At Holme Issue 16 - July 2023

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

To our students and many of our staff members who have been on holidays, I hope you have enjoyed a time of rest and rejuvenation, and I particularly hope that the time away from school has enabled meaningful time with family and friends. It is, after all, these special people in our lives who reinvigorate and sustain us.

A juncture like this highlights the sense of warped time that is typical in a place as vital as Fairholme. It seems just days ago that we were standing in formation for our annual formal photographs and then on stage for the Interhouse Choir Competition, navigating Work Experience, enjoying the Yr 8 Mother-Daughter luncheon or placing out suitcase near the Boarding House Office, ready for the trip home. Now, our Yr 11 students are packing for camp which departs Monday morning, and it will seem like just a moment has passed when we watch the March Past at the Athletics Carnival. In between all of this,

we had staff and students participate in the Raw Impact On Country Trip to Mitchell and Carnarvon, truly outstanding outcomes for our Equestrian Team and great snow fall which meant for a wonderful Ski Trip in Perisher.

Our community is the very definition of dynamic!

With best wishes to all in our community for a healthy Term 3. I do ask that you all take a moment to read through the health information below. The wellbeing of our community – particularly those who come on campus each day, is critical. We look to sustain a symptom free campus, so as we prepare to return to Fairholme, this is particularly important information for us all to follow.

Best wishes –

Catrina Sharp

And, just like that, we are set to begin Semester 2

Staffing News

STAFFING CHANGES FOR TERM 3

As the new semester begins, we are pleased to welcome back from leave Mrs Karleigh Nicholls, Mrs Elaine Harris and Mr Paul Corkery.

Whilst we prepare to return to campus, the following staff are taking Long Service Leave and we wish them a time of relaxation and rejuvenation: Mrs Lee-Ann Grantham [5 weeks], Ms An Van Cauwenberge [2 weeks], Mrs Doreen Torrance [Term 3] and Mr Peter Webb [Term 3]. Mr Rod Egerton remains on leave for this term and Dr Linda Evans returns from her Study Leave ahead of our Interhouse Athletics Carnival on 21 July.

At this time, we offer our thanks and very best wishes to Mrs Sarah Pinder as she and her family embark on a new season, living and working in Brisbane.

Miss India Bailey

Boarding House Supervisors | 2022 Graduate and New to Fairholme Staff

Mrs Samantha Bear

Acting Head of Black House – Middle School * Term 3 | Additional Role

Mrs Tiffany Beck

Middle and Senior School Teacher of Mathematics | New to Fairholme Staff

Mrs Kathy Currie

Learning Enhancement Centre Assistant | Past Parent, New to Fairholme Staff

Mr Juert Eerkens

Learn to Swim Coach | New to Fairholme Staff

Ms Toni Gilmore

Junior School Sport Co-ordinator * until 11 August | New to Fairholme Staff

Mrs Simone Millers

Administration Assistant to the Middle and Senior Schools | New to Fairholme Staff

Mr Bob Nelder

Specialist Maths Team Teacher | Continuing in Semester 2

Mrs Gila Rouse

Junior School Teacher * Term 3 | Returning to Fairholme

Ms Sarah Van der Ross

Assistant to the Head of Junior School | Continuing

Ms Karina Wiggins

Kindy Teacher | Current Parent, New to Fairholme Staff

Beginning Term 3 HEALTH MATTERS

Dear Fairholme Community

You are no doubt aware that our communities have experienced a spike in Influenza cases in recent weeks, as reported widely through the media. Important to any school community is the fact young people are currently contracting the Flu at very high rates. Naturally, with our staff and students on holidays, we have all been interacting with a much boarder group of people. This increases our risk of exposure and thus may impact on the health of our community, from next week. As Queensland Health reiterates, Flu – like COVID, is highly contagious and serious.

As we plan to come back together for Term 3, I ask that all students, staff, parents and visitors note the following.

• To be on campus, you must be well; Fairholme continues to be symptom free school.

• Boarders will undergo a health check upon arriving back to the Boarding House

• This will be more involved than usual, due to the spike in Flu cases and the close quarters in which the students live

• Excursions and Activities [including Year 11 Advance Camp] – staff and girls must be well to be involved

• If unwell, students and staff are required to leave campus. We appreciate this is particularly important for Boarders contemplating a return to campus.

• If you have tested positive for COVID during the holidays, QLD Health continues to recommend that a mask be worn indoors, by those 12 years and older, for 7 days after symptoms have subsided - this includes when in classrooms. Younger students may choose to wear a mask, if it is safe to do so.

Queensland Heath remind us of the symptoms of Influenza and COVID:

• a fever

• a sore throat

• a dry cough

• headaches

• muscle or joint pain

• tiredness or exhaustion

• young people are more likely to have nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

Thank you all for noting this as we prepare for school next week, and as the term unfolds. Thank you also to the Health Centre staff who continue to support us all to maintain a state of good health for our community.

Once back on campus, the use of hand sanitizer, and not sharing water bottles, or similar, will assist in maintaining our collective health.

