2023 Fairholme Annual Report

Fairholme College Annual Report 2022

Fairholme College offers a diverse range of high-quality, contemporary educational experiences within a Christian community. It is a College of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. Founded in 1917, Fairholme College; it is situated on the Range escarpment in Toowoomba on the Darling Downs.

VISION

Fairholme – a nurturing Christian school, committed to developing a vibrant learning community; one that challenges students to become confident and respectful contributors within our global society.

VALUES

Christ-Centred Faith – Collaboration – Enjoyment – Respect – Seeking Excellence

STUDENT BODY

Fairholme College enjoys a vibrant and varied student body. The large, dynamic boarding community contributes invaluably to the unique nature of our College community. Boarding students come primarily from Queensland and New South Wales; however, we have girls from a great diversity of regional centres throughout Australia. While small in number, our international students further enrich our student community. The College is proud of its First Nations students; there were 25 enrolled during this reporting period.

YEAR LEVELS

Fairholme College offers programs for girls from Kindergarten to Year 12, with boys welcome in the Kindergarten programs. Boarding commences from Year 5 and caters for students through to the completion of Year 12.

SCHOOL SECTOR

Fairholme College is an independent day and boarding school.

School Funding Broken Down by Funding Source: Refer to the My School website for detailed information regarding income; specific details regarding various funding sources is available at myschool.edu.au

PARENT ENGAGEMENT

The culture of the College is one which invites conversation with families.

The culture of the College is one which invites connection and positive relationships with families. Formal avenues, such as information evenings, Parent/Teacher/Student interviews, and social gatherings held regularly across the College, offer opportunities for discussion and parent involvement. Additionally, the Parents and Friends groups offer important information-sharing and friendraising avenues. Importantly, in recognition of the importance of relationship development for new Boarders, key staff travel to meet each incoming Boarder ‘at home’ in the year before entry. From a parent engagement perspective, a number of teachers are currently involved in a research project to look at ways of developing stronger connections between home and school through appropriate pedagogical approaches. Underpinning this is our drive to work collaboratively with families to enhance learning outcomes for our students.

Another means by which we understand parent perspectives is through conducting an annual survey through MMG Education. Year 6, Year 9 and Year 12 students and their families are offered the opportunity to complete this survey during Term 4. Questions provide the chance to indicate satisfaction, and provide specific feedback, on 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 and Leadership, Service Opportunities, Pastoral Care, and The Arts

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

‘The education, experiences, and knowledge that my daughter has acquired during her time at Fairholme are truly exceptional.’

12 Parent

– Year 9 Parent

3.4%

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Mr Ian Andersen

It’s important for organisations like Fairholme to plan for the future. While circumstances might change, and they do - think of COVID-19, for example - it would be negligent of us if we did not have a vision to which we aspire.

It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to provide strategic leadership for the College. Accordingly, one of the key activities of the Board of Directors in 2022, in partnership with the Senior Leadership team in 2022, has been the development of our new four-year Strategic Plan for 2024 to 2027.

The key plank in developing any strategic plan is to determine the organisation’s purpose. Based on engagement with the whole College community, we believe Fairholme’s purpose is this: ‘We educate young women who approach their futures with hope and the agency to lead positively within their communities’. Why – because we aim to provide the very best foundation for life after Fairholme.

In recent times I’ve read a book entitled, Speeches that shaped the Modern World. As you might expect, it included speeches such as Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a Dream’ speech from 1963, the sentiment of which continues to apply even now, as well as Emmeline Pankhurst’s ‘Freedom or Death’ fundraising speech of 1913 – Emmeline is arguably

the most famous leader in of the struggle for ‘Votes for Women’.

It also includes a 1980 speech by the Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, entitled ‘True Liberation of Women’. It struck me that parts of what she said that day still have relevance, such as the following ideal: ‘Women must feel free to be themselves, not in rivalry with others but in the context of their own capacity and personality’.

In support of our purpose and that ideal, Fairholme’s Vision is: ‘Our Community lives its Christian faith and provides an inclusive, dynamic and safe learning environment’. Importantly, we have not changed our Motto; and our current Values also remain unchanged.

The 2024-2027 Strategic Plan is built around four Pillars: > Learning and Teaching – where our learning and teaching approach will foster the academic, wellbeing and learning growth of our students through the use of current, evidence-informed practices including the use of technology as a tool to enhance student outcomes

> People and Culture – where we are committed to supporting a safe, people-focused culture underpinned by our Christian faith

> Community Engagement – where our connected community is invested in the vitality and welfare of all past, present and future members, through the growth of meaningful relationships with parents, alumni, partnerships and service activities.

> Sustainability and Growth – where our responsible stewardship and effective governance of all tangible resources supports our purpose and enables growth into the future.

These pillars are supported by Key Result Areas and Projects and Performance Indicators, to ensure we meet our commitments under this plan. An abridged version of the Plan is available on the College’s Website. Fairholme has had a very successful year. Our enrolments continue to be extremely positive; and current indications are that the College will have its highest enrolment ever in 2023, again including a full Boarding House. It is important that I record my thanks to our Principal, Dr Evans, and the members of the Leadership Team for their continued great and committed leadership of the College and their engagement with the whole Fairholme Community.

Being a member of the Fairholme College Board of Directors is a significant act of dedication and service, a volunteer role that oversees the operation of the College on behalf of The Presbyterian Church of Queensland.

I am blessed to lead this talented group of people and I acknowledge the exceptional service they have provided throughout this year.

Their positive support and commitment are to be applauded and I am continually grateful for their expertise, interest in, and support of, the College. Board stability is a very positive attribute for any organisation to have and there were no changes to the Board make-up this year, except for the Church’s decision to change the roles of the Moderator, Clerk of Assembly and Treasurer of The Presbyterian Church of Queensland to be Ex Officio positions, thus reducing the size of the Board to nine members.

The College maintained a very robust financial position in 2022. We continued our policy of investing substantial funds towards improvements in facilities and infrastructure in 2022, spending $1.5 million on such improvements. Projects approved and/or completed during the year and which included contributions from The Parents’ and Friends’ Association, included:

> an upgrade and extension of the Health Centre

> an upgrade and complete refurbishment of four Junior School classrooms

> replacement and upgrades to roofs of the Swimming Pool, Gymnasium and Old Administration

> undercover deck extension to the Year 12 Common Room

> ongoing upgrade and replacement of Information Technology equipment

> furniture, fittings, plant and equipment replacements. The Board approved the 2023 Budget at its November meeting.

The Board continues to be is very aware of the many competing factors in developing the budget each year, particularly the challenges of higher inflation currently besetting the economy. Mindful of these factors, the 2022 Budget provides for a five per cent increase in Tuition Fees, a five per cent increase in Boarding Fees, and the Capital Levy will increase by three per cent.

In conclusion, I say again that the College is very well placed to meet the challenges and opportunities that will unfold in these somewhat uncertain times.

