Reflection

I completed my primary school years through Bourke- Walgett School of Distance Education and I had two older brothers who went to Toowoomba Grammar so growing up I was always set on coming to Fairholme. It came to the point where I actually refused to even look at other schools, and to be honest I have no idea why I was so determined. I didn’t have a sister or a family member that came to Fairholme it was just the place I wanted to go to and that was just that, such an eager 11-year-old. My eldest brother came away to boarding school in 2009, so I’ve been travelling to Toowoomba for many years now and every time I saw a Fairholme Panama or the senior jersey a little more excitement grew inside of me.

Well as I said before 2017 was the start of my journey and the final leg for my parents. I remember waking up the morning of my first day in Term 1. I was so nervous about if my badges were on the right way (I still sometimes have to double check) and whether I was going to scrunch my summer socks or fold them over. Well I folded them, and I have folded them everyday day since then. It was a decision I had to make, and I made it even if I wasn’t sure if was the best way to do it. It would be a similar feeling to how some of you might be feeling right now. You want to make the best decision for you daughters to allow them to have the best opportunities and education. There is always going to be second guessing but eventually you just make the decision, and head ups the decision to choose Fairholme is the right one.

I was keen to come away, but (yes there’s always a but) I would be lying if there weren’t times where I was very homesick. The phone calls to mum where I would cry for her not to hang up. It’s the times like this where even writing this speech I’ve filled with tears. In my younger years the day before driving back each term I would sit with my parents/ brothers and just cry, these were the hard days. But reminiscing on these memories it wasn’t always because I didn’t want to come back, it was that I didn’t want to leave home.

As every time I would walk into my new room and be greeted by all the other girls, there was just an instant smile and reassurance that it was going to be okay. I am now 18 and in year 12 and I must admit I definitely still have these moments. I still sometimes call mum twice a day… or share some tears when saying goodbye but it’s these moments I am surprisingly grateful for. The bond between boarders and their parents grows stronger with every goodbye and the sight of every approved end of term leave request.

My time at Fairholme is something that I will be forever grateful for, the memories and friendships I have made are truly amazing. There is a saying that the little things mean the most in life and being a boarder it’s the little things that have made my last (nearly) 6 years the best with every Friday movie night, Sunday Raw energy walk and Wednesday Milo night.

As I stand here reaching my home stretch for my Fairholme Journey my advice would be to all new parents and to their daughters:

• Have faith (this is something my mum always told me, have faith that that everything will be okay, it always is) 
• Homesickness is normal (it is tough but there is endless support within boarding, it is different for every girl but eventually they will feel at home and you as parents might feel a bit more at ease) 
• Encourage your daughter to try as many things if possible, like sport, music. Having distractions like lessons and trainings really help with homesickness but also to meet new people and form those friendships. 
• Lastly, believe it or not the time truly does fly by, so when possible enjoy every moment, because soon enough your little girl will be in year 12 and getting ready to leave and all they’ll want to do is to stay (it’s funny how things change). 

Before I came, I had never stepped into a classroom, played in a team sport or ever imagined being surrounding by so many amazing friends and teachers, but Fairholme gave me these opportunities. I have no doubt that your daughter will love her boarding experiences like I have. I’m so grateful to be able to call this place my second home and I will honestly miss it when I leave.