At Holme Issue 3 - March 2022

ATHolme

Issue Two | March 2022

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN Words have weight - we must be careful how we use them...

THIS ONE THING I DO … (Philippians 3:13 KJV) In his book, One BIG Thing, author Phil Cooke examines the proposition that we are all born for a purpose (not a mind-blowing thought, I know) but discovering that purpose and our passion can be a lifelong pursuit. Cook asks this question: ‘What could you be the best in the world at doing?’ It’s a question that young children would probably answer without equivocation but it’s a question that seems to become more difficult to answer as we age, as we come to expect too much or too little of ourselves. We don’t have to be the best at anything, of course, far better to do our best, but I love the question, anyway. It’s a big question. I think, as parents of emerging adults it deserves careful attention. But how do we probe our children towards seeking purpose?

‘All big things come from small beginnings,’ says James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. He would say that the seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. Of course, habits, beneficial habits, are the actions that lead us towards our goals. If we dig deep into the recesses of our own childhood, most of us could select a moment or moments that were pivotal in directing our course … perhaps our course towards the one BIG thing we have achieved.

Sometimes those moments appear accidental, unaligned with the future, but become significant in the clarity of retrospect. It is why the words we choose matter so much. The casual remark of a parent, the carefully crafted feedback offered by a teacher, or a piece of reinforcement by a coach or a music teacher can be a turning point, a direction-setter. Words have weight – we must be careful how we use them.

Working in a school allows us to witness the evolution of many

‘Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.’

- Lao Tzu students’ ‘one big thing’, or to hear of success long after they have left the tartan behind. So often the puzzle pieces segue together – and when we hear of a girl’s career choice, her service to her community, or sporting success, or musical accolade we nod in unison and make comments like, ‘that makes sense’ or ‘of course she has.’ Often, we see their future with a greater sense of clarity than the student themselves.

Thus, the question begs, what is the role for parents in supporting our children to find their passion? Your role is huge, of course. You are and remain your child’s greatest teacher. From you they learn consciously and unconsciously about risk-taking, determination, perseverance and those underpinning skills that make big things, or valuable achievements, more likely to occur. They learn habits from you. Habits are the base for who we become, rather than what we achieve.

‘The ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes part of your identity’ (Clear, 2018). Yet, Clear reminds that ‘the task

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN Continued...

of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us [whilst] the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower, one day at a time.’

Building new habits often involves confronting our own fear of change, or perhaps fear of failure. In writing of questions that parents can ask their children when prompting them to address fear of new challenges, Paul Smith (2014) suggests these: • Name something you’d like to do now but have been scared to try. How can I help you with that?

• Can you think of something some people are just naturally good at without having to learn and practice?

• How long do you think it takes people to get good at something new, like learning an instrument or playing a new sport?

• Is there anything that used to be difficult or a little scary for you that’s now much easier?

These are great questions. They do leave our default interrogations behind, you know; those quick statements that fall from our mouths before our thinking brain has caught up –

clarity than for others. Often it is elusive, out of reach or invisible, and that’s because we often tie our purpose to Cooke’s (2012) ‘one BIG thing’ and default to seeking the extrinsic rather than the intrinsic and believe in the need to achieve something unique.

What if our one BIG thing is something less conspicuous and relates more to who we become rather than what we achieve?

What if it begins instead with the establishment of good habits, which, in the much-oft quoted words of philosopher Lao Tzu, will become our character, and thus determine our destiny.

Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.

Let us choose the words we use with our children carefully, for words have weight and impact and matter a great deal. After all, ‘all big things come from small beginnings.’ May this [the choosing of words] be the one thing I do ... and do, well.

Dr Linda Evans | Principal

• Why don’t you just have a go?

• Everyone else out there is trying, why don’t you?

REFERENCES

• Surely it can’t be that hard.

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: tiny changes, remarkable results : an easy & proven

Finding purpose and strength rarely occurs as an epiphany; it emerges in pieces that need to be drawn together. Yes, we are all born for a purpose. For some, that purpose appears with greater

TERM 1 The first term has been a full one for both students & staff

way to build good habits & break bad ones. New York : Avery.

Smith, P. (2015). Parenting with a Story: real-life lessons in character for parents and children to share. AMACOM, New York, USA.

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The importance of wellbeing Fairholme’s new Wellness Coach is helping our girls understand the importance of health and wellbeing at school and what it means to thrive

Cassie Walton is the lady with the beautiful smile who radiates a sense of calm and warmth. She loves playing tennis, baking, and is known to enjoy a ‘chick flick’ or two. Cassie is also our newest member of the Fairholme Wellness team. ‘It’s extremely important to have a wellness team in a school. Students are facing more and more challenges and complexities that contribute to wellbeing issues and dilemmas,’ Cassie says.

