Embracing Opportunities

November 12, 2024

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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Meet 2026 Prefect for Sport: Scarlett Sippel

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What inspired you to apply for the Prefect for Sport position? I was inspired to go for this position as I have seen the passion that Fairholme as a community has for sport, and the true love and respect the staff have for athletes at the college. I wanted to work closely with the girls and staff to help progressing sport at Fairholme. Do you have a favourite sport? My favourite sport is touch football. It has given me so very much and I am forever grateful. What has been your proudest sporting moment so far? My proudest sporting moment so far was being fortunate enough to represent my country in the sport I love most. Who has been your biggest influence or role model in sport? My biggest role model in sport has to my parents. They never fail to push me towards things that might seem out of my comfort zone or scary. They constantly support me through everything and influence me to be the best version of myself on and off the field. What are you hoping to achieve this year as Prefect for Sport? I aim to inspire everyone to just have a go. By the end of my final year at Fairholme I hope I can inspire people to just get o ut of their comfort zones and try something new. What advice would you give your Year 7 self? I would tell my Year 7 self that in the big picture no one is going to judge you for trying your hardest and giving things ago! And not to put too much pressure on yourself! Do you hope to pursue sport after school? I wish to continue to play sport at a high level after school. whether that is through touch or rugby. Sport is a very important part of my life that will hopefully continue well after I leave school.

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How long have you been involved in The Arts at Fairholme? Since I began here in Year 7, but before then I started playing piano and violin in Year 5. I have participated in a number of ensembles within the school and greatly enjoyed each of these. What does being the Prefect for The Arts mean to you? Personally, I think that being the Prefect for The Arts is primarily a role in which I can help to support other girls. I’m a designated person that girls can come to if they have any questions or concerns with anything regarding extracurricular artistic involvement, and I do a little to help with running some of the artistic aspects around the school, such as finding girls to volunteer for busking at events. But mostly, I think it is about being a positive promoter for the arts, and encouraging other girls to expand their world view to include creativity. Which art form do you enjoy most (e.g. music, drama, visual art, dance etc)? My main art form that I participate in is instrumental music, through my involvement in a few ensembles within the school on violin and piano. However, other art forms, like dancing during March Pasts or singing Shine Jesus Shine are pretty fun too. Do you have a most memorable Arts experience? I think that one of the most memorable Arts experiences that I have had has been at events where I have accompanied my grade, like when all the Year 11’s last year sung at the Valedictorian dinner and I played piano along with other instrumentalists in my grade, Tilly Anderson and Emma Salter. However, I think the most enjoyable Arts experience that I have had is playing Jingle Bell Rock at the boarding Christmas dinner last year, when the rest of my cohort stood around the piano singing. I felt that this was one of those excellent examples of how music can bring people together. What advice would you give to students who might be nervous about joining an arts activity? I would say that it is always worth giving something new a go. You’re much more likely to regret the chances you never took than the ones you do. I’m a strong believer that being involved in any form of extra-curricular activity is so beneficial for everyone; it expands your world view, you meet new people, and get outside your comfort zone. Each individual has something they are good at, and how are you going to find out what that is if you don’t try? Do you hope to continue with The Arts after school? Definitely. It has become such a big part of my life, and I honestly get so much enjoyment out of it. The great thing about the arts is that they are things that you can do at any time of your life. You’re never too old, that’s a skill you have for life. Other people can also get so much enjoyment out of the artistic abilities of others. Who doesn’t love to have someone who can sit around the camp-fire and play guitar, or create a beautiful piece of artwork?
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