Performance in Every Arena
August 29, 2025
Preparing the next generation of athletes for success both on and off the field.
Fairholme is proud to be part of an exciting new partnership with the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), through their 2032 Brisbane Olympics Student-Athlete Empowerment Project.
This forward-thinking initiative aims to educate and support student athletes across all areas of sport, health, and performance. As part of this project, our High Performance Sport athletes and Sport Physiology students are taking part in ‘Girls 2 Win’, a specialised program dedicated to the education and empowerment of young female athletes.
Led by UniSQ experts in female health and performance, Girls 2 Win focuses on the unique aspects of female physiology and how these can influence wellbeing and sporting success. Students are gaining vital knowledge about the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and the ways in which physiology can impact athletic performance.
Fairholme’s Head of High Performance, Miss Casey Reynoldson, said the benefits of the program reach far beyond the sporting field.
‘By equipping our Middle and Senior School athletes with tailored strategies and practical tools, the program ensures they are empowered to make informed choices - supporting their health, confidence, and performance in every arena.’
With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, initiatives like Girls 2 Win play a key role in shaping and inspiring athletes of tomorrow.
In addition, our Sport Physiology students are also involved in the UniSQ’s ‘Mind 2 Win’ program. This program explores the crucial role of the mind in health, wellbeing and performance.
Through interactive workshops and practical exercises, students are developing key psychological skills such as focus, resilience, self-awareness, and mindset strategies.
These tools will help them manage stress, build confidence and perform under pressure, while also supporting their mental health and long-term success.
‘At Fairholme, we are delighted to provide our students with access to world-class education and research in partnership with UniSQ - helping our young athletes take bold steps towards their sporting goals, and perhaps even towards the Olympic stage in 2032.’
More News…
This year’s Queensland Debating Union (QDU) Toowoomba Secondary Schools Competition saw Fairholme teams deliver an outstanding season of debating, showcasing sharp thinking, quick wit, and true Fairholme spirit. ‘We have such a wonderful culture of debating at Fairholme, with a great number of students keen to participate every year. The growth I observe in our debaters is extraordinary, from their confidence in speaking, to their exceptional teamwork and critical reasoning when preparing arguments on a wide range of contemporary issues’, says our Debating Co-ordinator, Mrs Kim Scudamore. A special congratulations goes to our Year 7.4 team, who claimed the Grand Final victory against Toowoomba Grammar School. They successfully argued the affirmative on the topic: ‘That we should actively encourage the use of Artificial Intelligence in classrooms.’ Their ability to build persuasive cases and respond confidently to rebuttals was a testament to their hard work and teamwork throughout the season. Our Year 8, Year 10 and Senior teams also impressed, each reaching their respective Grand Finals and finishing as runners-up after tightly contested debates. Their efforts reflected not only strong debating skills but also resilience and camaraderie in high-pressure settings. In total, 16 Fairholme teams competed this season, with 12 teams making it through to the finals. Congratulations to every debater who took part in this year’s competition. The future of debating at Fairholme is certainly in good hands. Fairholme Grand Final Debaters: Team 7.4 - Sophie Cussons, Suzana Yusaf, Abigail Walker, Norah Joseph and Bella Cherry Team 8.2 - Tanishka Chaudhary, Annabelle King, Claire Fischer and Elaine Mutsando Team 10.1 - Sophie Haller, Richa Vimal, Brooke Johnson, Caitlin Schultheiss, Isabella Kentish and Georgia Nicholls Team 12.1 - Ayesha Saleh, Rori Zimmerman, Chanudi Dissanayake and Mabel Galbraith
Year 8 student Ella Phillips has returned holme after an unforgettable tour of the United States, where she proudly represented Australia in the Babe Ruth Softball World Series as part of the Aussie Drop Bears team. Ella’s journey began in Dallas, Texas, before heading to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she participated in a high-level training camp with local college softball coaches. The team also competed in warm-up matches to prepare for the main event in Florence, Alabama. Competing in the Under 14 division, Ella and her Australian team made it all the way to the double elimination final, narrowly missing out on the championship title by just one run in a nail-biting 8 - 9 loss. Despite the result, their second-place finish is a highlight achievement for Ella. Ella’s individual performance was nothing short of outstanding. During the closing ceremony, she was named in the Under 14 All World Series Team and the Under 14 All Defensive Team, a testament to her talent and consistency on the field. She also ranked in the top 10 for both batting and fielding statistics across the entire tournament. Reflecting on her journey, Ella shared that her softball career began humbly at home in Taroom encouraged by her mum and PE teachers to trial for the South West state team. That experience sparked a passion for the sport and she now plays for Dodgers Softball Club in Toowoomba. ‘I’ve been really lucky with the support I’ve had,’ Ella said. ‘The stats don’t say everything, but they’re the best I’ve ever had. I’m really proud of how I played in America.’ Boarding since Year 7, Ella has ambitions to study veterinary science but also has her sights set on a softball career. With aspirations to play in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, Ella is already planning her next steps, including a trip to Japan in 2026 to further develop her skills.
Interact President, Lanu Faletau, and Vice President, Chanudi Dissanayake, welcome the 2026 committee. As Fairholme’s Interact Club prepares to welcome a new committee, President Lanu Faletau and Vice-President Chanudi Dissanayake reflect on a year filled with teamwork, service, and creativity. Their leadership has seen the group thrive, continuing a legacy of giving back while leaving their own unique mark on the College community. For Lanu, the inspiration to join Interact came from watching the previous committee lead the powerful Shave for a Cure campaign. ‘The work of the previous grade was really inspiring,’ she said. Chanudi’s motivation was sparked through her experiences volunteering in Middle School. ‘It doesn’t take much to make a difference,’ she shared. ‘I thought Interact would be a great opportunit y to continue that. It’s really fun too and I have a very competitive nature. Every single year I just want to top and do better than last year.’ That spirit of striving and service has been reflected in the projects Interact has delivered this year. Both leaders recall Shave for a Cure as a standout, but there have been many other highlights. Lanu described the joy of planning their first social. ‘It was our first project and it was really fun.’ The team also took over the Share the Dignity campaign from the previous committee and introduced creative new initiatives, such as Flanny Pants Friday, inspired by their experience at the State Interact Conference. ‘Meeting other people and hearing what other school groups were doing in their own communities gave us lots of ideas,’ Lanu explained. Beyond the events themselves, both leaders emphasised the teamwork and friendships that shaped the year. ‘Working together so closely on the team has been a real highlight,’ said Chanudi. ‘At different times people had a lot going on, and others would step up. I’ve become closer friends with everyone through that.’ Lanu agreed, ‘Everyone has such different visions and ideas, and when we all come together, we’ve made it our own.’ Looking back, they also hope to inspire others to take up the challenge. ‘The whole idea of Interact and applying to be on the committee is often quite foreign to a lot of girls,’ said Chanudi. ‘We’ve tried to be very visible and reach out to the younger grades. Year 12 can be a lot but being part of Interact is the perfect balance – having fun, giving back, being creative and working on your teamwork skills.’ Lanu’s advice to our younger girls is simple, ‘If you’re considering it, just go for it. You’re not going to regret being part of it. It’s a great opportunity to expand your character.’ As their time at the helm comes to a close, one thing is clear, the 2025 Interact leaders have not only carried forward the spirit of service at Fairholme but have also grown as individuals through the experience.
