AT HOLME ISSUE 01 January 19 2022
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN Welcome to 2022 - a new school year on the brink of commencing, but not in the way we imagined
We enter our third year negotiating pandemic living. Having skirted its full force for the past two years, we are confronting its reality in new ways. We can expect change, adaptation, cancellations – and thus, there is a deep need for flexibility, adaptability, and acceptance that things are not as they used to be: they are not. Despite this, there is much to look forward to in the year ahead. Beginning always has its challenges, doesn’t it? Be it for current or new students dealing with a situation not anticipated, the wrench of leaving an established pattern of life including the freedoms of holidays, yes, beginning can be fraught. Continued next page...
datesto note
March 17 | Fairholme Girl for a Day March 19 | P&F Parents’ Cocktail Party March 31 | Year 12 Formal
“No matter how attentively we have prepared for this moment, it can also feel that nothing has prepared us for this moment...”
March 31 | Term 1 Concludes April 20 | Term 2 Commences
FAIRHOLME COLLEGE | Wirra Wirra Street Toowoomba | (07) 4688 4688 | communications@fairholme.qld.edu.au
AT HOLME FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN Continued...
We find ourselves in a heightened state of excitement or anxiety – or perhaps both, after all, the physiological response is the same, irrespective of how we brand the feeling, the branding does matter. Excitement and anticipation are much more palatable sensations than fear or anxiety. To our brand-new starters... When our children start school or boarding school for the first time, it’s at the top of the change scale. No matter how attentively we have prepared for this moment, it can also feel that nothing has prepared us for this moment. Add a disrupted beginning and it really is OK as a parent to feel even more unsettled than our child! So, what to do to allay that feeling? > Talk to other parents – particularly pertinent for our new
boarder parents > Talk about school and the things you know, the things to look forward to, and the things that might need some adjustment, don’t fixate on the hard stuff, but don’t avoid it entirely, either > Be positive about the change and get involved in the practicalities of getting ready – even though the mode of beginning has been altered and delayed > Respond to questions and assure that together you will find out the answers > Remind your children that whenever they can, to move off the metaphoric sideline – yes, even when learning remotely and online, and, to ask for help if needed. The phrase ‘fake it ‘til you’ll make it’ has relevance to everyone beginning again. For all parents, the fundamental ‘do’ is to speak in the positive – even about the difficult ‘stuff’.
Congratulations If you have accessed our website, you may have already noted the strong academic achievements of the senior cohort of 2021. Whilst we will acknowledge these girls more formally at our on-line Commencement Assembly on Monday 31 January, we express our pride in their accomplishments, as well as appreciation of the work of our teachers and families who have journeyed with these young women. We acknowledge and celebrate our highest achievers in Year 12 2021:
Dux Chelsie Brandon
Proxime Accessit (shared) Adelaide Imray, Lily Seckler, Sophie Walker
Ordine Tertia Meg Davies
Chelsie Brandon
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2022 Fairholme
communique
Our communiqué with you is predominantly electronic – through the phone app, via the Parent Lounge on MyFairholme, or e-mail. To facilitate effective and timely communication, we need each family’s e-mail address and mobile phone details to be accurate and up to date. As such, we ask that you advise us quickly if any changes occur.
Happenings at Holme
For those new to the Fairholme family, we hope you have already uploaded our phone app. This is used to notify you of any urgent information, calendar changes, provide reminders about significant events, or as a quick avenue for notices such as bus return times from excursions, or camps. Contact communications@fairholme.qld.edu.au if you require assistance with the app.
As our school year nudges closer, and particularly with the changes (often quick) required with the prevalence of COVID, keep a close look at email, MyFairholme, the College web site or phone app (details to follow) for start-up information. Contact the main office on 07) 4688 4688 or email info@fairholme.qld.edu.au should you have further queries.
