Real men wear pink
August 7, 2023
Our Facilities Team look pretty in pink every Friday - all in the name of a good cause.
Every Friday, amongst a sea of tartan, you might catch a glimpse of hot pink... Our fearless Fairholme Facilities team has decided to don their best pink attire in an act of solidarity and support for a good cause.
Head of Facilities, Shane Tessmer, said the trend started with a few of the team adding a touch of pink to their Friday outfits to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
‘It started as a simple gesture, but the positive response has been overwhelming,’ Shane said. ‘It’s amazing to see how something as small as wearing a pink shirt can bring so much joy and camaraderie and awareness to the workplace.’
Andrew Kajewski, who was also instrumental in spearheading the campaign, believes in the importance of male involvement in such endeavors. ‘Breast cancer affects not just women but families and communities - and other men - as well.
As men, it is our responsibility to support our female colleagues and friends during their battle with this disease. By wearing pink, we want to break down gender barriers and show our commitment to fighting breast cancer together.’
Shane adds: ‘Wearing pink on Fridays is a real conversation starter, and maybe one of these conversations might just save a life.’
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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.
