ATHolme
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN: Legacy
‘Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.’ – Charles Spurgeon
I first wrote to the College community in February 2003 when I had been in the role of Deputy Principal Pastoral Care for three weeks. I described the joy of a classroom of girls, misty mornings, house spirit ‘to die for’ and the delight of a vibrant boarding house. It would seem that these things have stayed the same. Mist rolls in across the Great Dividing Range all year round, it would seem. Classrooms are still learning-focused, and girls exit lessons with a thank you to the teacher, unsolicited, just part of the Fairholme culture. Reach back to the spectacle of the march pasts at this year’s Interhouse Swimming carnival and ‘house spirit to die for’ is still palpable or seen so transparently in the Year 12 cohort who danced like never before at their formal, last night. Legacies.
Such reflections remind me that a principal’s season is just that – a moment in time, albeit a sixteen-year moment for me - or twentytwo years if you count my time as Deputy Principal. One’s footprint is just that a footprint, one hopes, of course, that one’s legacy is more. Of course, the power of this school’s culture is that it will absorb the change to a new principal, rebound, and move forward. This is Fairholme’s strength: an enduring and robust culture of connection, learning and spirit. In 1913 the Spreydonian Report said this: A school is not made in a day, nor in many days; it does not consist of buildings, or teachers, or scholars; it is a thing indefinite and difficult to name, but – number of days forgotten – when it can be felt as a compound of loyalty, camaraderie and unity of purpose, all of which stretch back to days past and forward to days to come … then we may justly claim the name – Fairholme. A friend asked me recently. What’s your legacy? I replied, “I’d like to think my legacy is …” She cut me off mid-sentence, saying – but what is your
legacy? My legacy lives within the people of Fairholme – strengths, weaknesses, flaws … but it is people who have been and are my focus, relationships are the bedrock of a good school, there is no way to circumvent this obvious truism. And it will be this aspect of Fairholme’s legacy that lives on in me.
I am deeply conscious that Fairholme’s history and her future are deep and wide and the composite of so many. I am pleased to hand this legacy on to Dr Hobart who is well placed and excited to do so.
This is Fairholme’s strength: an enduring and robust culture of connection, learning and spirit...
- Dr Linda Evans
Developmental psychologist Erik Erikson once said: ‘I am what survives of me.’ The jumpnjive, march pasts, the College prayer, Year 11s singing to the Year 12s at the Valedictory Dinner, these are all things that have survived, legacies from other groups who have walked here before us in the last 108 years –embedded in the Fairholme tradition, events and rituals that live on. When my niece Kate married – our family rang a cow bell – one that accompanied my father’s ancestors from Scotland in the 1800s. It’s our tradition now, something that has survived generations … legacies. It is not
the bell that is significant, nor its piercing sound, it is the people that it connects that matter: people now and people into the future. People.
When a player makes the All-Blacks’ Rugby team they are given a book – small, leather-bound and a repository of history, of the things that matter to their team. The first page shows a jersey – the 1905 Originals, – then a picture of the 1924 Invincibles, then another, and another – a visual diary layered with meaning, history, tradition. There are pages to remind the player of the values, the code of honour, and the character of their team. The rest of the pages are blank. Waiting to be filled. Beckoning. This is Fairholme’s moment now – her history is recorded, strong, a mass of footprints, her culture is dense, layered, value-laden but the possibilities of the new, glitter with promise. So, what remains when a principal exits, stage left? A lot. So much. Staff who go above and beyond, on a daily basis. Students who understand the power of finishing well in whatever they do. A culture where learning is at the heart of things. Willingness to ‘act’ – to participate. In essence – what remains is hope for the future, Fairholme’s future and all within.
As staff and students know well, I do love this story of the AllBlacks. Particularly, I am drawn to their approach to cleaning up after themselves, after a game. Kerr describes in his book ‘Legacy’ “a country watching replays of World Cup wins and feeling patriotic and schoolkids lying in bed dreaming of one day wearing the All-Blacks’ jersey, whilst the All-Blacks are tidying up after themselves: sweeping the sheds, doing it properly, so no one else has to, because no one looks after the All Blacks.” Their motto is this: “Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done. Never be too big to sweep the sheds.” To me, this is the best of Fairholme – never being too big to do the small things that need to be done. I saw it last night, after the Year 12s formal finished, as those fabulous 100%ers took their leave, staff and younger students stayed behind. They removed tablecloths, emptied glasses, stacked chairs, collapsed tables – they “swept the shed” cheerfully, humbly and together. Precious.
