At Holme Issue 10 - January 2023

ATHolme

“The beginning is the most important part of the work.”

- Plato -

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN: Welcome Holme

Dear Members of the Fairholme Family, Welcome to 2023, particularly, we welcome all of our new families for whom Fairholme is an unknown, unchartered territory. Beginnings are interesting. Because most of us, if we are truthful, fear the unknown – perhaps just a little or perhaps just a lot. With experience, we begin to understand that changes and new beginnings are part of life’s rhythm – unavoidable, and better addressed with enthusiasm. Poet John O’Donohue captures the essence of beginning, beautifully in his poem ‘For a New Beginning’ – he highlights the importance of ‘hold[ing] nothing back and learn[ing] to find ease in risk’, relevant for all of us as we all seek to find a new rhythm in a new year. Whilst I love the start of the school year: the energy, the optimism, and the opportunity to start afresh, I know that others find it daunting and confronting .

That is because we ‘thrive through routine and predictability. It gives a sense of control. When there are big changes, we are suddenly thrown into a state of uncertainty.’ (Chansky, 2012).

If you were to draw a continuum where you place excitement at one end and fear at the other, you would capture the feelings inherent in substantial beginnings.

We all sit on that metaphoric continuum whenever we begin afresh–be that as a brand new member of the Fairholme community, or one venturing back from holidays. The names we attribute to excitement or fear can vary, but the underpinning adrenalin rush exists for us all.

As commencement becomes imminent, we may find ourselves sliding from one end of the continuum to the other, with unprecedented and unanticipated speed. The Junior School girl who has been trying on her uniform daily for the last two weeks and wearing a tartan

‘Yes, every time we begin again or confront a significant change, we simply have to take our first step onto the field. Spectating, standing tremulously on the sideline or refusing to participate limits our opportunities and truncates our potential.’ - Dr Evans

ribbon most days throughout the holidays, may refuse to budge from the back seat of the car on Day 1. The Boarder who has professed her readiness to begin at Fairholme, for the last decade, and who packed her bags meticulously in December, is devastated when her parents leave. Suddenly the excitement evaporates, and fear takes its place. Conversely, the child you anticipate will not manage a beginning with ease, does. Yes, we all manage beginnings, differently and differently in different situations.

As parents, we, too, can be confronted by our own sense of loss when our holiday rhythm or life rhythm is abruptly recalibrated through the intervention of a return to school. Feelings of stress, expectation, disappointment, and separation can emerge within us. This change is not just your daughter or son’s change but yours, also.

For our brand new starters, herewith some tips that may assist in allaying your own concerns, or your child’s:

> Talk to other parents – particularly pertinent for our new boarder parents.

The oldest and strongest emotion of [humankind] is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. - H.P. Lovecraft

> For those who are entirely new to Fairholme, talk to your child/ ren 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.

> Respond to questions and assure that together you will find out the answers. Validate their feelings without minimising them. Listen well. Simon Sinek says, ‘hearing is listening to what is said. Listening, is hearing what isn’t said.’

> Remind your children that whenever they can, it is important not to stand on the (metaphoric) sideline, in other words, the best step forward is to get involved, and, to ask for help if needed. The phrase ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ is particularly pertinent in the whirl of a new beginning.

> Remember that children watch and often mirror their parents’ reactions and they do so most acutely in stressful situations.

For all parents, we know that the fundamental ‘do’ is to speak in the positive – even about the difficult ‘stuff.’ Now is not the time to share concerns that you might have, they will become your daughter’s or son’s concerns and the framework through which they filter their experiences.

Beware of overthinking or catastrophising scenarios about what might happen, lest they rob your child of learning to live with and through change. Because “change is constant. Depending on a child’s temperament, personality, and emotional intelligence, fear is a way for them to begin to make sense of the world around them.” (Rinehart in Gordon, 2021).

Additionally, avoid the inherent urge to over-examine the first day, or any subsequent day. ‘What went well today?’ might be a good

leading question. Listening remains the most important aspect of communication – for what is said and what is not said.

Yes, every time we begin again or confront a significant change – we simply have to take our first step onto the field. Spectating, standing tremulously on the sideline or refusing to participate limits our opportunities and truncates our potential. Anxious or excited – we have to take to the field, and, in the words of poet, John O’Donohue, ‘trust the promise of this beginning, hold nothing back, and learn to take ease in risk,’ because when we do so, we will find ourselves in a new rhythm, a rhythm that leads us to a greater feeling of certainty.

We look ahead with optimism to the enticing and unknown world of 2023 and the many promises it holds. I look forward to meeting with you at the forthcoming Swimming Carnivals as well as the Principal’s Welcome Evening.

And so, we begin.

