Five Minutes with Tom McCormick

After nearly 7 years working at St Margaret’s Anglican School in Brisbane, Tom filled the roles of Dean of Studies, Head of Faculty and, of course, teaching – following his teaching roles at girls’ schools in the United Kingdom.

‘I am very passionate about girls’ education. I think the best part about teaching girls is that they are always willing to have a go – and particularly in an all-girls setting, they are not afraid to go beyond what they think they’re capable of.’

He openly admits women are superhuman beings – and describes his wife, Hayley as a super woman.

‘Hayley and I have four children – two twin girls, Clémentine and Mirabel, who are just 10 months old and a son, Arthur, who is 4 and a daughter, Daisy, who is 8 years old. Hayley manages the important day to day running of the home and caring for the needs of the children while I am working.’

A hectic, busy and full homelife is where it all began for Tom.

He is one of eight, and his childhood home, near Manchester in England, was often filled with foster children.

‘I am from a very big family – 8 brothers and sisters and my Mother and Father fostered about 50 children and adopted five. I think that’s where my passion for education began. I was the second eldest, so I was always helping and teaching the younger ones. My Mum says she knew from a very early age that I was destined to become a teacher.’

That he did – with a passion for ensuring each student could be an individual.

‘I don’t think you can put students into categories, each child is unique and has their own set of talents and gifts. It is up to us as educators to nurture these talents and support them. I think every student has their own path and I think that Fairholme is already wonderful at allowing girls to choose their own journey.’

Two of Tom and Hayley’s children are about to start their own Fairholme journey.

‘My daughter, Daisy begins in Year 3 at Fairholme next week, and Arthur will start in the Kindy rooms too.’

His family is still, for the most part, in Manchester – the youngest of his siblings is 17 years old.

‘It’s tough in the current travel climate – I would love for Mum and Dad to meet the twins; realistically they won’t see them for another 2 years. But technology is amazing. We spend a lot of time on FaceTime and I’ve even been able to help my younger sister with all her University applications to become a teacher.’

When he’s not investing all his time in education, study and nappies, Tom says he has love for travel.

‘I’ve been very fortunate to visit so many places with incredible culture. I loved Cambodia – it is a place that is very close to my heart. But I also love New York too. However, of course, the best city in the world is London!’

Tom is hopeful he can see more of outback Australia, as he joins the staff who visit our boarding families this year.

But for now, on the home front, there’s some pretty important tartan to measure up for Daisy and Arthur.