Fairholme in January 2021

January 21, 2021

‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.’  Nelson Mandela

Dear Members of the Fairholme Family


Welcome to a new school year and a fresh start for all. No doubt, this newsletter comes as a relief to some that ‘normal’ life is returning, for others it is more intrusive, marking the end of holiday time or for others it heralds the reality a significant change. We do look forward with optimism towards a challenging and rewarding year of learning, despite the hovering presence of COVID-19.


I particularly welcome all new students and families who are beginning their Fairholme journey. I know that many girls have been preparing for this new chapter in their education with a shifting mixture of excitement and trepidation, as have their parents. We are excited to welcome an influx of students, an influx that means a full boarding house (with a waiting pool of students) and strong day student enrolments across the College. We are hopeful of greater face-to-face opportunities with all this year, albeit with mindfulness about health requirements and expectations, as well as the adaptability to adjust plans if and when it is necessary.


I am conscious that irrespective of whether your child is brand new to school, becoming a boarder for the first time or simply returning to school after holidays, it is important to consider that there is an emotional impact of new beginnings. Major milestones and transitions can bring exhilaration; they can also be challenging or frightening, especially for those who are completely satisfied with their current routines.


How can we best support our children in the midst of all this newness?

  • Speak positively about your child’s school and teachers
  • Help your child visualize her/his new environment
  • Allow your child to keep a transitional object nearby
  • Always say “goodbye”
  • Give it time - be gentle with yourself and allow the entire family some time to adjust. (Vien, L. 2020).


As the beginning of the school year beckons, I ask that you keep a close look at the College web site or phone app (details to follow) for start-up information, or to contact the administration office (07) 4688 4688 should you have any further queries.


Building and Maintenance

As is typical of the holiday period, significant refurbishment and upgrades to buildings and grounds have occurred in readiness for students’ return. Whilst the quality of teaching, learning and pastoral care will always be sited first in our school context, we are also grateful for spaces and areas that enhance learning and living for our students and our staff.


The following areas may directly affect your daughter or you: the Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms have been refurbished and are stunning learning areas for some of our youngest; Ms Catrina Sharp, Deputy Principal and her assistant have relocated to the offices adjacent to the Amy Carson Room; the Long Jump tartan run up has been re-laid and awaits the feet of our keen athletes and there have been numerous occasions of painting, polishing and refurbishing of spaces that have occurred over the break, also. Grateful thanks are extended to our grounds and maintenance staff who have been pivotal in many of these projects, along with attending to their regular maintenance and tending the gardens throughout the holidays.


We anticipate with excitement that mid-2021 will see the beginning of Stage 1 of our Masterplan: the construction of a three-storey administration and classroom building, along with the reconfiguration of our current administration building, as an assembly/chapel/function space.


Congratulations

If you have accessed our website, you may have already noted the strong academic achievements of the senior cohort of 2020. Whilst we will acknowledge these girls more formally at the Commencement Assembly and Induction of Leaders on Thursday 28 January, we express our pride in their accomplishments, as well as appreciation of the work of our teachers and families who have journeyed with these young women. Our 2020 seniors have such diverse and significant opportunities that lie ahead, and we are excited by their promising futures. We have watched the release of university offers with great interest.


Fairholme Communique 2021

Please note that our communiqué with you is predominantly electronic – through the phone app, via the Parent Lounge of MyFairholme, or e-mail. We understand that some boarder families have limited, or intermittent internet access and we will continue to send communication via mail to these families.


For any parents who require hard copy information, we ask that you contact the administration office or Fairholme Communications. To facilitate effective and timely communication, we require each family’s current e-mail address and mobile phone details and for this to be updated with immediacy should a change occur during the school year.


E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 07 4688 4688

All ‘start-up’ school year information is on-line. You can access this through the Parent Lounge, via login at the College web site › Parent Lounge


For those new to the Fairholme family, I trust that you have already loaded our phone app which we utilise to notify you of any urgent information, calendar changes, provide reminders about significant events, or as a quick avenue for notices such as bus return times from excursions, or camps.


Please contact the administration office (07) 4688 4688 if you require assistance with accessing the app.


Health

Those who have been affected directly by border closures and Brisbane’s lockdown will be aware of the speed with which life can be affected by the presence of COVID-19 within the community. For now, that is our collective reality and The College will continue to actively monitor and enact Public Health advice responsively and in accordance with requirements. We will make changes to College routines and practices as required to ensure the health of our community and, at times, this may have to occur quickly and may be disruptive to our plans. Thank you in anticipation of your patience and full support.


