Position Vacant - Development Swimming Coach

March 23, 2026

Fairholme College Development Swimming Coach

A permanent full-time position. Starting date Term 2 2026, being 20 April 2026, or at mutually agreed date.


The College

Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Range escarpment in Australia’s Garden City of Toowoomba, Fairholme College is one of Australia’s leading independent girls’ schools with more than nine hundred students from Kindy to Year 12 and over two hundred boarders form part of the total enrolment.


Fairholme students enjoy outstanding success in academic pursuits (close to 95% of Year 12 students proceed to tertiary studies each year), as well as in sporting, cultural and service activities. Please explore further on this website to learn more about Fairholme’s offerings and our students’ achievements.


From the establishment of our predecessor school in 1908, through the move to our current location in 1917 and into the 21st century, Fairholme seeks to maintain a student enrolment split 35/65 between country boarders and Toowoomba day girls, as well as a strong commitment to quality single-sex girls’ education. A College of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, Fairholme is committed to creating a caring Christian community where all we do is undergirded by our Christian faith.


The Position

Position: Development Swimming Coach


Responsible To: Business Manager through the Aquatics Centre Manager 


Reports To: Aquatics Centre Manager 



The Person

Fairholme College is seeking a motivated and passionate full-time Development Swim Coach to join our Aquatic Centre team in Toowoomba. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing swimming program within a well-established school and club environment, supporting the development of junior and emerging athletes.


The Development Swim Coach will deliver high-quality coaching to developing swimmers across both school and club programs, with a strong focus on stroke development, technical proficiency, and athlete progression, while fostering a positive and inclusive team culture.


Working under the guidance of the Aquatic Centre Manager and in collaboration with the broader coaching team, the successful applicant will deliver squad coaching, support the College’s Learn to Swim program, and assist with the day-to-day operations of the Aquatic Centre.



Working Hours

This is a full-time position, with a training schedule that includes morning and afternoon sessions from Monday to Friday, as well as Saturday morning sessions. After the Saturday Squad session, you will also run the Adult Fitness session. Additional hours will be required to support competitions, carnivals, and school programs as needed.



Key Responsibilities

The successful applicant will:

  • Deliver structured and engaging training sessions for development squads, including school-based programs and the FAST Aquatic Swim Team;
  • Focus on stroke correction, skills development, and foundational fitness, supporting swimmer progression through the program pathway;
  • Provide regular, constructive feedback to swimmers and parents;
  • Assist with the delivery of Learn to Swim lessons and school-based aquatic programs, supporting students across a range of abilities;
  • Prepare swimmers for local and regional competitions and attend swim meets as required to provide poolside coaching;
  • Contribute to squad planning and overall program implementation;
  • Support the day-to-day operations of the Aquatic Centre, including water testing, maintaining pool compliance standards, and general operational duties such as cleaning the pool deck following events;
  • Maintain clear and professional communication with swimmers, parents, and staff;
  • Work collaboratively with coaching staff and Aquatic Centre management to foster a positive, inclusive, and team-oriented environment;
  • Adhere to all child safety, workplace health and safety, and organisational policies, and maintain current coaching and safety certifications.


Other Duties

The Development Swimming Coach may be required to undertake other duties from time to time (subject to the person’s ability to perform such duties) and in keeping with their role.


Applicants are expected to support the ethos and values of Fairholme College. 


The ideal candidate will possess the following qualities and qualifications:

A. Support Of College Values

  • A commitment to the Christian beliefs and ethos that underpin the College’s charter.
  • A clearly articulated alignment with the College’s vision statement and values; and…
  • Wide-ranging participation in and support for the diversity of College activities.


B. Qualifications and Related Skills

  • Blue Card - Mandatory
  • First Aid and CPR
  • ASCTA Development Coach Level (previously Bronze)
  • AUSTSWIM/Swim Australia Teaching licences are highly desirable


C. Communication Skills

  • The ability to work collaboratively, and to communicate clearly and enthusiastically with students and work colleagues; and
  • An ability to support and enact a restorative practices approach to conflict resolution is required 


Working with Children

As a College we are committed to the health and wellbeing of all our members and, in particular the welfare of all students in our care. As such, staff members are committed to prevention, identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect and adherence to the Child Protection Policy and the Staff Code of Conduct, both of which are available - see links below.


