Embracing Opportunities
In just a couple of days, Fairholme College Year 12 student Lauren McAdam will be stepping out of the classroom and into a new chapter of her life, one shaped by both her academic aspirations and her family’s enduring support.
Lauren’s journey at Fairholme began in early 2023, and while her time at the school has been brief, her experience has left a lasting impression.
Lauren transferred to Fairholme College at the start of Year 11, facing the challenge of adjusting to a new environment. ‘It was scary,’ she recalls with a smile, ‘but Fairholme was so welcoming from day one. My parents and I just turned up without an appointment, and the warmth we felt from everyone here—especially Dr Evans and Ms Ross—made the transition much easier.’
Lauren shared how her parents’ commitment to her education led them to pursue a place at Fairholme after finding limited subject availability at her previous school. From the start, Lauren could sense Fairholme’s dedication to fostering a nurturing, inclusive atmosphere for students, and she knew it was the right fit.
A Warwick local, Lauren faced a unique logistical challenge to make her Fairholme experience possible. Boarding wasn’t an option for her family, so her parents devised a weekly commute plan. With the help of long-time family friends, Lauren was able to stay in Toowoomba during the school week and return home to Warwick on weekends.
‘They were like a second family,’ Lauren says. ‘They opened their home to me, which was a huge relief for my parents. I had to become more independent too—learning how to cook, clean, and even take two buses to school. It was tough at first, but now I feel ready for university.’
While adjusting to life away from her parents was initially difficult, the independence Lauren gained during this transition has been invaluable.
She remembers her homesickness during those first few weeks at Fairholme, where her parents even commuted her daily for a short period to ease her adjustment.
Lauren’s academic journey has always been motivated by her family’s deep-rooted values.
‘My parents have always encouraged me to stand up for what’s right,’ Lauren explains.
‘They both worked hard to give me the opportunities they didn’t have, and I feel incredibly grateful for that.’
Neither of Lauren’s parents attended university; her father pursued an apprenticeship in screen printing, while her mother worked her way up in the retail industry to become an auditor. ‘They sacrificed a lot for me, and I just want to make them proud,’ she says.
At Fairholme, Lauren found an environment that allowed her to cultivate her passions, particularly her interest in law and psychology.
Inspired by her love for debating and the legal studies classes she enjoyed, Lauren has already secured a spot in a dual degree program in Law and Psychology at Bond University. ‘Debating and the mooting competition at UniSQ last year really opened my eyes to law as a career path,’ she explains. ‘I realised that my passion for understanding people and advocating for others could come together perfectly in law and psychology.’
Lauren’s university journey will be supported by a prestigious academic excellence scholarship from Bond University. The scholarship, which will cover half of her dual degree fees, was awarded to her (pending ATAR results) after an intensive selection process involving interviews with prominent faculty members.
When she received the news, Lauren was on the phone with her parents, and she remembers ‘screaming with joy’ at the prospect of realising her dream without the full financial burden.
‘It’s a big relief,’ she says. ‘My parents were just as excited—it’s a huge honor and will help so much.’
Looking back at her time at Fairholme, Lauren reflects on the friendships she’s made and the projects she’s championed.
One particular initiative stands out—the reading club she started for junior school students, which she believes was one of her most fulfilling accomplishments.
‘Spending time with the younger students and encouraging them to read was so rewarding. I feel like I’m leaving a little piece of myself behind,’ she says.
Beyond her academic ambitions, Lauren’s story speaks to the spirit of resilience and gratitude. ‘Fairholme has shown me that education is about more than just classes and grades. It’s about growing as a person, finding your voice, and learning to lift others up.’
For Lauren, stepping into the ‘big wide world’ isn’t just about beginning a career in law and psychology. It’s about carrying forward the values of integrity, hard work, and kindness that her parents instilled in her and that Fairholme has nurtured.
As she prepares for graduation, Lauren knows she’ll miss her friends, her mentors, and the sense of belonging she’s felt at Fairholme. ‘Leaving is bittersweet, but I feel ready,’ she says. ‘Fairholme has given me the skills, the support, and the confidence to take on the world. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.’
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