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FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. - Abraham Lincoln The first quarter at Fairholme has begun – Term 1 – special, unique and entirely different from any term that has come before. We began with remote learning and a hybrid model of staff professional learning prior to that. It’s interesting the way that we begin, isn’t it? Meticulously planned or chaotically random – we all sit somewhere on that continuum. Some of us thirst for order whilst others thrive on the newness of things. Yet, it’s hard to imagine any accomplished musician or athlete entering their performance arena without the gift of an eternity of practice and a clear game plan. Their metaphoric first quarter would follow a path of intention and be bolstered by a commitment to perform at their best. Is that how we begin our school year – our first quarter – with intention and commitment to do our best? Listening to Australia’s winter Olympic gold medalist Jakara Anthony speak, was a reminder of the value of preparation and the possession of a clear game plan. When asked what seemed a fatuous question, ‘When you finished fourth at the Olympics in Pyeongchang, did you start talking about what you needed to do differently to reach a podium finish?’ It was unsurprising that she answered, ‘Of course.’ But she also said that she was happy with that fourth, not tortured in the way we might predict. She said something to the effect of, ‘that was my personal best at the time, and I skied at my best at that time. I have no disappointment whatsoever that I came fourth there, I couldn’t have asked any more of myself at the time.’ There’s something refreshingly ‘Ash Bartyesque’ in her ability to enjoy the moment, to step away from public opinion and audience scrutiny, and revel in the moment – to fully immerse in the sport she loves.
‘No matter how attentively we have prepared for this moment, it can also feel that nothing has prepared us for this moment...’ Impressively, this is how she described the thirty seconds that led to her gold-medal finish. ‘In that 30 seconds [of that run], I couldn’t hear the crowd. I felt no pressure, I wasn’t thinking about the competition I was just in the moment loving mogul skiing just like I did as a kid. Some people call that the flow. I am in search of that every day.’ What a gift: in an Olympic final there was the absence of pressure and the invisibility of spectators. Imagine if students could step into an exam room seeking flow, enjoying the moment and without the feeling of pressure. Imagine. And imagine if students learned for the joy of learning. Jakara says that ‘winning’ her first Olympic competition was not about a medal, or a podium finish, and that ‘medals are great, but they aren’t what drive me.’ Yet, she is driven. She is driven in the pursuit of excellence. She is driven to practise, prepare, and then practise some more in the quest for ‘flow’, the ability to be in the moment with her sport. Jakara had been preparing for this golden moment for almost her whole life, from the time she donned her first skis at the age of four. If we knew more of her story we would invariably know about hard, hard work, setbacks, disappointments and a steely determination to perfect the ‘imperfectible’. Nothing worthwhile ever happens without
AT HOLME FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN Continued... effort.
• A commitment to do the small things well.
I wonder what thoughts were in her mind when she stood at the top of the snowy mogul run and readied herself to begin. Perhaps her head was clear, unfettered by pressure and full of the view in front of her … perhaps.
Let us view each term, each quarter, as important. No athlete wins an important race without success in each quarter of that race.
That’s because she had begun planning and preparation long before that moment. Her ‘axe was sharpened’ and she was ready to attack the slopes. Could we say the same about the way in which we have begun our first quarter at Fairholme in 2022? I have done some reading on first quarters (of course), and research has found that those that win the first quarter are more likely to be the winner at the final whistle. It seems a self-evident truth, doesn’t it?
And, I suspect, that our most successful students – on any measure – are prepared, intentional, committed and self-aware enough to set milestones along the way. Let us begin, with axe sharpened for all that lies ahead.
Dr Linda Evans | Principal
REFERENCES
Beginning matters, but the preparation that occurs before we begin matters even more. Can we say that we are as prepared as we can be to achieve our goals for the term? The essence of an effective first quarter will see these elements:
Hytner, M. (2022). ‘Gold medal puts Jakara Anthony in exclusive Australian club
• Showing up, and showing up on time, prepared
Winter Olympics with women’s moguls victory.’ ABC News. 6 February. 2022.