Dr Linda Evans | Principal

REFERENCES

Chansky, T. (2012) in Smith, J. (2013). ‘12 Tips for Overcoming Your Fear of Change at Work’. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ jacquelynsmith/2013/01/18/12-tips-for-overcoming-your-fear-of-changeat-work/?sh=149f576846b5

Gordon, S. (2021). ‘How to Help Kids Cope With a Fear of Change’. verywellfamily. https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-to-help-kids-copewith-fear-of-change-5193732

Outstanding ATAR

If you have accessed our website, you may have already noted the strong academic achievements of the senior cohort of 2022.

Whilst we will acknowledge these girls more formally at our Commencement Assembly on Tuesday 24 January, we express our pride in their accomplishments, their contributions as students as well as appreciation of the work of our teachers and families who have journeyed with them.

We do acknowledge and celebrate our highest achievers in Year 12 2022:

Fairholme College Year 12 Magna Cum Laude Awards

India Bailey, Scarlett Barwick, Ella Bruggemann, Amelie Clifford, Erin Hoffensetz, Evangeline Imray, Hannah Johnston, Yulita Khalil, Eliza Kingston, Emily Mailer, Maddison Marshall, Sarah McMaster, Cosme McPhie, Charlotte Patterson, Eva Quinlan, Lauren Scott, Ruby Smith and Yalnaz Wahab

Dux Yalnaz Wahab

Proxime Accessit Lauren Scott

Ordine Tertia Zara Nimac

Congratulations

We acknowledge our skilled choristers: Hannah Pocknee, Bianca Bruggemann, Izzy Watts, Lu Lutton and Ebbeny Williams-Cherry who travelled to Sydney recently as part of the Gondwana Voices National Program.

The five Fairholme girls joined choristers from around the country for the action-packed week of rehearsals in Sydney. The program culminated in a magical performance - Voices of the Angels, which shared the joy of the festive season under the sails of the iconic Sydney Opera House.

‘This was my fourth Gondwana season and I loved it!

I really enjoy making friends with girls from different parts of Australia working under the direction of some amazing conductors. This season was particularly exciting as we performed in the Opera House,’ Hannah Pocknee said.

Meanwhile, there was no rest for Fairholme swimming champ, Mackenzie Grimes, who competed in the pool over the holidays. Mackenzie swam at the State Championships before Christmas and came away with two Silver medals (100m and 200m Backstroke), Gold in the Regional 4x100m Medley Relay and was crowned the Queensland Backstroke Champion winning Gold in the 50m Backstroke.

At the annual Orienteering Queensland awards held

late last year, Lucinda Barnes was awarded Best Very Easy Course female competitor. Points for the awards are gathered from achievements over 10 ‘Orienteer of the Year (OY)’ events held throughout the year. Lucinda competed in five of these OY events to achieve a score of 536. Lucinda is to be commended for her commitment and achievements in the 2022 season. This result continued off an excellent year of orienteering for Lucinda.

On the track and field, Taylah Chapman won Bronze for Shot Put and Silver for Discus and she even broke her own State records for these two events. Taylah also placed 5th in the 100m. Well done, Taylah!

Staffingmatters

We warmly welcome 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 2023 or, returning to previous roles.

We are excited to welcome:

Josephine Anderson - Development Swimming Coach

Sally Austin - Assistant to Head of Boarding

Andrew Cockerill - Middle/Senior School Science Teacher

Kelly Cumming - Assistant to Learning Pathways Centre

Ange Millard - Assistant to Head of Middle School

Maddy Parkes-Moller - Learn to Swim Teacher

Holly Parsons - Learning Enhancement Assistant and Netball Coach

Jodette Robinson - Learning Enhancement Assistant

Jane Van Mourik - Kindy Teacher (3 days)

STAFF IN NEW ROLES

Laura Anderson - Continuing, Co-ordinator Learning Pathways

Samantha Bear - New Role, Teacher of English and History

Cath Butler - Change of Title, Head of Faith and Wellbeing

Rochelle Butlin - Continuing, (Acting) Head of Stephens House

Katrina Gierke - Resuming, Middle School Teacher

Elaine Harris - New Role, Head of Greta Junior, Junior/Middle School

Teacher of French

Jenni Kruger - Continuing, (Acting) Head of Learning Enhancement Term 1

Lindy Masters - New Role, (Acting) Head of Boarding Term 1

Bella McLoughlin - New Role, Prep Teacher Assistant Term 1

Judith O’Brien - New Role, Junior School Teacher Assistant

Leigh Pickstone - Continuing, Careers and Pathways Teacher

Alicia Rumbel - New Role, Kindy Assistant

Emma Usher - New Role, Head of Cameron House

Kylie Wallis - New Role, (Acting) Deputy Head of Boarding Term 1

Fairholme College Communique 2023

The oldest and strongest emotion of [humankind] is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. - H.P. Lovecraft

Our communiqué with you is predominantly electronic – through the Fairholme phone app, via Happenings at Holme, or e-mail.

