Reflection

November 8, 2022

My Name is Katie McGrath and home for me is 900km from Toowoomba. I come from a cattle and sheep station 160km North-West of Bourke in NSW and I started boarding in grade 7 in 2017.

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.

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Toowoomba Eisteddfod Success

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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

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By Sarah Richardson • August 1, 2025
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.

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More News…

Toowoomba Eisteddfod Success

By Sarah Richardson • August 1, 2025
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

Sports Spotlight: Simoné Botha

By Sarah Richardson • August 1, 2025
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.

Beyond the Classroom: Year 10 Work Experience

By Sarah Richardson • August 1, 2025
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.
All News