When the All Blacks put on their black jersey with its silver fern it has meaning, deep meaning. The Maori have a word, taonga which means treasure. The black jersey is taonga, a sacred object. They seek to leave ‘the jersey’ in a better place when their seasons are finished. It is, of course, my wish, my hope, my prayer, that by example, I leave Fairholme an even better place for all, as I go. I hope that I have modelled this philosophy – of “never being too big to do the small things that need to be done.” Of course, this is a subjective view, a wishful view of legacy. What I do know, is that for each and every Fairholme girl there is time for her to make her mark. Her contribution. Her. In her metaphoric leather-bound journal filled with history, tradition, values there are blank pages too – a tantalizing future awaiting in a new and hope-filled chapter.
Thank you all for allowing me this long season of caretaking the tartan taonga (treasure) that is Fairholme. Fairholme, your legacy – so strong, so spirited, so tenacious, will live on in me forever. May it live on in you too. Legacy.
Dr Linda Evans | Principal
The Fairholme 2025 formal
10 minutes with Dr Hobart
What was your first job, and what did it teach you?
I had several jobs on the go during my high school and university days - including tutoring, working at a restaurant, working at a gift shop, working at the university club and editing a book – often at the same time, to fund my travels. I learned to manage my time very effectively and to work hard to achieve goals.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
That I grew up on the Darling Downs and that my family has been involved in the community for six generations.
If you weren’t working in education, what do you think you’d be doing?
I have loved teaching for a long time. I can’t think of wanting to do anything else.
What’s one book (or podcast) you think everyone should read (or listen to)?
There are so many to choose from… and what someone loves to read or listen to may not be for someone else. I have been recently listening to the audio book, ‘Outlive’, by Peter Attia.
It tackles the age-old question of how to live better for longer and has great scientifically backed advice for living a healthy life, which others may find as useful as I have.
How do you like to unwind?
Getting outdoors and taking my
dogs for a walk. Otherwise, reading a good book.
Coffee or tea? Early bird or night owl?
An early bird, definitely - who loves a good chai latte.
What drew you to Fairholme?
Fairholme has a fantastic tradition of academics and wellbeing,
balanced with opportunity to continue to flourish into the future – amazing students and families, terrific staff, an exceptional board, all set in beautiful Toowoomba.
How lucky am I? I am truly humbled and honoured to be asked to take on the responsibility of being the 14th principal in its history.
Can you tell us about a moment in your career that shaped your leadership style?
While successes are amazing and need to be celebrated, it is often in life that the biggest learnings come from disappointments that you have along the way.
They are not always easy, but in retrospect they can often lead you into directions that are even better than where you originally thought. Reflecting on those moments with amazing mentors who have encouraged and taught me along the way have helped carve my leadership path and style.
How would your former colleagues describe you in three words?
My colleagues have called me caring, collaborative and innovative over the years.
What are your top priorities for your first year at Fairholme?
Fairholme is a wonderful school already, so it is important to me to listen and then add value where I possibly can, particularly as we finish the Strategic Plan.
Learning everyone’s name is also at the top of the list!
How do you define a successful school community?
Where everyone is working in synergy for the betterment of the students in our care. Every young woman at Fairholme, has the potential to make positive impact on the world she lives in and lead into an exciting future.
To do accomplish this, great schools build solid foundations – literacy, numeracy and the ability to think through critically engaging with core subjects. They also provide opportunities for students to find their passions, work out who they are by developing their character in a supportive and caring environment, and help them discover what they would like to do next on their lifelong learning journey beyond school.
To be exceptional, the young women and their community then contribute to ensuring the next generation flourishes too.
What role do you see communication and connection playing in your leadership?
Relationships are at the core of a young person’s success at school and communication and connection underpin this. Relationships form the basis on which we can grow sensational learning opportunities.
What are you most excited about as you begin this new chapter?
I am really excited about immersing myself in the community and getting to know the girls, families and staff. I can’t wait to get started!
Favourite holiday destination?
While I have loved travelling around the world, Australia still has the most wonderful places to visit. We have just finished a six-week trip to Tasmania and cherished the diversity of landscapes and experiences that it had to offer – from rugged coastlines to walking the wilds of Cradle Mountain. We are exceptionally lucky to live in this beautiful country.
Hidden talent?
Finding the brooch section of any vintage shop.
Song currently on repeat?
Any song by Boy and Bear and Crowded House.
Describe Fairholme in one word... Potentia (Latin for strength and potential).
From the Boarding House
New insights for our students
A new program will help out students set goals and grow both academically and personally. Read about our new INSIGHTS program...
