Rising Above and Reaching Beyond

‘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