A typical wellbeing session takes place in Cassie’s office, a warm and inviting space, located next door to our Head of Ministry, Cath Butler.

Cassie says issues discussed can range from anxiety around school exams, assignments, or relationship struggles.

‘A wellbeing session is guided by the girl’s need or desire. If a student is having friendship issues, or wanting to gain some organisation skills or a safe place to talk about anything, I’m available to sit and listen.’

Growing up on a farm near Dalby and attending Boarding School herself, Cassie also understands the complexities our Boarders can face when leaving home and starting at a new school. Some tips that Cassie suggests include, ‘Talk to someone, whether it - Cassie Walton, Wellbeing Coach is a trusted friend, parent or teacher, or making a wellbeing appointment to see me. It is always good to talk to someone. ‘Keeping active, getting adequate sleep, drinking water, eating healthily, staying connected with others and doing things that one enjoys are some tips to support one’s day-to-day wellbeing.’

‘Students are facing more and more challenges and complexities that contribute to wellbeing issues and dilemmas’

After working as an accounting administrator, Cassie changed paths, taking up roles as a School Chaplain at Jandowae State School and Dalby State High School, before deciding to study Social Work, a challenge she said she was ready for.

‘I wanted to learn, grow and gain some new skills. Social work promotes the empowerment of people and I enjoy journeying with people and encouraging them to draw on their skills, abilities, resources and solutions to solve problems. Social work is very person led and directed, which I love.’

In Cassie’s spare time she enjoys travelling and seeing new sights, albeit prior to COVID-19 restrictions of course, but her favourite countries to visit are Switzerland and Germany.

She also shares a love for tennis and says her favourite time of the year is the Australian Open - she even has Roger Federer’s autograph! Cassie is looking forward to meeting parents and getting to know the girls. ‘I’m thoroughly enjoying working with the team here to support the girls’ wellbeing, helping them achieve their potential and to thrive.’

Students can book in to see Cassie for a wellbeing appointment through the link on the wellbeing page on myFairholme or by emailing cassie.walton@fairholme.qld.edu.au

IWD

Celebrating the women who empower our girls

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positive contributions

‘It gives me great pleasure to invite you to become a member of the Ministerial Student Advisory Council’ - Grace Grace MP And with that sentence, Lizzie McCollum was chosen as one of only 16 students in Queensland to form the Minister of Education’s Student Advisory Council.

‘I thought it was worth submitting my resume, but I definitely did not expect to be chosen!’ Lizzie says. ‘I am passionate about raising awareness of students’ needs, and I see joining the Education Advisory Council as a great way to make a positive contribution to improving the educational services for all schools in our region.’

The Council, which meets twice a year, tackles a broad range of issues facing students, such as respectful relationships, ageappropriate matters of consent, wellbeing and cyberbullying.

‘The meetings I attend will give feedback and ideas to help inform future Government policy and program development,’ Lizzie says.

‘I think it will be a really interesting process, and to get an insight into how our education is monitored and run at a governmental level will be fascinating. I also hope I can influence positively and provide useful feedback to help improve education - even if it is in a small way.’

Lizzie, who started at Fairholme in Year 7 and cites Science and Design as her favourite subjects, recognises COVID-19, mental

With her recent appointment to the Ministerial Student Advisory Council, Year 10 student Lizzie McCollum has a chance to influence education policy at the grassroots.

health and cyberbullying as the three major issues facing students in 2022.

‘I feel I have a great perspective of education from attending both public and private schools. I think it has exposed me to people from varying parts of the community and given me a deeper understanding of how fortunate I have been with the opportunities I have with my own education,’ Lizzie says.

‘It is important that these opportunities are extended to all students in our region. I am always grateful for how many opportunities Fairholme has provided me with.’

But if there was one person who particularly inspires her, Lizzie says it’s Head of Middle School, Ms Ross.

‘She is so calm and happy all the time - even thouogh she deals with Middle School girls all day! She always sees the good in people. And I like that.’

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junior school Term One

JUNIOR

Learning opportunities this term came in all shapes and sizes in Junior School!

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‘It doesn’t matter where you’ve finished or if you made the team, giving it a go is better than never trying!’ - Mackenzi Schefe

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Q&A

with Year 9 Athlete, Mackenzi Schefe

This week we chat to Mackenzi Schefe about her upcoming National competition in Steeplechase

What made you give Steeplechase a go?