Fairholme College has officially launched INSIGHTS, a new online learning and reporting platform that represents a significant evolution in how student progress is communicated.
After a two-year transition away from traditional end-of-term reports, the College has moved to a progressive reporting model, offering students and families more immediate, personalised, and actionable feedback.
‘Traditional reporting methods often provide feedback at fixed points in time, which can limit opportunities for students to act on their learning needs in an optimal timeframe,’ said Mrs Pam Stains, Head of Teaching and Learning.
‘INSIGHTS enables students to receive timely, meaningful feedback when it matters most, while they’re still engaged with the content and can take immediate steps to improve.’
INSIGHTS is accessed via the MyFairholme portal and provides students with up-to-date assessment results and teacher comments as soon as they become available. Students are notified when new feedback is published, allowing them to engage with their learning in real time. The platform also includes a student reflection tool that promotes goal setting and
self-evaluation.
Mr Tom McCormick, Head of Senior School, emphasised the benefits for students: ‘This model encourages students to take greater ownership of their learning. Rather than focusing solely on grades, INSIGHTS helps them reflect on their progress, set goals, and work closely with their teachers to grow both academically and personally.’
Parents will also gain a more transparent view of their daughter’s learning journey. Through INSIGHTS, they can view assessment results, teacher feedback, and overall progress across both academic and co-curricular areas, including boarding, specialist arts, pathways programs, and end-of-semester reports, all in one place.
‘This is about giving families a more holistic picture of their child’s development,’ said Mrs Stains. ‘It also aligns with national recommendations, such as those from the 2018 Gonski Review, which called for reporting systems to reflect not just achievement, but also learning growth over time.’
To learn more about this revolutionary way of reporting click on the video below.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Interhouse Cross Country
12 Year Champions
1st – Grace Grams (Stephens)
2nd – Jessica Strachan (Cameron)
3rd – Chloe Roughan (Black)
13 Year Champions
1st – Kate McDonald (Black) - Margo Manning Cup
2nd – Lucy Doolin (Powell)
3rd – Emme Hall (Cameron)
14 Year Champions
1st – Gemma Sullivan (Black) – Louise Keys Trophy
2nd – Hannah Barton (Cameron)
3rd – Lucy Dewar (Black)
15 Year Champions
1st – Addi Attrill (Black) – Smith Cup
2nd – Romy Wilson (Powell)
3rd – Ava Buckley (Black)
16 Year Champions
1st – Abi Barnes (Cameron) – Hall and Hewitt Cup
2nd – Layla Magarey (Powell)
3rd – Georgia Brassington (Powell)
U20 Year Champions
1st - Mackenzie Schefe (Stephens) –
Anne B Provan Trophy
2nd – Julia Wainwright (Cameron)
3rd – Evie Armstrong (Black)
The Byron Cup for Boarders verse Daygirls
Daygirls
The inaugural Dr Linda Evans
Interhouse Cross Country House
Participation Trophy
1st Stephen (89%)
2nd Powell (87%)
3rd Black House (82%)
4th Cameron House (78%)
Bevan Bishop Trophy for Overall Champion House
1st – Powell 1946
2nd – Stephens 1944
3rd – Black 1936
4th – Cameron 1909
Laura Geitz Netball
Congratulations to our Laura Geitz 1 Team who finished as runners-up at the Laura Geitz cup, showcasing
outstanding skill and determination in a highly competitive tournament. Also competing in Division 1, our Laura Geitz 2 Team secured an impressive 7th place overall.
Both teams played with incredible teamwork and resilience against tough competition. A huge thank you to our coaches, players, and cheer squads for their support throughout the day!
Andrews Cup Swimming
Our mighty Junior fish have once again achieved an outstanding 2nd place overall in the Percentage Cup at the Andrews Cup Swimming Carnival held in Brisbane. The highest points of the three Toowoomba Andrews Cup schools!
Fraser Coast Rugby 7s
Our U16 and U18 teams contested the Fraser Coast 7s Tournament held in Hervey Bay. Both teams went through the pool stage undefeated, with the U18 team scoring an outstanding 120 for and 12 against in their pool games. They then went on to win the final 26 – 17 against Kelvin Grove State College. Our U16 team were far too strong for St Patrick’s College Gympie in their final, claiming the honours 39 – 0!
Queensland Athletics Championships
Well done to our track and field athletes on their performances at the Queensland Athletics State Championships.