We are reminded that the following health practices are a given in our community:

  • Stay home if I’m sick
  • Get tested if I have COVID-19 symptoms and remain in isolation until a negative result is received
  • Maintain physical distance when and where appropriate to do so
  • Clean hands often with soap or sanitiser
  • Cover coughs and sneezes
  • Get the flu shot to help prevent the spread of germs


Online Safety/Family Zone

We continue to work with former staff member and founder of Stymie, Rachel Downie, to enable our students to report concerns they have about their friends and peers. The Stymie platform allows students from Years 5 to 12 to report harm, suspected harm, or any concerning behaviours of their friends and peers: on-line and anonymously. This triggers an email alert for key pastoral staff who then meet with the student of concern, and work with her to address the issues identified, in a manner with which she is most comfortable.


A further part of our approach to address issues of cyber safety has led us to develop a school and parent partnership with Familyzone – Australia’s leading provider of cyber safety and security services to schools and parents. It is a cyber-safety solution that protects children on the internet wherever they are; at home, at school, and everywhere in between. As parents you are able to manage your child/ren’s online activity, with ongoing support from a team of leading cyber experts.


The Familyzone app is installed on all College laptops, and this enables the College to monitor use of technology whenever students are logged in to the school network.


At any point if you need further assistance, you can contact the Family Zone Support Team on 1300 398 326 to access information about installation or with any questions you may have.


Head of Information and Communication Technology, Mr Chau Chuc will work through the app with new Boarder families on 27 January and is available to talk through its applications to any day parents.


Staffing Matters

We warmly welcome our twenty new staff members who will be working across the campus in a range of roles, as well as current staff who are moving into new roles for 2021. The number of new staff reflects retirements that occurred at the end of last year as well as growth that has occurred through our strong enrolments.


Senior Leaders 2021

We look forward to supporting our Year 12 cohort as they step up to the challenge of leading Fairholme College throughout 2021. We are excited about the abilities and enthusiasm they bring to this important a role and look forward to acknowledging each member of the senior cohort at the Senior Commencement Assembly.


This occasion is a celebration of the commencement of our school year. It also acknowledges our 2020 cohort, Senior School academic award winners for Semester Two 2020 and, particularly, it welcomes our Senior leaders for 2021.


All Year 12 parents are welcome and encouraged to celebrate this important milestone and, as always, we enjoy the opportunity to celebrate with you. Current restrictions enable two family members per Year 12 student to attend. No RSVP is required for your Year 12 daughter. Our plan is to host morning tea afterwards, should restrictions permit this at that time; currently they do not. If this becomes possible, we will let families know.


* We will be streaming the Assembly and further details will be sent via communications, closer to the event. Please use Fairholme Connect Events › to RSVP for two family members per Year 12 student.


We are delighted to welcome back Tatum Stewart (Senior 2019) as our guest speaker.


We also congratulate our Prefects and Captains for the year; their names, along with those of the Middle School Leaders are available: 2021 Middle & Senior School Leaders ›


Finally…

As we look forward to a promising and enriching 2021, I hope that you are able to engage in the school community throughout the year, including those scheduled in the near future. Any changes that may need to occur because of the impact of COVID-19 will be communicated with as much notice as is possible. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.


Kind regards

Dr Linda Evans │ Principal

More ‘In Principal’

