Shooting for big things
February 22, 2022
‘Just show up’ is the philosophy Year 10 Fairholme student, Amy Williams, lives by.
Amy, who has been showing up to netball since she was a 9-year-old playing Net Set Go, has just been named in the Queensland Netball Squad.
“Mum called me when I was at the Sunshine Coast for a State Age netball carnival and she told me to go outside where no one could hear me,” Amy remembers. “She told me I had been invited to train with the Queensland squad and I started bawling! I was so happy.”
As well as making the Queensland Netball Squad, Amy has just made the Panthers team for the first time – the youngest athlete in the line-up. “When I get to play at Nissan Arena in the Panthers dress, it will definitely be surreal. I’ve grown up watching the Panthers play and dreaming of one day being lucky enough to be on their squad.”
But luck doesn’t have anything to do with it; if netball has taught her anything, Amy says it’s about putting in the time, the effort and the hard work - and that training certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted! “Before our first State netball camp in January, we were emailed a conditioning program which consisted of different exercise and lots of runs. I’ve learnt that showing up is the only way to get better, even if it is a slow process. I’ve also learnt that sprints are not my forte!
“A normal training set consists of warm up, some sort of fitness work, footwork, passing, drills, drills and more drills and then game play.”
Being a goal shooter, the training doesn’t stop there. “As part of the conditioning for the goal shooters, after the fitness session we have to put in 20 to 30 shots to get our bodies and minds used to shooting under fatigue. What makes it worthwhile is knowing that I get to train and play alongside some really talented athletes.
“Goal shooter is my favourite position – knowing that when I, or the other shooter gets a shot in, everyone on court lifts and performs to their best ability.”
Netball has always been a big part of Fairholme sporting life, and one which Amy says has taught her about sportsmanship, the power of teamwork and always putting in 100% effort. “Fairholme has given me so many opportunities to play in different teams and competitions and has taught me so many lessons.
“Last year, I had the privilege of playing for the Senior Vicki Wilson 1 team a year early. If I hadn’t started netball at Fairholme and continued playing in the Saturday and Wednesday competitions, I most likely wouldn’t be where I am now.”
Where to from here? “Every little girl playing netball dreams about playing for the Aussie Diamonds, so it would be pretty cool if that could happen for me one day. However, as a starting point, I would love to play in the Suncorp Super Netball competition.”
Until that happens, Amy says she will continue to show up, because that’s what Fairholme netball has taught her.
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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.
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.
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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
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.
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.
