The Pursuit of Excellence - One Step at a Time
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
More News…
It has been nothing short of extraordinary, a testament to the dedication of our students, staff and families who make our school such a vibrant and inspiring place to learn and grow. There are many memories from this term in my first year that will linger for a time to come. The Year 6 Graduation was a beautiful celebration of our Junior School girls stepping confidently into the next chapter of their educational journey. Their music and presentation reflected maturity beyond their years and their enthusiasm about what is to come was infectious. Similarly, the Junior School Presentation Assembly showcased the incredible talent and effort of younger students. These awards remind us that success comes in many forms. At the other end of the spectrum, our Year 12 external exams ended with our glorious Valedictory dinner and assembly honouring the graduating class of 2025. These young women have left an indelible and positive mark on our school. Their leadership and camaraderie went beyond being known as our 100%ers and we know they will continue to shine brightly in their chosen paths. Beyond the classroom, our students have embraced opportunities to challenge themselves and excel. This year, our team garnered national recognition in the Future Anything showcase, where their innovative ideas placed them among the country’s best young entrepreneurs. Likewise, our Junior School Lego League newcomers impressed everyone with their creativity, research and problem-solving skills, proving that age is no barrier to innovation. Sporting achievements this month were equally inspiring. Eden Broksch claimed the title of State Tetrathlon Champion for her age bracket – a feat that speaks to determination and versatility. These successes remind us that education is not confined to textbooks. It flourishes on sports field, stages and in collaborative spaces where passion meets perseverance. The November edition of At Holme is brimming with stories that reflect the heart and soul of our community. You will read about our amazing Mrs Nichol, whose dedication to our youngest Kindy students earned her the prestigious National Excellence in Teaching Apple Award. She is a shining example of the impact great educators have on young lives. Miranda Mann, our Head Boarder, shares insights into the unique experience of living and learning on campus, offering a glimpse into the bonds that make boarding life so special. We also celebrate Mariam Nabizada who was named Lion’s Youth of the Year for the Wilsonton club, a recognition of leadership and service that embodies our school values. These individual achievements, alongside team triumphs, weave a narrative of excellence that is both humbling and inspiring. What makes these accomplishments truly meaningful is the sense of community that underpins them. Parents, teacher and friends have all played a role in nurturing talent and encouraging ambition. Whether cheering from the sidelines, guiding through challenges, or simply offering words of support, our collective efforts have created an environment where every student can burn yet flourish. As we close the chapter on 2025, on behalf of the entire staff, I extend my heartfelt thanks to our families, Old Girls and broader community for your unwavering support and partnership. It is through value of collaboration that we continue to build Fairholme as a school where character is nurtured alongside a commitment to excellence in whatever we do. I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and restful summer break, as the festive season approaches. May this holiday bring time for relaxation, laughter and connection with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year, ready to embrace fresh opportunities and challenges with the same spirit that has made 2025 so memorable. Here is to a bright and exciting 2026! Dr Leigh Hobart | Principal
As we welcome a new year, 2026 Head Boarder Miranda Mann talks about her ambition for her time in the role, reflects on her formative years and looks to what the future holds beyond the tartan. Miranda represents the sixth-generation of cattle graziers from Hillgrove Station, north of Charters Towers. With a deep connection to the land and a heart full of compassion, Miranda brings a grounded, inclusive, and community-focused ideal to the Head Boarder role in 2026. Beginning at Fairholme in Year 7, when she first arrived from her family’s historic Brahman cattle station, established in 1861, before the founding of Townsville. The transition from rural life to boarding school was significant, but it was the unwavering support of her fellow boarders and the dedicated boarding staff that helped her find her place. “An experience that has shaped me to who I am today is the support I received from fellow boarders and staff during tough times,” Miranda reflects. “It’s a great feeling when you know the people around you care for you and want you to succeed. That drives me to do the same for others, because the impact can be significant.” As Head Boarder, Miranda is most excited about working closely with students and staff throughout the year, especially during key events that bring the community together. “I want to make the most of my time left at Fairholme, it’s going to fly by,” she says. “My goal is to leave an everlasting impact by building a more connected and respectful boarding environment. I want every girl to feel comfortable and to enjoy the boarding space even more than they do now.” Miranda’s hope is that her leadership style is rooted in empathy and action. She encourages younger boarders to embrace every opportunity: “Get involved with others and join in on activities around the boarding house, even something as simple as a game of touch. It really makes the term more enjoyable and creates everlasting memories. And don’t be afraid to try new extracurriculars, even if you haven’t done them before.” With her strong sense of community, deep appreciation for her roots, and a genuine desire to uplift those around her, Miranda Mann is set to make 2026 a memorable and meaningful year for the Fairholme boarding family.
Friendship, connection, and a beautiful handover afternoon tea. At the beginning of this year, our Boarding Wellbeing Audit highlighted one message loud and clear: strong peer support is one of the most powerful influences on boarder wellbeing. In response, we set out with intention to strengthen and expand the ways our older girls walk beside and uplift our younger ones. In Term 2, we introduced our Middle Sisters program: a group of dedicated Year 11 Boarders who stepped in to support our Year 7s as the Year 12 academic demands increased. Over the past three terms, the Year 7s and Year 11s have shared plenty of laughs, chats, and practical support, building bonds that have enriched daily boarding life. Wanting our Year 8s to experience the same connection, we extended the initiative to include Year 10 Boarders who were interested to take on a similar role. This group has done a wonderful job running relaxed, group-style mentoring over shared dinners—something the Year 8s have thoroughly enjoyed. A big thank you to Year 11 Boarder, Bella Quinn, who has taken the lead in organising our next group of peer mentors. She has brought together our current Year 9s, who will step into mentoring roles in 2026, supporting today’s Year 7s as they move into Year 8, continuing the cycle of connection and care. Bella hosted a lovely afternoon tea to mark the handover. It was a chance for our Year 11 Middle Sisters to introduce their Year 7s to the new Year 9 mentors who will walk alongside them next year. The Cameron Room was filled with chatter, laughter and the beginnings of friendships that will carry through many years of boarding life. It was a reminder of what makes our community so special: girls supporting girls, encouraging one another, and finding strength in connection.
