FOCUS on fairholme 2015

Christ-Centred Faith

Collaboration

Enjoyment

Seeking Excellence

Respect

contents THERE’S A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE Fairholme Principal completes PhD thesis P4

this issue

LEST WE FORGET Premier’s ANNZAC Tour recollections P10

SHOWDOWN! Fairholme Junior Musical Highlights P16

KALEIDOSCOPE CONCERT SERIES A Plethora of performances themed to Seasons P22 SPORTING TRIPLE CROWN Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Champions P24 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? News of our Fairholme Old Girls P32

Inclusive [in-kloo-sive] Adjective 1. Including a great deal; or including everything concerned; comprehensive 2. Enclosing; embracing As you read through this issue of FOCUS on Fairholme, you will notice that a well-balanced, inclusive approach sees our community grow and thrive. From Kindy to Year 12, our girls become family as we build on their dreams, share in their achievements and nurture their young spirits.

We hope that we have captured the true essence of what inclusion can bring to our College community, here for your reading enjoyment.

the first word

‘Inclusion elevates all’ Elaine Hall | Inspirational Speaker, Educator, Writer

‘A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.’ These words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. are etched on our 2015 – 2017 Strategic Plan.

As we prepare to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Fairholme College at its current location, I am delighted to launch our new Strategic Plan – a clear, decisive document that lists our future goals and guides our decision making as we develop the strategies needed to achieve our vision.

The key message in the 2015 – 2017 plan is ‘Stretching the Boundaries’; a mission that requires collective action on the part of all stakeholders. There are areas of Teaching and Learning, Governance, Resources and Infrastructure, for example, which specifically target particular areas of expertise. There are also areas of Faith, Stewardship and Strategic Thinking that invite participation from the entire Fairholme Community.

We seek your help to establish and, in particular, to build inclusive relationships in the local and rural communities where you live and work. We invite you to be ambassadors for Fairholme by sharing our successes and our achievements.

Strategic Plans are evolving documents – set at a point in time, in this case with specific and measurable goals – but always open to change as the years unfold. I encourage you to actively consider this plan; consider how you might help us to achieve the goals we have set. We are always open to new ideas – that is how boundaries are stretched.

I look forward to your support and continued involvement in all things Fairholme; and to catching up with you sometime during the many events as we move towards the end of the College year.

Mr Ian Andersen | Chairman

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there’s a in the house !

Just put your head down and get on with it !

Messages of congratulations from the school community were prolific when the Principal of Fairholme College recently celebrated her graduation at QPAC on Wednesday 22 July, 2015. Dr Evans commenced studies for her Doctorate of Education in 2009 and completed her thesis on 13 March 2015.

‘I began my studies at QUT and, most likely, have completed my studies at QUT – with many years and a Bachelor of Education Studies and Master of Arts in between’, says Dr Evans, following this, her third parttime, external degree.

The title of her thesis ‘Professional Learning from the Inside’ (read more at right) is an investigation into the type of teacher professional learning that leads to improved teaching and learning. Her findings point to research-based learning that is collaborative, teacher-driven and occurs from within a school.

‘I learned so much and I found that the learning stretched me beyond expectation – it was very lonely and very tough at times’, she cautions, ‘but I was pulled through by my father’s words “Just put your head down and get on with it”, which gave impetus to completion. What I discovered was that the process has been far more important than the product – I simply can’t quantify the learning, only to say I have been humbled by how little I know and excited by how much there is still to learn.’

Dr Evans dedicates her thesis to her parents and her husband, and hopes to publish in 2015 alongside her three QUT supervisors. Interested parties can find her thesis via QUT e-prints as well as through contacting the school.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FROM THE INSIDE...

A day in the life of our Doctor Lending support on the Oval.

Some six years ago I asked a big question – how do teachers learn best so that their work in the classroom produces better student outcomes? Oh, that there were an easy answer!

What became apparent through a fever of reading and via investigation through survey and interviews was that the improvement of student learning is a collective enterprise, strengthened when teachers decide, together, to make changes to practice.

Perhaps this can be considered a self-evident truth yet it is not something that is practised widely in schools. Teacher learning should not be limited to something ‘to go out to do’. A seminal study of the best school systems in the world, conducted by Barber and Mourshed (2007. p. 30) identified that collaborative and job-focused professional learning is fundamental to the improvement of classroom practice.

Yet teaching is typically a solo enterprise. It is possible for a highly competent teacher to enter his or her classroom and re-emerge some forty years later without any colleagues having witnessed their practice. What an appalling waste.

This thought has also driven my interest in how Fairholme teachers can learn from within the school and from one another. How can we value one another’s practice, learn from one another and collectively seek to improve student learning beyond that which we can achieve alone?

I see potential for this in examples such as our current work with the Principles of Teaching and Learning (PoLT); research projects sited

within the school, the collaborative implementation of Blackboard as a learning management system and the development of a robust QCS preparation program led by a team of teachers. Each of these examples relies upon collective wisdom and an inclusive, rather than an exclusive, approach to improvement.

Appropriately, I finish with the words of Tom Carroll, who states in his article on ‘The Next Generation of Learning Teams’: A highly qualified teacher in every classroom is an idea whose time has passed.

Life at Fairholme is filled with ‘busyness’ for both staff and students, and College Principal, Dr Linda Evans, is at the heart of this liveliness on a daily basis.

Pictured are some snapshots of our leader in action!

What’s needed is high-quality teaching in every school. Quality teaching is not an individual accomplishment, it is the result of a collaborative culture that empowers teachers to team up to improve student learning beyond what any of them can achieve alone (Carroll, 2009. P.12).

May Fairholme College teachers seek to work as a collective to improve student learning, beyond what any of them can achieve alone!

Teaching English

Advocating Road Safety

Dr Linda Evans | Principal

REFERENCES

Demonstrating Sporting Skills

Barber, M., & Mourshed, M. (2007).

How the World’s Best Performing Schools Come Out on Top. London: McKinsey & Company.

Carroll, T. (2009). ‘The next generation of learning teams’. Phi Delta Kappan, 91(2), 8-13. Retrieved from http:// search.proquest.com/docview/2184817 31?accountid=13380

Congratulating Senior Leaders

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from the heart SERVICE is faith, active in love. The tutelage of service is a subject that is close to the hearts of the entire Fairholme community, evident in the many projects (big and small) that are included on our calendars every year.

Building hope in Cambodia NOVEMBER 2014

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Beneficiary > Volunteer Building Cambodia (VBC).

Peak2Park 1 March 2015

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Save the Panda Dinner 12 March 2015

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SERVICE Fairholme College entered the largest group of runners in Toowoomba’s biggest, 10th annual, fun run and received a $500 prize.

Beneficiary > Fresh Hope, Leukemia Foundation and Toowoomba Hospice.

International Women’s Day 6 March 2015

SERVICE The Boarding House Environment Committee organised a ‘Black and White’ themed fundraising dinner, dressing up for a fun evening with fabulous prizes on offer.

SERVICE The first ever Fairholme group of nineteen girls and four staff members travelled to ‘The Kingdom of Cambodia’, to help to build a home for a family of four and assist in a small school.

SERVICE Middle School girls focused on the topic of preventing bullying. The girls wrote messages and advice about how to stop bullying or minimise its impact, and added them to a colourful tree mural.

Bullying Tree 27 March 2015

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Beneficiary > BullyingNoWay. gov.au campaign.

SERVICE Fairholme College saved 216 lives in 2014 and was named the winner of the Toowoomba Schools’ Challenge for the highest total donation in the 2014.

SERVICE Profiles of influential women, including many Fairholme Old Girls, were dotted throughout the College.

The Year 12 girls sold beautiful purple smoothies and a bakesale was held.

Beneficiary > International charities supporting women in Pakistan and India.

Beneficiary > Save the Panda Fund, Pakistan and India.

Red Cross Blood Donation 29 March 2015

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Beneficiary > Australian Red Cross, ‘Club:Red’ blood donation drive.

ANZAC Day 25 April 2015

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SERVICE Senior Under Officer of the TGS Cadet Unit, Olivia Hassall, and other members of this unit, assisted at the College Anzac Service, featuring guest of honour Major David Devine. Year 12 Boarders attended the Dawn Service at the Toowoomba Mother’s Memorial.

SERVICE Staff members and parents gave generously of their time to help our Seniors raise funds by shining shoes for a gold coin donation, as part of the Shave for a Cure fundraising drive.

Shine for a Cure 20 May 2015

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Beneficiary > Cancer Council.

SERVICE A brave group of Seniors lost their locks as part of Shave for a Cure, raising almost $15,000 for the cause!

Beneficiary > Leukaemia Foundation.

Morning of Service 15 June 2015

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SERVICE The Year 11 cohort get up to all sorts of fun during this annual event where they support a plethora of charitable organisations.

Beneficiary > Cobb & Co Museum, Baked Relief, Lourdes Home, Endeavour City Library, Teen Challenge, RSPCA, BUPA, Fairholme Junior, Inner Wheel.

