Learning to Give
November 30, 2021
“Nothing costs so little, goes so far, and accomplishes so much as a single act of merciful service.” Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Throughout Term 3 and 4, our Year 11 students were challenged to find time within their full schedules to give back to their community through an act of service.
Some girls coached a sporting team or took photos at a charity ball, often offering more than just four hours. Others knitted gloves or baked for the homeless, walked their neighbours’ dog or gave up their holiday time to assist at Sony Camp.
For Ally Thompson, sewing headscarves for local cancer patients was a commitment that was very close to her heart.
“Cancer has had a huge impact on my family, and when I saw how that affects someone’s life, I wanted to give back,” she said.
Ally’s aunt was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and, through treatment, lost all her hair. She says seeing the change in her aunt’s outlook on life when she would get a new wig or cap was extraordinary.
“I wanted to create some normality for other cancer patients.
“It is always something people say they want to do but quite often never get the opportunity to; we were lucky we were given all the support and guidance to carry out the small service.”
Alongside their mentor, Ally and Ruby Wilkes presented over 20 scarves to St Andrews Hospital, and patient Jennifer Hall is already the proud owner.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness and community spirit. Through your act of service, you will brighten the lives of so many people,” Mrs Hall said.
Head of Ministry and Mission, Catherine Butler, says, she hopes future graduates of Fairholme College will keep using the skills they learn.
“Too often, we think that ‘service’ is hard, should take a lot of time, or be an organised project. However, seeing the wide variety of service projects girls chose to engage in reinforced the idea that serving others can be about using our skills to do things that we enjoy and which can be incorporated into our everyday lives,” Ms Butler said.
Other students reflections:
Ruby Wright [Assisting with Activities at an Aged Care Home]
“From this experience, I have learnt patience, gratitude and respect for the aged care workers who do this every day. I am thankful I experienced this opportunity as it has opened my eyes to new possibilities of something I might like to do more of further on in the future.”
Katie McGrath [Fairholme Kindy]
“When I was helping at the Kindy, it was nice just to enjoy the present as none of the kids had phones or talked about social media or the problems in the world. They were just happy to be with those around them.”
Cosme McPhie [Knitting gloves/mittens]
“It made me feel very grateful for things I take for granted, like having warm clothes in Winter.”
Kasey Smith [Cleaning at the local Palliative Care Unit]
“I have learnt that devoting my time means a lot to those in need and the ladies that run it. I value that doing something without a reward is rewarding within itself.”
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.
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.