A special mention to our five medallists:
• Emily Carrigan - Gold in the Under 13 Discus (Qld Record) and Shot Put
• Amara Clemens - Gold Under 16 400m Bronze medal in the 800m
• Mackenzi Schefe - Bronze in the Under 20 3000m Steeplechase
• Elana Schultheiss - Bronze in the Under 18 Hammer Throw
• Lucy Barnes - Under 14 1500m Bronze
Toowoomba District Primary School Chess
Fairholme Junior girls have achieved some remarkable results at the Toowoomba District Primary School Individual Chess Championship. Congratulations to all 27 girls, including Ashni Pai for Year 5 Chess Champion and Senaya Wanasinghe, for overall Primary School Chess Champion for 2025.
Darling Downs Swimming Trials
Some fantastic results coming out of the Darling Downs Swimming Trials. Three Fairholme Junior girls were crowned Regional Age Champions – Ava Nicholls (9 Years), Adeline Martin (10 Years) and Elizabeth Riddle (12 Years). Special mention also to Mackenzie Grimes for breaking the 17-19 Years 200m Backstroke Record. A remarkable 18 Fairholme swimmers were selected to represent the Darling Downs at the Queensland State Championships.
Representative School Sport Selections
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in Representative School Sport teams –
Darling Downs Aquathlon
10-12 Years – Grace Grams
Darling Downs Football
16-19 Years – Bron Francis
Toowoomba Zone Netball
11 Years – Chelsea Sullivan, Marley Wilkinson
12 Years – Indi Chappel, Zara Frame, Charley Murray
Darling Downs Netball
13-15 Years – Lola Majoribanks
16-19 Years – Millie Lockwood, Tayla Kauter, Lucia Luhrs and Simoné Botha
Darling Downs Orienteering
10-19 Years – Eden Broksch, Alex Edwards, Ewan Keith, Sophie Murray and Matilda Rogers
Darling Downs Softball
13-19 Years – Ella Phillips
Darling Downs Swimming
10-12 Years – Sarah Beer, Madison Conwell, Reeva Coutts, Grace Grams, Adeline Martin, Charley Murray and Elizabeth Riddle
13-19 Years – Sarah Adcock, Elouise Fraser, Olivia Fraser, Mia Geise, Mackenzie Grimes, Mim Leslie, Ava Macey, Samantha Murray, Skye Parker, Libby Wormwell and Mackenzie Zimmerle
Darling Downs Tennis
13-19 Years – Alexandra Edwards and Cindy Deng
Darling Downs Triathlon
13-19 Years – Elouise Fraser, Gemma Sullivan, Grace Ziesemer, Addison Attrill Mackenzi Schefe
Dressage
Secondary Preliminary Intermediate:
Kate MacDonald – 5th
Felicity Piccini – 11th
Secondary Intermediate Novice: Lucy Doolin – Champion
Hayley Richter – 5th
Grace Todd – 7th
Secondary Senior Novice:
Abbey Gordon – Champion
Jemima Southwood – Reserve Champion
Medium: Isabella Ostwald – Reserve Champion
Advanced: Isabella Ostwald – Champion
Show Jumping
50cm Training: Felicity Piccini – Champion
70cm:
Matilda Redding – 12th
80cm:
Lucy Doolin – 19th
90cm:
Kate McDonald – Champion
Lucy Doolin – 6th
Bianca Bruggemann – 10th
Hayley Richter – 23rd
Heidi Horsley – 28th
100cm:
Grace Todd – 13th
Amelia Roughan – 14th
Matilda Redding – 17th
Darling Downs Cricket
10-12 Years – Sarah Beer 15-19 Years – Morgan Smith and Emmy Cussons
Darling Downs Water Polo
15-18 Years – Polly Duggan, Jordan Amos
Eadi Bruton and Lucy Mitchell
Glennie Interschool Equestrian Event
Our Equestrian team achieved some fantastic results at the recent Glennie Interschool Event.
110cm:
Jemima Southwood – 4th
Abbey Gordon – 6th
Adelaide Gilbert – 7th
IN THE ARTS
QAGOMA Art Excursion
Our Senior Art students had an inspiring day at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), exploring the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art! Immersed in a diverse range of thought-provoking and conceptually expressive works, the girls engaged with art in new and exciting ways—sparking ideas and inspiration for their own creative journeys.
Legends at their Game
Some of our talented musicians had the opportunity to perform at the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation Legends at their Game luncheon, featuring special guest Speaker, Sir Bob Geldof.
Lunchtime Concerts
Our students have been sharing their musical talents at our Lunchtime Concert series. These mini performances provide a wonderful opportunity for the girls to practice performing in front of an audience and develop their confidence.
