Meet 2026 Prefect for The Arts: Claire Murphy
March 4, 2026
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?
More News…
Fairholme College is delighted to welcome Mr Mitch Koina as our new Coordinator of High Performance Coaching. Bringing more than a decade of experience across diverse educational settings, Mitch joins the community with a strong commitment to student wellbeing, participation, and performance. ‘This is my 12th year of teaching,’ Mitch shares. ‘I’ve done a range of different contexts now, I did two years down at Lockyer District High School, I then spent six years at St Mary’s College before moving to St Josephs, where I’ve been for the last three years. Now obviously I’ve made my way over to Fairholme which I’m really excited about.’ It was both the College’s reputation and the scope of the role that drew Mitch to Fairholme. ‘Fairholme is a very prestigious college, it’s got a great name and reputation,’ he said. ‘The role itself is really exciting for me. I’ve got a passion for fitness and particularly looking after the wellbeing of young girls, whether that be on the sporting field or with their social aspect, academics, just all round developing good girls on and off the court.’ A strong advocate for pastoral care, Mitch brings valuable leadership experience to the position. ‘I did a Head of House role at St Mary’s for three and a half years, so pastoral care has always been my calling so it’s great to tie in the sporting aspect as well as wellbeing,’ he explained. His philosophy centres on the connection between student wellbeing and performance. ‘It’s all dependant on each other. If we’ve got girls who are happy and their wellbeing is flourishing, then they are doing well on the sporting field and vice versa too.’ Looking ahead, Mitch is focused on building both excellence and enjoyment within the program. ‘I would love to get participation rates very high. We have a lot of elite athletes here that I want to achieve and do really well, but I also want to work on girls enjoying their training, coming in and having a nice vibe around the sporting field and the training.’ Importantly, Mitch emphasises that success looks different for every student. ‘We’re not all Australian representatives, but if girls are working really hard and achieving to the best of their potential, whatever level that may be in the sporting arena, I think that’s a program we can be very proud of.’ As he begins his journey at Fairholme, Mitch is eager to connect with the community. ‘I’m really excited to be a part of Fairholme, it is a great opportunity. The staff and the students have been fantastic to me so far, but as the weeks go on, I’m really looking forward to getting to know the girls and building some relationships from there.’ We warmly welcome Mitch to Fairholme and look forward to the energy, care, and expertise he will bring to our High Performance Sports program.
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.
Year 12 student, Mariam Nabizada, is a young woman whose leadership, compassion and commitment to advocacy are already creating meaningful change. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the community, Mariam Nabizada was named the 2026 Toowoomba Young Citizen of the Year, an honour presented at the Australia Day Awards ceremony held at Picnic Point. This award acknowledges Mariam’s tireless advocacy for young people, her leadership with Toowoomba Regional Council, and her work co-founding the Maryam Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable families and refugee communities. It is recognition not just for one achievement, but of a wide-ranging commitment to empowering others and using her voice to drive positive change. Among Mariam’s many recent accomplishments is her selection as the Queensland winner of the Country to Canberra Leadership Competition at the end of 2025. As the state winner, Mariam travelled to Canberra to participate in a highly regarded leadership workshop and networking program designed to develop the next generation of leaders. ‘I entered to amplify the voices of regional and multicultural young women. As a youth advocate from Toowoomba, I’m passionate about using leadership to create change. This program provided a chance to connect, grow, and bring new perspectives back to my community.’ Over the summer holidays, Mariam’s learning continued when she attended the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra. This immersive experience allowed her to participate in hands-on science activities, engage with experts in the field, and explore science as a potential career pathway. An experience that aligns closely with her future aspirations. Mariam currently serves as a youth leader with Toowoomba Regional Council and is a YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament member for Toowoomba North, where she advocates for issues affecting young people and contributes to discussions around policy and social change. These roles have strengthened her ability to represent youth voices at decision-making tables and reinforced her passion for civic leadership. At the heart of Mariam’s advocacy work is the Maryam Foundation, which she co-founded to provide essential support to vulnerable families and refugees. One of the foundation’s initiatives, Bags for Change, focuses on raising funds through a GoFundMe campaign to supply newly arrived refugee and migrant families with bags containing lunchboxes and essential school items for their children. ‘It would be incredibly stressful coming to a new country without knowing what materials your children need for school,’ Mariam explains. ‘This is a way of welcoming families and making that transition a little easier.’ Mariam has also participated in the AFS Intercultural Online Exchange Program, broadening her global perspective and deepening her commitment to cross-cultural understanding. Through this program, she hopes to have the opportunity to travel to Switzerland in August to attend the National Youth Assembly, further expanding her international advocacy experience. Looking ahead, Mariam will soon attend the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) Youth Summit, an annual event designed to amplify the voices of young people. At the summit, Mariam will present her advocacy work on stage to an audience of policy- and decision-makers, sharing ideas for positive change aimed at improving the lives of children, young people, families and communities. Adding to an already impressive list of achievements, Mariam was recently awarded Lions Youth of the Year for the Wilsonton Club and will progress to the r egional competition in March, which includes both an interview and a formal speech. Despite her many accomplishments, Mariam remains firmly focused on the future. ‘My goal is to go into the medical field and use my skills to help others,’ she says, ‘while continuing to grow my foundation to support youth and refugee communities. I hope to make a positive impact through both healthcare and community leadership.’ Mariam Nabizada’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact one determined young person can make. Through leadership, empathy and a deep commitment to service, she is not only shaping her own future, but also helping to shape a more inclusive, compassionate community for all.
