Shooting for the Stars
May 31, 2022
Fairholme student, Caitlin Gray’s 2022 pistol shooting competition has started off with a bang. The Year 11 student recently represented Queensland at the ISSF National Junior Championships in Melbourne, where she placed in the top ten in three different matches.
“The experience was fantastic. It’s motivated me to keep working hard at my training, as I really want to make the Queensland team again next year and compete at Nationals in Darwin.” Caitlin said.
At the age of 12, Caitlin started taking part in shooting competitions and credits her family with being highly supportive and encouraging her to participate in the sport.
“It’s a rare sport where men, women, and children (over the age of 12) can all compete together in the same matches on an equal footing, so for me it’s a real family affair.”
The 16-year old says her coach, a former Olympian, Dina Aspandiyarova, is her biggest inspiration.
“She understands the nerves of competing and has had years of experience. Dina is always shedding new light on innovative training ideas, which helps me stay committed.”
Despite her calm exterior and previous competition experience, Caitlin says that it is natural for her to still feel nervous during the shoot.
“I just take a couple of minutes to slow myself down during a match. In pistol shooting you need to remain calm, have a steady arm, so just taking a few minutes to take some deep breaths always help me feel comfortable.”
When you think of pre-match rituals for a shooter, you’d imagine matching socks but apparently, it’s the humble old banana that helps hold a steady hand.
“Like many shooters, I have recently adopted eating a banana before matches as my ritual, as it can help with mental fatigue.
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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.
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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.
