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…
One of the exciting parts of being Principal at Fairholme College is embracing tradition and innovation in creative tension. In our March 2026 Edition of At Holme and as we reflect on the month just past, this balance has been visible across every corner of school life - reminding us that while our history grounds us, it is our willingness to look forward that enables us to flourish. This theme is especially timely as we continue the development of our next Strategic Plan. The conversations taking place with staff, students, parents and Old Girls have been thoughtful, honest and energising. They reflect a community deeply proud of its heritage, yet equally committed to ensuring that a Fairholme education remains purposeful, courageous and relevant for the young women we serve today - and tomorrow. We look forward to finalising this over the coming term and sharing this with the community in Semester 2. It was with a particular pride that Fairholme was involved recently in the Motherland Conference held here in Toowoomba. This event brought together regional women from across Australia to celebrate motherhood, leadership, enterprise and community and our girls were there too. Fairholme was proud to be a sponsor, and it was deeply affirming to see values so closely aligned with our own: strength, service and a belief in the power of education to shape lives and regions. Supporting initiatives such as Motherland reinforces our commitment to the wider community beyond our school gates – particularly, in the empowerment and support of regional, rural and remote women. Within our own community, we celebrated a remarkable individual achievement with Helen Yong attaining her AmusA Diploma - an extraordinary accomplishment that speaks to discipline, talent and perseverance. It is a powerful reminder that tradition, in the form of rigorous musical excellence, continues to thrive when paired with contemporary opportunities and expert mentoring. Leadership has also been a strong focus this month. Our interviews with the Prefect for Service, Grace Taylor and the Prefect for Ministry, Lira Lerato offer thoughtful insights into what leadership looks like in action - quiet, purposeful and grounded in care for others. Their reflections reminded us that service and faith are not static traditions, but living commitments shaped anew by each generation of students. Challenge and growth were on full display during the recent Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey, where students navigated both literal and metaphorical waters while sailing on Moreton Bay. Confronting unpredictable conditions, teamwork demands and personal limits, our students demonstrated resilience, adaptability and courage. It was lovely to receive an email from the President of the sailing organisation, commending the girls on their composure and positive engagement. Challenges such as these remain a cornerstone of a Fairholme education, blending long held values of character development with experiential, real world learning. Innovation and creativity took centre stage during our annual Melbourne Fashion Festival trip, where students immersed themselves in the dynamic world of fashion week. Exposure to design, industry professionals and creative expression expanded horizons and sparked aspiration. It was heartening to see how confidently our students engaged with contemporary culture while drawing on the strong sense of self, fostered here at Fairholme. Closer to home, the energy and camaraderie of Interhouse Cross Country reminded us that traditions endure because they bring us together. Congratulations to Stephens House for their win in the secondary competition, and at the time of writing, leading the Junior School competition (Prep to Year 2 were still to run!). Spirit Sticks, enjoyment, determination and mutual encouragement were evident at every turn, reinforcing the importance of shared experiences in shaping belonging. This year also marks a significant milestone: 40 years of the Fairholme Equestrian Program. What began as a visionary commitment has grown into a celebrated and well attended feature of our school. Hosting the Fairholme Pittsworth event in April will be a fitting celebration - honouring decades of excellence, partnership and opportunity, while looking ahead to the program’s future. It stands as a powerful example of how tradition, when nurtured and evolved, becomes enduring legacy. Finally, I encourage our community to engage with FACETS , our annual art exhibition – with tickets now available. FACETS showcases the imagination, skill and voice of our community through selected artists, capturing both technical mastery and contemporary expression. It is a visual testament to the dedication of creative spirit thriving within our school. As we move forward, may we continue to honour what has shaped us while boldly embracing what lies ahead - confident that Fairholme’s strength lies in doing both, with purpose and heart.
Inspiring, imaginative and the ultimate celebration of creativity, the 2026 Melbourne Fashion Festival trip was one to remember for our Year 11 and 12 Fashion Students. Across three inspiring days, students immersed themselves in world-class design, bold artistic expression and the evolving future of fashion. Students explored the joyful and imaginative ‘Let’s Party’ exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. Drawing from the gallery’s renowned Fashion & Textiles Collection, the showcase celebrated playful accessories, inventive silhouettes and the expressive power of dressing up. Seeing fashion presented within a fine-art context proved eye-opening. Pieces were bold, theatrical and delightfully unexpected, encouraging students to view clothing not just as garments, but as creative statements. The visit also included a stunning display of works by iconic designer Vivienne Westwood. Her fearless use of colour, texture and form captivated the group, offering a masterclass in how fashion can challenge conventions while remaining unmistakably beautiful. In a powerful celebration of women in the arts, students next explored the dazzling Diva collection at the Australian Museum of Performing Arts. The exhibition featured breathtaking costumes worn by icons including Cher and Cate Blanchett. A tram ride to Lygon Street brought a shift in focus from glamour to responsibility at MIND: The Regenerative Fashion Store, which returned for an exclusive three-day appearance as part of the festival. Beautifully curated and thoughtfully presented, the space encouraged students to reflect on their relationship with clothing and textiles. The visit highlighted an important message that fashion isn’t just about what’s trending on the runway, it’s about responsibility, sustainability and investing in the future. Of course, no Melbourne Fashion Festival experience would be complete without the runway, and our students were treated to some breathtaking productions. Between inspiring exhibitions and runway moments, the experience was rich with creativity, individuality and discovery. The students have returned buzzing with ideas and inspiration, ready to channel what they had seen in their own creative work. Heartfelt thanks go to our Fashion staff for providing such a valuable learning opportunity for our students.
Our Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award girls experienced the true spirit of adventure on board the South Passage Sailing Expedition for their Practice and Qualifying Adventurous Journey. From the moment they stepped aboard, the girls were immersed in life at sea. They quickly developed practical sailing skills, mastering essential sailing knots, learning navigation techniques, and taking part in the daily routines that keep a vessel moving, including hoisting halyards, steering the vessel, and stepping up for night watch duties. Beyond the technical, there were also opportunities to enjoy snorkelling and swimming in beautiful Tangalooma Bay. Designed to be challenging, rigorous and enjoyable, this Adventurous Journey certainly delivered on every level. To their credit, the girls presented with great courage and grace under pressure. Rod Burgess, President of South Passage – Adventure Under Sail, praised the group’s conduct and spirit. ‘Moments like these highlight the value of experiential learning and the purpose of the Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey. Sailing places young people in a dynamic environment where teamwork, communication, problem-solving and resilience are not just concepts but essential life skills. The Fairholme students supported one another, remained composed, and continued to engage positively with the voyage despite the challenging conditions. Please pass on our sincere thanks to the students for the way they conducted themselves on board. They represented Fairholme College exceptionally well, and our crew commented on their positive attitude and willingness to rise to the occasion.’ For the students themselves, the experience left a lasting impression. Year 9 student Emaya Fegan reflected on the journey with gratitude. ‘I just wanted to properly thank you for all that you did for us over the weekend. Although the weather was a bit crazy at times, with the rain and wind, it actually made the experience more exciting and memorable. I really appreciated the time and effort that you put in for us—it made a big difference, especially in those tougher moments. Your support, guidance and willingness to help everyone did not go unnoticed. It truly helped make the whole trip a success.’ Experiences like the South Passage expedition and the Duke of Edinburgh program are a great reminder that learning extends far beyond the classroom. Through challenge and adventure, students discover not only new skills but also their own strength of character. We are incredibly proud of these future leaders and their tremendous effort and contributions throughout the voyage.