• Goals set and goals shared with those we trust
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-06/beijing-winter-olympics-jakara-
• The establishment of small victories or milestones along the way
FIRST DAY
The girls were all smiles as Term One got underway
after realising childhood Olympic dream’. The Guardian. 7 February 2022. https:// www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/feb/07/jakara-anthony-gold-medal-exclusiveaustralia-club-win-mogul-run-beijing-winter-olympics-2022 McGarry, A & Smale, S. (2022). ‘Jakara Anthony wins Australia’s first gold at Beijing
anthony-wins-olympic-gold/100809002
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A girl and her horse
There’s a special relationship between rider and horse, and for Fairholme Equestrian Captain, Liberty Clark, it’s one that she can nurture even while boarding. For Year 12 Boarder, Liberty Clark, the very thought of leaving her horses to attend Boarding school was a gut-wrenching one. ‘Leaving for Boarding school was one thing, but the idea of leaving my horses was a whole other level,’ Liberty says. ‘I was lucky to be able to bring my horses to Toowoomba. It really meant a lot when I first started Boarding, particularly because I was a bit homesick to begin with. It really helped to have my animals here. Equestrian has really helped me feel at home at school and I am so grateful to the whole Fairholme Equestrian community.’ Liberty, who is the 2022 Fairholme Equestrian Captain and a keen showjumper, grew up on a cattle property in central Queensland with her camp-drafting parents. ‘We were never really a showjumping family. My parents are big camp drafters, and also musterers – the disciplines are all very different,’ Liberty explains. ‘I’ve been riding since I was three years old, but I didn’t start showjumping until I came to Fairholme. One holidays, my parents bought me a cheap saddle and I put it on my quarter horse and I jumped around a bit at home, and I loved it. Eventually my parents realised I was serious about showjumping. I love everything about it. I love being on the back of the horse, the technical side of the sport and the adrenaline rush of competing.’ Last year, the Fairholme Equestrian team took out the Lorette Wigan Cup Interschool Champion Equestrian Secondary School. It was the first time Fairholme has won the coveted trophy. Under Liberty’s leadership this year, the team are hoping to go back-to-back. ‘We have a fantastic team who are all really competitive. Our goal is to get that trophy again.’ To get that trophy, it involves a team of coaches and supporters and a whole lot of passion. ‘We are lucky to have passionate coaches who come out every week to train us, watch our riding lessons, help us with out positions and check on how our horses are faring. And then we have the whole Fairholme Equestrian team who are all so encouraging and supportive and friendly. It really is a great community who want to help others learn this fantastic sport.’ But it’s the unwavering support of her parents which means the most to Liberty. ‘I absolutely wouldn’t be able to do this without the support of mum and dad. They bring my horses down every term – they have supported me so much that they haven’t been able to do their camp drafting. I can’t even begin to explain how grateful I am to them.’ Being in her last year of school, Liberty has started thinking about what her path after school is going to look like. One thing is for sure – it will involve horses. “I’m hoping to have six months off and be with my horses and to continue to work with my trainer. Horses will always be part of my life.” It might surprise people to know that fashion is also on Liberty’s radar. ‘It’s very different from equestrian, but I’m actually wanting to make an equestrian fashion label – it combines my two passions.’
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With the work comes the reward Fairholme 2021 graduate, Chelsie Brandon, knows more than most that hard work really does pay off.
‘I loved Year 12. It was hard, and a lot of study, but I really enjoyed the friendships, the teachers, even the work, and I think it has really paid off,’ Chelsie reflects. It certainly did: Chelsie is the College’s 2021 Dux – the first time she has received such an honour since she started Fairholme as a Year 7 student fresh from Millmerran State School.
‘There are so many teachers that I will always remember who have helped me become the person I am today.’
and a Master of Engineering at the University of Queensland, which she will start this month. ‘My parents are teachers, one of my brothers is finishing a Business degree and the other is studying Physiotherapy, so while there is no history of Engineering in the family I am excited to see where this path
- Chelsie Brandon ‘I spent my terms, including holidays, studying, and it was an effort, but I knew if I did the work early, it would make externals a little less stressful.’ Chelsie remembers receiving her ATAR score whilst on a family holiday before Christmas. ‘I kept checking and checking and getting more and more nervous. And then when it came through, it was such a relief. I did it! I walked out to the living room with a big smile on my face, and my parents knew I did well. They were so excited for me.’ Chelsie’s ATAR – the highest score at Fairholme - has opened up her future up to opportunities. ‘I love maths and science; I love knowing how to work something out and being able to test it in exams,’ she says. ‘I was thinking about medicine but I never really wanted to be a doctor – I don’t think I could deal with all the blood! I have always loved maths and I was really good at it, so I thought I would explore engineering.’ Chelsie has been accepted into Bachelor of Engineering Honours
takes me.’ Wherever it does take her, Chelsie says Fairholme will always be home to her, with so many great memories. ‘I remember taking a tour of Fairholme as a 12-year-old, and I just fell in love with it straight away. There was no question that this was the school I wanted to go to. ‘Since then, I’ve made so many friends, I have laughed every day and have had some incredible opportunities,’ Chelsie says. ‘There are so many teachers that I will always remember who have helped me become the person I am today. Every time I emailed a teacher asking for extra help, they would always say yes, sometimes even holding weekend sessions. Their passion for learning and for the students is extraordinary.’