‘Our enrolments continue to be extremely positive; and current indications are that the College will have its highest enrolment ever in 2023...

- Mr Ian Andersen

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dr Linda Evans

It is important, in this report, to acknowledge all our students and staff, for their resilience, adaptability and optimism throughout 2022 – the third year of living in, and with, COVID-19.

For all, our last experience of ‘regular’ schooling took place in 2019. Our departing 2022 Year 12 cohort completed their full Senior School experience under the shadow of this pandemic: on-line learning, learning at home, Boarding House restrictions, mask wearing, ubiquitous hand sanitiser, COVID tests, vaccine mandates, physical distancing and, in essence, disconnection from the known - and more than ever before, from one another. Yet, to watch our Seniors dance joyfully at their Formal or to see them exit in November – deeply connected, via a symbolic mass jump ‘n’ jive war cry on the school oval - is to question whether, in the cleverness of youth, they rose above the challenges to establish new ways of being – together.

Despite having faced more cancellations of, or modifications to, key events and rites of passage moments than their predecessors ever had to, this group also achieved some of the strongest academic results of any Year 12 cohort in Fairholme history.

The need for connection is a transcending force, strong and courageous enough to overtake the power of a pandemic,

it would seem. School connectedness links closely with adolescent mental health and wellbeing.

What has become apparent in the past three years is the importance of the teacher-student relationship –preferably in a face-to-face context and as a powerful antidote to academic inertia. ‘COVID-19 has underlined the inalienable importance of in-person schools and their teachers for student wellbeing. Teachers matter. The most significant in-school factor affecting student achievement is the quality of the teacher’ (Rivkin et al. 1998; Carey 2004; Hattie 2009 cited in Hargreaves, 2021).

Moreover, COVID has peeled back and exposed some self-evident truths; like connection being as fundamental to successful learning outcomes as content delivery (Thoeming and Wollaston, 2022), or that ‘teaching is an emotional practice, not just a cognitive and intellectual one’ (Hargreaves 1998 in Hargreaves, 2021).

In reading this report of 2022, it is important to read it with the filter of the time period in which it was framed – a unique year that began with vaccine mandates and endured

the relentless effect of COVID isolation periods, particularly as they played out in a Boarding House setting.

Inherent in these factors lay bubbling, the potential for the dislocation of our school’s strong sense of unity. It is a credit to staff, students and parents that the year finished with strength, perhaps best reflected in our Spring Fair in October where pouring rain did not deter our enthusiasm to gather together and celebrate that which is Fairholme: community.

No, 2022 was not an ordinary year at all. It was extraordinary, and perhaps in the time to come we will gain perspective about what was achieved in exceptional circumstances.

Most of all, may we be reminded of the importance of human interactions, and the power of positive connection to transcend even the most difficult of circumstances.

Relationships are the key to positive learning experiences and the teacher-student relationship lies at the centre of this (Thoeming and Wollaston, 2022). To thrive, we must have a sense of belonging and know that we matter.

Herein is another self-evident truth peeled back for contemplation in the pandemic shadow: Fairholme needs to be a place where each member is valued, belongs, and matters to the whole.

REFERENCES

Hargreaves, A. (2021). ‘What the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us about teachers and teaching’. Facets, 6(1), 1835-1863.

Weeks, R. (2022). Disconnection and humanising teaching. The University of Sydney.

https://educational-innovation.sydney.edu.au/ teaching@sydney/disconnection-and-humanising-

teaching/ Accessed 1 April 2023

Thoeming, A. and Wollaston, A. (2022). ‘Being human together – insights from students and teachers at the 2022 Sydney Teaching Symposium roundtable’

https://educational-innovation.sydney.edu.au/ teaching@sydney/7: Be human

‘May we be reminded of the importance of human interactions, and the power of positive connection to transcend even the most difficult of circumstances.’

Dr Linda Evans

FROM THE HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Mr Tom McCormick

2022 proved to be an incredibly busy and dynamic year for the Senior School. It was a year marked by myriad activities showcasing the unwavering dedication of both students and staff.

As we reflect on the whirlwind of events that characterised the year, we are immensely proud of the Senior School community. The busy schedule and achievements were a result of the vibrant and thriving educational environment we have cultivated, where students are encouraged to excel academically, embrace extracurricular opportunities, engage with the community, and have their voices heard.

Academic Achievement

In 2022, Fairholme College witnessed a remarkable attainment of academic excellence, with some of the most exceptional results in its history.

The cohort of 2022 achieved a commendable Median ATAR of 91, positioning them as one of the highestperforming regional schools in Australia. Notably, an impressive 31.3% of students attained an ATAR of 95 or above, while 51.6% achieved an ATAR of 90 and above, further underscoring their exceptional academic prowess.

Twenty diligent individuals excelled by securing As in five subjects, showcasing their unwavering dedication and commitment to scholarly pursuits.

Furthermore, we proudly celebrate the remarkable achievements of two outstanding students who each attained perfect scores in both internal and external assessments for two subjects.

Moreover, the academic accomplishments of our students extended beyond ATAR scores.

We take pride in the fact that an impressive 95% of our graduating Seniors successfully completed a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification, highlighting their determination to acquire practical skills and valuable credentials that will undoubtedly serve them well in their future endeavours.

These extraordinary accomplishments stand as a testament to the relentless dedication of our students, the guidance provided by our exceptional educators, and the unwavering support of our school community.

Beyond the Holme

2022 saw a significant proportion of Year 12 students, nearly 70% of them, take the initiative to apply for and successfully obtain early offers from prominent universities. This process helped alleviate the anxiety associated with waiting for results and subsequent offers. Furthermore, more than 80% of eligible students were granted admission to their preferred university.

It was gratifying to witness students embracing opportunities to broaden their horizons by applying to universities both within Australia and abroad.

In addition, there was a sustained interest in Head Start courses during 2022.

These courses serve as advanced academic programs at the university level, catering to high-achieving students in Years 10, 11, or 12. A total of 20 students from the Senior School completed Head Start courses in diverse subject areas, such as Human Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, Engineering, and Law.

Progressive Reporting

The Learning Analytics software platform, known as ‘Insights,’ which was established towards the end of 2021, continued to play a vital role for teachers in monitoring and assessing student progress. Additionally, we initiated a trial of a progressive reporting model for summative reporting.

This innovative feedback approach aims to foster a culture of feedback that empowers students to comprehend their own data and utilise that knowledge to enhance their learning skills, consolidate their understanding, and improve

their overall performance as learners.

The progressive reporting model places equal emphasis on both learning achievement and learning growth, providing valuable information to students, as well as their parents and guardians, regarding individual accomplishments and academic progress.

These trials will be carried out across all subject departments throughout 2023, with the final implementation scheduled for 2024.

