, Annabelle King, Claire Fischer and Elaine Mutsando Team 10.1 - Sophie Haller, Richa Vimal, Brooke Johnson, Caitlin Schultheiss, Isabella Kentish and Georgia Nicholls Team 12.1 - Ayesha Saleh, Rori Zimmerman, Chanudi Dissanayake and Mabel Galbraith

Ella's Holme Run

By Sarah Richardson • August 29, 2025
Year 8 student Ella Phillips has returned holme after an unforgettable tour of the United States, where she proudly represented Australia in the Babe Ruth Softball World Series as part of the Aussie Drop Bears team. Ella’s journey began in Dallas, Texas, before heading to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she participated in a high-level training camp with local college softball coaches. The team also competed in warm-up matches to prepare for the main event in Florence, Alabama. Competing in the Under 14 division, Ella and her Australian team made it all the way to the double elimination final, narrowly missing out on the championship title by just one run in a nail-biting 8 - 9 loss. Despite the result, their second-place finish is a highlight achievement for Ella. Ella’s individual performance was nothing short of outstanding. During the closing ceremony, she was named in the Under 14 All World Series Team and the Under 14 All Defensive Team, a testament to her talent and consistency on the field. She also ranked in the top 10 for both batting and fielding statistics across the entire tournament. Reflecting on her journey, Ella shared that her softball career began humbly at home in Taroom encouraged by her mum and PE teachers to trial for the South West state team. That experience sparked a passion for the sport and she now plays for Dodgers Softball Club in Toowoomba. ‘I’ve been really lucky with the support I’ve had,’ Ella said. ‘The stats don’t say everything, but they’re the best I’ve ever had. I’m really proud of how I played in America.’ Boarding since Year 7, Ella has ambitions to study veterinary science but also has her sights set on a softball career. With aspirations to play in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, Ella is already planning her next steps, including a trip to Japan in 2026 to further develop her skills.

Performance in Every Arena

By Sarah Richardson • August 29, 2025
Preparing the next generation of athletes for success both on and off the field. Fairholme is proud to be part of an exciting new partnership with the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), through their 2032 Brisbane Olympics Student-Athlete Empowerment Project. This forward-thinking initiative aims to educate and support student athletes across all areas of sport, health, and performance. As part of this project, our High Performance Sport athletes and Sport Physiology students are taking part in ‘Girls 2 Win’, a specialised program dedicated to the education and empowerment of young female athletes. Led by UniSQ experts in female health and performance, Girls 2 Win focuses on the unique aspects of female physiology and how these can influence wellbeing and sporting success. Students are gaining vital knowledge about the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and the ways in which physiology can impact athletic performance. Fairholme’s Head of High Performance, Miss Casey Reynoldson, said the benefits of the program reach far beyond the sporting field. ‘By equipping our Middle and Senior School athletes with tailored strategies and practical tools, the program ensures they are empowered to make informed choices - supporting their health, confidence, and performance in every arena.’ With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, initiatives like Girls 2 Win play a key role in shaping and inspiring athletes of tomorrow. In addition, our Sport Physiology students are also involved in the UniSQ’s ‘Mind 2 Win’ program. This program explores the crucial role of the mind in health, wellbeing and performance. Through interactive workshops and practical exercises, students are developing key psychological skills such as focus, resilience, self-awareness, and mindset strategies. These tools will help them manage stress, build confidence and perform under pressure, while also supporting their mental health and long-term success. ‘At Fairholme, we are delighted to provide our students with access to world-class education and research in partnership with UniSQ - helping our young athletes take bold steps towards their sporting goals, and perhaps even towards the Olympic stage in 2032.’
All News