In Principal: Belonging in our Community

By Sarah Richardson • October 30, 2025
As we approach the final weeks of the 2025 school year, I find myself reflecting on the strength and spirit of our school community – one that continues to be shaped by the values of faith, respect, joy, collaboration and excellence. These are not just words we teach in classrooms; they are lived experiences, woven into the fabric of our school culture and reflected in the actions of our students, staff and families. This past month has been a powerful reminder of what is means to belong to a community that values both tradition and progress. Our annual Presenting Fairholme was a celebration of academic excellence, leadership and service. It was heartening to see so many families gathered to honour the achievements of our students and to hear from our special guest speaker Tarryn Sorour (OG 2020), who reminded us of the importance of purpose and resilience in all that we do. Equally inspiring was our 2026 Leaders Induction, where we welcomed our new cohort of student leaders, led by Bronte Callachor, Miranda Mann and Alexandra Edwards. These young women have already demonstrated a deep commitment to their peers and to the broader school community. Their willingness to serve, to listen and to lead with empathy fills me with great confidence in the future of this beautiful College. Another highlight was our Spring Fair, complete with Fashion Parade, and held under clear blue skies and the gentle warmth of early spring. The wonderful weather seemed to mirror the joy and connection felt by all who attended. Families, students, staff and members of the wider community came together in a celebration that truly embodied our country values – hospitality, togetherness and appreciation for the simple pleasures of life. A particularly special part of the day was welcoming back our Old Girls, whose reunions added a rich l ayer of history and belonging to the event. After catching up with some from the class of 1995 in our beautifully refurbished FOGA Foyer, their stories, laughter and continued connection to the school reminded me that community is not just about the present – it is about honouring the past and nurturing lifelong ties. From the vibrant stalls and student performances to the shared moments over homemade treats, the day was a vivid reminder of the strength of our community and importance of nurturing relationships. It was more than just a school event – it was a reflection of who we are and the values for which we stand. In the spirit of recognising excellence, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the outstanding student achievements, discussed further in this edition: The Fairholme Equestrian team’s hard work and dedication paid off with three of our riders achieving top three placings among the nation’s best young riders at the Interschool Equestrian Championships. Numerous other accolades were achieved from our incredible equestriennes. Our Visual Arts students continue to impress, with three of our young ladies receiving awards for the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art program. Bron Francis will have her work displayed in the Gallery of Modern Art as part of a statewide exhibit, after winning an Excellence Award. Rory Zimmerman completing a significant milestone in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, demonstrating perseverance and leadership through adventurous journeys and community service. Mia Hall, Helen Young and Abigail Walker have received a bursary from the Empire Theatre, recognising their talent and dedication to the performing arts. And in a remarkable achievement, Mackenzi Schefe travelled to the USA with Sports Travel Australia to compete in multiple Cross-Country races. These accomplishments are not just personal triumphs – they are reflections of the values we hold dear. They show us what is possible when young people are supported by a community that believes in them. Looking ahead, we remain focused on nurturing a culture where every student feels seen, heard and valued. As our Seniors prepare and engage in their external exams, we are reminded that academic success is just one part of a much broader journey. Education, at its heart, is about building character, fostering curiosity and preparing young people to contribute meaningfully to the world around them. While we support our student in achieving their best academically, we also continue to prioritise their wellbeing, personal growth and sense of purpose – ensuring they leave our school not only well-educated, but well prepared for life. Dr Leigh Hobart | Principal

Rising Above and Reaching Beyond

By Sarah Richardson • September 26, 2025
‘Young women can lead boldly, speak clearly and act decisively, and in doing so, lift others, not diminish them...’ - Dr Leigh Hobart Leadership is not just a title – it is a mindset, a commitment and a daily practice. How can I leave the world a better place? At Fairholme, we see leadership in motion every day – in the quiet moments of courage, the thoughtful decisions made with integrity and the acts of kindness that ripple through our community. It is happening in classrooms, on sporting fields, in boarding houses and in the hearts of students and staff who choose to lead with purpose. This term, we are proud to welcome our new leaders: Head Girl - Bronte Callachor; Head Day Girl - Alexandra Edwards; and Head Boarder – Miranda Mann. These young women have already shown a deep commitment to our values and a readiness to serve. Their leadership journeys are just beginning, but they are already inspiring others through their authenticity, resilience and vision. “Empowered and strengthened by female leadership…[which is] a seat at the table…kind and courageous” – Bronte Callachor. “Nothing great is ever achieved alone.” – Alexandra Edwards. “It is important to bring a sense of connection and belonging.” – Miranda Mann. Their appointments follow in the footsteps of our current Head Girls – Gracie Mack, Lucy Kilner and Katie Seaby – who have led with grace, strength and a deep sense of responsibility. Whether representing our school publicly or supporting their peers behind the scenes, they have demonstrated what it means to lead with heart and humility. Their legacy is one of kindness, courage and unwavering commitment to others. At the heart of our leadership culture is a belief that leadership is about lifting others. It’s about listening, supporting and creating space for others to thrive. Our student leaders understand that true influence comes not from authority, but from connection and service – through actions that build trust and strengthen our community. To further support and encourage leadership potential, we are excited to announce the launch of our Emerging Leaders Scholarship . This initiative is designed to recognise and nurture students who demonstrate early leadership promise – those who show initiative, empathy and a desire to make a positive impact through service. The scholarship will provide mentoring opportunities, leadership development experiences and financial support to help these students to grow into confident, capable leaders. Leadership is also thriving among our staff. This term, Mrs Pam Stains and Mrs Cath Butler have presented at the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools conference in New Zealand, sharing our work on relational pedagogy – a teaching philosophy that places relationships at the heart of learning. Their presentation showed Fairholme’s twenty year journey of building trust, empathy and connection shapes not only academic outcomes but the emotional wellbeing of students and others. It’s a powerful reminder that leadership in education is about curriculum founded in care. In Australia, leadership – especially for women – can sometimes be met with hesitation or criticism. The “tall poppy syndrome,” where individuals are cut down for standing out or striving for excellence, remains a cultural challenge. But our student leaders are rising above it. They are showing that ambition, confidence and compassion are not mutually exclusive. They are proving that young women can lead boldly, speak clearly and act decisively – and that doing so lifts others, not diminishes them. This matters more than ever. According to the Australian Workplace Gender Equality Agency (2025), women hold just 21.9% of CEO roles and have a 21.8% gender pay gap in the private sector. By empowering young women to lead now, we are helping to shift those statistics for the future. Our Head Girls are not just leading – they are role modelling what is possible. Leadership is not always easy. It often requires making tough decisions, standing firm in values, and choosing kindness even when it is not the easiest path. But it is in these moments that true leadership is revealed – not in titles, but in actions. We see it in the student who speaks up for a peer. In the teacher who adapts a lesson to meet every learner. In the boarder who comforts a homesick friend. These everyday acts of leadership shape our culture and strengthen our community. As we celebrate our new student leaders and honour those who have come before them, we also affirm our commitment to nurturing leadership in all its forms. We encourage our students to step forward, speak up and lead with courage. We challenge the norms that say leadership must look a certain way and instead embrace the diversity of voices, experiences and strengths that make our school vibrant. Leadership is happening all around us. Let us continue to notice it, nurture it and celebrate it. Dr Leigh Hobart | Principal