STAFFING MATTERS We warmly welcome 16 new staff members who will be working across the campus in a range of roles, as well as current staff who are moving into new roles for 2022 or, returning to old roles. We are excited to welcome: Jodie Allen > Junior School Teacher Kaylene Bruggeman > Netball Coach
Janine Ryan > Co-ordinator of Junior School Learning Enhancement and Greta Junior
Anastasia Button-Smith > Cadet Liaison Officer
Megan Troy > Learn to Swim
Matt Collyer > Head of Department – Learner Analytics (K – 12)
Samantha Lee > Pre-service Teacher (PE and Geography)
Suzy Collyer > Middle/Senior School Humanities and Geography Teacher
RETURNING STAFF AND STAFF IN NEW ROLES
Sandra Everson > Kindergarten Teacher (*part time)
Ms Breanna Eacersall > New Role, Kindergarten Teacher Aide
Kathy Gouldson > Humanities Teacher (*part time)
Ms Katrina Gierke > Returning, Head of Cameron House
Fiona Hamill > Woodwind Teacher and Ensemble Director
Ms Katrina Maher > Resuming, Assistant Head of Cameron House
Hugh Hansen > Cello Teacher
Mr Stewart Peacock > Resuming, Mathematics and Psychology Teacher (*part time)
Emily Littleproud > Middle/Senior School Mathematics and Biology Teacher Suzanne Miller > Boarding Supervisor
Mrs Donna Smith > Returning, Administrative Assistant to the Boarding House
Jo-Ann Noye > Assistant to Deputy Principal
Mrs Pam Stains > New Role, Head of Teaching and Learning
Natalie Rawle > Junior School Music Teacher
Ms Rebecca Stone > New Role, Executive Assistant to the Principal Ms Cassie Walton > New Role, Social Worker (full time/term time)
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Safe use of technology and our girls... We continue to work with former staff member and founder of #Stymie, Rachel Downie, to enable our students to report concerns they have about their friends and peers. The #Stymie platform allows students in Years 5 to 12 to report harm, suspected harm, or concerning behaviours of friends and peers; on-line and anonymously.
“A further part of our approach to address issues of cyber safety is a partnership with FamilyZone...”
The report triggers an email alert for key pastoral staff who then meet with the student of concern, and work with her to address the issues identified, in a manner with which she is most comfortable. A further part of our approach to address issues of cyber safety is a partnership with Familyzone – a provider of cyber safety and security services to schools and parents. The Linewize app, part of its suite is installed on all College laptops, which enables the College to monitor use of technology whenever students are logged in to the school network. Do take the time to access the Cyber Safety Hub https://fairholme.cybersafetyhub.com.au to keep abreast of current information around safe use of technology. This hub provides advice from leading cyber experts, on pertinent issues
buildingupdate As is typical of the holiday period, significant Supporting StudenttoSafety refurbishment and upgrades buildings and grounds have occurred in readiness for students’ return. The Year 5 and Year 6 classrooms have been refurbished and are stunning learning areas, and the flat on the top floor of Black Dormitory has been refurbished as boarding accommodation – with the best views in the house! We also look forward to a small extension to our Health Centre which will allow for three new isolation rooms to be operational later in the year. Full repainting of kitchen and general maintenance has occurred. The gardens are magnificent, and the oval is green and lush, ready for the pounding feet of athletes. Grateful thanks to our grounds and maintenance staff who have been pivotal in these projects!
including platforms like TikTok, Fortnite and Instagram. There are reviews with age and safety recommendations; guides to assist with healthy boundaries around screen-time and gaming, as well as step-by-step instructions for parental controls and filtering out inappropriate content. You can also contact our Head of Information and Communication Technology, Mr Chau Chuc to talk through these matters. chau.chuc@fairholme.qld.edu.au or on 07 4688 4652. Let us be on the front foot with technology management – particularly during this period of on-line learning which our girls may use as an opportunity to legitimise more time online!
HolmestoreOpening Hours Up until February 4: 10am – 2pm 26 January: Closed 7 February: 7.30am – 4pm 8 February: Normal hours will resume For more information about uniform requirements, please see the website.
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on a final note
Boarding remains the front of mind consideration for many. We continue to seek information and direction; I am hopeful that the National Cabinet meeting set for tomorrow might provide a path forward. Maintaining a symptom-free environment within a school and particularly in a boarding community is complex. We continue to grapple with quarantine requirements, testing procedures and isolation processes. Fairholme family support and understanding remains so important. Further, if day families have connections with boarding families, and can assist in some way, please be in touch with them. We had exceptional support from our day families in 2020 when numbers permitted in boarding were restricted which enabled many of our boarders to resume face-to-face schooling as day students. This is the time for our College to work as a community. Be assured that any changes that
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may need to occur because of the requirements of COVID-19 management will be communicated with as much notice as is possible - we will let you know, as we know! Let us look forward to a promising and enriching 2022, despite our unanticipated beginning and the challenges we collectively face. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility – it is always appreciated.
Kind regards,
Dr Linda Evans | Fairholme College Principal