Reconciliation Action Plan

In 2022, we dedicated our efforts to further strengthen the cultural fabric of Fairholme College by placing continued emphasis on the establishment of a robust foundation of reconciliation.

Building upon the groundwork laid in 2021 by the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) working group comprising both students and staff, we embarked on the second phase of our reconciliation journey.

This phase involved actively engaging with First Nations Elders and community members to gain valuable insights into our approach to reconciliation at Fairholme College. Through collaborative efforts, we diligently worked on the initial draft of our RAP, which is scheduled for publication in 2023.

This comprehensive document will serve as a guiding framework, outlining our commitment to reconciliation and delineating the specific steps we will undertake to foster meaningful and enduring relationships with the First Nations community.

FAIRHOLME COLLEGE Senior School

Student Voice

At Fairholme College, we value student voice and actively encourage students to express their opinions and ideas. We believe that involving students in decision-making processes can lead to more effective learning and teaching outcomes, as well as promoting a sense of belonging and engagement within the school community. This year, we introduced several initiatives to further develop student voice at our school.

We continued with the Carpet Conversations, which involve meeting with me, the Head of Senior School, for lunch, to provide feedback on all aspects of life at Fairholme from a student perspective. The feedback was incredibly insightful, allowing us to identify areas for improvement and make changes accordingly. The development of student voice has been a key focus for us, and we will continue to prioritise this in the coming years.

As we reflect on the whirlwind of events that characterised the year, we are immensely proud of the Senior School community. The busy schedule and achievements were a result of the vibrant and thriving educational environment we have cultivated, where students are encouraged to excel academically, embrace extracurricular opportunities, engage with the community, and have their voices heard.

Qualifications Attained by 2022

Offered Areas of Study

FROM THE HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mrs Jaye Ross

2022 was a full and rewarding year for the Fairholme Middle School students. We welcomed nearly 100 new Year 7 girls in January and a small number of new Year 8 and Year 9 girls.

These girls were quickly absorbed into the fabric and culture of Fairholme and, with our camps early in the year, many new friendships were formed.

The Fairholme way is that all girls apply themselves fully to the academic challenge provided for them and, thus, all Middle School girls contributed to the academic successes highlighted below.

Additionally, the students in Years 7, 8 and 9 were heavily involved in the co-curricular life of the College and many of them signed up for numerous sporting teams or Arts ensembles or academic competitions.

The Middle School aims to teach the students the value

of giving to others and so many girls also contributed to the Fairholme community or the Toowoomba or wider community through their service activities. Fairholme is proud of the achievement of these Middle School students.

Academic Highlights

Our Year 7 and Year 9 girls sat the annual NAPLAN tests in May 2022 and once again our results were outstanding. Our average results in both year levels were well above the State and National average and compared well to similar schools in Toowoomba and Brisbane.

Middle School Service Activities

> Serving at the Legends at their Game Luncheon raising money for the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation

> Serving at the Women of Strength Luncheon raising money for the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation

> Serving at the Ladies Diamond Luncheon raising money for the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation

> Preparing up to 50 meals fortnightly throughout the year for Tony’s Kitchen who serve food to the disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the Toowoomba community

> Hosting and assisting the Fairholme community at events such as Fairholme Girl for a Day and Orientation

> Organising and participating in the Daffodil Day Fundraising activity for the Cancer Council

> Developing the Winter Warmers activity to raise money for Toowoomba’s Homeless community

> Participating in the Keep Australia Beautiful clean-up campaign

> Giving assistance to Kulila Kindy students at their swimming lessons in the Fairholme Aquatic Centre

> Providing help and assistance at Fairholme Junior School sporting events

Middle School Community Enhancement

> Mother and Daughter luncheons or breakfasts at the end of each term to enhance the feeling of belonging for girls and their families

> Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 camps early in the year to give each girl opportunities to challenge herself but also to build relationships with her peers

> Social activities with other schools such as the Year 7 games afternoons with Toowoomba Grammar School and St Mary’s College. Additionally, dance socials with Toowoomba Grammar School and St Mary’s College.

> Middle School ‘A Box of Chocolates’ – a focus on The Arts in the Middle School and an opportunity for girls to perform to a small and supportive audience

> Year 7 Sleepover and Day/Boarder weekend – giving our newest students the opportunity to enjoy more time together away from the classroom and another chance to build upon their friendships

> Father and Daughter Games Afternoon for all Middle School girls and their Dads (or Uncles, Grandfathers or big brothers) to give opportunities for Dads to be involved in the Middle School with their daughters in a fun and interactive way

> Lunchtime games and activities, including: Handball, Chalk Drawing, Just Dance, Think Outside the Box (Drawing competition), Stress Ball Making, Creating the ‘Peace’ banner, Trackie Tuesday Yoga, Middle School Dodge Ball, the ‘Hope’ banner, Back to Nature (Photography competition), Harmony Day and NAIDOC week contributions, RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) Buddies, Teddy Bear Picnics, Positive messages in the Middle School bathrooms, Trivia contests and Book Week Dress Ups

> Healthy Holiday Presentations by our Wellbeing Coaches and/or a Psychologist to assist students in areas such as: Mental Health, Achieving Balance, Managing Social Media and reducing Anxiety

FROM THE HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Mrs Erin Tonscheck

2022 has been a great year for Fairholme Junior girls. Our students and staff have strived to achieve their best and to celebrate others achievements, all with a ChristCentred Faith at our core. We are pleased to present the following highlights...

Additional Academic Involvement

ICAS – International Competitions and Assessment for Schools

Australian Problem-Solving

Mathematical Olympia

Opti-MINDS

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Queensland Association of Maths Teachers Competition

Academic Support

IPSHA Debating

IPSHA Chess Tournament

Service Activities

Parents Welcome Morning

FOJS Welcome on the Lawn

Parents Information Evening

Restorative Behaviour through Circle

Time sessions

Better Buddies

Bounce Back

FOJS Ladies and Lassies High Tea –Mother’s Day activity

FOJS Build and Brunch – Father’s Day activity

Jeans for Genes Day – casual clothes day

Breast Cancer Awareness – casual clothes day

Riding for the Disabled Qld – casual clothes day

Spring Festival support and donations

The Alannah and Madeleine Foundation

Operation Christmas Child

Share the Dignity donations

High Tea for ex-Junior School

Students in Year 12

Incursions, Excursions and Presentations

Kindy

> Kindy Welcome Picnic

> Getting Ready for Prep - Kindy 3 Day into Prep orientation visits each term

> Kindy Kid for a Morning each term for prospective students

> Facilities Department morning tea

> Evergreen Puppet Theatre

performances ‘Rainforest Experience’ and ‘The Ocean’