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Q&A AT HOLME
with 2022 Head Boarder, Charlotte Patterson
Head Boarder Charlotte Patterson talks to us about her home, Boarding and her dreams for this year. How long have you been a Boarder at Fairholme? CP: Since year 7 so this is my 6th year. What motivated you to vie for the Head Boarder position? CP: I know boarding is not easy or enjoyable for everyone, though I wanted the girls to get the most out of boarding as they could and to have the best experiences possible. Where is home and what is the number one thing you miss about it? CP: Home is seven-and-a-half hours away, on a property just out of Rolleston. The number one thing I miss most during boarding are my pets – dogs, horses and chooks – because I don’t get to see them during the term.
What has Boarding taught you?
Why do you love Fairholme?
CP: Through boarding I have learnt the true meaning of individuality and just how different people are through their beliefs, strengths and interests. And whilst understanding this, boarding has taught be to be more tolerant, patient and inclusive.
CP: I love how supportive and approachable our teachers and staff are and how they genuinely care about our wellness and education. I love that girls can easily build friendships with girls from other year levels and how well our school community can work together as a team.
As you begin your final year, what are some of your fondest memories of Fairholme? CP: I will always cherish the memories of Christmas dinner in the boarding house, and riff offs and waffles on the morning of Holme Day, but my fondest memories would be laughing and spending time in Bible studies, with dorm mistresses and girls from varying different grades.
What’s your one piece of advice for a new Boarder starting their journey at Fairholme? CP: My advice is this: Be your complete self and stay true to your values. No one is perfect- everyone makes mistakes just as everyone has both happy and sad times. So accept and respect others and yourself and support each other through the tough times.
Boarders, Welcome holme HOLME
Boarders settle into their home away from home with help from their ‘big sisters’
first day
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‘Fairholme has given me so many opportunities to play in different teams and competitions and has taught me so many lessons.’
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shootingfor big things
‘Just show up’ is the philosophy Year 10 Fairholme student, Amy Williams, lives by. Amy, who has been showing up to netball since she was a 9-year-old playing Net Set Go, has just been named in the Queensland Netball Squad.
‘Mum called me when I was at the Sunshine Coast for a State Age netball carnival and she told me to go outside where no one could hear me,’ Amy remembers. ‘She told me I had been invited to train with the Queensland squad and I started bawling! I was so happy.’ As well as making the Queensland Netball Squad, Amy has just made the Panthers team for the first time – the youngest athlete in the line-up. ‘When I get to play at Nissan Arena in the Panthers dress, it will definitely be surreal. I’ve grown up watching the Panthers play and dreaming of one day being lucky enough to be in their squad.’ But luck doesn’t have anything to do with it; if netball has taught her anything, Amy says it’s about putting in the time, the effort and the hard work - and that training certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted! ‘Before our first State netball camp in January, we were emailed a conditioning program which consisted of different exercise and lots of runs. I’ve learnt that showing up is the only way to get better, even if it is a slow process. I’ve also learnt that sprints are not my forte! ‘A normal training set consists of warm up, some sort of fitness work, footwork, passing, drills, drills and more drills and then game play.’ Being a goal shooter, the training doesn’t stop there. “As part of the conditioning for the goal shooters, after the fitness session we have to put in 20 to 30 shots to get our bodies and minds used to shooting under fatigue. What makes it worthwhile is knowing that I get to train and play alongside some really talented athletes. ‘Goal shooter is my favourite position – knowing that when I or the other shooter gets a shot in, everyone on court lifts and performs to their best ability.’ Netball has always been a big part of Fairholme sporting life, and one which Amy says has taught her about sportsmanship, the power of teamwork and always putting in 100% effort. ‘Fairholme has given me so many opportunities to play in different teams and competitions and has taught me so many lessons,’ Amy says.
