Christian Education

MS CATH BUTLER, HEAD OF MINISTRY AND MISSION

Theodore Roosevelt said these famous words in 1910: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming … if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Throughout 2020, there were many ‘arena moments’ – moments of riding high on the waves of victory one moment and then in the next moment, floundering in the doldrums of defeat. It has been a year of extremes.

Yet, it’s worth pausing to acknowledge that there was a communal and courageous daring greatly in an arena not of our choosing. We faced defeat feeling disappointment when events were cancelled, celebrations postponed, or when we could no longer go on that ‘trip of a lifetime’. Stretched to the very edge of ourselves at times, and perhaps to the edge of our mental health, we carried on, woke up the next day and did it all again. People remained compassionate, thought of others, expressed gratitude for what they did have, worked hard, learned new skills or new ways of doing things in a short space of time. There is much to give thanks for.

COVID-19 affected us all. However, it did not stop ministry at Fairholme; rather, it opened opportunities for more girls to connect with Christian faith throughout 2020. Chapel services moved online for Boarders and all sub-schools, and these forums prompted lovely moments for reflection within these smaller groups. Through platforms such as the Fairholme Ministry page on Instagram or the FairSongs playlist on Spotify, students were able to remain connected and encouraged in their faith. myFairholme (the school’s e-learning platform) has the capacity for groups to be created and so, through the Ministry@Fairholme group page, a Thought for the week, along with the Song of the Week and the Bible Verse for the week was posted. This page also holds a plethora

of resources for girls to access that can assist them to grow in their trust of, and faith in, Jesus. Students also continued having Christian Education classes from Prep through to Year 12 and Mrs Jenny Sutton ran Bible Studies for the girls in Boarding throughout the week, whenever that was possible. And so, whilst the arena we lived in and the battles we all faced were significant, and not of our choosing, we didn’t crumble. We were courageous. We dared greatly. We pressed on.

Jesus promised in this world that we would have trouble. That tribulation would come. That we would know adversity. But he encouraged people to ‘be of good cheer’ because of the confidence that knowing Jesus has overcome the world brings. (John 16:33)

As we continue to enter the arena day after day, into an uncertain future, may we do so with confident courage and hope, because Jesus’ death and resurrection has proven that not the darkest evil (nor even the most insidious virus) is capable of separating us from God’s love or the Spirit’s presence.

… We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. - Romans 8:37-39

2020 Fairholme College Results Family Engagement

The culture of the College is one which invites conversation with families. Parents are welcome to discuss situations with relevant members of staff, as appropriate. Specifically, information evenings etc. allow parents the opportunity to be updated on student programs and to seek clarification and discuss matters accordingly. Parent/Teacher/Student interviews, held regularly across the College, offer a further avenue for discussion and collaborative planning.

Specifically, each year Year 6, 9 and 12 girl and their families are offered the opportunity to complete a survey; this is done in Semester Two each year. Questions provide the chance to indicate satisfaction, and provide specific feedback, in all areas of College life.

Key sample indicators from family responses from Year 12 families and students are provided below. The following elements of College life received indicators from parents well into the ‘very high satisfaction’ category – this band holds a benchmark of 80%.

Academic Program, Boarding, Communication, Community Engagement, Loyalty, Management & Leadership, Service Opportunities, the Sport Program, Pastoral Care, and The Arts.

Across the sub schools, over 80% of parents rated their overall satisfaction with their daughter’s experience at Fairholme College as ‘very high’.