> Kindy Information Evening

> Mother’s Day Pampering morning

> Father’s Day Breakfast

> Bushwalk at Duggan Park

> Laurel Bank Park Spring Picnic

> Excursion to building site

Prep

> Picnic to Peacehaven Park with TGS

> Prep Kid for a Morning

> Prep Information Evening

> Under 8s Activity Morning with TGS and The Glennie School

> Excursion to Darling Downs Zoo

> 100 Days of Prep Celebration

Year 1

> Scientists-in-Schools with Dr Joanna Turner from UniSQ

> Assembly presentation

> Digital learning with OSMO robotics and iPads

> Picnic to Peacehaven Park with TGS

> Under 8s Activity Morning with TGS and The Glennie School

> Excursion to Pioneer Village at Highfields

> Book Launch for parents Term 2

Year 2

> Better Buddy activities with Prep and Year 5

> Scientists-in-Schools with Dr Joanna Turner from UniSQ

> Digital learning with Ozobots robotics

> Under 8s Activity Morning with TGS and The Glennie School

> Excursion to Pioneer Village at Highfields

> Incursion – Fairholme Heritage Trail with Mrs Jenny Noble - Archivist

> Year 2 Strings Program

> Year 2 Eisteddfod performance

Year 3

> Digital learning with Ozobots robotics

> Sleepover at Fairholme College

> Scientists-in-Schools with Dr Joanna Turner from UniSQ

> Year 3 into 4, iPad meeting via Zoom

> Creative Writing Workshop

> Night Sky Gazing Incursion with UniSQ Astronomers

Year 4

> Two-night camp at Alexandra Park, Sunshine Coast

> iPad program commenced

> Scientists-in-Schools with Dr Joanna Turner from UniSQ

> Digital learning with Lego Mindstorms robots

> Bastille Day Luncheon

> Year 4 Maths Day at Fairholme with TGS and The Glennie School

> Friendship and Resilience sessions with the Wellness Coach

> Cobb & Co Museum excursion

Year 5

> Two-night camp at Alexandra Park, Sunshine Coast

> Scientists-in-Schools with Dr Joanna Turner from UniSQ

> Lego robot coding with Mr Shane Buckley

> Leadership activities in preparation for Year 6

> St John Ambulance First Aid session

> Science Day at TGS with The Glennie School

Year 6

> STEAM Project - Rescue from the Daintree

> STEAM project – Claymation

> Leaders Induction Ceremony

> Chapel Service and Graduation Dinner

> Transition into Middle School days

> Year 6 Social with TGS and The Glennie School

> Year 6 Quiz Afternoon with TGS and The Glennie School

> Mayoral Morning Tea for Junior School Leaders

> Five-day trip to Cairns

> Robots - Lego robots with Mr Buckley

FAIRHOLME COLLEGE Junior School

> Coding in IT Lessons

> IPSHA Leaders Dinner

> IPSHA Ecumenical Service

> Qld Parliament House excursion

> Qld Government House excursion

Multiple Year Levels

> ICAS - English, Mathematics and Science competitions

> Book Week Activities: Theme - New Worlds, Old Worlds, Other Worlds

> Book Week Parade Prep to Year 6

> Grandparents and Friends Day

Kindergarten to Year 6

> National Science Week: FoodDifferent by Design

> National Science Week activities: visits from UniSQ Scientists-in-Schools program

> National Simultaneous Storytime: Give Me Some Space by Philip Bunting, Kindy to Year 2

> Life Education Van for Prep to Year 6

> Fairholme Girl for a Day each term

> Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Stalls organised by FOJS

> Clubs including Bee-Bots, Ozobots, Chess, Club G, Garden Club, Craft Club, Creative thinking

> Toowoomba District Primary Schools Teams Chess Championships ‘Best AllFemale Team’

> Visiting Author

Junior School Arts

Fairholme Junior Arts assists the girls to explore instrumental, visual, voice and performing arts through a range of experiences including:

City of Toowoomba Eisteddfod, Twilight concerts for Choral, Junior Band and Junior String Orchestra, Junior School Extravaganza, Lunchtime Concerts, Book Week performances by class choirs, Fairholme Singing Studio Recital, Kindy to Year 3 Nativity Play, and engaging with visiting performers.

Junior School Sports

Fairholme Junior Sport offers a wide range of sports and activities for the girls, and involvement and participation rates are excellent in Interhouse activities.

Sporting opportunities occur within Fairholme Junior School, via local Interschool Carnivals, Zone and Regional Sport, and at State and National levels across a range of pursuits including: Swimming, Athletics, Cross Country, Tennis, Touch, Netball, Cricket, Gymnastics, Basketball, Hockey, Basketball, Tennis, Cricket, Softball, AFL, Orienteering

and Football (Soccer).

After-school activities enrich both the girls’ regular Physical Education program and provide further support for Andrews Cup readiness. They include: Aussie Hoops, Cross Country Training, Andrews Cup Touch, Tennis, Athletics, Cross Country and Netball Training, Cricket, Saturday Netball, Net-Set-Go, Interhouse Tennis Tournament and the Lunchtime Junior Swimming Knockout Tournament.

Further specialised sporting support is provided in the following: Intensive Learn to Swim, Orienteering, Hockey, Athletics -Throws, Gymnastics, Basketball, Cricket, Survival Swimming and Hot Shots Tennis.

We are so very proud of our students and their accomplishments, as well as our teachers and their continued commitment to provide rich and varied learning experiences for their students.

RESULTS

Fairholme College recognises that attendance each day and each lesson is an integral part of student success. We take great care to monitor the attendance of every student each day.

ATTENDANCE RATE AT FAIRHOLME

Attendance is recorded electronically for each lesson. In addition, rolls are also marked in Assembly/Chapel or Holme Group Meetings. Absentee lists are generated during the day and communicated with staff.

MANAGEMENT OF NON ATTENDANCE

Administration staff follow up any students who are absent to ensure that we have had contact from parents or caregivers to let us know of their whereabouts.

These staff will phone, email or SMS the parents of any students not accounted for on campus.

Additionally, students who are missing from classes during the day are also followed up by academic staff such as a Head of Sub-School or Head of House.

These staff are also involved in supporting students to return to school when they have had an extended absence. When a student is ill or unable to attend school, it is expected that parents of Day Girls notify the College by 8.30am by phone, email or via the College app.

Boarding staff notify key collegues about any Boarders who are unable to attend class and are therefore in the College Health Centre.

Should a student be absent for more than three days, the Head of House Team or Head of Sub-School will contact the family to offer support and enquire as to the student’s welfare at that time. In the case of prolonged absence, the College works closely with students and families. Student absences during examination/assessment time are managed through the College’s Student Academic Policy.

FROM THE HEAD OF FAITH AND WELLBEING Ms Catherine

Fostering gratitude was at the heart of all our efforts in 2022 and we enjoyed opportunities for gathering together, with thanks that these moments became more possible with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, as the year progressed.