A couple of older athletes in the running squad I train with compete in steeplechase events at a very high level. I always watch them race and thought that one day I would love to give it a go. I have only competed in a steeplechase event once and found I really loved it. I find it a great way to make things more fun and exciting with the four steeples and water jump each lap.

How different is it to Triathlons?

I find steeplechase is very different to triathlons, as in triathlons you have three disciplines you need to master, whereas in steeplechase you only need the running side of it, but you also need to become confident with the steeples and water jumps as it is a completely different sport.

What sort of dedication and training goes into this type of sport?

A lot of dedication and training goes into this type and level of sport. At the moment I am training hard for State Triathlon and National Steeplechase. In a normal week there will be training on six days out of seven as it is important for your body to have a recovery day. I have running six times a week with steeple work two of those days, and also find time for swimming and bike riding as well.

This often consists of waking up early and training in the morning and also training

that same afternoon, to fit in the three disciplines. It is very important to have time-management skills and dedication to enable this to happen. I find you always need a way to stay motivated and have fun throughout training and races, and you always know it will be worth it.

How important is it, to give something a go?

I find one of the most important things is definitely to give something a go. If you don’t give something a go, you will never know what the outcome could have been, and may regret it in your older years that you never did go out your comfort zone to try something new. It doesn’t matter where you’ve finished or if you made the team, giving it a go is better than never even trying! You should be proud of yourself for just being out there giving things a go.

There are many new students to Fairholme this year, and what would your advice be for them about trying new sports?

I would say just give it a go, back yourself and move out of your comfort zone.

Fairholme is a very supportive community so don’t be afraid to give something a go.

Also, don’t be afraid of what others think.

As long as you always try your best, no matter what, you might surprise yourself and love the new sport you have tried.

Is there a particular motto that you try to live by?

I competed at State Cross Country for the first time when I was nine years old, representing Darling Downs. I live by the motto that my first Darling Downs manager gave me: dream, believe, achieve. You need to dream big and become determined so that you can reach your dream goals. Believe- you need to believe in yourself that you can do it and have the right mindset. Achieve- dreams don’t just come true, you need to put in the time and dedication so you can achieve your dream goals.

Will you continue competing in steeplechase?

Yes, I think I will definitely continue competing in steeplechase as I thoroughly enjoy it and it’s a great variation to add to my running. After my first Steeplechase I made the qualifying time and I will be competing at Nationals in March. The experience that I will gain from Nationals is going to be amazing.

What are some of your fondest memories here at Fairholme?

I have been a Fairholme student since Kindy and even back then, when we had our Athletics or Cross Country carnivals, it was always a great experience. We were always classed as equal no matter where you finished in your races.

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See culture, learn culture

share culture

Fairholme College embraces the need for reconciliation - to actively strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and non-Indigenous Australians, for the benefit of all. We will be a community that champions inclusivity, understanding and respect of First Nations People, culture and history. We collaboratively take action to become a culturally rich and proud school community.

By Head of Senior School, Tom McCormick Today, with virtually no aspect of the educational enterprise left untouched by the reform of government and private sectors, the need for Strategic Management is of growing importance for schools. This allows schools to respond to external variables and the ever-changing political and social landscape involved in educating young people. Schools have become obsessed with strategic management and, with it, a systematic drive to change the direction of operation by reflecting on internal factors while acknowledging the external landscape of society. However, within all of the policies, procedures, business development and operations associated with strategic management, schools must be reminded to reflect on the core three aspects of a strong school: its culture (its heartbeat), its students and its community partnerships.

It is these three strands that I keep front of mind with any new project, initiative, policy, or process at Fairholme, the most recent being the work we as a College are doing regarding reconciliation efforts.

Before coming to Australia, I would have classed myself as a specialist in certain aspects of European and South-East Asian History; however, my Australian history knowledge was somewhat limited.

I knew that Australia had the oldest living civilisation in the world. Still, other than that, my knowledge of Australian history was confined to a strange mix of Steven Bradbury’s heroic Olympic run, Eddie

Mabo’s legal fight for land rights, the heroics of Gallipoli, and the Ashes series of the 1980s and 1990s. My ignorance has always fuelled my passion for learning more about the beautiful history that shapes Australia today.

Over the past seven years, I have worked hard on building up a solid understanding of Australian history which has included leading Reconciliation efforts at schools where I have led. I now understand the important role educators play in educating young people on 65,000 years of history, from when humans first populated the continental landmasses.

When coming to Fairholme College in 2021 as Head of Senior School, I was very excited to be given the honour of managing the school’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) alongside two fantastic educators and advocates for indigenous rights: Derek Cantle and Sonya Nicol. A Reconciliation Action Plan is a formal statement of commitment to reconciliation.

is forming a solid Working Group, and we are lucky at Fairholme to have a very passionate and active Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group consisting of over 30 staff and student members who work hard to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ culture is recognised each day.