The Pursuit of Excellence - One Step at a Time

By Sarah Richardson • August 29, 2025
‘Excellence is not about perfection or about being the very best in every field. Rather, it is about improvement – about growing steadily, intentionally and purposefully’ - Dr Leigh Hobart As the seasons turn and students move from winter to summer uniforms, we are reminded of the value or presentation and pride. Wearing our uniform well is not a trivial detail; it is a daily act of discipline, a small expression of excellence. Excellence, after all, is not a singe event or an isolated triumph, but the cumulative result of consistent, deliberate choices made day by day. At Fairholme, we speak often of striving for excellence. But what does that really mean? Excellence is not about perfection or about being the very best in every field. Rather, it is about improvement – about growing steadily, intentionally and purposefully. Sir Dave Brailsford, former Performance Director of British Cycling, captured this idea with his philosophy of ‘marginal gains’. He believed that if you could improve every area of performance by just 1%, those small gains would compound into remarkable results. His athletes focused not only on cycling technique and training but also on sleep, nutrition, recovery, equipment, and even how they washed their hands to avoid illness. Over time, those tiny improvements led to extraordinary success: Olympic medals and Tour de France victories. The beauty of this principle is that it applies far beyond elite sport. It is just as relevant to the classroom, the stage, the debating chamber, or even the way we wear our uniforms each day. A single day’s improvement might feel minor – a more carefully written essay, a sharper argument in debate, a deeper effort at training, or the decision to present oneself neatly and proudly. But over weeks, terms and years, those daily gains accumulate into excellence. In recent weeks, we have seen countless examples of this pursuit across our College. Our Year 12s celebrating their final 100 days of school, stands as living proof of the growth that steady, disciplined effort produces over time. Achievements on the sporting field – from Ella’s softball prowess representing the Green and Gold in the USA to the successes of our High Performance Sports Program – remind us that resilience and incremental improvement are the hallmarks of true performance. Our Year 7 Debating team’s grand final victory, the continued expansion of robotics as an offering, to the creativity on display for our Grandparents and visitors during Book Week, all show the same truth; excellence is built through persistence, preparation and the willingness to keep improving. The trophies and accolades are important, but the deeper value lies in the habits that made them possible. This is why I return to Brailsford’s lesson. Excellence is not reserved for the few with exceptional gifts. It is within reach of every student, in every classroom, on every field, in every rehearsal. The challenge – and the opportunity – is to make a conscious choice each day to improve, even in a small way. As parents, educators and supporters, we can help by affirming effort as much as outcome, and by modelling the pursuit of excellence in our own lives. If our young women can learn that excellence comes not from grand gestures but from steady, incremental improvement, they will be equipped for success well beyond their school years. So, as we step into the new season of Spring, may we each commit to the pursuit of excellence in our own way. Let us honour our achievements while remembering that excellence is not a moment, but a mindset. Excellence begins with the small things. It is in how we learn, how we play, how we create, how we present ourselves and how we treat others. Let us encourage our young women to keep building the daily habits that, compounded over time, will lead them to extraordinary futures. Dr Leigh Hobart | Principal
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More News…

Creative Generation Excellence Awards 2025

By Sarah Richardson • October 31, 2025
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.

Equestrian Success: Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships

By Sarah Richardson • October 31, 2025
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 

Cadet Annual March Out Parade

By Sarah Richardson • October 31, 2025
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!
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