A New Beginning
August 1, 2025
‘Your daughters are not just participants in the Fairholme story – they are its authors. As they learn, lead, stumble and soar, they bring to life the values that underpin our College: Christ-centred faith, collaboration, respect, enjoyment and the pursuit of excellence.’
It is both an honour and privilege to write to you in my first formal newsletter as the 15th Principal of Fairholme College after the induction ceremony earlier this week. While I have already enjoyed a term within this vibrant and welcoming community, this moment still marks a new beginning – not only for me, but for Fairholme, and for the journey we now take together.
And yet, as with all new beginnings, this moment is shaped and strengthened by what has come before – by the faith and vision of our founders, by the commitment of my predecessors, by the unwavering trust of our families, and by the many young women who have called Fairholme home over generations. More than anything, I want to acknowledge the young women of Fairholme. Because your daughters are the reason we are here. Their energy, insight, curiosity, laughter and growth – these are the heartbeat of our College. Every day, they remind us why our work matters. Every day they challenge us to lead with purpose, to teach with integrity and to shape a learning culture grounded in care and high expectation.
Your daughters are not just participants in the Fairholme story – they are its authors. As they learn, lead, stumble and soar, they bring to life the values that underpin our College: Christcentred faith, collaboration, respect, enjoyment and the pursuit of excellence.
I want to pause here, in particular, on the value of excellence. At Fairholme, we understand excellence not as perfection or external accolades, but as the ongoing commitment to growth, effort and wholehearted participation. It is about doing our best with the gifts we have been given – in the classroom, on the field, in music ensembles, through service and in relationships with one another.
This edition of At Holme is filled with examples of students doing just that. From Alexandra Edwards excelling in orienteering to Mariam Nabizada who has acted in service and stepped forward to represent their peers in Youth Parliament. Each of these achievements reflects a deep commitment to excellence and to personal growth. I congratulate each student involved and celebrate what their accomplishments say about our community’s shared vision. What makes these moments even more meaningful is that they don’t happen in isolation. One of the most powerful things we witness at Fairholme is the joy that comes when girls find their kindred spirits – those who share their passions, encourage
their development, and offer the kind of friendship that brings out their best. Whether it’s in the science lab, the boarding house, the chapel, or the choir room, your daughters are discovering the transformative power of belonging and striving to be better.
A visiting educator recently captured this beautifully after the induction ceremony where the boys from Brisbane Boys’ College sang alongside our own amazing choir: ‘Finding kindred spirits is a fantastic thing…I met a lovely young woman…who sang a William Byrd motet with bright
and engaged friends next to her, in a culture of beauty, support, bravery and optimism…the strands of time and place came together in a bright flash of human flourishing and furtherment. That’s core business in my view.’ That is our core business – not only providing an excellent
education but nurturing the whole experience of each girl.
We are deeply committed to shaping women of wisdom, strength and compassion who will be ready to lead, serve and contribute meaningfully to the world beyond Fairholme. The verse chosen for our recent induction service speaks directly to that hope:
“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.” - Proverbs 3:13
True wisdom is more than knowledge. It is compassion in action, it is leadership grounded in humility, and it is the courage to listen and respond with grace. These are the qualities we aim to nurture in your daughters – and in ourselves.
It is a joy to see that growth in action. Whether it is a prep student offering high fives at the front gate, or senior students leading younger students with quiet confidence and care. It is in the joy of a performance, the grit of training, the curiosity in solving a problem, or the resilience shown in difficult moments. These are enduring, formative experience – the kind that shape character, strengthen purpose and prepare young women for lives of meaning and impact.
Thank you, parents, for your trust, your partnership, and your confidence in our care. The privilege of educating your daughters is not lost on us. It is a sacred responsibility and a joyful one.
As part of the induction service, I committed to continuing the legacy of strong leadership that began with Margaret Cameron and Miss Amy Carson and has been shaped by many since. Together with staff, students, and families, I look forward to building upon the strengths of Fairholme while embracing opportunities for innovation, connection and growth.
Fairholme is a school with heart – one that beats with faith, hope and love. As we look to the future, I do so with great confidence. Not because the path will always be easy, but because I know we will walk it together.
May we continue to seek wisdom.
May we deepen our understanding.
And may we – as a Fairholme family – be richly blessed.
Dr Leigh Hobart | Principal
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!