This Working Group has worked throughout 2021 and into 2022 and has prompted much listening, learning and reflecting by students and staff at the College.

There are many strands to the Fairholme College RAP, from implementing cultural competency training for teachers to creating a reconciliation garden within the Middle and Senior Schools. Each part is about looking at ways the culture of Fairholme College can be enhanced through a solid foundation of reconciliation.

Any RAP takes between 2-3 years to create and outlines a whole-school approach to driving reconciliation by building relationships, respect and opportunities in the classroom, around the school and within the community. Fairholme College is proud that we have a number of students at the school who identify as Aboriginal, and the RAP is one way to look at ways in which we can collaborate, accelerate and drive reconciliation efforts.

One key focus of the Fairholme RAP is Symbols, Spaces and Signs. This branch of the RAP looks at the various opportunities to promote reconciliation efforts around the College through visual representation.

These signs and symbols are about education; they also provide comfort to our Aboriginal students and let them know that Fairholme College is a safe space. We acknowledge that these signs and symbols also provide a means of cultural expression and are a vehicle for the transmission of culture.

A key tenet of the RAP in any organisation

Furthermore, they chronicle

AT HOLME communication of knowledge of the land, events and beliefs of the Aboriginal people. We have started to ensure more of these signs and symbols are present around Fairholme for these reasons. For example, with a Fairholme Parents and Friends Association (P&F) grant, the Kindy commissioned a local artist, Daniel Blades to do a large mural for the outside wall.

The mural depicts Meewah (Table Top Mountain), Carbal (the snake that is a symbol for this area) and the three local tribes: Giabal, Jarowair and Western Wakka Wakka. Watching on is Multuggerah, an Aboriginal warrior from this area. Daniel also worked with the Kindy children to make four totem poles for the yarning circle. All the Kindy children and educators have their hand-prints on these totems. Each Kindy room also has a framed print from Daniel in its foyer. My favourite strand of the reconciliation action plan is the focus of ‘On Country’.

As the late ethnographer Deborah Bird Rose articulated, Country is not a generalised or undifferentiated type of place, such as one might indicate with terms like ‘spending a day in the country’ or ‘going up the country’.

Rather, Country is a living entity with a yesterday, today and tomorrow, with a consciousness, and a will toward life, and it is in this spirit that we remind ourselves of the ongoing need for a nuanced understanding of the depths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s connection to Country, and the imperative for reconciliation and preservation of culture.

We know that Indigenous Australians have familial, spiritual and conceptual links to Country, but the concept of Country can be very different for everyone. By making ‘On Country’ a key part of the Fairholme RAP, we commit to taking staff and students ‘on country’ at specific points throughout their time at Fairholme.

This could be through excursions,

taking learning offsite or providing opportunities for camps and trips on sacred Aboriginal land. One organisation that supports us with this is RAW Impact, an organisation which helps deliver quality aid and redevelopment projects worldwide.

They work hard on building connections with Aboriginal elders to benefit all.

To me, our RAP is about celebrating the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and help build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

If you look at any Australian Calendar, you will see a series of dates of cultural importance to Australians, such as The Anniversary of National Apology Day, NAIDOC week, Mabo Day, Coming of Light, and National Reconciliation Week, National Close the Gap Day. However, at Fairholme, we believe passionately about not confining celebrations to only one week a year, but rather making sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures are part of our everyday practices. This is why a Reconciliation Action Plan is so important.

By making this commitment, we aim to create a culturally inclusive place of learning, where diversity is acknowledged, and where genuine conversations about reconciliation are ongoing.

The history that has shaped and continues to shape Australia stretches far beyond Steven Bradbury’s heroic Olympic run, Eddie Mabo’s legal fight for land rights, the heroics of Gallipoli and the Ashes series of the 1980s and 1990s, and I am proud that Fairholme is seeking to understand its place and its responsibility in nurturing and reconciling our histories.

Fairholme College stands on learning footsteps millennia old. In the spirit of reconciliation, we pay our respects to the traditional custodians of this land, the Giabal (Guy-a-bell) and Jarowair (Jar-ro-wa) and West Wakka Wakka people. We acknowledge their continuing connection to the land, waterways, culture and community. We honour the presence of these ancestors who reside in the imagination of this land, and we thank them for sharing their cultures, spiritualities and ways of living with the land.

May we continue to walk gently and respectfully together.