Beneficiary > Leukemia Foundation.

SERVICE The Boarding House Service Committee held a ‘Biggest Afternoon Tea’ Bake Sale to raise funds for a very worthy cause.

Boarders’ Bake Sale 25 May 2015

Shave for a Cure 12 June 2015

Winter Warmer Drive 25 August 2015

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SERVICE Girls raised funds by wearing winter accessories, raising awareness of the learning opportunites available at Fairholme.

Beneficiary > The Indigenous Literacy Foundation.

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on the

Fairholme’s Palm Drive has become known for movie-like scenes of elegant ladies and dapper young men emerging from a diverse fleet of shining vehicles – and an overcast sky didn’t hold back the much-anticipated Formal celebrations this year.

On Wednesday, April 1, this special social milestone was once again celebrated with style and panache as an impressive group of elegant and graceful young women stepped into the spotlight for the night. Together with family and friends, the Fairholme community proudly introduced the Senior cohort for 2015.

Almost chrysalis like, our tartan-clad schoolgirls proved to have grown into breathtaking young ladies.

Personalities bloomed in the choice of gowns, as some opted for long and flowing whilst others donned whimsical creations in rich colours.

Gowns in traditional black, through to orange, yellow, navy, midnight blue, emerald green and white, accompanied broad smiles and high heels as the girls emerged from a shiny black Mercedes or a horse float, or a combi van, and even the College maintenance staff’s Polaris.

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side As is traditional, the evening began with a function for parents, teachers, the girls and their partners, followed by a red carpet walk-in, an on-stage introduction of each girl and her partner, and a father-daughter waltz.

The formal part of the evening was celebrated at Picnic Point where a delicious meal was shared, along with more photographs, dancing, and the cutting of the cake by the Formal Committee, as introduced by Head Girl, Georgina Duncan.

For their vision and planning for this event, we are very grateful to Ms Feraniki Hughes and the Year 12 Formal Committee – Elyse Rich, Ainslie Fraser, Shannon Tucker, Ellie Christensen, Georgia Hendy, Paige McDonald and Bella McDowall.

style

elegance

grace

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lest

We Forget

When Lala Grogan (Year 11) sat down to construct her entry for the 2015 Premier’s ANZAC prize, she approached the task with the same discipline as she would a Humanities assignment, complete with research and sources. Her findings were then translated it into a creative five-minute video, addressing three key questions: How has the ANZAC tradition shaped our nation? Why is the ANZAC tradition still important? and How will future generations keep the ANZAC tradition alive?

The Premier’s ANZAC Student Tour was first conducted in 2004 and annually attracts Years 8/9, Year 10 and Year 11 entrants from all over Australia. Entries are judged based on their originality; they must show a genuine interest in the ANZAC experience and have an appreciation of the study of history.

Lala, together with Fairholme College Head of Humanities teacher, Miss Alison Scott, (who liaised particularly with those students selected from the Darling Downs region and was also involved in the collation of historical research for the enrichment of students whilst on the tour) were fortunate enough to be selected for the 2015 tour, together with 70 students and 10 chaperones from Queensland. FOCUS magazine caught up with them for an interview about their experience.

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Focus: Would you recommend other girls enter this competition?

LG: Definitely. Even if you don’t think you have a chance, apply anyway, because if you never try the answer will always be no.

Focus (to Alison Scott): As a chaperone, what would you describe as the most valuable aspect of the tour?

AS: The Dawn Service proved to be an incredibly moving experience and a fitting tribute to those who fought for our nation and for those who lost their lives in the process – a memory that still ranks highest amongst all the wonderful experiences of the trip. We also enjoyed the expertise of Australian War Memorial historians as they travelled around the Gallipoli peninsula taking in the battles and places that have become part of Australian folklore – Lone Pine, the Nek, and the Sphinx at Anzac Cove.

Focus: Has this experience shaped opinions about your own future in any way?

LG: This experience has definitely been life-changing, as there were countless moments where I was touched, moved and inspired on the trip. By visiting historically significant sites, learning about the War and commemorating the stories of the souls that fell at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, it made me realise the severity and true ramifications of war. Many of the soldiers lost their lives or a part of themselves during those wars, so that future generations didn’t have to. So, I guess it has just really solidified for me the idea of how lucky I am to have the freedom to do whatever I want with my life, and follow my passions. Something I cannot take for granted.

Focus: The competition rules call for the participants to have a genuine interest in ANZAC history. Is this something close to your heart?

LG: I have always been deeply moved by the ANZAC legend and it is definitely a part of history that is close to my heart.

One of my most distinct memories from my childhood is attending the Dawn Service at home, with the Kokoda Trail looming in the background. Whether it be at Gallipoli, or any conflict since, their sacrifice is something that has always resonated deeply with me. Historically, I have always found it interesting how Australia’s involvement in war has interacted with the way modern Australia and Australian society has been shaped. The Premier’s ANZAC Prize was then the perfect opportunity to explore both of these things. I could not pass up the chance to visit places so symbolic and sacred to Australians, with such significance to our history.

Focus: In closing?

AS: It was an incredibly rewarding experience and one that we will always treasure.

Leading by example Fairholme College Year 12 student, Olivia Hassall, is a dedicated team player who lives by the motto: ‘There is no ‘I’ in team. Team stands for: Together Everyone Achieves More.

Motivated and inspired by her father’s successful 21-year career as a Flight Sergent in the Australian Air Force, Olivia joined the co-educational Toowoomba Grammar School Cadet Unit in Year 8 as a way to gain in-depth knowledge of the Australian Defence Force.

Four years later and now a Senior member of TGSCU, Olivia was promoted to the position of Cadet Under Officer in early 2015, in which she will be tasked to oversee the entire unit in a leadership role. Girls from Fairholme College have been invited to be a part of the TGSCU since 1999 and Olivia’s appointment marks the second occasion on which a Fairholme girl has held this position.

‘I want to fully express my gratitude to the headmaster of the Toowoomba Grammar School, Mr Peter Hauser, for allowing me to fulfil this position, as well as giving thanks to the unit for deciding to place me in this role’.

Olivia is currently working toward her Silver level in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and hopes to attend the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, with the ultimate goal of serving her country as an Intelligence Officer.

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at its best If you have ever redecorated a room, you will no doubt understand the complexities of the task.

Deciding on a decorating style is hard enough in itself, but when you are presented with literally unending varieties of choices in furnishings, colour and styles, it does become a bit daunting. Add to that more than 200 boarders – each with her own ideas – and you realise that our team had quite a project brief to fulfil in order to create an inclusive, contemporary space.

The result was, however, a resounding success. Contemporary and comfortable furnishings in both bedroom and lounge areas made it a great start to 2015 in the Fairholme College Boarding House! The completion of the Black Dorm ‘facelift’ now leads the way for a number of future stages of refurbishment in the Boarding House; thus providing a spacious, inviting and friendly environment, ensuring that our boarders feel ‘right at home’.

‘Life is in the detail’. This was certainly part of the thought process of the refurbishment project. Small luxuries like an instant hot water tap (for latenight hot chocolate) and recliners in the common room; beautiful in-room basins and vanities; and pin boards around all the bedroom walls have added a touch of luxe to the accommodation.

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NEW Black Dorm

h c u m o S

to do...

Decorating their ‘home away from home’ is all in a day’s work for the Boarding House Environment Committee, who came up with a great way to assist in making everyone more environmentally conscious, and at the same time, joining hands to contribute to a large colourful wall hanging made up of their unique handprints. It seems there’s always ‘so much to do’ when you’re a Fairholme Boarder!

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THE SEED

Growing for good !

Environmental stewardship and a connection to nature is so beautifully taught through the simple act of gardening.

Imagine a student’s excitement when planting a seed and days later seeing the leaves push through the soil. Gardening takes the classroom outdoors, where maths, science and biology meet in between the roots and shoots of vegetables and herbs, lovingly tended by budding horticulturists.

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Mrs Belinda Eldridge and the Fairholme Junior gardeners have been appointed custodians of the campus vegetable patch, even harvesting the plants to provide ingredients for cooking.

What a boost for a young learner’s self-esteem to see her schools’ Principal and Heads of School participate in a Master Chef Class, using the produce she helped to grow.

For many students, a handson learning experience brings a visual connection to classroom learning. Even the youngest learners can grasp basic concepts by using rulers to properly space planting or taking inspiration from the garden to link to art or literature. The benefits are endless – you just have to plant that seed!

junior

Fairholme Junior excels in NAPLAN results Congratulations to Fairholme Junior teachers, Mrs Deb Cochran and Mr Peter Webb, as Fairholme Year 3 was ranked 4th in Queensland for NAPLAN results.

A show of proud hands for the AWARD-WINNING Fairholme Kindy Fairholme Kindy walked away with top honours in the category of Outstanding Initiative/Project to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families in Queensland 2015, at the 75th Anniversary Lady Gowrie Queensland Early Childhood Awards, for their implementation of Auslan (Australian Sign Language) into the Kindy program.