Whilst such policies have direct relevance to boarding, coaching, nursing and teaching staff, all prospective candidates are requested to read the following documents prior to submitting an application. Our responsibilities to work respectfully and thoughtfully with all, and particularly the young people in our care, are shared across all staff, evident in our demeanour, as well as our adherence to policy requirements.



Successful candidates are required to undergo a screening process prior to appointment and must comply with all College policies and relevant legislation related to student protection.



Communication Skills

  • The ability to work collaboratively with work colleagues, and to communicate clearly and enthusiastically with staff, students, and families.
  • An ability to support and enact a restorative practices approach to conflict resolution is required. See Restorative Practices at Fairholme ›



Workplace Health and Safety

As a member of the College, the successful applicant is required to follow all workplace, health and safety requirements that include but are not limited to:

  • Adherence to and working knowledge of policy requirements;
  • Cooperation with audit, professional learning and training/drill processes;
  • Meticulous attention to reporting responsibilities and record-keeping obligations in relation to all workplace, health and safety matters.


The Package

The appointment is currently under the conditions of the Fairholme College Enterprise Agreement 2025.



Applications

Applications, which close on Monday 13 April 2026, to be emailed and include a cover letter  outlining your experience in each of the key areas of responsibility, explaining the appeal of the position to you personally and discussing your alignment with the College’s   values and mission, and include full curriculum vitae (no longer than two A4 pages, font: Calibri, size 12) with the following details:


  • Personal details including name, address, contact details, religious affiliation;
  • Employment history;
  • Any qualifications/accreditations, professional associations and any recent professional learning activities relevant to the role;
  • Professional or personal achievements; and
  • Names and contact details of 3 referees. 


* The College reserves the right to contact other persons who may have relevant knowledge of your qualifications and experience. 


Applications to:

Mrs Colette Whell

Fairholme College

P O Box 688 

TOOWOOMBA 4350


Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07 4688 4688


Selection Process

The interview panel will review applications and determine a short list. Non successful candidates will be advised via email once the interview process has been completed and the successful candidate appointed.


Note: This is a permanent full-time position with a starting date of Term 2 2026, being TBA, or at mutually agreed date.



Proudly a College of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland




Other Positions

By Graeme Morris March 16, 2026
Upper Junior School Class Teacher Full time Contract. Term 3 2026.
By Graeme Morris October 26, 2025
Boarding Supervisor Casual Position: Commencing as soon as possible and continuing into 2026.
By Graeme Morris September 18, 2025
Fairholme Aquatic Centre | Learn To Swim Teacher
All News