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In the boarding house with friends who become family

Congratulations Age is no barrier! Congratulations to Year 9 student Lilli Hamilton, who has been selected in the Under 19s Queensland Cricket development program.

Lilli is looking forward to the opportunity, which will see her travel to Brisbane twice a week for training.

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Swimming champs Here are the Fairholme College Year Level Swimming Champions for 2022

Year 7

Year 10

1st > Libby Wormwell (Stephens)

1st > Rachel Yap (Powell)

2nd > Amelia Cheetham (Black)

2nd > Danni Griffin (Powell)

3rd > Alicia Yap (Powell)

3rd > Amy Williams (Cameron)

Year 8

Year 11

1st > Mackenzie Grimes (Cameron) 2nd > Mikayla Pellow (Cameron)

Opening Ceremony Powell House

3rd > Harriet Williams (Cameron)

Year 9

1st > Hannah Pollock (Black) 2nd > Ava Macey (Cameron) 3rd > Jordan Amos (Cameron)

1st > Mia Pratt (Black) 2nd > Lucy Griffiths (Powell) 3rd > Sarah McNeil (Stephens)

Overall Covid Cup 1st > Black (931.5) 2nd > Powell (830) 3rd > Cameron (815) 4th > Stephens (669.5)

Year 12

1st > Raylee Amos (Cameron) 2nd > Natise Smith (Black) 3rd > Gracie Lange (Cameron)

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EQUESTRIAN The Fairholme College Interschool Qld Equestrian Championships

From the Arts Congratulations to Emmi Lange, Adeline Hamilton and Eliza Kinniburgh who recently auditioned for the Junior IMPACT ensemble’s Empire Theatre play, Charlie Pilgrim.

The girls, who were selected to be part of the production after an audition process, will take to the stage for the performance in June.

Well done, girls!

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P&F

Parents enjoyed a night out at the P&F Cocktail Party at Gip’s last week

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Show the library love

We all needed something positive after yet another strange start to the year. The perfect solution was to wholeheartedly embrace Library Lovers’ Day and extend the celebrations for the entire month of February.

Library Lovers’ Day began in 2006 as an initiative by the State Library of NSW and then in 2007 it was adopted Nationally to promote a love of reading and Libraries. Each year the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) help to promote the campaign with a theme and logos.

For 2022 the theme was ‘Show the Love’ and in the Greta Library we ran activities to engage the girls such as ‘Blind Date with a Book’ and ‘Guess the Title of the Book’. ‘Blind Date’ books were gift wrapped and only had a brief note describing the Genre.

When the girls borrowed a ‘Blind Date’ they also received a heartshaped chocolate. Our winner, drawn from a box of entries, was Year 8 student Lily Martin (pictured right).

February might now be over, but the Fairholme girls’ love for the Library has not diminished, with lunchtimes hosting well over 50 girls engaged in a wide variety of activities from reading, studying, socialising or driving the IT department’s car simulators.

Facets An Art Exhibition at Fairholme

Facets: An Art Exhibition at Fairholme is a shared conversation. An artistic expression. A celebration of art and education - and it’s for everyone.

Professional artists, student artists, parents, friends, collectors - Facets is a boutique exhibition which offers work for sale from artists across Australia.

We welcome back our stalwart curators, Fairholme Old Girls Sandy Pottinger and Sue Lostroh. ‘Facets has grown and developed as an exxtension of the College’s support of the creative curriculum,’ Sandy says.

‘We are looking forward to this year’s event - the fifth annual exhibition - and judging by the number of artworks we are already receiving, it is looking like our biggest and best yet.’

Sandy says she enjoys curating the exhibition each year as the spacious and boutique feel of Facets is like none other in the region. ‘The presentation honours the artworks, while the accompanying artist statements create unique narratives that define the interests, motivations and inspirations of the artists, which in turn enhances the viewer’s appreciation.’

Facets: An Art Exhibition at Fairholme will be held at the College across the weekend of 20-22 May. Tickets will be available for Opening Night at the end of the FAIRHOLME term via the College website.

COLLEGE | Wirra Wirra Street Toowoomba | (07) 4688

4688 | communications@fairholme.qld.edu.au

Upcomingevents Term 1 Concludes

31 March

Twilight Family Worship Service 29 May

Term 2 Commences

20 April

Athletics Carnival (JS)

Anzac Day Public Holiday

25 April

Athletics Carnival (MS and SS) 22 July

FACETS Exhibition

20-22

Father’s Long Dinner

10 June 22 July

FAIRHOLME COLLEGE | Wirra Wirra Street Toowoomba | (07) 4688 4688 | communications@fairholme.qld.edu.au