Five Minutes with Tom McCormick
January 22, 2021
Tom McCormick knows a lot about teaching girls.
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.
More News
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Year 11 student, Simoné Botha, is carving out a name for herself as one to watch on the netball court, with her dedication and talent earning her multiple state and national honours this year. After a standout performance at the Netball State Championships in May, Simoné was selected for the Queensland Representative School Sport U/19 team, earning Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours for the Darling Downs U/19 side. Later this year, she’ll join some of the state’s top young players at a high-performance camp on the Gold Coast — a coveted opportunity to refine skills and learn from the best in the game. Earlier in the 2025 season, she took to the national stage as part of Queensland’s U/17 team at the Netball Australia National Championships. Her leadership skills shone through as she was appointed Vice-Captain, guiding the team to a commendable 5th-place finish. Her impressive form during the tournament caught the eye of national selectors, leading to her inclusion in the U/17 Australian Netball Squad and recognising her potential at the highest level. In early July, Simoné’s sport took her to Canberra, where she joined fellow rising stars at the Australian Institute of Sport for an intensive high-performance training camp. The experience offered a unique chance to learn from elite coaches and train alongside some of the nation’s best young talent. Closer to home, Simoné continues to compete in Queensland’s premier netball competitions, playing in the Ruby division of the HART Sapphire Series in Brisbane. Looking ahead, she’s excited to make her debut in the prestigious Sapphire High Performance Netball League. With her passion, skill and determination, Simoné’s journey in netball is only just beginning and there’s no doubt her name is one we’ll be hearing for years to come.
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More News…
Congratulations to our Fairholme instrumental ensembles and bands on an exceptionally busy and successful week performing in Part 2 of the 2025 Toowoomba Eisteddfod. With impressive musical skill, dedication and grace, our girls continue to shine on stage. A heartfelt thank you to our conductors, accompanists, supervisors and supporters whose time, guidance and encouragement make these valuable experiences possible. We also celebrate all of our students who performed individually. Your hard work and courage inspire us all. Secondary School Orchestra 1st place – Fairholme College Symphony Orchestra Secondary School Small Instrumental Ensemble 1st Place – Fairholme College Rhythmic Strings 2nd Place – Fairholme College Winterfall Strings Primary School Percussion Ensemble 1st place – Fairholme Junior Chime Choir Secondary School Percussion or ORFF Ensemble 1st place – Fairholme College Chime Choir Secondary String Trio/Quartet 1st place – Fairholme College Wirra String Quartet Secondary Instrumental Trio/Quartet 1st place – Fairholme College Corelli String Quartet 2nd place – Fairholme College Amadeus Quartet Secondary Woodwind Trio/Quartet 1st place – Fairholme College Saxophone Quartet Secondary School String Ensemble 2nd place – Fairholme College String Orchestra Primary School Small Concert Band 2nd Place – Fairholme Junior Band Primary School String Ensemble Highly Commended – Fairholme Junior String Orchestra Primary School Beginner Band Highly Commended – Fairholme College Year 4 Band Immersion
Year 11 student, Simoné Botha, is carving out a name for herself as one to watch on the netball court, with her dedication and talent earning her multiple state and national honours this year. After a standout performance at the Netball State Championships in May, Simoné was selected for the Queensland Representative School Sport U/19 team, earning Most Valuable Player (MVP) honours for the Darling Downs U/19 side. Later this year, she’ll join some of the state’s top young players at a high-performance camp on the Gold Coast — a coveted opportunity to refine skills and learn from the best in the game. Earlier in the 2025 season, she took to the national stage as part of Queensland’s U/17 team at the Netball Australia National Championships. Her leadership skills shone through as she was appointed Vice-Captain, guiding the team to a commendable 5th-place finish. Her impressive form during the tournament caught the eye of national selectors, leading to her inclusion in the U/17 Australian Netball Squad and recognising her potential at the highest level. In early July, Simoné’s sport took her to Canberra, where she joined fellow rising stars at the Australian Institute of Sport for an intensive high-performance training camp. The experience offered a unique chance to learn from elite coaches and train alongside some of the nation’s best young talent. Closer to home, Simoné continues to compete in Queensland’s premier netball competitions, playing in the Ruby division of the HART Sapphire Series in Brisbane. Looking ahead, she’s excited to make her debut in the prestigious Sapphire High Performance Netball League. With her passion, skill and determination, Simoné’s journey in netball is only just beginning and there’s no doubt her name is one we’ll be hearing for years to come.
In the first week of term, our Year 10 students traded textbooks and timetables for real-world workplaces, embarking on a journey that opened their eyes to the many possibilities beyond the school gates. This annual work experience program, delivered by the Fairholme Pathways Centre, offers students the chance to explore industries they’ve long been curious about or discover new passions. During the week, the girls stepped into roles that spanned a fascinating range of professions: from the high-tech world of cybersecurity to the hands-on care of veterinary clinics and physiotherapy practices. Some students experienced the fastpaced environments of surgery centres and radiology clinics, while others found themselves immersed in the precision of equine veterinary services or the creativity of marketing and jewellery design. Careers in education were popular too, with placements at kindergartens and primary schools, and for those drawn to justice, law firms offered an insightful glimpse into the legal world. Many of these choices reflect the Specialist Elective Programs the students are pursuing, including qualifications like the Diploma of Business and Social Media Marketing, Certificate IV in Crime and Justice, Certificate III in Fitness, Certificate III in Early Education and Children’s Services and Certificate II in Animal Care. Our Year 10 students are provided with six hours per fortnight in their timetable to dedicate to completing a Specialist Elective Program, providing real-world experiences that help bring classroom learning to life. Together, these programs and real world experiences help bridge the gap between study and future careers. One of the highlights of the week was the immersive placement for students undertaking the Certificate II and III in Health Services Assistant. These students travelled to the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, where they participated in two transformative days of hands-on learning. Partnering with Mater Education, they stepped into real hospital scenarios, learning about patient care, wound dressing, feeding assistance, vital sign monitoring, and even midwifery. Beyond clinical skills, the girls built invaluable connections with patients, gaining a deep understanding of compassion in healthcare. At Fairholme College, preparing students for life beyond school isn’t just about what happens inside the classroom. Thanks to the dedicated work of our Pathways Centre, initiatives like the Year 10 work experience program ensure that each student steps forward equipped not only with knowledge, but with vision, purpose and real-world insight.
