Boarding

Boarding MS MARGUERITE DUNNE, HEAD OF BOARDING

As one of the largest all-girl boarding schools in Australia, Fairholme College continues to be a leading education facility in the residential care of young women.

In 2019 there were many successes and highlights to be celebrated.

Ranging in age from ten to 19 years, the boarding students constituted approximately 30% of the student body in the Middle School and over 40% of the Senior School, with a small number of Junior School Boarders. The majority of Boarders came from country areas of Queensland and New South Wales, with smaller numbers from the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and the ACT and some from metropolitan areas and overseas countries. At the start of the year the College welcomed over 40 new boarding students and families to our modern and vibrant ‘first class’ boarding facilities which include comfortable bedrooms with individual study areas, vanity units and ample cupboard spaces, and relaxing common areas with kitchenettes available on each floor; and a fully equipped Health Centre offering 24/7 medical care.

The vertical structure of the Boarding House, where all age groups are mixed across the various floors creates an environment that fosters friendship and support amongst all the girls. Learning to live in a community is a vital skill for life, and boarding at Fairholme offers the girls many opportunities for enrichment and enhancement. The boarding students form close, often lifelong, friendships with their fellow Boarders and develop values such as independence, tolerance and resilience. 2019 was a year full of many special moments and the Fairholme Boarders, with their endless spirit, were well represented across the breadth of College activities, and celebrated many successes in their academic, sporting and cultural endeavours. Of note were the outstanding academic results gained by the 2019 Year 12 boarding cohort, with over 70% receiving an OP 1- 10.

Study routines and supervised ‘Prep’ (homework) time throughout the week assisted the boarding students in their academic work and the availability of academic staff to help with study in the evenings supported the girls’ academic performance.

The Boarders attended Sunday Services at the College Chapel and at numerous local churches. The Boarding House Bible Study Groups (Junior, Middle and Senior) have continued under the guidance of the Assistant to the Boarding House – Pastoral Care.

Various recreational sporting, cultural, art and craft activities and excursions were on offer for the girls to enjoy every weekend, including visits to Gold Coast theme parks, theatre performances, Brisbane NRL and AFL football games and various activities and socials with other boarding schools. The Boarders’ Morning Walk/ Run Group and the Boarders’ Morning Fitness Classes (through a partnership with Willows Health and Lifestyle Centre) continued in 2019, as did the City/Country Family program which included the Year 7 Boarder/ Daygirl Sleepover in the College Assembly Hall ̶ a highlight for the younger girls. Throughout the year, the Boarders especially enjoyed their year-level ‘etiquette’ dinners that were held in the Homestead.

Several student committees operated in the Boarding House, giving girls an avenue to be proactively involved in positively contributing in many aspects of boarding life. The work of the committees (Boarder Representative, Pastoral Care, Service, Environment & Communications, and Recreation) led by the Head Boarder

and the Boarder Prefects enhanced the caring and nurturing environment in the Boarding House. Studentdriven projects, such as the Boarders’ Identity Project and Year Level Service Project, saw each year level lead a week of various activities that acknowledged and celebrated the many strengths and characteristics of the Fairholme Boarders.

Extending the girls’ learning beyond the Boarding House, the Boarders supported numerous fund-raising activities, including the Cancer Council Biggest Afternoon Tea and the Leukaemia Foundation’s Shave for a Cure, as well as holding various themed dinners that raised money for several charities. The Boarders continued to sponsor their World Vision sponsor child in Africa. In April, continuing a long tradition, the Boarders attended the Anzac Day dawn and morning services at the Mothers’ Memorial in Toowoomba, displaying their Anzac spirit. The Fairholme Boarders celebrated Australian National Boarding Week by organising a fun run around the College, raising funds for Rural Aid. The support and recognition given to younger girls by more senior Boarders is a significant contributor to a caring atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance in Fairholme College Boarding. Through the Big Sister Program all new younger Boarders had a Year 12 buddy who, from the first day, spent quality time with their ‘little sister’, assisting them through the process of settling in and adjusting to boarding life.

Members of the leadership team, boarding and academic staff visited many of our current, past and future families in their home towns throughout 2019, extending our sense of community beyond the College grounds. Another very successful Orientation Program was held at the end of Term 3. The Boarding House welcomed the new 2020 Boarders and their families to stay overnight in the Boarding House, building connections with staff and other families, and familiarising themselves with the routines in the College and the Boarding House, thus easing the way for the girls when they start at the College.

The experienced Boarding House staff continued to contribute to the success of boarding through their efforts in ensuring the wellbeing of the girls in their care. Developing and maintaining professional and effective relationships with students, staff and parents, they created a residence where students feel safe, secure and cared for ̶ making the boarding house a home for the Boarders and fostering an environment that promotes and encourages students to excel in all that they do.

In July, overseas Gap Students from the United Kingdom, Germany, America and Japan joined the boarding team in the roles of Floor Resident Assistants. During the year staff enhanced their practice through participation in numerous professional learning workshops, conferences and courses.

The Boarding House continues to be thankful for the valuable support provided by the Friends of Boarding Parent Group, particularly through their assistance at many College events and functions, acting as Parent Ambassadors and welcoming new families to the Fairholme community, providing delicious home-bake at carnivals and, of course, running another highly successful Cent Sale at the College Spring Fair.