Trading Places, Sharing Holme
August 1, 2025
We are very excited to be participating in the inaugural international exchange program in collaboration with Toowoomba Grammar School
and Oakham School, a prestigious coeducational day and boarding school located in the picturesque market town of Oakham in the East Midlands, UK.
This exciting initiative sees four Fairholme girls; Georgie Cussons, Claire Longmire, Anna Le Lievre, and Amelia Taylor, graciously hosting students from Oakham School: Iona, Sam, Serafina, and Grace. Over the first six weeks of Term 3, our English friends will immerse themselves in the Fairholme community, experiencing Australian school life, culture, and making friendships here in Toowoomba.
The exchange is more than just a visit - it’s a cultural journey. The Oakham girls are calling the Fairholme Boarding House their ‘Home away from Holme,’ enjoying weekend adventures with their host families, including trips to the iconic beaches of the Gold Coast and checking out what our part of the world has to offer.
Looking ahead to January 2026, the adventure continues as Fairholme students prepare to travel to Oakham School. Georgie Cussons, in Year 9,
shared her excitement: “I grabbed the opportunity when it came up - it’s a trip of a lifetime to go to the UK and experience what life is like on the other side of the world.” Iona Simpson, says that she has really valued joining the Cussons family, and has made friendships with Georgie and her sisters.
“It’s exciting to be here, and experience Fairholme. I especially loved the March Past at Athletics Carnival, I was not expecting the girls to put on such a show!”
This reciprocal exchange is already proving to be a transformative experience for all involved. By trading places, students gain fresh perspectives on education, lifestyle, and community. One thing is clear: for these Year 9 students, this global opportunity is more than just a journey, it’s an unforgettable adventure.
More News…
Our Year 12 Visual Artists achieved outstanding success in the 2025 Creative Generation Excellence Awards and were recognised at the Official Opening of the DDSWQ Regional Exhibition. Congratulations to the girls on their outstanding achievements: > Certificate of Excellence Award – Bron Francis, ‘Choose your path’. Bron’s work will be exhibited at QAGOMA in 2026 as part of the State’s Central Exhibition – an incredible honour! > Regional Encouragement Award – Amelia Bryant-Peterson, ‘Perspectivae Culturales de Morte’ (cultural perspectives about death) > Certificate of Commendation Award – Indianna Hitchcock, ‘Omnia ad Initium Redeunt’ (Everything Returns to the Beginning) > Certificate of Participation Award – Yas Lethbridge, ‘Perceived Façades, Assumed Expectations and Underlying Realities’ This year, from almost 500 submissions across 168 schools in Queensland, only 150 works were shortlisted, with just 40 Excellence winners (including 2 from the DDSWQ region) and 8 Regional Encouragement awardees. The DDSWQ Regional Exhibition is on display at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery until 16 November – we encourage you to visit and view these inspiring works.
It was a huge holiday for our Equestrian State Representatives, who took to the arena at the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships. The team’s hard work and dedication paid off, with Hayley Richter (2nd), Kate Frith (3rd) and Ruby Hooper (3rd) achieving incredible top three placings among the nation’s best young riders. Adding to the excitement, Ruby enjoyed a star-studded moment meeting Olympic Showjumpers Hillary Scott and Vicki Roycroft, along with Olympic Eventers Stuart Tinney and Shane Rose. We’re so proud of all our riders for representing Fairholme with such skill and spirit. Check out the full list of results below. Combined Training Hayley Richter: Secondary CT95cm – 2nd Overall Kate Frith: Secondary CT2* – 3rd Overall Dressage Hayley Richter: Int. Novice 2.2/2.3 – 12th Overall Lucy Doolin: Int. Novice 2.2/2.3 – 14th Overall Bella Ostwald: Sec. Medium 4.2/4.3 – 8th Overall Bella Ostwald: Sec. Advanced 5.2/5.3 – 9th Overall Eventing Jemima Southwood: EV. 95cm – 6th Overall Gracie Bunker: EV. 80cm – 22nd Overall Show Horse Ruby Hooper: Int. Working Hunter 65cm – 3rd Overall Show Jumping Lucy Doolin: Int. 90cm – 5th Overall Hayley Richter: Int. 90cm – 15th Overall Addy Gilbert: Sec. 90cm – 9th Overall Geneva Searle: Sec. 100cm – 5th Overall
It was a special day for our Cadets involved in the Toowoomba Grammar School Cadet Unit Annual March Out Parade. Congratulations to our Year 12 students, Brooke Hurford and Kate Lindenmayer, who were presented with the TGS Parents and Friends’ Service to Cadets Awards. Kate was also awarded the MAJ G.E. Ainsbury Award for Best Senior NCO and the Dickinson Trophy for best shot WTSS, while Brooke received the Patron’s Award for Exceptional Dedication of Service to the Unit. Ruby Lucht (Year 8) received the Ron Culliford Memorial Award for Most Promising First Year Cadet and Year 9 student Kate Carrigan was awarded the WO1 Walter John Davies Memorial Shield for Best Second Year Cadet. Well done girls on these exceptional achievements!