More News…

March 4, 2026
Fairholme College is delighted to welcome Mr Mitch Koina as our new Coordinator of High Performance Coaching. Bringing more than a decade of experience across diverse educational settings, Mitch joins the community with a strong commitment to student wellbeing, participation, and performance. ‘This is my 12th year of teaching,’ Mitch shares. ‘I’ve done a range of different contexts now, I did two years down at Lockyer District High School, I then spent six years at St Mary’s College before moving to St Josephs, where I’ve been for the last three years. Now obviously I’ve made my way over to Fairholme which I’m really excited about.’ It was both the College’s reputation and the scope of the role that drew Mitch to Fairholme. ‘Fairholme is a very prestigious college, it’s got a great name and reputation,’ he said. ‘The role itself is really exciting for me. I’ve got a passion for fitness and particularly looking after the wellbeing of young girls, whether that be on the sporting field or with their social aspect, academics, just all round developing good girls on and off the court.’ A strong advocate for pastoral care, Mitch brings valuable leadership experience to the position. ‘I did a Head of House role at St Mary’s for three and a half years, so pastoral care has always been my calling so it’s great to tie in the sporting aspect as well as wellbeing,’ he explained. His philosophy centres on the connection between student wellbeing and performance. ‘It’s all dependant on each other. If we’ve got girls who are happy and their wellbeing is flourishing, then they are doing well on the sporting field and vice versa too.’ Looking ahead, Mitch is focused on building both excellence and enjoyment within the program. ‘I would love to get participation rates very high. We have a lot of elite athletes here that I want to achieve and do really well, but I also want to work on girls enjoying their training, coming in and having a nice vibe around the sporting field and the training.’ Importantly, Mitch emphasises that success looks different for every student. ‘We’re not all Australian representatives, but if girls are working really hard and achieving to the best of their potential, whatever level that may be in the sporting arena, I think that’s a program we can be very proud of.’ As he begins his journey at Fairholme, Mitch is eager to connect with the community. ‘I’m really excited to be a part of Fairholme, it is a great opportunity. The staff and the students have been fantastic to me so far, but as the weeks go on, I’m really looking forward to getting to know the girls and building some relationships from there.’ We warmly welcome Mitch to Fairholme and look forward to the energy, care, and expertise he will bring to our High Performance Sports program.
March 4, 2026
What inspired you to apply for the Prefect for Sport position? I was inspired to go for this position as I have seen the passion that Fairholme as a community has for sport, and the true love and respect the staff have for athletes at the college. I wanted to work closely with the girls and staff to help progressing sport at Fairholme. Do you have a favourite sport? My favourite sport is touch football. It has given me so very much and I am forever grateful. What has been your proudest sporting moment so far? My proudest sporting moment so far was being fortunate enough to represent my country in the sport I love most. Who has been your biggest influence or role model in sport? My biggest role model in sport has to my parents. They never fail to push me towards things that might seem out of my comfort zone or scary. They constantly support me through everything and influence me to be the best version of myself on and off the field. What are you hoping to achieve this year as Prefect for Sport? I aim to inspire everyone to just have a go. By the end of my final year at Fairholme I hope I can inspire people to just get o ut of their comfort zones and try something new. What advice would you give your Year 7 self? I would tell my Year 7 self that in the big picture no one is going to judge you for trying your hardest and giving things ago! And not to put too much pressure on yourself! Do you hope to pursue sport after school? I wish to continue to play sport at a high level after school. whether that is through touch or rugby. Sport is a very important part of my life that will hopefully continue well after I leave school.
March 4, 2026
How long have you been involved in The Arts at Fairholme? Since I began here in Year 7, but before then I started playing piano and violin in Year 5. I have participated in a number of ensembles within the school and greatly enjoyed each of these. What does being the Prefect for The Arts mean to you? Personally, I think that being the Prefect for The Arts is primarily a role in which I can help to support other girls. I’m a designated person that girls can come to if they have any questions or concerns with anything regarding extracurricular artistic involvement, and I do a little to help with running some of the artistic aspects around the school, such as finding girls to volunteer for busking at events. But mostly, I think it is about being a positive promoter for the arts, and encouraging other girls to expand their world view to include creativity. Which art form do you enjoy most (e.g. music, drama, visual art, dance etc)? My main art form that I participate in is instrumental music, through my involvement in a few ensembles within the school on violin and piano. However, other art forms, like dancing during March Pasts or singing Shine Jesus Shine are pretty fun too. Do you have a most memorable Arts experience? I think that one of the most memorable Arts experiences that I have had has been at events where I have accompanied my grade, like when all the Year 11’s last year sung at the Valedictorian dinner and I played piano along with other instrumentalists in my grade, Tilly Anderson and Emma Salter. However, I think the most enjoyable Arts experience that I have had is playing Jingle Bell Rock at the boarding Christmas dinner last year, when the rest of my cohort stood around the piano singing. I felt that this was one of those excellent examples of how music can bring people together. What advice would you give to students who might be nervous about joining an arts activity? I would say that it is always worth giving something new a go. You’re much more likely to regret the chances you never took than the ones you do. I’m a strong believer that being involved in any form of extra-curricular activity is so beneficial for everyone; it expands your world view, you meet new people, and get outside your comfort zone. Each individual has something they are good at, and how are you going to find out what that is if you don’t try? Do you hope to continue with The Arts after school? Definitely. It has become such a big part of my life, and I honestly get so much enjoyment out of it. The great thing about the arts is that they are things that you can do at any time of your life. You’re never too old, that’s a skill you have for life. Other people can also get so much enjoyment out of the artistic abilities of others. Who doesn’t love to have someone who can sit around the camp-fire and play guitar, or create a beautiful piece of artwork?
All News