This is the result of the dedication and innovation by Fairholme Kindy Teachers, Mrs Jo Darbyshire and Mrs Sonya Nicol, and is an outstanding contribution to the Early Childhood profession, children and our community. The award is a great honour and one that these staff members, along with their Assistants, Mrs Sue Harris and Mrs Anne Maguire, justly deserve.

The nationwide NAPLAN tests are held annually for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The test is designed to measure performance in key areas of reading, persuasive writing, spelling, numeracy, grammar and punctuation.

During May 2015, more than 245,000 students sat the tests over a threeday period and, according to the final results, the vast majority of Queensland students either met or exceeded the national standard.

AWESOME Andrews Cup results Fairholme Junior was delighted to achieve 2nd place in the Percentage section of the Andrews Cup athletics competiton in August 2015. Our athletes enjoyed some personal bests and several first places in their events.

It is wonderful to see the resilience in our athletes and how their organisational skills develop as they prepare themselves for their respective events. The sum of all the learning amounts to so much more than participating in an event or two and being part of a team.

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engage

Fairholme 2015 Musical

SHOWD enrich

Showdown! returned to the Fairholme stage after eleven years, in what was nothing short of a boot-stompin’, heart-thumpin’ Wild West show! Rewritten, with slight adaptations, directed and choreographed by Mrs Belinda Eldridge, with accompaniment

by Mrs Anne Thomas, the 2015 version of Showdown! was filled with incredible energy, talent and creativity by all involved in this razzle-dazzle production. YEEHAA!

inspire

What a great storyline: Curly Simpson looked like a regular old timer in the Wild West, but looks can be deceiving. Wild Bill Bailey and his bunch of Bad Boys, the Banjo brothers, knew that Curly Simpson was a very wealthy man … with a secret gold mine.

It was with this knowledge that Wild Bill and the boys set out to rob Curly of his gold, but little did they know that Curly’s good friends planned their own ambush.

e Junior’s Presentation

achieve

DOWN! The Wild West boys walked straight into a trap, taking a dream potion and before you could say ‘whiplashcrocodile-crunch’ they were talking to stars and were being round up and handed to the Sheriff by Curly’s 17 gorgeous daughters.

Ah, but as all good stories go, true love always prevails, and in the end all is forgiven. Wild Bill is reunited with his long-lost love, Mary-Lou Simpson, and the naughty band of Wild West boys show their softer true colours and capture the hearts of the very group of gals who caught them!

The annual Musical is a highlight in the Junior School calendar. It provides the girls with opportunities to be inspired with a vision of what they can do, and it opens possibilities for what they can become.

It engages, inspires and enriches the girls, exciting their imaginations and encouraging them to reach their artistic and expressive potential. Performing on stage in front of a large audience presents them with new challenges, and it contributes to their development as confident and creative individuals.

Congratulations to all!

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cultivate FOCUS on Fairholme 2015

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What an EVENTful and successful year it’s been for Fairholme Equestriennes! Captained by Loretta Morris, the team comprises Tory Robertson, Phoebe Riordan, Amilia Schooley, Bree Robertson, Chelsea Toomey, Becky Gillan, Claudia Dight, Clare Hensley, Alicia Freeman, Lauren Bougoure, Laura Howe, Mia Doering, Meg Gillan, Rebecca Mullen and Amilia Schooley.

At the start of the 2015 eventing season, the girls proved that they were the team to beat. They launched into training with great enthusiasm and successfully hosted the first-ever Fairholme Equestrian show-jumping day on 29 March.

From there, the jumps were cleared straight into the Darling Downs Interschool Regional Championships, where all together the 15 riders achieved extraordinary results.

Kind weekend weather, good facilities and wonderful camaraderie once again ensured great results at the three-day Scots Extravaganza held at Morgan Park in Warwick during May. Then, to cap it all off, our riders achieved impressive results at the Queensland Interschool Equestrian State Championships held in Maryborough from 28 June to 01 July. The big news: Loretta Morris, Claudia Dight, Tory Robertson, Meg Gillan, Bree Robertson, Becky Gillan and Phoebe Riordan all qualified to represent Queensland at the Australian National Interschool Championships being held at Olympic Park in Sydney at the end of September.

Add to this a recent accolade for the team – The Summers and McDougall Families School Trophy (presented at the final IQ Combined Training and Eventing Championships at Warwick), awarded for Sportsmanship – and you have all the evidence of the girls ‘riding high’ for 2015!

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Ganbatte (がんばって) Ganbatte

"do your best!" - it's the Japanese ethic of giving your all.

The Fairholme College students who undertook the 2015 tour of Japan certainly gave it their all!

‘Do your best!’ - it’s the Japanese ethic of giving JAPAN AT A GLANCE your all.

Official Name: Japan Capital: Tokyo

TheGovernment FairholmeType: College students who undertook Constitutional monarchy with parliamentary government theHead 2015 tour of Japan certainly ‘gave it their of State: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe all!’Population: 127.4 million GDP Per Capita: $38,500

TheCurrency: volcanic archipelago of Japan is located Japanese Yen between the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean, andTheisvolcanic one ofarchipelago the most densely populated of Japan is located between the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean, and is one of thein most populated countries the world. countries thedensely world.

Highlights of ain trip to Highlights of a trip to this island nation could include seeing Cherry Blossoms in bloom, attending Soba cooking classes, visiting historic sites, thissinging island nation could include seeing Cherry karaoke, learning origami from a master and if you are visiting at the right time, count on a snow ball in fight.

Blossoms bloom, attending Soba cooking classes, visiting historic sites, singing karaoke, The Japan Tour ticked all these boxes for our group of intrepid travellers who, armed with their learning from a master and, if youtheare warmestorigami jumpers and adventurous spirits, explored sights of Tokyo, Takayama, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima in July of thistime, year. count on a snowball visiting at the right fight.

Including cultural exchange programs into schools creates global citizens, as Fairholme Old Girl Chiharu Ota (2012) now in her third year at University in Tokyo, confirmed. Our tour group were thrilled to catchall up these with ‘Chi’ in her home city. Our friends at Jissen and Joshi Seigakuin Theabsolutely Japan Tour ticked boxes for our High Schools - from where we will once again welcome students to Fairholme in Term 3 – agree that group of intrepid travellers who, armed with more people could be encouraged to participate in school based exchange programs as they truly their warmest andandadventurous spirits, broadens ones’ jumpers understanding builds appreciation for a more inclusive society.

explored the sights of Tokyo, Takayama, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima in July of this year.

Including cultural exchange programs into schools creates global citizens, as Fairholme Old Girl Chiharu Ota (2012), now in her third year at University in Tokyo, confirmed. Our tour group members were absolutely thrilled to catch up with ‘Chi’ in her home city. Our friends at Jissen and Joshi Seigakuin High Schools – from where we will once again welcome students to Fairholme in Term 3 – agree that more people could be encouraged to participate in schoolbased exchange programs, as they truly broaden one’s understanding and build appreciation for a more inclusive society.

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From 15 – 17 August audiences at the Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, witnessed the extraordinary culmination of the combined efforts and amazing talents of almost 120 students plus Staff from both Fairholme College and the Toowoomba Grammar School, in the performance of Titanic | The Musical. Eight months in the making, with hours of planning, rehearsing and polishing leading to four extraordinary performances, with each receiving a standing ovation, this was a truly remarkable achievement for any production – but certainly an outstanding milestone for a school musical.

This Musical was much more than just a stage show; it was an outstanding educational opportunity where the students were able to experience professional theatrical production, learning about voice projection, stage presence, acting, singing, sound and lighting, set design, costuming, make-up as well as rehearsal commitments, teamwork and dedication, whilst also being part of something extremely special that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Mrs Karen Hayward | Head of The Arts

2015 saw the launch of the Kaleidoscope of The Arts Concert Series, featuring a guest appearance from Vox Camarata, a community chamber choir from Singapore!

This exciting platform showcased performances throughout the year, themed to seasons and supported by guest artists, as well as a team of dedicated teachers and students.

KALEIDOSCOPE of The Arts

Concert Series 2015 Autumn Tones

A Box of Chocolates

elegance

AURORA & The Idea of North

Simple Gifts The audience at the Simple Gifts concert enjoyed a wonderful choral experience, incorporating an array of songs that required beautiful vocal blends and challenging part harmonies, a tradition that has become synonymous with Fairholme Choral Music.

This elegant, twohour concert included performances by the Fairholme Junior Chorale, the Senior Chamber Choir, the College Choir, Combined Middle and Senior Chamber Choirs, Middle Chamber Choir, the Year 7/8 Whole Cohort Choir and Year 9 Elective Music students, and guest performers, Toowoomba Choral Society.

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Setting the perfect tone (pun intended) for a laid-back Friday afternoon, was the second concert in the Kaleidoscope series: Autumn Tones.

The evening highlighted a wonderful range of Vivaldi’s ‘Autumn’ musical compositions, beautifully performed by our talented Fairholme College Chamber Strings and Flute Ensembles.