If netball teaches us anything, it’s about putting in the time, the effort and the hard work. Here, Fairholme netballer-on-the-rise, Amy Williams, talks about sportsmanship, the power of teamwork and always putting in 100%.
‘Last year, I had the privilege of playing for the Senior Vicki Wilson 1 team a year early. If I hadn’t started netball at Fairholme and continued playing in the Saturday and Wednesday competitions, I most likely wouldn’t be where I am now.’ Where to from here? ‘Every little girl playing netball dreams about playing for the Aussie Diamonds, so it would be pretty cool if that could happen for me one day. However, as a starting point, I would love to play in the Suncorp Super Netball competition.’ Until that happens, Amy says she will continue to show up, because that’s what Fairholme netball has taught her.
AT HOLME
ONLINE
Teachers and students connect during online learning
Congratulations Congratulations to our 2022 Swimming Captain, Raylee Amos, who recently won silver in her age group 100m Backstroke and 100m Open Backstroke at the State Swimming Championships.
AT HOLME
Sewing The clothing industry is the second-largest global polluter after oil, and its complex production techniques and supply chains create myriad environmental issues. Fairholme College has recognised that the need for change is urgent and our College is playing a key role in championing new attitudes towards clothing through its Design and Technologies subject. Co-ordinator of Design and Technologies, Mrs Mandi Meise, explains that the aim is to equip students with important skills as the fashion industry progresses with more sustainable practices. ‘Science has proven that if we spend a small amount on something, the likelihood of us throwing it away is ten times more, which is resulting in three-quarters of products going into landfill, and that is a problem,’ Mrs Meise contends. For the first time, Fairholme students in Years 8 and 9 will have the opportunity to design and create their very own fabric, then to use that fabric in making a bespoke item.
sustainably
Teacher of Design and Technologies, Ms Rebecca Scott, states the students’ fabrics will not exist anywhere else in the world.
‘The fabric is an eco-drill; a percentage is recycled fabric, and being printed in Australia has the added benefit of reducing carbon miles.’ In order to foreground sustainability, the students are encouraged to get creative with waste and reduce what’s left on the cutting-room floor. Ms Scott proposes, ‘Can the students make a scrunchie or a bag out of the leftovers? These are the types of waste ideas we want the girls to be conscious of.’ Mrs Meise further elaborates, ‘It’s about the girls being creative; it’s not necessarily about the finished product, in terms of making a hat or shorts; it’s about designing and considering those design principles and elements - looking at colour, texture, shape, line and repetition - because those principles can be used in any discipline, whether the students are moving to architecture or engineering or interior
design.’
Design and Technologies has been an important part of the curriculum at Fairholme College for many years. It has produced some of Australia’s most celebrated fashion designers, including Georgina Pola, Edwina Robertson (AJE) and Edwina Robertson (Field). ‘Our expectations at Fairholme are very high; we push the girls to not only design, but to think about the functionality, aesthetic appeal and the fundamentals of design. I’m positive we’ll see more of our students go on to have successful careers in the fashion industry,’ Mrs Meise suggested. To try Design and Technologies firsthand at Fairholme, come along and ‘Be a Fairholme Girl for a Day’ on 17 March. Please register at: www.fairholme.qld.edu.au/fairholmecollege-tours
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LEADERS
Fairholme College Prefects 2022
MEET THE FAIRHOLME PREFECTS 2022 Front from left: Eliza Kingston, Charlotte Patterson, Monica Bruggemann, Erin Hoffensetz, Taleah Ackland and Anika Healey Middle from left: Mahsa Nabizada, Evie Imray, Ashley Caporn, Katie McGrath, India Bailey, Eva Quinlan, Hannah Johnson and Peggy Thomas Back from left: Molly Armstrong, Ava Marjoribanks, Cosme McPhie, Ruby Wilkes, Emmie Gordon and Mia Rogers
Upcoming events Fairholme Girl for a Day
17 March
Cross Country Year 3 -12
18 March
P&F Cocktail Party
19 March
Year 12 Formal and Soiree
31 March
Term 1 Concludes
31 March
FACETS Exhibition
20-22 May
FAIRHOLME COLLEGE | Wirra Wirra Street Toowoomba | (07) 4688 4688 | communications@fairholme.qld.edu.au