Through weekly Christian Education lessons and sub-school worship, the Junior School students continued to deepen their understanding of God, His Love and goodness. Club G, run by Mr Webb, was another opportunity for girls to grow their faith during one lunchtime per week. Students in the Middle School and Senior school attended Chapel services and Christian Education classes once per fortnight.

In addition to these formal worship services, Holme Group times gave staff the chance to share a Bible reading, a thought for the week and prayer with the girls in a warm, close-knit environment each week, and assemblies included a brief devotion and prayer.

Every two weeks, students in the Middle and Senior Schools participated in Christian Education sessions that covered age-appropriate material and aimed to help them develop their critical-thinking skills.

Students had further opportunity to meet together during Breakfast Club on Friday mornings to enjoy time together

and be supported in growing their Christian Faith. The Year 12 Leadership Committee for Ministry led with distinction and continually demonstrated enthusiasm, a gentle assuredness in what they believe, and a desire to communicate this with their peers in a variety of relevant ways.

The Committee was instrumental in running Chapel services and the THRIVE Festival: a day that encouraged all students to consider attributes of being Thankful, Hopeful, Resilient, Individual, Valued and Empowered.

During this service, in giving thanks for all that we have, students from the Middle and Senior Schools offered items to support Blush Cancer Care kits.

These items will be much-appreciated support for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

The College always seeks opportunities to foster a spirit of giving and strives to provide activities for student engagement in meaningful service.

There were increasing opportunities for the girls to serve

‘In ordinary life, we hardly realise that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.’- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Butler

throughout 2022, whether through the Interact Club or in other activities provided for them, such as providing food for Rosies Friends on the Street or Tony’s Community Kitchen, or through the annual Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal.

The Year 11 Service Project was incorporated into the Christian Education curriculum in 2021, and this continued, giving girls the opportunity to serve and the agency to choose an area in which to serve.

They were asked to offer four hours of their time from the end of Term 2 to the beginning of Term 4, and had to choose what they would do, find the time to do it, and then reflect on their experiences.

Some students coached a netball team, knitted beanies or baked for the homeless; others walked their neighbour’s dog or gave up their holiday time to assist on Sony Foundation Holiday Camp.

We often think ‘service’ is hard, should take a lot of time, or be an organised project. However, seeing the wide variety of activities girls chose to engage in reinforced the idea that serving others can be about using our skills to do things that we enjoy and that can be incorporated into our everyday lives, even in short moments of our day.

We finished 2022 with our annual Christmas Thanksgiving and Carols hosted by the 2023 Year 12 Ministry Committee. The weather also allowed us to hold Christmas Markets in the afternoon, hosted by Year 9 Business and Marketing students, and dinner was able to be pre-purchased and enjoyed picnic-style on the grounds of the College.

This event was a wonderful way to draw our year to a close, as we celebrated being together, focusing on the message of hope, joy and peace.

‘Seeing the variety of activities girls chose to engage in reinforced the idea that serving others can be about using our skills to do things that we enjoy and can be incorporated even in short moments of our day...’

- Catherine Butler

FAIRHOLME COLLEGE Boarding

FROM THE HEAD OF BOARDING

Fairholme College continues to be a leader in providing residential care for young women from Years 5 to 12 as they complete their schooling away from home.

With over 100 years of experience, Fairholme Boarding is the largest all-girls boarding facility in the State, and, in 2022, saw all available boarding places filled, with continued strong inquiry for places into future years.

Situated within the beautiful grounds and gardens of the College and with stunning views down the Toowoomba Range Escarpment, the Boarding House is renowned for its modern facilities with bright, contemporary dorm rooms containing comfortable bedding, beautiful vanity units, large storage and study spaces, and easy access to the large common rooms and kitchenettes located on every floor. In addition, the well-equipped Health Centre is situated within the Boarding House, with registered nurses on duty 24 hours a day/7days a week, in-house doctor clinics held 3 times per week, and a weekly physiotherapy clinic available to the girls.

With the State COVID-safe measures being implemented at the start of 2022, the boarding community finally welcomed 48 new boarding students from Years 6 to 11 into the Boarding House in February. The mix of girls within the boarding community brings a wonderful diversity which

benefits all. This year boarding students ranged in age from 10 to 18 years old and accounted for nearly 40% of the Senior and Middle School populations, with three girls in Year 6 from the Junior School.

A large majority of the boarders hail from Southwest Queensland and Northwest New South Wales, however, many girls come from Central and North Queensland, with a few from the Northern Territory, Western Australia and overseas.

Proximity of the Boarding House to the day school offered many benefits to the boarding students including:

• use of the sporting and performing arts areas after hours

• easy access to before and after school trainings, rehearsals and other sporting, academic and cultural cocurricular activities

• supervised evening ‘Prep’ times by academic staff in the College teaching and learning areas

• benefit from the positive and reassuring messages at the weekly Boarders Chapel at the College Chapel each Sunday evening

Ms Marguerite Dunne

In 2022, Boarding at Fairholme offered the girls a wonderful experience where valued friendships were formed, and positive life skills developed. The Boarding House was a busy and vibrant place with a huge variety of activities and excursions on offer for the girls to participate in during the week and over the weekends. Committees chaired by the Head Boarder and the Prefects for Boarding were actively involved this year in organising numerous Boarding House events including themed dinners, tidy dorm competitions, games and activities and numerous service opportunities for the girls. Year Level ‘etiquette’ dinners were held throughout Terms 2 and 3 and these allowed each year level to plan and run activities that contributed to the overall wellbeing of the Boarding House. The Big Sister Program continued in 2022 and assisted the new and younger boarders’ transition successfully into the Boarding. At the end of Term 3 another successful Orientation Weekend was held for the new 2023 boarders and their families to ensure they were

more prepared for their start in the following year. The experienced and dedicated boarding team of floor supervisors and office staff continued to be exceptional in their care and support of each individual boarder this year. In addition, the ancillary staff (Catering, Laundry, and Facilities and Maintenance) worked very hard on a daily basis to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the Boarding House. The work of the Friends of Boarding, a subgroup of the College Parent and Friends Association, was much appreciated for their fundraising and ‘friend-raising’ in 2022 and for their ongoing support of the Boarding House.

FAIRHOLME COLLEGE Sport

FROM THE HEAD OF SPORT

Mr Tony Tregaskis

From the basketball court to the football field, from the swimming pool to the track, our students display an unwavering commitment to sportsmanship and dedication to sport. In doing so, our girls have not only achieved remarkable athletic milestones but have also proven themselves as exceptional individuals who embody resilience, passion and determination.

Fairholme girls thrive on the challenge to beat personal bests, chase premierships, or excel at the highest level. We had more than 100 teams in local competitions and more than 300 girls involved in individual sporting activities. It has been a great year for our girls.

The dreaded COVID-19 lingered into the start of 2022 and once again required some creativity to formalise an Interhouse Swimming Carnival. With a delayed start to the year and to meet COVID restrictions, the carnival was split into Middle and Senior events.

