An exchange of a lifetime
January 23, 2025
Fairholme College student Zoe Hurford is currently living the dream as part of an exchange program with the prestigious Rugby School in England.
Her time abroad has been filled with memorable moments, cultural discoveries, and a deep appreciation for the warmth and support of the Rugby School community.
‘The Rugby School is incredible," Zoe shares enthusiastically. ‘My time here is disintegrating far too quickly, and there is so much more I want to do. Everyone is really welcoming and supportive—staff and students—and I cannot wait to make more memories with them all.’
Zoe recently had the chance to address the entire school during Chapel. In her speech, she highlighted Fairholme's rich history and shared some amusing observations about differences between Australia and the UK.
Her witty recount of answering common questions about Australia had the audience in stitches. ‘Yes, I’ve seen a kangaroo. No, I don’t look under every chair in case something is sitting under it. Yes, there are spiders. No, I wouldn’t recommend trying to beat up a kangaroo,’ she joked, bringing a taste of Aussie humour to the English school.
As part of her exchange, Zoe has embraced Rugby 7s as her chosen sport and is relishing every muddy moment on the pitch. ‘I am absolutely loving it, even though the pitches are always muddy—it’s too cold for them to dry.
Returning to Bradley covered in mud has become a ritual. I’ve loved learning more about the game and am excited to improve my skills in the coming weeks.’
Adjusting to the academic life at Rugby School has been a challenge Zoe has embraced with determination. ‘My classes have been really good, more so now that I can actually find them,’ she laughs.
‘There’s a clear distinction between the work I’ve done and what they are doing here, but with my classmates' help, I’m getting fairly comfortable with the topics.’
No update about England would be complete without a mention of the weather. Zoe finds it surprisingly manageable. ‘It’s definitely cold, some days more than others, but it isn’t as cold as I was expecting. It doesn’t have Toowoomba’s harsh winds, so that makes a big difference,’ she says.
However, the shorter daylight hours have been a noticeable change. ‘By 4 p.m., it’s dark, which makes doing afternoon activities a lot harder. And sadly, my farmer’s tan is slowly disappearing—a reality I’m still coming to terms with.’
As Zoe continues to immerse herself in this transformative experience, she remains grateful for the opportunity to represent Fairholme College and explore all that Rugby School has to offer.
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From the moment she could walk, Grace Andersen was dancing. At just two years old, she took her first ballet class, not quite knowing that her tiny feet were stepping onto the path of a lifelong passion. ‘I didn’t always love it,’ she admits, ‘but I did it anyway.’ It wasn’t until a change of schools in Year 1, moving to JE Dance , that Grace fell in love with dance in a whole new way. She thought ballet was the only style out there, until she discovered contemporary, jazz, and more. But ballet always held her heart. ‘There’s just something about it,’ Grace says. ‘I like the structure. With ballet, you need the right technique, it’s disciplined. That’s what I love.’ Now, ballet is more than a hobby; it’s a central part of Grace’s daily life. She trains nearly every day. Monday through Friday at JE, and on Thursdays she leaves school early to travel to Brisbane for coaching with Classical Coaching Australia. ‘It started this year,’ she says, ‘and I’ve already learned so much.’ This dedication recently led Grace to one of the most exciting moments of her young career - being cast in Queensland Ballet’s Coppélia during its regional performance in Toowoomba. ‘At first, Mum and I thought it would be like any other show,’ Grace recalls. ‘But then we had to fill out forms with bank account details, that’s when we realised it was something more.’ And it was. Grace was cast in not one, but two roles: the opening dancer as Little Coppélia, and a Smith sister in the village scene. ‘It was such a big surprise. When the curtain went up, I was the first dancer on stage. It was amazing.’ Performing with Queensland Ballet offered Grace more than just a moment in the spotlight, it gave her a glimpse into the world she dreams of joining. ‘Just seeing everyone there… it showed me what it would be like to be a professional dancer, which is what I’ve wanted since I was really little.’ Her ultimate dream? To dance with the Paris Opera Ballet, and one day become a ballet mistress, coaching and mentoring future dancers in a top company. ‘But first, I want to get into a good ballet school or academy,’ she says. ‘It takes a lot of practice. On weekends, I bring my ballet ball out to the living room and stretch or do rises while watching TV.’ Grace doesn’t just talk about hard work, she lives it. Her weeks are full, her schedule demanding, but her love for ballet never wavers. ‘You definitely have to be strong and fit and flexible, but most of all, you have to love it.’ While she doesn’t have a famous ballerina idol, she finds inspiration closer to home. ‘My mum was a dancer. She went on pointe and everything. She didn’t perform in shows like I do, but she helps me, and I really look up to her.’ Up next, Grace is preparing for her role in The Fairy Queen with Brisbane City Youth Ballet this winter. It’s her third time with the company, and she’s already setting her sights on what comes next. Because for Grace, ballet isn’t just a series of steps, it’s the rhythm of her future.
School mates cast in lead roles for the Empire Theatre’s 2025 Junior Impact Production When Phoebe Hohn and Sammy Cheetham auditioned for this year’s Junior Impact Production, Soul Trading, they had no idea they’d be cast opposite each other in two of the show’s leading roles. Set in the year 2079, Soul Trading is a futuristic play that explores a world where every child’s future is shaped by their personal learning robot – except for one. Phoebe plays Geri, a quirky and fiercely independent girl who refuses to follow the AI-dominated path everyone else is on. ‘Geri doesn’t have a bot like the others. She’s different, and she’s proud of it,’ says Phoebe. ‘I love playing someone who questions everything and isn’t afraid to go her own way.’ Her co-star, Sammy, takes on the complex role of Neutron, a clever and rebellious robot who doesn’t quite fit the mould. ‘Neutron is actually an illegal robot that Geri secretly 3D printed,’ Sammy explains. ‘She’s bright, ambitious, and wants to live a free life – but Geri tricks her into thinking she’ll die if she leaves.’ Throughout the show, Neutron cleverly manipulates both humans and bots to bend the rules and follow her lead. For Sammy, this is her second year involved in the Junior Impact Ensemble. ‘Last year, I was part of Our Egg Named Larry, and I absolutely fell in love with the program,’ she says. ‘That experience made me want to audition again this year, and I was thrilled to receive one of the main roles.’ Phoebe and Sammy, who are also speech and drama partners, supported each other through the audition process and have relished the opportunity to bring this fast-paced, futuristic story to life together. Their characters’ dynamic is central to the narrative, and their real-life friendship brings depth and energy to every rehearsal. With the production set to hit the Armitage Centre stage this July, both students say the experience has pushed them creatively and helped them grow in confidence. ‘Performing in a space like the Armitage is a dream,’ Phoebe says. ‘It’s exciting and a little bit surreal.’ We can’t wait to see Phoebe and Sammy shine on stage as Geri and Neutron – two bold characters in a brave new world.
10 minutes with Ebbeny Williams-Cherry, 2025 Fairholme College Prefect for the Arts and lead character in Midnight: The Cinderella Musical.