Chime Choir
In 2023, Middle and Senior girls were given the opportunity to be part of the newly formed Chime Choir, conducted by Mrs Elizabeth Egan. The Chime Choir currently has 16 members and were privileged to perform at Dr Evans’ Farewell Celebration. Each year, the Chime Choir has been invited to collaborate with the community Hand Bell group Toowoombells, and they are excited to be working towards the next concert, which will be held in Redeemer Lutheran Church on Sunday 24 August.
Switch off over the holidays
Qustodio: helping our daughters manage their online time over the school break
From Dr Linda Evans | Principal
As you enter the Easter holiday period and enjoy sharing greater time with your daughter/s it seems pertinent to share our latest information regarding internet filtering on your daughter’s laptop as well as tips for home filtering and home awareness around technology use. For many, as the holidays unfold, you will observe the lure of technology for your daughter - your own active and proactive ‘presence’ in this space makes such a difference. Your tempered discussions make such a difference. Your own awareness of the technological magnet that traps all who access it, makes such a difference. Rules. Restrictions. Restraints. These have a
place, but they are not foolproof, and they alone cannot address an online existence that pulls powerfully and indiscriminately and is full of bypassing possibilities, bypassing that they actively seek out.
If you have not seen the Netflix blockbuster, Adolescence, this is a great starting point for the holidays. In fact, I am thinking it could be prescribed homework for all! Watch the series with your daughter/s. Take the time to discuss the essence of her/their online world. Listen to their response. Listen. Yes, it is about a teenage boy’s ill-fated journey, but it is also the story of the secret life of teens – a secret world that they inhabit every time they connect to technology and particularly when they
do so in the isolation of a private space. It is also about well-intentioned parents whose son drifts away, falls through the yawning cracks that technology opens for him, where his real world of struggles become magnified, distorted and impossible to escape.
I think, the most profound aspect of this series is not that the content is new, but that it is achingly believable. It reminds us all that one poor choice can have dire consequences for a lifetime. It reminds that the ‘sins of the parent’ are all too often revisited in the child – the father in the series is the child of an angry father and his son, the show’s protagonist, inherits this pattern of response, also. It reminds that time with our children is precious – enjoy them at their best,
wherever and whenever that can occur. Ideally, may that be in a technology-free space. As we have previously shared, the College’s lap top filtering system is designed to block content in categories such as adult material, violence, gambling, and other inappropriate content. In addition, social media, gaming, and streaming sites may be restricted when they do not align with students’ learning needs. However, the internet is not a fixed point, and no filtering system is perfect. Whilst the IT Department continues to review filtering rules to determine and enact appropriate and secure internet usage on Collegemanaged devices, these provide a baseline level of protection only. Parents may wish to apply further restrictions based on their individual family values and approach to technology use. Outside of school hours, parents can manage an additional 29 categories applied to their daughters’ laptops using their Qustodio account.
Utilising Qustodio features in the family home
While you have the ability to implement stricter controls through your Qustodio parental management settings, you are not able to reduce the level of filtering set by the College. This ensures that all students can use their laptops as learning devices within safe parameters while allowing families the flexibility to introduce additional safeguards if desired.
Further, Qustodio allows parents to view their daughter’s internet usage outside of school hours. We are aware that there are times when some parents cannot access these logs but be assured that the filtering rules are still active, and a complete
log is available from the College. We have informed Qustodio of this issue and are working together to resolve it.
Pausing Internet Access
The Qustodio system allow parents to pause internet access on their daughter’s college laptop at any time outside of school hours. You can also schedule pausing of internet access at set times (e.g. every day from 10:30pm – 7:00am)
A short video tutorial is available to assist parents use their Qustodio account to manage their daughter’s internet access.
Finally, the greatest work we can do as parents is to listen, to be active in our understanding and spend time with our children. We should not ever assume that use of technology is harmless, and always learning-related and that the College filtering system cannot ever be bypassed. It can. The complexities of the on-line world are inconceivable and the want to find loopholes – insatiable for some. We all, need to be active, aware and never make assumptions about safety. Our young people are too precious for us not to do so.
To support conversations around online safety, you may find the resources on the Fairholme Online Safety Hub, or those offered by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, useful. These can all be accessed through the parenting resources tab on the parent portal.
If you do have any questions regarding the Qustodio system, please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Information Technology, Chau Chuc via email - chau.chuc@fairholme.qld.edu. au or helpdesk@fairholme.qld. edu.au)
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