Age Champions became now Year Level Champions, and no parents or community members were able to attend. In the early weeks of Term 1, Sport Darling Downs held their annual regional awards to acknowledge the sporting achievements of 2021. Due to COVID restrictions the normal dinner presentation became a virtual format that would be viewed via Facebook. Fairholme were adjudicated as winners of the title of Secondary School of the Year, for overall performances in 2021, equating to a fourth straight year of the title.

Congratulations to all involved in Sport at Fairholme and those who contributed to Fairholme being named as the Secondary School of the Year. This result is recognition of the extreme dedication by both students and staff and is

acknowledged within the wider community. Congratulations to all involved.

Within weeks we were back to pre-COVID days for sport across the board. Interhouse Carnivals, Association Sport, Interschool, District, Regional, State and National Championships all occurred in their former glory. Fairholme girls once again participated in an array of sports, with and everyone doing so for different reasons. For some it was enjoying the regular weekly routine and the opportunity to make new friends or participate in friendly social interactions that sport offers. Others thrived on the challenge to beat personal bests, chase premierships, or excel at the highest level at State/ National Championships for their respective sports. In representative School Sport, 115 girls were selected in Darling Downs teams and 21 progressed further to represent Queensland.

AFL

> Open – StreetSmart Schools Cup

Regional Semi-Finalists

> U15 – StreetSmart Schools Cup

Regional Semi-Finalists

> One Darling Downs Representative

Basketball

> Three Friday Night TSSS teams

– Year 11/12 and 9/10 teams made it to semi-finals and finished 3rd overall. Year 7/8 team - Grand-Final Premiers

> Awarded TSSS Champion Basketball School for Girls

> U18 team played in Darling Downs

Armstrong Automotive Basketball Challenge - Runners-up

> Four Darling Downs Representatives

Cricket T20

> Open T20 StreetSmart Cricket Competition cancelled

> Six Darling Downs Representatives

Cross Country

> Interhouse Carnival ChampionsBlack House

> Toowoomba Secondary School

Sport and Darling Downs Overall

Champion Girls’ school

> Competition winners U13, U14, U15, U16 and Open

> Queensland All Schools Cross Country 16 Years team - 3rd overall

> 17 Darling Downs and 1 Queensland Representatives

Equestrian

> Convenors of Fairholme IQ Show Jumping, Pittsworth

> Darling Downs Championships: Champion Primary School, Secondary School, Secondary Combined Training Team, Secondary Show Jumping Teams, Overall Grand Champion School, Champion Secondary Dressage Team and Summers Trophy for the Overall Champion Secondary Rider

> State Championships: Reserve Champion Team Show Horse, Reserve Champion Team Combined Training and The ‘Lorette Wigan Cup’ for Overall Champion Secondary School Trophy for 2022

> 18 Darling Downs and 11 Queensland Representatives

Football

> One Association Team

> Two Darling Downs Representatives

Futsal

> Four Association Teams: Intermediate 2 - Runners-up and Intermediate 1 - Premiers

> Three Teams in the South West Queensland Futsal Tournament

> Four Term 4 Competition Teams: A and D Division teams - Premiers; B and C Division teams - 3rd place

Golf

> One Darling Downs Representative

Hockey

> Darling Downs Schools Cup

Hockey participants

> Two Darling Downs Representatives

Netball

> 27 Association Teams: eight Association Teams were Grand Finalists, three Teams were Premiers

> Year 7-9 Laura Geitz competition winners

> Junior Vicki Wilson 1 – Junior Vicki

Wilson Shield Regional Champions

> Junior Vicki Wilson 2 – Junior Vicki

Wilson Shield Development Regional Champions

> Senior Vicki Wilson 1 – Senior Vicki

Wilson Cup Regional Runners-up

FAIRHOLME COLLEGE Sport

> Vicki Wilson State final – Seniors 19th and Juniors 6th

> Five Darling Downs Representatives

Orienteering

> Queensland Orienteering Championships - Fairholme was Champion School

> Four Darling Downs and four Queensland Representatives

Rugby 7s

> Over 70 girls training and playing in U13, U15 and U18 teams

> Rugby 7s - Scots PGC Rugby 7s Tournament – cancelled

> South West 7s Competition – U18 Champions, U13 Runners-up and U15 3rd

> Four Darling Downs Representatives

Rugby League

> Three Darling Downs Representatives

Softball

> Darling Downs Golden Gloves participants

Speed, Power and Strength

> Eight morning sessions with dedicated program and onsite coach

> Programs designed for specific needs of various sports, with a focus on helping athletes to gain a competitive edge or advantage with their sport

Swimming

> Interhouse Carnival Champions –Black House

> Toowoomba Secondary School

Sport Swimming - winners of the Francis Hopkins Diamond House Trophy for aggregate Champion School, 13 Year Champions, 14 Year Champions, 16 Year Champions and Relay Champions

> Middle School Swimming Tournament

> Seven Darling Downs and two Queensland Representatives

Tennis

> Knowles Cup Tournament participants: Senior B and Year 7/8 teams were Finallists

> Darling Downs Secondary School Cup – Regional Runners-up

> Darling Downs Representative

Touch Football

> Six Association Teams

> Five Summer Touch Teams

> Queensland All Schools Tournament – three teams: U13 round of 16, U15 top eight and Open round of 16

> All Hallows’ Touch Tournament –U15 and Open teams - Runners-up, U13 team - Semi Finallists

> South West Queensland All Schools Tournament - U13 Runnersup, Open overall 3rd and U15 Tournament winners

> Eight Darling Downs Representatives

Track and Field

> Interhouse Carnival Champions –Powell House

> Toowoomba Secondary School Sport Athletics - Runners-up Champions - 15 Years and 16 Years

> Darling Downs School Sport

Athletics - 15 Gold, 12 Silver and 11 Bronze medals

> 23 Darling Downs and one Queensland Representative

Triathlon

> 7 Darling Downs and two Queensland Representatives

Volleyball Association

> Association teams in Semester 1 and Semester 2

> Queensland Intermediate Schools Cup Volleyball participants

> Darling Downs Schools Cup Volleyball participants - Years 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12

Water Polo Association

> One Association team

> Annual Fairholme verse Glennie ‘Chris Stumkat Shield’

> Darling Downs Representatives

Interhouse Overall Champion House for Sport

Black House

FAIRHOLME COLLEGE The Arts

FROM THE HEAD OF ART

Mrs Karen Hayward

The Arts ... interrogate the human experience and challenge our understandings by encouraging and provoking alternative ways of seeing, thinking and doing. They reveal a sense of who we are and might become as we make connections and new meaning of the world around us and our place in it.’