The annual Middle School Arts concert, was held on Friday 17 July. Affectionately referred to as A Box of Chocolates, this year’s concert offered audience members a delicious selection of tasty individual performance treats and visual arts displays, incorporating all of The Arts Disciplines.

On the evening of Saturday 22 August, the Fairholme College Assembly Hall came alive with the harmonious sounds of the Fairholme College Choirs, the Toowoomba Grammar School ‘Grammarphones’ and special invited guests, Australian a capella group, The Idea of North, in the fifth installation of the Kaleidoscope Concert Series.

What a treat for all who witnessed the amazing talents of TION, and for the students who workshopped with the stars prior to the concert.

Excellence!

It was a spectacularly successful experience for talented Fairholme students at the 2015 Toowoomba Eisteddfod (Part 1). The College community was absolutely thrilled to acknowledge the wonderful achievements of students who admirably represented Fairholme College, with 182 solo and group performances across the Choral, Vocal, Piano and Speech and Drama sections.

The following list of prizes awarded to Fairholme College is testament that talent, combined with ample commitment, determination and excellent instruction, ultimately reaps rewards.

Junior School Chorale Primary School Spiritual Song or Gospel section Junior School Chorale Primary School ‘A’ Grade Choir Fairholme Senior School Chamber Choir Secondary School Vocal Ensemble Fairholme College Choir Secondary School Modern Choir Fairholme College Choir Secondary School Choir Fairholme College Choir Highest Aggregate Points across three Sections Fairholme Senior School Chamber Choir Secondary School Folk Singing Ensemble Fairholme College Choir Secondary School Hymn Singing Choir Fairholme College Choir Secondary School Spiritual Song or Gospel Choir Fairholme College Middle School Chamber Choir Middle School Vocal Ensemble Fairholme College Years 7/8 Choir Middle School Choir

FIRST PLACE THIRD PLACE HIGHLY COMMENDED FIRST PLACE FIRST PLACE WINNER HIGHLY COMMENDED FIRST PLACE HIGHLY COMMENDED THIRD PLACE THIRD PLACE

And the accolades just kept on coming during Part 2 of the Toowoomba Eisteddfod.

An incredible 19 Instrumental Ensembles from across the College, and a further 87 solo or small group entries, showcased an amazing array of talents by our gifted musicians.

It was also wonderful to note that there were also an impressive 82 Fairholme entries in the Speech and Drama sections, where our girls performed a wide range of dramatic monologues, duologues, verse speaking, poetry and expressive dramatisations, each of which was awarded either a first, second, third or highly commended.

In a first for Fairholme, our string ensembles were the recipients of the aggregate trophies for both Primary School and Secondary School competitions. These awards recognise the outstanding performances (see results below) by the Junior String Orchestra and the Chamber Strings and smaller ensembles drawn from these two groups.

Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme Fairholme

Ensemble College Chamber Strings College Clarinet Ensemble College Saxophone Ensemble College Senior Quartet College Stage Band College Symphonic Wind Band College Symphony Orchestra Flutes Intermezzo Quartet Junior Junior Band Junior Flute Quartet Junior String Orchestra Junior String Quartet Junior Year Two Strings

SMALL STRING ENSEMBLE Secondary School FIRST PLACE STRING ENSEMBLE Secondary School FIRST PLACE WOODWIND or BRASS or PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE Secondary School SECOND PLACE WOODWIND or BRASS or PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE Secondary School HIGHLY COMMENDED STRING (unaccompanied) TRIO/QUARTET Secondary School HIGHLY COMMENDED ‘B’ GRADE STAGE BAND Secondary School SECOND PLACE ‘A’ GRADE CONCERT BAND Secondary School HIGHLY COMMENDED SCHOOL ORCHESTRA Secondary School SECOND PLACE WOODWIND/BRASS/RHYTHM ENSEMBLE Secondary School THIRD PLACE STRING (unaccompanied) TRIO/QUARTET Secondary School SECOND PLACE SMALL STRING ENSEMBLE Primary School FIRST PLACE SMALL INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE Primary School SECOND PLACE WOODWIND QUARTET Year 6 FIRST PLACE STRING ‘A’ GRADE ENSEMBLE Primary School FIRST PLACE STRING TRIO/QUARTET Primary School HIGHLY COMMENDED FOCUSTHIRD ON FAIRHOLME 23 STRING ‘B’ GRADE ENSEMBLE Primary School PLACE

FAST FACTS

TRIPLE

A ‘Triple Crown’ in Toowoomba Secondary School Sport competition occurs when a school on the Darling Downs wins all three major Interschool Championships (Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics)

CHAM

Swimming was first contested under the TSSS banner in 1964 with Athletics being introduced in 1966 and Cross Country in 1978

The Fairholme Cross Country team certainly had a great lead-up to the TSSS competiton this year.

A 50-strong Cross Country squad attended the St Aidan’s Invitational Meet and Queensland Athletics All Schools Cross Country Championships in Brisbane, gaining five top-10 places in age groups including two 4th place finishes.

In 2015 Fairholme won its 16th ‘Triple Crown’, winning all three major Interschool Championships Since 1964 Fairholme has won TSSS Championship Carnivals on 85 occasions (The closest rival has 35 wins) Swimming has the most championship wins with Fairholme securing 34 championship titles since 1964 Cross Country has been won by Fairholme on 25 occasions since the shield was introduced in 1978 Fairholme has held the Chronicle Cup Trophy for Champion School (Athletics) in an unbeaten run since 1992. The undefeated period of 24 years is now one of the longest periods in Queensland School sport history.

The team put in an extraordinary effort at the TSSS Championships to win the Overall Darling Downs Girls’ School Teams Trophy at Kearney’s Spring in May.

What a fitting tribute to our retiring, much revered Head of Sport, Mr Nick Byron!

Fairholme swimmers returned victorious from the TSSS ‘A’ Schools Swim Meet for a 14th consecutive year!

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During the 14 years, 145 individual Fairholme girls have contributed directly to the outcome as members of winning teams. We have been fortunate to have had approximately 20 expert coaching staff members over this time, and none better than Fairholme past student, Hayley Wolff.

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MPIONS In addition, they won the 14, 16, 17 and 19 Years age groups and were runners-up in the 13 and 15 Years age groups. Fairholme had the strongest representation of students selected in the Darling Downs team to compete at the State Championships of any school in this region in 2015.

To complete the season, the team ran well over a tough course at the Canterbury College Invitational Meet. Some outstanding performances were: Rani Brennan (2nd) and Naia Anderson (3rd) in the 13 Years event, and Emily Lowe (1st) in the Open event.

Athletes bring home the GOLD - again!

The ‘Jump n Jive’ could be heard a great distance away as the Fairholme Athletics Team belted out their war cry after they were announced as winners of The Chronicle Cup for overall Girls’ Schools Champions for the 24th consecutive year.

They also won the 13, 15, 16 and 19 Years age-group trophies and were runner up in the 14 Years. In addition, they won the Relay and Percentage trophies.

Lilli Anderson and Taylor McCosker tied for first place in the Owen Janetzki Trophy for best female athlete of the Meet.

The following three girls broke five records: Sam Lenton – 16 Years Shot Put and Discus; Ellie Bowyer – 15 Years Javelin and Shot Put; and Sarah Flynn – 16 Years Javelin.

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2015 successes Demi Hayes | Year 12 > Selection in the Rugby Sevens Team for the 2015 Youth Commonwealth Games (Samoa) (Elected as Captain) > Selection in the Qld Open Schoolgirls Touch Team

Becky Gillan, Claudia Dight, joint Captains, Loretta Morris and Tori Robertson, Phoebe Riordan, Meg Gillan > Selection in the 2015 Qld Equestrian Team

Selina Mcintyre | Year 10 & Elise Matherson | Year 11 > Selection into Queensland Hockey Teams

Julia Algie | Year 12 > Selection into the Queensland School Sport Swimming team to compete at the Pacific School Games

Brianna Suey | Year 8 (pictured) Tatum Stewart | Year 8 Rene Beci | Year 8 > Selection into Queensland Hockey Teams

Chloe Randall | Year 6 > Two National Medals at the Australian Cross Country Championships

Jess Rogers | Year 11, Lucy Hill | Year 9 & Zazi Brennan, Year 11 > Selection into the Queensland Orienteering Team

Chloe McDonald | Year 11 > Selection into Queensland AFL Team

Anna Elder | Year 11 > Awarded the ‘Prince of Wales Trophy’ in recognition of an Australian Stock Horse that has achieved a number of prestigious performance awards, and has performed the best in three event categories, in a calendar year.

Alissa Woods | Year 8 > Sucessful completion of the 2015 Quilty Endurance Ride

Georgia Hendy | Year 12 & Olivia Hendy | Year 9 > Selection into Queensland Indoor Cricket Team. Georgia selected as Captain of the Team.

Zoe Webster | Year 9 & Olivia Goodsell | Year 11 > Selection into Queensland Touch Team

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Accolades One of the Nation’s TOP 50 Schools!