We are excited to start the year with our new Fairholme app. Make sure you ‘update’ or delete and re-download the new-look app (available in the App store).

The new app features instant access to Happenings @ Holme and myFairholme (Parent Portal), key dates and absentees.

There is also an Alerts button which is used to notify you of any urgent information, or as a quick avenue for notices such as bus return times from excursions, or camps.

As our school year nudges closer, keep a close look at your Happenings @ Holme newsfeed. We recommend checking in daily for all the latest information.

For frequently asked questions regarding logging in, the new app or myFairholme, please follow this link: https://www.fairholme.qld.edu.au/ frequently-asked-questions

If you need any further assistance, please contact sandra.buckley@ fairholme.qld.edu.au

Five Fairholme generations

For the first time in its over-100 year history, Fairholme College can boast five generations of girls to wear the MacLaren tartan. Ruby and Eva Newell are the fifth generation to walk Palm Drive, which began when their great-great-grandmother, Beryl Powell (formerly Kemp, nee Wonderley) attended Spreydon in 1914. Beryl’s two older sisters, Marjorie and May, also attended Spreydon.

The sisters were of the Wonderley family, of the well-known local firm, Wonderley and Hall, Solicitors in Toowoomba.

Beryl married James Kemp in 1925 and had one child, a daughter, who attended Fairholme. James died in 1946 and Beryl remarried in 1950 - to Ray Powell, of Powell House and Fairholme.

Beryl and James’ daughter, Margaret Webster (Kemp 1935-1938) attended Fairholme Prep School. Generations to follow are Julie Cornes (Webster 1961-1969), Natalie Newell (Cornes 1988-1993) and this year, Ruby (Year 11, 2023) and Eva Newell (Year 7 2023).

L to R: Ruby Newell (Year 11, 2023), her Mum Natalie Newell (Cornes 1988-1993), daughter Eva Newell (Year 7, 2023), Guy Newell – Natalie’s husband and father of Ruby and Eva.

Supporting student wellbeing

Being a safe space in which students learn and live is important to us.

Fundamental to creating a place where students can thrive, is a strong wellbeing framework, connectedness, and a network of people and structures to intentionally promote and develop wellbeing. Further, ensuring there are staff to assist when further support is needed.

You will note that Ms Cath Butler, formerly known as Head of Ministry and Mission, has a new title: Head of Faith and Wellbeing.

What’s in a name? In this case, it is a recognition of the important work Cath is leading within the wellbeing space, a space underpinned by our Christian foundation.

Our class teachers, Holme Group teachers and boarding staff provide the first entry level of care and support for your daughter or son.

Additionally, Heads of House, our College Social Worker, Cassie Walton, and Head of Wellbeing – Boarding,

Janet Caitens, also a social worker, along with Health Centre staff are of invaluable support to our Heads of Sub School.

Our Year 12 Wellbeing Leadership Committee also works within the wellbeing space to support at a peerto-peer level.

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 from Years 5 to 12 to report harm, suspected harm, or concerning behaviours of friends and peers: on-line and anonymously. 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.

Linewize School Manager monitors and filters technology on any device when connected 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 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 07 4688 4652.

Wellbeing@Fairholme

looking ahead

In March 2022, the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) published a spotlight on Wellbeing in Australian Schools.

The report gave the research and data behind two important points; Educators and school communities play a significant role in supporting and developing learner wellbeing; and, wellbeing is crucial to academic achievement.

In an effort to support learner wellbeing, beginning this year, staff will have the opportunity to complete mental health and wellbeing training through the ConnectedLE course for school educators.

This course consists of 10 modules that cover topics such as embracing imperfection, anxiety, substance use, respectful

relationships and consent, and social media and body image.

We hope, by partnering with ConnectedLE, that we will build greater confidence in our staff to have care conversations with students and thus ‘alter entrenched stigma, bust myths and provide the how – practical tools and strategies to support help-seeking behaviour.’ (http://www.connectedle. com)

In addition to this important step, we will also continue to develop our framework for wellbeing at Fairholme. Based upon extensive research published by the New Economics Foundation in the UK, the framework will outline our approach using evidencebased health messages that have been shown to improve a personal sense of wellbeing.

We will unveil the framework later in the year; after further consultation with staff, parents and studentshowever, you will note that connectedness is a key priority within it.

We are steadfast in our resolve to get to know each of our students and help them to build and maintain good relationships. We remain committed to Restorative Practices to guide our work in this area and we welcome your continued support of this paradigm. We look forward to continuing to share the work happening in this important space as the year progresses.