QCAA – The Arts Senior Syllabus 2019

The Arts at Fairholme College in 2022 excelled in offering students an extensive array of intellectually engaging and highly creative experiences. The Arts have served to challenge, develop, extend and empower students through the delivery of rigorous academic programs and a plethora of exciting co-curricular opportunities. In addition, the introduction of ‘CounterpARTS’, an immersive Arts day served to engage all students in the Middle and Senior Schools to engage with the Arts through Interhouse competition and creative challenges. The resilience and dedication displayed by our professional staff and our talented students speaks extensively to the enjoyment, passion, creativity and strength of Fairholme Arts.

Dance

Dance is offered as an academic subject in Years 8 – 12. The Senior Dance course is a QCAA academically rigorous General Subject that contributes to the ATAR system. Dance fosters creative and expressive communication. It uses the body as an instrument for the expression and communication of ideas. It provides opportunities for students to critically examine and reflect on their world through higher-order thinking and movement. It encourages the holistic development of a person, providing a way of knowing about oneself, others and the world.

Events and Achievements

> ‘Women of Strength’ Luncheon – Dance Troupe

Performance

> Dance Photoshoots for Dance Promotions

> Toowoomba Eisteddfod rehearsals

> Dance students performed at the Limelight Concert

> Kingaroy Eisteddfod – Dance Troupe (First Place –Open Jazz section) and Troupettes (Second Place – Open Contemporary section)

> Pre-Eisteddfod Concert performances

> Toowoomba Eisteddfod - Dance Troupe (Second Place

– Hip Hop section and HC – Jazz section) and Troupettes (First Place – Hip Hop section)

> Annual Dance Showcase

> Opening Night Concert

> Spring Fair Fashion Parade Performances

> Interhouse Dance Competition – won by Black House

Co-Curricular Offerings

> Dance Collective (Open to students in Years 7 – 12)

> Dance Troupe (Auditioned Group Years 10 - 12)

> Troupettes (Auditioned Group Years 7 – 9)

Drama

The study of Performance is offered to students in Year 7 and Drama is offered as an academic subject in Years 8 – 12. The Senior Drama course is a QCAA academically-rigorous General Subject that contributes to the ATAR system. Drama fosters creative and expressive communication. It interrogates the human experience by investigating, communicating and embodying stories, experiences, emotions and ideas that reflect the human experience. It engages students in imaginative meaning-making processes and involves them using a range of artistic skills as they make and respond to dramatic works.

Events and Achievements

> AMEB Drama and Performance Examinations

> AMEB ‘Barbara Sisley’ Award Recipients (Top Marks in State for AMEB exams)

Ayesha Saleh, Rose Ramia and Samantha Cheetham

> Speech & Drama students performed items at A Box of Chocolates Middle School Arts Concert

> Queensland Theatre Company ‘Scene Project’ Outcome Day at Uni-SQ

> Speech & Drama students performed at the Limelight Concert.

> Empire Theatre Senior Impact Ensemble selection – Ruva

Maphosa, Cosme McPhie and Rachel Yap

> Empire Theatre Junior Impact Ensemble selection – Emmi Lange, Adeline Hamilton and Eliza Kinniburgh

Co-Curricular Offerings

> Individual Tuition – Speech & Drama

> Sound & Lighting Crew (Years 8 – 12) – students involved in this group provide invaluable sound and lighting technical support, backstage assistance and equipment set-up for a myriad of College events, assemblies and performances throughout the year and are an integral part of the fabric of The Arts Department.

Music

Music is offered as an academic subject in Years 7 – 12, with Music Extension being offered as an additional course

of study for Year 12 students. The Senior Music and Music Extension courses are QCAA academically rigorous General Subjects that contribute to the ATAR system. Music fosters creative and expressive communication. It allows students to develop musicianship through making (composition and performance) and responding (musicology).

Events and Achievements

Choral and Vocal Music

> Commencement and Induction of Leaders Assembly –Vocal Performance

> Annual Choral Music non-residential Camp

> Founders’ Day Assembly

> ‘Extensions in Music’ Recital and Pre-Eisteddfod Concert

> SHEP Darling Downs Vocal selection – Lucy Farquhar, Elizabeth McCollum, Caitlin Mohr and Isabelle Watts

> Anzac Day Choral Performance

> Music classes and Choirs excursion to QPAC performance of Cinderella

> ‘Autumn Tones’ Concert – Year 8 Performance Music and Year 11 Music

> Vocalists performed at the Limelight Concert

> A Choral celebration Concert with the Toowoomba Grammar School

> Interhouse Choral Competition 2022– won by Black House

> Gondwana National Choir selection – Bianca Bruggemann, Lucy Farquhar, Lu Lutton, Hannah Pocknee, Isabelle Watts and Ebbeny Williams-Cherry

> Toowoomba Eisteddfod Concert – Part 1

Results

Chamber Choir - SECOND PLACE (Folk song section)

Senior Voices Choir - FIRST PLACE (Hymn section)

Senior Voices Choir - FIRST PLACE (Spiritual section)

Senior Voices Choir awarded the PHILHARMONIC AGGREGATE SHIELD

Junior Chorale - THIRD PLACE (Primary A Grade Choir section)

Junior Chorale - SECOND PLACE (Spiritual or Gospel Song section)

Chamber Choir - HIGHLY COMMENDED (Secondary School Vocal Ensemble section)

FAIRHOLME COLLEGE The Arts

College Choir - THIRD PLACE (Secondary School Choir section)

Senior Voices - FIRST PLACE (Secondary School Modern Voices section)

Fairholme Choirs awarded THE GLENNIE SCHOOL TROPHY

Middle Voices - SECOND PLACE (Middle School Vocal Ensemble section)

Middle Voices – SECOND PLACE (Middle School Choir section)

> ‘Crème de la Crème’ Senior Music Extension and Senior Music Scholarship Recital.

> Middle School ‘A Box of Chocolates’ Concert

> Presenting Fairholme Middle and Senior School Chamber Choir performances.

> ‘November Nuances’ - Years 8 and 11 Performance / Extension Music Recital

> Fairholme Singing Studio Recital

> State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP)

Vocalists - Brooke Johnson, Lu Lutton, Caitlin Mohr, Mia Pratt, Ayesha Saleh, Isabelle Watts

> AMEB / Trinity College examinations

> ‘Women of Strength’ Luncheon Vocal Performance

> Valedictory Assembly

> Year 12 Final Assembly

Instrumental Music

> Annual Instrumental Music Camp – QCCC Mt Tamborine.