STRONG NAPLAN and OP RESULTS

In June of this year, The Weekend Australian published the ‘Your School’ data and ranked Fairholme College as Number 14 in the Top 50 Country Schools of Australia.

To add to the plaudits, Fairholme came in at Number 25/50 of all schools in the State of Queensland!

Outstanding Junior Naplan results and very strong Year 7 and Year 9 data (ranked within the top 20 schools of the State), which means that the College is well-placed in National school rankings.

The achievements of the Seniors of 2014 were very strong, with academic improvement most evident in the OP 1 – 3 band (17%).

Of particular interest, Fairholme College received six of the OP 1s awarded to students in the state.

These impressive results are indicative that a Fairholme girl’s learning journey develops her academic wellbeing, her intellectual enthusiasm and her social confidence, giving her a set of skills to carry her through further education and beyond!

For more information regarding the prestigious WESTPAC FAIRHOLME FASHION COMPETITION, daily fashion workshops and presentations, or the SPRING FAIR FASHION PARADE please visit www.fairholme.qld.edu.au

CHANGING of the guard

As the year speeds to a close, we will farewell some Fairholme Favourites, and take this opportunity to share with you their meritorious service to the College.

Pastor Richard Jessup College Chaplain | 1996 - 2015

Pastor Richard Jessup began at Fairholme College in January 1996 and quickly demonstrated his passion for practical, accessible and meaningful Christianity. His Devotions over almost two decades have been typified by currency, relevance and the skill of incorporating an engaging narrative to spread the word. Bagpipe playing, a heart for real service, as evident in the development of the relationship with Mizpah in Ootacumund, a passionate interest in the land as well as the gentle compassionate skill to journey with people through grief are but a few of his trademark footprints that remain in the Fairholme soil.

MRS LYN MERRY Head of Fairholme Junior | 1996 - 2015

Mrs Lyn Merry also began at Fairholme College in 1996 and quickly demonstrated that her energy, expectations of excellence and enthusiasm were trademark characteristics: she has not wavered. The growth of an outstanding Junior School with such initiatives as: the establishment of a thriving Early Education Centre; building of the magnificent Junior Library; involvement in Andrews Cup; the introduction of technology as a learning tool; and the development of a rich cultural and music program have occurred under Mrs Merry’s leadership. Her passion for shoes, tennis and travel pale into insignificance compared to her absolute love of all people and things that can be attributed to Fairholme Junior.

MR NICK BYRON Head of Sport | 1999 - 2015

Mr Nick Byron joined Fairholme in July 1999. Whilst his passion for Collingwood, cycling ridiculously long distances and good coffee is legendary, even more noteworthy is his insistence that Sport is but a subset of the all-important requirement of engagement in physical activity. He has preached this philosophy to thousands of girls over the past 16 years. They listened, engaged and were converted, because he has also practised his belief with absolute conviction: the Byron effect.

We have enjoyed and appreciated his ready laugh, calm manner and deep interest in each and every student’s participation in not only Sport, but physical activity – more than we can say in words.

MRS CLARE GREENHILL Middle and Senior School Textiles Teacher | 2008 - 2015

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Mrs Clare Greenhill began her teaching career at Fairholme College eight years ago as a Year 7 teacher with her characteristic energy, infectious enthusiasm and inspirational creativity. It soon became evident, (possibly within minutes of her starting) through her fabulous fashion statements, original designs and often very high shoes, that she had a passion for textiles and design. Suddenly, it seems, Home Economics was rebranded as Food and Fashion; sewing machines, overlockers and embroidery machines began to hum loudly in the upstairs classrooms of L Block. Fashion parades have become legendary, Musical costumes renowned and the art of sewing has been revitalised – what a legacy Mrs Greenhill leaves us.

FACT FILE | EMILY TAPP

Attended Fairholme > 1996 -2010 House > Cameron Sport > Member of the A1 Football Team

Enough endurance for the human race Picture: KEITH HEDGELAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Having spent much of her childhood on a remote cattle property in the Northern Territory, Fairholme Old Girl, Emily Tapp (23) grew up with a firm grasp of reality and a healthy appetite for life.

Now a resident of Brisbane, Emily attended Fairholme College from 1996 – 2010 as a Boarder and a member of Cameron House.

Whilst at Fairholme, Emily was an avid athlete and a member of the A1 Football team.

Her love for horses saw Emily, her father and sister compete in many campdrafting events up until one fateful weekend when, whilst competing, she was badly injured.

Emily was aged 19, just four weeks out of school and ready to take on the world, when the accident changed the course of her life irrevocably. Left a paraplegic and following an eight-month stay in hospital, Emily emerged to embark on a new chapter in her life and says, ‘Yes, everyday tasks would be a lot easier if the accident did not occur, but let’s be honest, everyone faces those types of issues, no matter what position you are in’.

Being a bright and determined young woman, Emily set out to make the best of her circumstances, as she says, ‘I am positive and try to make the best out of my situation and I never want to be a person who sits around and feels sorry for themselves’. Her positive support group further includes her parents Ben and Traci, sister Courtney and brother Lynton, who has seen his own success as the MasterChef 2013 runner- up.

Four years and three days after that fateful accident, Emily was again proving that she was someone who lives to beat the odds. On her debut at the Oceania Para-triathlon Championships at Penrith, she won in a time of 1hr 27 minutes and 36.2 seconds.

This included a 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km wheelchair discipline – a time which, according to Triathlon Australia, would have put her in medal contention at last year’s world championships.

Although relatively new to the sport, Emily clearly has the ability to reach world-class performance levels. Following on from her success at Penrith, she travelled to the 2015 Yokohama ITU World Paratriathlon Event in May and scored another win! This was followed by another recent success in Detroit at the ITU World Paratriathlon Event, where she gained 2nd place in her division, so now it’s on to Florida and then she is hoping her next port of call will be attending the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships at Chicago, in September. Emily says, ‘I know I am new to the sport and maybe a little naïve, but I am training to bring home a gold medal from Chicago in September.’

She also has her eyes on competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, as well as at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games in 2016, where the sport will make its debut. Unfortunately, the sport will not be included in the Paralympics program at Tokyo 2020.

In addition to heavy daily training (three to four times a day), Emily is studying externally through the University of Southern Queensland and is in her second year of a degree in International Business and Finance. She also hopes to do a semester abroad at the London School of Economics.

‘ ...everyone faces those types of issues, no matter what position you are in’ One would be well served by taking a leaf from this cheerful young woman’s book. Through her optimistic demeanour and unyielding strength in the face of adversity, Emily has proven to herself – and others – that she has more than enough endurance to run this human race.

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FACT FILE | GEORGIE HOPSON

Attended Fairholme > 1997 - 1999 & 2006 - 2007 (Daygirl) House > Cameron Cultural Achievements > Member of the College Choir and Chamber Choir; Member of the Chamber Strings and Symphony Orchestra; Lead role in the College Musical (Oklahoma!) as Aunt Eller; Member of the Dance Eisteddfod Team; Student of the Fairholme Singing Studio

Taking the stage by storm

Leadership role > Powell House Captain The Harvest Rain Theatre Company’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic, The Pirates of Penzance, took to the QPAC stage earlier this year, with none other than Fairholme Old Girl, Georgina Hopson (24) in the female lead role.

Phil Brown, in the Courier-Mail, said of Georgina, ‘She sings like an angel and has an equally angelic presence and a talent for comic timing too’.

As a recent graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Georgina has had a dream come true in securing a lead role before the ink on her graduation papers has dried.

Working alongside many famous actors and theatre stars, such as Nancye Hayes and John Wood as well as director, Simon Gallaher, has been a humbling experience for Georgina who believes that the best way to handle being star struck is to watch and learn from the masters.

Although she took the sensible route of studying Speech Pathology for one year and then Business for two years after school, singing has always been her passion. As an eight-year old, her first exposure to musical theatre was attending a Gilbert and Sullivan Show starring Simon Gallagher himself, igniting a spark that has kept burning for 16 years.

In accepting the role of Mabel, her life has taken an unexpected turn, which will no doubt ensure that her star will be on the rise.

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FOGA

Fairholme Old Girls’ Association

REUNIONS | SPRING FAIR Reunion Weekend > 17 & 18 OCTOBER 2015 10 Year - Class of 2005 Reunion HELD: Saturday 27 June 2015.

All welcome to attend the All Year Levels Reunion Luncheon on Sunday 18 October 2015.

