The First of the Lasts
August 29, 2025
Celebrating 100 days has become a common thing in education, whether it is for the Seniors as the countdown to graduation begins or for a celebration of the first 100 days of Prep.
It was a pleasure as the Head of Senior School to recently mark the 100 day milestone for the Fairholme Seniors, a chance to celebrate, not just for our Year 12 students, but for the families, teachers, and staff who’ve walked beside them.
To me, this celebration signals the first of the lasts. From here, the events, the exams, the farewells, the celebrations come thick and fast. The finish line is in sight, and the last Jump ‘n’ Jive on the oval is fast approaching. However, at Fairholme, I have recently been championing the concept of taking the time to pause and reflect. Trying to view these moments not just as a focus on what’s ahead but savouring what remains. This sense of pause was evident at our recent 100 Days Par-Tea celebration, held in Week 5. This was an opportunity for our Seniors to spend time with their parents.
The event was intentionally low key, a rare and welcome moment of stillness in the busy rhythm of our senior year. There were no speeches to deliver, no performances to perfect, no tasks to tick off. Instead, it was a chance to pause, relax, and simply enjoy each other’s company before the whirlwind of trial exams, external assessments, revision schedules, and future plans begins to take hold.
In a world that often celebrates hustle, today was about presence. Seniors sipped tea, shared laughter, captured memories in photographs, and soaked in the moment. It was a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful celebrations are the quiet ones, the ones that allow us to breathe and be.
For parents, this gathering may be one of the last glimpses of their daughters before the intensity of exams takes over and their next chapter begins. It was a moment to see them not as students preparing for what’s next, but as young women enjoying what is now.
To our Seniors: enjoy the lasts. Now is a time to lean into friendships, embrace the final Fairholme traditions, and take pride in how far you’ve come and remember how you finish may define your place within the Fairholme tapestry.
Laugh a little louder, show up a little prouder, and take it all in. These 100 days are yours (or if we want to be precise... only 20 school days are now left) …. make them unforgettable.
Mr Tom McCormick | Head of Senior School
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This year’s Queensland Debating Union (QDU) Toowoomba Secondary Schools Competition saw Fairholme teams deliver an outstanding season of debating, showcasing sharp thinking, quick wit, and true Fairholme spirit. ‘We have such a wonderful culture of debating at Fairholme, with a great number of students keen to participate every year. The growth I observe in our debaters is extraordinary, from their confidence in speaking, to their exceptional teamwork and critical reasoning when preparing arguments on a wide range of contemporary issues’, says our Debating Co-ordinator, Mrs Kim Scudamore. A special congratulations goes to our Year 7.4 team, who claimed the Grand Final victory against Toowoomba Grammar School. They successfully argued the affirmative on the topic: ‘That we should actively encourage the use of Artificial Intelligence in classrooms.’ Their ability to build persuasive cases and respond confidently to rebuttals was a testament to their hard work and teamwork throughout the season. Our Year 8, Year 10 and Senior teams also impressed, each reaching their respective Grand Finals and finishing as runners-up after tightly contested debates. Their efforts reflected not only strong debating skills but also resilience and camaraderie in high-pressure settings. In total, 16 Fairholme teams competed this season, with 12 teams making it through to the finals. Congratulations to every debater who took part in this year’s competition. The future of debating at Fairholme is certainly in good hands. Fairholme Grand Final Debaters: Team 7.4 - Sophie Cussons, Suzana Yusaf, Abigail Walker, Norah Joseph and Bella Cherry Team 8.2 - Tanishka Chaudhary, Annabelle King, Claire Fischer and Elaine Mutsando Team 10.1 - Sophie Haller, Richa Vimal, Brooke Johnson, Caitlin Schultheiss, Isabella Kentish and Georgia Nicholls Team 12.1 - Ayesha Saleh, Rori Zimmerman, Chanudi Dissanayake and Mabel Galbraith
Year 8 student Ella Phillips has returned holme after an unforgettable tour of the United States, where she proudly represented Australia in the Babe Ruth Softball World Series as part of the Aussie Drop Bears team. Ella’s journey began in Dallas, Texas, before heading to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she participated in a high-level training camp with local college softball coaches. The team also competed in warm-up matches to prepare for the main event in Florence, Alabama. Competing in the Under 14 division, Ella and her Australian team made it all the way to the double elimination final, narrowly missing out on the championship title by just one run in a nail-biting 8 - 9 loss. Despite the result, their second-place finish is a highlight achievement for Ella. Ella’s individual performance was nothing short of outstanding. During the closing ceremony, she was named in the Under 14 All World Series Team and the Under 14 All Defensive Team, a testament to her talent and consistency on the field. She also ranked in the top 10 for both batting and fielding statistics across the entire tournament. Reflecting on her journey, Ella shared that her softball career began humbly at home in Taroom encouraged by her mum and PE teachers to trial for the South West state team. That experience sparked a passion for the sport and she now plays for Dodgers Softball Club in Toowoomba. ‘I’ve been really lucky with the support I’ve had,’ Ella said. ‘The stats don’t say everything, but they’re the best I’ve ever had. I’m really proud of how I played in America.’ Boarding since Year 7, Ella has ambitions to study veterinary science but also has her sights set on a softball career. With aspirations to play in the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, Ella is already planning her next steps, including a trip to Japan in 2026 to further develop her skills.
Preparing the next generation of athletes for success both on and off the field. Fairholme is proud to be part of an exciting new partnership with the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), through their 2032 Brisbane Olympics Student-Athlete Empowerment Project. This forward-thinking initiative aims to educate and support student athletes across all areas of sport, health, and performance. As part of this project, our High Performance Sport athletes and Sport Physiology students are taking part in ‘Girls 2 Win’, a specialised program dedicated to the education and empowerment of young female athletes. Led by UniSQ experts in female health and performance, Girls 2 Win focuses on the unique aspects of female physiology and how these can influence wellbeing and sporting success. Students are gaining vital knowledge about the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception and the ways in which physiology can impact athletic performance. Fairholme’s Head of High Performance, Miss Casey Reynoldson, said the benefits of the program reach far beyond the sporting field. ‘By equipping our Middle and Senior School athletes with tailored strategies and practical tools, the program ensures they are empowered to make informed choices - supporting their health, confidence, and performance in every arena.’ With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon, initiatives like Girls 2 Win play a key role in shaping and inspiring athletes of tomorrow. In addition, our Sport Physiology students are also involved in the UniSQ’s ‘Mind 2 Win’ program. This program explores the crucial role of the mind in health, wellbeing and performance. Through interactive workshops and practical exercises, students are developing key psychological skills such as focus, resilience, self-awareness, and mindset strategies. These tools will help them manage stress, build confidence and perform under pressure, while also supporting their mental health and long-term success. ‘At Fairholme, we are delighted to provide our students with access to world-class education and research in partnership with UniSQ - helping our young athletes take bold steps towards their sporting goals, and perhaps even towards the Olympic stage in 2032.’