> Toowoomba Hospital Foundation Fundraising Event –Chamber Strings

> State Honours Ensemble Program (Qld Conservatorium of Music)

Instrumentalists - Crystal Deng, Nia Saleh, Ebbeny

Williams-Cherry

> Australian Honours Ensemble Program – Gabby Pellow (Year 11), Leora Dowling (Year 9)

> Kaleidoscope Concert Series – ‘Opening Night’ Concert

> Pre-Eisteddfod Concert II

> Crème de la Crème Concert

> Instrumentalists and Ensembles performed at the Limelight Concert

> Senior, Middle and Junior School Lunchtime Concert Series (17 concerts in all)

> Middle School ‘A Box of Chocolates’ Concert

> ‘Women of Strength’ Luncheon – Instrumental Performance

> Legends at Their Game - Instrumental Performance

> Blue Care Community Service Concert – Chamber Strings

> Fairholme Girl for a Day – Instrumental welcome music

> Presenting Fairholme Middle and Senior School performances

> Junior School students participated in SingOut at the Empire Theatre

> City of Toowoomba Eisteddfod

Toowoomba Eisteddfod Instrumental Music Results

Symphony Orchestra – SECOND PLACE (Secondary School Orchestra)

Chamber Strings – SECOND PLACE (Secondary School String Ensemble)

Small Chamber Strings – SECOND PLACE (Secondary School String Ensemble A Grade)

Year 2 Strings – SECOND PLACE (Primary School String Beginner Ensemble)

Stage Band – THIRD PLACE (A Grade Stage Band)

Senior String Quartet – HIGHLY COMMENDED

Co-Curricular Offerings

Choral Music

> College Choir (Years 7 – 12)

> Chamber Choir (Years 7 – 12 Auditioned)

> Middle Voices Choir (Years 7 – 9)

> Senior Voices Choir (Years 10 – 12)

Instrumental Music

> Symphony Orchestra

> Symphonic Wind Band

> Stage Band

> Brass Ensemble

> Chamber Strings

> String Quartets (SS, MS and JS)

> String Trio (MS)

> Percussion Ensemble

> Junior School Chime Choir

> Junior School String Orchestra

FAIRHOLME COLLEGE The Arts

> Junior Band

> Music Theory Tutorials

Tuition

> Individual Instrumental, Music Theory and Music Technology Specialist Tuition

> Individual Vocal Tuition – Fairholme Singing Studio

> Speech & Drama Specialist Tuition

Visual Art

Visual Art is offered as an academic subject in Years 7 –12. The Senior Visual Art course is a QCAA academically rigorous General Subject that contributes to the ATAR system.

Visual Art provides students with opportunities to understand and appreciate the role of visual art in past and present traditions and cultures, as well as the contributions of contemporary visual artists and their aesthetic, historical and cultural influences. This subject prepares young people for participation in the 21st century by fostering curiosity and imagination, and teaches students how to generate and apply new and creative solutions when problem-solving in a range of contexts. This learned ability to think in divergent ways and produce creative and expressive responses enables future artists, designers and craftspeople to innovate and collaborate with the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to design and manufacture images and objects that enhance and contribute significantly to our daily lives.

Events and Achievements

> Student Diary Cover created by Year 12 Student – Ruby Smith

> Visual Arts Presentations at the Limelight Concert, MS ‘A Box of Chocolates and Curtain Call End-of-Year Showcase and Awards Presentation Evening

> Eikon ‘Heart Project’ for G Block corridor

> Nokie ‘Hobby Horses’ for Kindy

> Facets: An Exhibition at Fairholme - students involved as exhibitors, packers, curatorial assistants and buskers. All students across all sub-schools contributed to a papercrane installation.

FACETS Student Awards:

Supporters of Fairholme Arts – Current Student Awards

o First Prize – Laura Patterson (Year 11) - ‘My Toy Pony’

o Second Prize – Caroline Armstrong (Year 10) - ‘Blue Cottage’

o Third Prize – Shakira Schultz (Year 11) - ‘Emotions of a Ring’

Snow Real Estate ‘Mary Snow Memorial Emerging Artist’ Award

o Pennelope Skene (Year 11) - ‘Silo in a Puddle’

Fairholme College Parents’ & Friends’ – Most Promising Award

o Sarah McMaster (Year 12) - ‘Tranquil Reflections’

> DD/SWQ Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art – State-wide Awards - Milly Betts-Jackson, Sarah McMaster, Charlotte Patterson

o Ruby Smith – Ruby’s work, ‘Chronic News’ was announced as one of the 92 short-listed finalists in the State and she was presented with a Certificate of Commendation.

> Year 11 META EXPERIENCE DAY – Authentic Experience underpinning Senior Syllabus Requirements – student engagement with hands-on workshops, design challenges, the QAGOMA touring Asian Pacific Triennial Retrospective Exhibition at the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery and visits to Picnic Point, Battle of One-Tree Hill, Harlaxton House and The Toowoomba Quarry

> UniSQ Future Visions Art Awards – Finalists

Caroline Armstrong was awarded Overall Second Prize in the UniSQ Future Visions Awards.

Co-Curricular Offerings

> Nokie – Middle School Art Group

> Eikon – Senior School Art Group

> BuJo Squad – Middle School Craft Group

Debating

Queensland Debating Union Grand Final 2022

Fairholme Year 7.2 Grand Final Winners with Fairholme Year 7.4 Runners-up

Fairholme Year 8.2 Grand Final Runners-up

Fairholme Year 10.2 Grand Final Winners with Fairholme Year 10.1 Runners-up

Fairholme Senior 3 Grand Final Runners-up

Fairholme College awarded the Toowoomba and Darling Downs Region QDU Overall Champion School Trophy.

OUR TEAM

In 2022, teaching staff at the College numbered 69 full-time and 17 part-time employees. Additionally, 38 fulltime and 62 part-time employees undertook non-teaching roles in the business, catering, maintenance, health, residential, Arts and Sporting facets of College operation.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Professional Learning opportunities at the College encourage ongoing professional growth as there is a strong connection between teaching standards and teacher Professional Learning; the link to student learning is clear.

Our staff endeavor to deepen their subject knowledge, develop their teaching skills and stay current with new research while striving to remain innovative and imaginative in their field.

In addition to Professional Learning days, visiting experts, keynote speakers, collaborative work, seminars, workshops and conferences, for both academic and non-academic staff covered a disparate range of fields and topics in the past year. The College values the knowledge and commitment of its employees. We recognise that teacher knowledge and skills contribute significantly to the quality of teaching and learning at the College. Therefore, Fairholme actively supports the professional development of our staff which included the following area of learning:

> Maintaining a Professional Workplace

> Child Protection

> Restorative Practice Facilitation

> Work Health and Safety Training

> Inclusion, Diversity and Trauma-Informed Practice

> Disability Standards

> First Aid and CPR

> COVID Management

> Information and Communication Technologies Management

EXPENDITURE

In summary, $49,817.11 was spent in supporting Professional Learning for 86 teachers. Average expenditure per person sat at $579.27.

‘All teachers engaged in various combinations of the abovementioned Professional Learning opportunities.’

STAFF ATTENDANCE

Average staff attendance for the school was, based on unplanned absences of sick and emergency leave periods of up to five days. Average staff attendance for permanent staff, temporary staff and school leaders was = 96.01%

STAFF QUALIFICATIONS