Co-ordinator: Hayley Mason E hayley@etchevents.com T 0400 494 172 30 Year - Class of 1985 Reunion Saturday 24 October | 6.30pm Location: Story Bridge Hotel, Brisbane. All welcome to attend the All Year Levels Reunion Luncheon on Sunday 18 October 2015 Co-ordinator: Lisa Lichtenstein (Tunbridge) E ltunbridge@hotmail.com 40 Year - Class of 1975 Reunion Saturday 17 October | 5.30pm Location: Angelo’s House, Herries Street, Toowoomba Co-ordinators: Sandra Staskiewicz (Schwennesen) E sandrastaskiewicz@gmail.com Helen Griesheimer (Morton) E rosco9@westnet.com.au

20 Year - Class of 1995 Reunion Saturday 17 October | 7pm Location: Gip’s Restaurant, 120 Russell St, Toowoomba Co-ordinators: Margaret Lindemann (Amos) T 0427 309 019 E margareta1fire@gmail.com Jodie Vickery (Webber) and Bernadette Tranter (Melandri) 35 Year - Class of 1980 Reunion Saturday 17 October | 7pm Location: City Golf Club 254 South Street, Toowoomba Co-ordinator: Yvette Nielsen E yvette@innerseachange.com 50 Year - Class of 1965 Reunion Saturday 17 October | 6.30pm Location: Angelo’s House, Herries Street, Toowoomba Co-ordinators: Cathy Heilbronn (Offner) E cjh48@bigpond.com Lyn Brandon (Taylor), Sue Henzell (Moore), Jan Mogg (Webb)

All Year Levels Luncheon Sunday 18 October 2015 | 12 noon Location: College Dining Room Cost: $35 per person Co-ordinators: Jenny Noble and Jo Glasheen E foga@fairholme.qld.edu.au T 07 4688 4688 Please see P39 for Program and RSVP details The Annual Fairholme Spring Fair is the perfect place for Old Girls to ‘reconnect’, and I love being caught up in the excitement of a year-level gathering. I look forward to the stories I will hear when I conduct tours of the campus on Saturday 17 October, and, if you are able to join us for the All Year Levels Reunion lunch, Sunday 18 October.

This year we have also had an excellent ‘connection’ rate with our FOGs due to the implementation of the Fairholme College Facebook page. Thanks so much for your responses to our #TBT (Throwback Thursday) posts and for the sharing of events and information.

Jo Glasheen | Publications, Promotions and Alumni

Fairholme

College

Don't miss All the Fun of the Fair !

TOOWOOMBA

Saturday 17 October 2015 > 10am - 3pm Wirra Wirra Street TOOWOOMBA | www.fairholme.qld.edu.au FOCUS on Fairholme 2015 | 31

WHERE are they now ?

Fairholme Football Fever!

International Rugby Sevens stars and past Fairholme Sports Captains, Dom du Toit (2010 – 2014) and Emilee Cherry (2007 – 2010), enjoyed a few weeks rest back in Toowoomba before they continued the lead-up to the 2016 Olympics.

Dom was selected for the Youth Commonwealth Games training squad after helping the Australian Rugby Sevens team win gold at the Youth Olympics last year.

At only 22 years of age, Emilee has become a key figure in Australia’s women’s Rugby Sevens and was last year named the IRB Women’s Rugby Sevens player of the year.

Fairholme Reunion at Twickenham!

Whilst our Fairholme Rugby Sevens Internationals were playing in London earlier in the year, they managed to find time to catch up with recent FOGS Sophie Rae (2009 - 2014) and Grace Selkirk (2010 -2014) at Twickenham. What a great day for Fairholme, and Australia, of course!!

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Both girls, along with past Fairholme students Gemma and Nikki Etheridge, are members of the Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens Squad based in Sydney.

With Australia now qualified to compete at the Rio Games, all four past Fairholme students are hopeful of securing a place in Australia’s Olympic Team which will be named next year.

Emilee, one of the Senior players in the team, was the 2014 IRB Women’s Player of the Year for World Rugby and Australia’s leading player, while Dom was the star in the final of the Youth Olympics in China, scoring a hat-trick of tries to win gold for Australia.

Maddison Hawkins (2002 - 2010) was awarded a Collegiate Scholarship at Bond University upon her graduation from Fairholme.

Maddie elected to study for a double degree in Arts/ Law, commencing in January 2011. During her time at Bond University Maddie took a two-semester break in order to participate in a University-sponsored student work/awareness program at Disneyland in Orlando, Florida ,USA. Whilst at Bond, Maddie was awarded five firsts in class, two Dean’s awards and a Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.

Maddie completed her double degree in December 2014, and graduated on 14 February 2015 with a Bachelor of Law (Second Class Honours Div B) and a Bachelor of Arts. Maddie is currently employed by Westpac Banking Corporation and is based in their corporate offices in Kent Street, Sydney, NSW.

Dominique Grams (2004) is studying a Diploma of Events, Travel and Tourism via Martin College in Brisbane. She is currently working at the Aromas Cafe in High Street, Toowoomba.

As a mum raising bilingual children herself, Amelia Dowe (1995 – 1997) was instrumental in bringing Griffith University lecturers, Dr Susana Eisenchlas and Dr Andreas Schalley, to Toowoomba for a workshop called ‘Growing up Bilingual in Australia’. Amelia returned to Australia after living in Japan and was encouraged to see that more parents in the area are seeking expert advice on the subject.

In May this year, Kerry Page (1964 - 68) was awarded the Florence Nightingale medal (nursing’s highest accolade) for her service with the International Committee of the Red Cross in South Sudan. She was a member of mobile surgical teams that provided emergency care to people wounded in armed combat.

Double the pride!

Congratulations to Bond University graduates Lily Burt (2010 - 2012) and Kate Darlington (2008 - 2012) who are pictured at their graduation ceremony held earlier this year. Well done, girls!

After graduating from Fairholme College, Caitlin Longden (1994 - 2006) completed a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of International Relations at Bond University, concluding with a dual research project and internship programme at Australia National University.

After working in Sydney, Caitlin was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW in 2012 and set off on an adventure to West Africa. There she acted as an intern for the Special Court of Sierra Leone, as an advocate for a women’s legal aid group, AdvocAid, taught HIV education in South Africa and toured this vibrant country.

Influenced by these cultures, Caitlin enrolled in a Masters of International Law at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), well regarded in the field of international development. Caitlin’s final thesis described the impact of conflict on women and their ability to positively shape the peace process. After practical experience with a London-based not-for-profit group called ‘Action on Armed Violence’, she embarked on further work experience with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York.

Caitlin is currently working for the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Libya, relocated to Tunisia due to current circumstances. She is working on humanitarian mine action, focused on reducing the impacts of remnants of war and readily available arms and ammunition on civilians and national stability. On weekends she is able to wander around the vibrant souks and impressive Roman ruins that the North African region has to offer.

Sarah-Jane MacDonald (1998 – 2009) has qualified as a solicitor and still works in her father’s law firm, where she took up a part-time job at the age of 14 and fell in love with law.

Congratulations to past Boarder and Children’s Services Graduate, Ellen Counter (2008 – 2012), who received the 2014 Trainee of the Year Award from TAFE Queensland South West.

Monica Joseph (2002 2003) was appointed the Superintendent of Electrical Maintenance and Ancillary Assets for the Copper Concentrator, at Mt Isa Mines late last year. Monica is the first female in a management role at the Copper Concentrator.

Amber Bitzer (2010 2012) and Brittany Davis (2008 - 2011) received the University of Queensland’s ‘Dean’s Commendation for Academic Excellence’ late last year – awarded for a GPA of 6.6 or above. They are thus recognised as Dean’s Scholars for having achieved a place in the top 100 undergraduate students of the HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences - formerly Arts) faculty.

Sarah Coulton (1990 – 1995) has established herself as an accomplished rural photographer for Queensland Country Life. Sarah spends her time touring the state to capture the stories and faces of outback Queensland.

Bronte Antonio (1996 – 2008) has been appointed as the senior hairdresser at John’s Hair Studio. Bronte found her passion for hairdressing when she started a schoolbased traineeship in this field whilst attending Fairholme, and says she has never looked back.

Bachelor of Nursing graduate, Stefanie Benitez (2006 – 2012), was awarded the USQ Shine program bursary for demonstrating leadership potential and enriching the local community. Stefanie hopes to become a paediatric cardiologist and work for Mending Kids International.

Following two years of university studies at USQ under Performance Fellow, Patrick Murphy, Georgina Shine (2002 – 2011) returned to Toowoomba at the end of 2014 to play the enigmatic Elgar Cello Concerto in the final concert of the season for the Toowoomba Concert Orchestra.

Stephanie Hancock (1998 – 1999) was named Captain of the Australian Jillaroos, leading Australia at the Auckland Nines and playing in the All Stars team for the Women’s Indigenous All Stars game early in February.

Kate Hadwen (Fea) (1986 -1990), current Head of Senior School at The Peninsula School, Victoria, has been appointed Principal of Presbyterian Ladies’ College (Perth), commencing in Term 4, 2015, when current Principal, Ms Beth Blackwood, will step down from the role.

Edwina RobertsonCuninghame (1998 – 2003) has established herself as one of Brisbane’s leading wedding photographers, having shot 53 weddings in 2014 alone. She can be found capturing breathtaking moments at weddings from Mackay to Sydney – even travelling to Italy to capture treasured memories for blushing brides.

Laurie Pulsford (Henderson) (1973 - 1977) would like the current Fairholme girls to know that even 38 years after leaving school you can still run and win the race. She was running in the Help Kids Like Nick Fun Run at Yuleba and was the first lady to cross the finish line in the 10 km run.