Butler

| Head of Faith and Wellbeing

HEALTH UPDATE

Cath

Final ‘Presenting Fairholme’ Awards 2022

The last of the Presenting Fairholme awards for 2022 were announced on our final day.

These awards are determined according to final results achieved in the full academic program in each year level. We recognised recipients of The MacLaren Award for 2022, acknowledging significant improvement in academic achievement between Semester One and Two.

Additionally, we awarded Ordine Tertia –3rd in year, Proxime Accessit – 2nd in year, and Dux.

YEAR 7

The MacLaren Award

Tisharni Josiah, Kimberley McCumstie and Ayla Munchenberg

Ordine Tertia SHARED Layla Avantika and Magarey Saji Proxime Accessit

Ruby Murphy Dux SHARED

Caitlin Schultheiss and Alicia Yap

YEAR 8

The MacLaren Award

Sophie Boyce, Lilly Donald, Lucy Harvey, Olivia Hawkins, Georgie Hill, Miranda Mann and Ani Strugnell

Ordine Tertia SHARED

Rhea Desai and Grace Taylor

Proxime Accessit SHARED Anne Anderson and Serah Vimal Dux

Claire Murphy

YEAR 9

The MacLaren Award

Georgina White

Ordine Tertia Geneva Searle

Proxime Accessit SHARED Gracie Mack and Annie White Dux

Ariel Qiu

YEAR 10

Special and Academic Award

Allan and Jeanette Faragher Spirit of Fairholme Award and General Merit Ciara Teahan

YEAR 11

Special Award

The Chairman’s Award for Positive Care and Support of Peers Abigail Crocker

YEAR 10

The MacLaren Award

Abbey Peart and Kate Britten

Ordine Tertia

Rachel Yap

Proxime Accessit Annabelle Rogan Dux

Sophie Khan

YEAR 11

The MacLaren Award

Olivia Barnes and Caitlyn Bowling Ordine Tertia Holly Ford

Proxime Accessit SHARED

Chloe Ecroyd and Julie Rathie

Jean Tassie Memorial Prize for Dux of Year 11 Isabella Doyle

Holiday snaps

From the coast to the snow, from the city to the Outback, Fairholme families have been enjoying time off with their families and friends...

Building and maintenance

As is typical of the holiday period, significant refurbishment and upgrades to buildings and grounds have occurred in readiness for students’ return.

Three Junior School classrooms have been refurbished and are stunning learning areas, and G Block has been refurbished: a new bathroom, all classrooms have new carpet, painting and ceilings, the Senior Common Room has been extended to include an outdoor area, and there are new stairs to the Greta Centre.

The Science laboratories have been painted and cupboards and benches upgraded.

The deck adjacent to the Staff Room has been replaced, and the extension to our Health Centre is now operational. This allows for nine students to be housed in three separate rooms.

General maintenance across all areas of the College 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!

Reminders

Back to school dates

22 Jan: All year 12 Boarders into residence; Chapel, Dinner and Meeting for all Year 12 girls and parents, from 5pm

23 Jan: New Boarders into residence from 8.15am; Orientation for all new Middle and Senior girls, including all Year 7s from 1pm

24 Jan: Term 1 Commences, 8.15am; Commencement Assembly for Middle and Senior School, 8.50am

26 Jan: Australia Day Public Holiday

27 Jan: FOJS Welcome to 2023, Arts Lawn, 6pm

Happenings @ Holme

We understand how busy our Fairholme Families are! To make communicating with you as quick and as easy as possible, we consolidate all of our news into one communique at the end of the day, called Happenings @ Holme. It’s important you read this email as it includes specific information dedicated to your daughter/s.

Fairholme Art Exhibition

In 2017, Fairholme College, celebrated ‘100 Years At Fairholme’ and as a part of the festivities to mark this exciting milestone, an inaugural Art Exhibition, the ‘Facets of Fairholme’, was held at the College. Following on from the success of this boutique exhibition, plans are underway to host another such event in 2023.

Now in its seventh year, ‘Fairholme Art Exhibition –FACETS’, presents a carefully selected and thoughtfully curated presentation by our Curatorial Team that invites a shared conversation, artistic expression, and audience engagement; and it is this, the celebration of Art, Education and Community that have become the focus of this exhibition. This year, we launch the Fairholme Open Art Prize. The exhibition provides artists an exciting opportunity to exhibit their works in a refined, boutique setting. Up to 200 works will be exhibited and these works will vie for a number of acquisitive awards. Submissions are open now, and will close on 21 April. Opening Night and Award Presentation is on 19 May.

FAIRHOLME COLLEGE | Wirra Wirra Street Toowoomba | (07) 4688 4688 | communications@fairholme.qld.edu.au