Please be in touch if students are unwell –

1. Day families are asked to make contact via the College App or absent-today@fairholme.qld.edu.au

2. Boarding families are to contact the Health Centre direct if their child is symptomatic, and therefore delaying their return to campus. 07 4688 4613 healthcentre@fairholme.qld.edu.au

Stay well; we look forward to seeing you on campus for the new semester if you’re symptom free.

Catrina Sharp Acting Principal

Equestrian Success

For the third consecutive year, the Fairholme Equestrian Team has won the esteemed Lorette Wigan Cup.

The award is presented to the secondary school that accumulates the highest number of points throughout the State Championships.

In addition, Fairholme was honoured with the prestigious Summers McDougall School Trophy. The accolade is bestowed upon the school that epitomizes the core values of interschool competitions by fostering character development, self-discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, and school team spirit.

Nine of our riders have been selected in the Queensland Team, across all disciplines. The girls will compete in the Australian National Interschool Championships, scheduled to take place in Melbourne at the end of September.

Interschool State Championship Results:

Champion Show Jumping Team:

Simone Sorensen, Annabelle Rogan, Adelaide

Gilbert, Josephine Ostwald

Champion Combined Training Team:

Charlotte Ostwald, Abbey Gordon, Anastasia

Topalov, Georgie Hill.

Champion Eventing Team:

Anastasia Topalov, Kate Frith, Geneva Searle, Kaida MacDonald.

Champion Show Horse Team:

Simone Sorensen, Taylor Humphreys, Torra

MacDonald, Kendra MacDonald

Reserve Champion Dressage Team:

Isabella Ostwald, Georgie Hill, Kendra MacDonald, Charlotte Ostwald.

Congratulations to the following riders who earned a place on the Queensland Team:

Isabella Ostwald, Georgie Hill, Simone Sorensen, Annabelle Rogan, Charlotte Ostwald, Abbey

Gordon, Anastasia Topalov, Kate Frith and Geneva Searle.

Fairholme hits the slopes

The winter holidays began in an exhilarating fashion for the 40 enthusiastic students and five staff members who embarked on a thrilling skilling and snowboarding trip.

The six-day adventure took them to the snowy wonderland of Perisher, where they experienced the joy of gliding down powdery slopes, overcoming challenges and creating lifelong memories.

Mother nature did not disappoint! The first and last two days were blessed with consistent snow.

Out of the 40 students, 28 had never skied or snowboarded before. Still, by day four, they had surpassed the beginner slopes of Front Valley. They were venturing into the more advanced terrain of Happy Valley, and beyond.

Renovations

Best on ground!

We are very grateful for our Facilities eam and the hard work that have put in over the break to keep the grounds looking lush and revitalised. The team have been busy….

• Pool Office refurbishment

• Pool repainted

• Assembly Hall – Sound Box Extension

• Assembly Hall – Additional Light Bars

• Throws Area – Replacement Cage (southern)

• Homestead – New Cabinetry

• Middle School Bathrooms – Plaster and Paint freshen up

Holiday snaps

Georgi McDowall learning the artof ‘cuting’ on horseback.

Indie Werner working hard on her home property at Clermont.

Kadence Wilson competing at the Yelvertoft Campdraft.

Ella Cameron and younger sister Grace hit the Perisher slopes.

Caitlyn Bowling playing polocrosse at Tara.

Trishia Lyn spent her holidays travelling to North Queensland.

Lacey Bowling and her sister Caitlyn were kept busy mustering.

Fairholme Represent

It’s been a busy holiday in the sporting arena for many of our girls...and parents!

Six Fairholme Touch Football players recently participated in the QRSS 13-15 years Touch State Championships, held in Bundaberg, representing the Darling Downs. The talented group of girls showcased their skills and determination throughout the tournament, reaching the quarter-finals. Despite a close match, they were narrowly defeated by just one try.

The players, listed from left to right in the above photo are: Romy Wilson, Issy Johnston, Maggie Walker, Scarlett Sippel, Julia Wainwright and Alara Williams. Each played an integral role in the team’s success and demonstrated their commitment to the sport.

Meanwhile, Olive McKenzie, Emmy Cussons, and Georgie Cussons represented the region at the 10-12 years State Hockey Championships in Rockhampton. The Darling Downs Team secured 5th place. Eloise McKenzie also donned the red and blue, competing at the 16-19 years State Hockey Championships.

Rugby Union enthusiast Maggie Reardon enjoyed a portion of her holidays playing in the Under 14 Girls South-East Queensland Team at the Queensland Country Rugby Union Championships in Rockhampton. Her team, comprising girls from the Darling Downs, Sunshine Coast, and Gold Coast, emerged victorious in their age group. Maggie had an incredible experience, forging new friendships and expanding her knowledge of Rugby.

Tilly Anderson also competed in the Queensland Country Rugby Union Championships, representing the Under 14 Queensland Country Barbarians Team.

Tilly was presented her jersey by Selena Worsley who played in the flanker position for the Wallaroos between 1994 and 2009.

Congratulations to our girls who have travelled hundreds of kilometres over the break to represent our region in various sporting arenas.