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WHERE

are they now ?

Kaitlin Campbell (2005 - 2013) is studying a Bachelor of Arts/ Business majoring in Public Relations and Marketing at the University of Southern Queensland. This year she has acquired the position as a USQ Digital Intern, working two days a week as a content writer in the social media team in Marketing and Student Attraction.

Fiona Elder (2009 – 2013) spent her 2014 gap year in the Northern Territory as a ringer on a property called Manbuloo, where her main duties were to muster and process the cattle on the station as well as general property maintenance. She now plans to complete a double degree in nursing and midwifery at the University of Queensland.

Nikki Etheridge (1997 – 2004) was selected as one of five Queensland representatives in the Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens Team against Sao Paolo this past February. Both Nikki and twin sister, Gemma Etheridge (1997 – 2004), play competitively for the Australian Sevens Rugby Team.

Following nearly a decade of ‘city living’ in Toowoomba, Laura Wilson (2004 – 2008) accepted a position in Cunnamulla (population 1500), where she currently works as a bush nurse. She reports that getting involved in the community straight away was the easiest way to adapt, and that working in a small town provides varied experiences, which will stand her in good stead later in her career as she hopes to one day travel to India to work there.

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Joumanna Haddad (2013 – 2014), daughter of Toni Warfield (1980 – 1987), is an already proving to be an accomplished horn player who performed in the Australian Youth Orchestra’s Young Symphonists program at the Empire Theatre in April 2015.

Celebrations Celebr ENGAGEMENTS Samantha Muller (1999-2003) and Jarred Burland announced their engagement in December 2014.

Belinda Hays (2003-2005) and Hugh Chandler announced their engagement in March 2015.

Rebecca Coulton (1994-2000) and Grant Connolly announced their engagement in July 2014.

Jo-Ann Capp (Geddes) (1979 – 1986) was announced as a finalist in the Queensland Rural Women’s Network’s Strong Women Leadership Awards in 2014 for her work with the Cancer Council Queensland. As the South West Queensland Relay for Life coordinator, Jo-Ann was nominated for her outstanding contribution to the local, regional, remote and rural communities.

Sarah Homer (1997- 2001) and Andrew Westaway announced their engagement in September 2014.

Nerida Burnie (1980-1987) and Howard Lloyd announced their engagement in September 2014.

Sarah Coulton (1990 – 1995) and Robert Wilson announced their engagement in the Queensland Country Life on 16 July 2015.

Chloe Rees (2000 -2004) became engaged to Hugh Michael Ragg from Willowvale, Queensland, on 18 August 2015 whilst holidaying in Hvar, Croatia.

BIRTHS Fairholme College Head Girl 2009, Chasley Wilson (2005 – 2009), returned ‘home’ to lead our tartan-clad students in the right direction, when she joined our teaching staff in June 2015.

Libby Munro (1991 – 1998) starred in the 2013 production of Venus in Fur at QPAC and blew the audiences away. She will no doubt do it again in Grounded, a psychological thriller about a female top gun, as she moves forward in her ‘brilliant’ career.

Fairholme College Board Member, Jeanette Loxton (Clewett) (1987 - 1991) and her husband Toby, welcomed with love, Rebecca, a little sister for Rohan, in August last year.

Toby Nicholas Peters, born 5 May 2014 at St Vincents, Toowoomba. Son of Nick and Tracey Peters (Wood) (1997 - 2001), little brother for Chloe and Montana.

Anarda Girle (2005- 2007) married Brodie Moss at Preston Village Chapel in Toowoomba on 20 September 2014.

rations Celebrations Celebrations

Jennifer Haig (1995-1999) married James Bell at the stunning heritage-listed Jimbour Station near Dalby on 14 October 2014.

Margot Cooper (1994 – 1998) daughter of FOG Sally Cooper (Webster)(1960 - 1966) married Jeremy Kunde at the St James Anglican Church in Toowoomba on 11 April 2015.

WEDDINGS

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Sally Begg (2001 - 2005) married Andrew Hacker on her family property ‘Fontus’, Goondiwindi. Sally’s Bridesmaids were Bridget Bliss, Melissa Acton (Seniors 2005). Other FOGs in attendance were: Caitlin Pearlman, Emily Brodie, Alexa McNaught, Katie Gordon, Emma Tighe, Brooke Barkla, Brooke Shakspeare and Heidi Begg.

Congratulations to Laura Andersen (2001 - 2013) on her very recent marriage to Cameron Andrews on Saturday 5 September, 2015.

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Peta Hewitt (2001 - 2006) married Bryan Gray in December last year. Pictured (L - R) is Lauren Lewis, Michaela Lobb, Christina Franks, Kate Porter, Anna Coulton, Ashleigh Smith, Asha Honeysett, Peta Gray, Alison Bullen, Nadia Venzke, Jacqui Storey and Hannah Farquhar (Seniors 2006)

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Lisa Wason (2003 - 2005) married Nathan Braden on 27 September 2014, in Roma. Lisa’s Maid of Honour, Alexandra Crouch, and Bridesmaid, Lucy Chandler, were also Seniors of 2005. Other FOGs in attendance were Alexandra Cossart, Elizabeth Blanch, Alicia Hawkins, Aleesha Stone and Christie McLennan (Menzies).

Sad

PASSINGS Joan Bazley (Deller) (1950-1951) Passed away 17 July 2014 aged 79 Allan Faragher (Principal 1980 – 1994) Passed away 20 July 2015 Nellie Farquharson (Anderson) (1928-1931) Passed away 18 January 2015 aged 98 Gwen Fletcher (Rogers) (1933 – 1935) Passed away 28 February 2014 aged 94 Nancy Fox (Backhouse) (1933-1934) Passed away 24 June 2014 aged 96 Doris Garvis (Boshammer) (1942-1943) Passed away 16 September 2014 aged 86 Janet Gillman (Allan) (1972 - 1976) Passed away 3 May 2015 aged 56 Margot Gemmel-Smith (McKenzie) (1927-1935) Passed away 20 June 2013 aged 92 Adele (Joan) Glindemann (1953 -1954) Passed away 26 February 2015 > A loyal member of both Toowoomba and Brisbane FOGA Branches Alison Goleby (1946 - 1947) (Staff member) Passed away 31 July 2105 Ann Hay (Kirby) (1974) Passed away tragically July 2015 Judith Henson (Pollock) (1953-1964) Passed away 13 October 2014 aged 66 Jean Hunter (1940-1943) Passed away 10 October 2014 aged 87

VALE Nell Farquharson (Anderson) (1916-2015).

One of our oldest Old Girls Nellie (Nell) Anderson was a Boarder at PGC Fairholme from 1928 to 1931 (Years 7-10). Here before the House system began, Nell was a proud member of Black Dorm.

Nell remembered her Principal, Miss Culpin, and her love of literature. Miss Culpin would read to the Boarders in the evenings.

Jenelle Hurse (Hutton) (1942 -1945) Passed away 4 May 2015 aged 87 Esme Horswood (Davis) (1951 -1952) Passed away 28 May 2015aged 77 Years Allison King (Bishop) (1951-1954) Passed away 11 December 2014 aged 77 Agnes (Nessie) Lind (Hargreaves) (1930 - 31) Passed away 30 August 2015 Norma Mather (Hunter) (1946-1948) Passed away 13 June 2014 aged 83

MEMORIAL

Gwendolen (Gwen) Mattner (nee Hill) (1932-1934) Passed away 5 June 2015 Brenda McCullough (Bliss) (1952-1953) Passed away 25 October 2014 aged 76 Marian Mengel (Dean) (1943-1944) Passed away 21 February 2015 aged 86 Barbara Mobbs (Gray) (1941-1943) Passed away 10 August 2014 aged 87 Diana Morris (Jackson) (1943-1946) Passed away 30 September 2013 aged 82 Joan Pigram (Staff member 1998) Passed away 19 May 2015 Ethel Grace Price (O’Keefe) (1928-1930) Passed away 14 October 2014 aged 90 Agnes Ritter (Nuske) (1941-1942) Passed away 18 February 2015 aged 89 Zelle Rogers (Gall) (1932) Passed away 25 December 2014 aged 97 Beryl Sakzewski (Wormwell) (1936-1945) Passed away 18 November 2014 Elizabeth Sealy (Ross) (1946-1948) Passed away 14 November 2014 aged 83 Lois Sellers (Brown) (1939-1941) Passed away 13 December 2013 aged 90 Cecile Shrapnel (Wright) (1932-1933) Passed away 5 September 2014 aged 96 Patsy Skene (Philbey) (1947-1948) Passed away 7 January 2015 aged 82 Alma Strack (1943 -1945) Passed away 6 September 2015 aged 85 Alexandra Taylor (Rae) (1965-1970) Passed away 11 November 2014 Nerida Anne Thayer (Banks) (1958 – 1959) Passed away 17 June 2015 aged 72 Judith Thomson (Eves) (1943-1948) Passed away 13 February 2015 aged 80 Betty Willis (1937-1938) Passed away 6 August 2014 aged 92 Mavis Wilson (Northcott) (1939 – 1940) Passed away July 2015

36 | FOCUS on Fairholme 2015

Year 11 students Clara Lee and Jemma Telleman honoured the memory of Christine Rich, a talented past student who attended Fairholme from 1988 – 1992, who was ‘Taken too soon, in a tragic accident’ on April 23, 2010.

The duet was performed on a new Clavinova, purchased through a generous donation from the Fairholme Seniors of 1992 in loving memory of Christine.

VALE

Nell also remembered that Church attendance was compulsory for Boarders. As she said, ‘There was no choice – you went!’

Nerida Thayer (Banks) (1958 -1959) was ever the optimist, always looking on ‘the bright side of life’. Born in Wandoan in 1943, Nerida spent her last two years of schooling at Fairholme, where, once she recovered from her initial homesickness, ‘thoroughly enjoyed her time there, and treasured the friends that she made’.

Nell was a proud and loyal Fairholme Old Girl, regularly attended FOGA Toowoomba events and Founders’ Day celebrations. She joined in the festivities at the FOGA annual luncheon in October 2014, only a few weeks before she passed away at the age of 98.

Nerida’s loyalty to Fairholme was evident in her meritorious service to the Fairholme Old Girls’ Association (Brisbane), as a valued member, and in her role as Treasurer. Her continued support to the College Alumni Office was greatly appreciated.

Nerida and her husband Brian enjoyed the simple things in life; sharing happy family times with their two sons and their grandchildren, and their mutual and shared interests. In the words of Fairholme classmate, Desley Malone: Nerida was a very valued member of her community, she will be sorely missed.

VALE Betty worked in Brisbane at the US Air Force message centre during World War II, and saw General Douglas Macarthur several times.

Mrs Jeneth Rich (Christine’s Mother) and Mrs Terri Adams Munn (Christine’s friend and fellow past student) attended the event, sharing their wonderful memories of Christine and her incredible achievements whilst at school.

Their inspirational words resonated with everyone present, providing us all with a reminder of the bonds of friendship and family that make Fairholme such a special place. The Clavinova will be a much treasured musical instrument in the Arts Department and a wonderful reminder of Christine.

Betty Willis was born in Warwick in 1922, and spent two years at PGC Fairholme (1937-38), passing Junior (Year 10) in 1938. Betty was one of the first members of Black House, as the House System was introduced the year Betty arrived at Fairholme. Betty’s main memories of boarding life are of the cold – of having to practise typing with frozen fingers on winter mornings; of crouching over the single pot-bellied stove in the classroom, trying to keep warm; of long cold dormitories with fog swirling down the rows of beds. For Betty, the best part was the opportunity to make lifelong friends, and she also enjoyed wearing the Boarder ‘going out’ uniform, a very smart McLaren tartan skirt and blue reefer jacket.

After the War, Betty worked at the Queensland Country Life before returning to Fairholme in 1951, spending nine years as the College Secretary/ Bookkeeper.

Betty was the only office person on staff, so she did everything - including being housemistress for the junior Boarders in ‘Little Dorm’ (under Black Dorm).

After leaving Fairholme again, Betty worked in the office at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church and at the YWCA in Toowoomba, before serving overseas as a missionary in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. Betty received an Order of Australia Medal for service to youth, through the YWCA and the Uniting Church. In her later years, Betty enjoyed writing poetry and stories, and published her memoirs, Another Turn in the Road, in 2007. Betty was a regular attender at Fairholme events and FOGA dinners and enjoyed catching up with her many Fairholme friends.

FOCUS on Fairholme 2015

37

Archives TOP TEN for 2015

Some favourite pics that are heading

STRAIGHT TO THE ARCHIVES!

Fun facts and fun questions…

1.

Q: What’s the oldest item in the Archives?

A: A prize book from 1908 – Spreydon College – awarded to Kithie Cairns in Form 1 for sewing. Kithie was 6 years old. The book is The Water Babies.

2.

Q: What’s the latest acquisition?

A: A Poster for Titanic – The Musical (Co-production with TGS 2015)

3.

Q: How many items are in the Archives?

A: At last count, there were over 2500 separate items, and we sometimes have multiple copies of the same item.

4.

Q: What are some interesting things that have been donated this year?

A: A photo album from the 1930s; some music books that belonged to Miss Anne Clark, the first Kindy teacher at Fairholme (1919-1935); blazer pockets from the 1940s, 1960s and 1970s; Chrissie Copeman’s Junior and Senior Certificates dating from the 1920s (Chrissie was Senior Prefect and Dux in 1928); a Senior Jersey from 1990 (possibly the first ever Senior Jersey).

5.

Q: What’s the most unusual item in Archives?

A: A MacLaren tartan bagpipes cover, as used by the Fairholme Pipe Band in the 1980s.

6.

Q: What item do you have the most of?

A: The 2008 Centenary commemorative Badge (worn with the uniform).

We have over 200 of these.

7.

Q: What’s the most fragile item?

A: A handmade sports uniform tie from the 1930s, knitted in silk.

8.

Q: Why do you keep all this old stuff?

A: To preserve Fairholme’s past, and its stories, so they won’t be forgotten. ‘You can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been.’

9.

Q: Do the models wearing Fairholme uniforms in the FOGA foyer have names?

A: Yes. One was named Phoebe by the Archives volunteers. The others are Nancy (named after two of Fairholme’s Principals, Miss Nancy Jobson 1920- 1921 and Miss Nancy Shaw 1954-1968) and Daisy (named after Miss Daisy Culpin, Principal 1922-1939).

10.

rs Jenny

Q: How many photos do you have in the archives?

A: Thousands! And we’re still working on naming and storing them.

For some, we’ll never know exactly who is in them, but every person named is a story saved.

Noble | Archives and Alumn Mrs Jenny Noble | Archives and Alumni

38 | FOCUS on Fairholme 2015

Powell House announced as ‘Victors’ at the 1960 Athletics Carnival !

The Class of ‘64 at their 50 year Reunion in 2014

Our ‘trusty’ Archives Team hard at work!

BRISBANE LUNCHEON

FOGA Brisbane Reunion Luncheon 2014

Annual Fairholme Old Girls’ Reunion Weekend

Invitation

17 & 18 October 2015

PROGRAM of EVENTS Saturday 17 October 2015

Sunday 18 October 2015

CHURCH IN THE HOMESTEAD | 10am Hymns sung by current and past students

FAIRHOLME SPRING FAIR | 10am – 4pm INDIVIDUAL YEAR LEVEL REUNIONS at various venues, see reverse for details and Year Level Co-ordinators

MORNING TEA | 11am Daisy Culpin Courtyard

ALL YEAR LEVELS REUNION LUNCHEON | 12 noon 2 COURSE EVENING MEAL | College Dining Room College Dining Room ($35 per person) *Tours of the College will be conducted during ($20 per person, limited vacancies) | 6pm Contact a few friends and organise your own the Spring Fair on Saturday and after the Annual Church service on Sunday morning (before group/table to make it even more enjoyable!

‘BACKluncheon). to the Boarding House’ | Bed and Breakfast available ($30 per person, limited vacancies)

RSVP and pay online at www.fairholme.qld.edu.au or return the form below with your payment to Fairholme Old Girls’ Association, PO Box 688, Toowoomba Q 4350.

Name .........................................................................................................................................................................................Maiden Name .....................................................................................................

Address ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Years at Fairholme: From Telephone

.............. to .............

..........................................................................

Year level on leaving Fairholme ........................................

Email address .........................................................................................................................................................................................

Number requiring overnight accommodation and breakfast Number requiring dinner Saturday 17 October

@$30 each

Total

$

..................

@$20 each

Total

$

..................

@$35 each

Total

$

.................

GRAND TOTAL $

..................

..................

. .................

Number attending luncheon Sunday 18 October

..................

Cheques to be made payable to Fairholme Old Girls’ Association, PO Box 688, Toowoomba Q 4350 > or EFT > Fairholme Old Girls’ Assoc Special Fund BSB:638-080 Acc: 700398 (Please reference for receipting purposes) Bookings and payments must be finalised before Friday 9 October 2015 Enquiries to Jo Glasheen or Jenny Noble by telephoning 07 4688 4688, or emailing foga@fairholme.qld.edu.au

Fairholme

College TOOWOOMBA

*Disclaimer All the information presented in this magazine is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, Fairholme College cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

Compiled by: Fairholme Colllege Publications and Promotions Office Fairholme College, Toowoomba Q 4350

Images: Mr John Sessarago, Fairholme Archives and Fairholme Old Girls

Residential Address | Wirra Wirra Street Toowoomba Q 4350 Postal Address | PO Box 688 Toowoomba Q 4350 T 07 4688 4688 E info@fairholme.qld.edu.au www.fairholme.qld.edu.au Registered Provider (QLD): Fairholme College (Toowoomba) Pty Ltd CRICOS Provicer Code: 00651J ABN 78 096 814 130