At Holme Issue 9 - November 2022

ATHolme

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN

The dance of the in-between

All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances.

- Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It,’ Act II Scene VII

I remember leaving home, so clearly. I was 18 and bulletproof. My father stood at the top of the red brick stairs holding the hand of my little sister, Jill, who was aged five.

He looked forlorn. Just as I was loading my desk into the boot of an overloaded Subaru station wagon, he called out. ‘Say goodbye to your sister, she doesn’t understand why you are leaving.’

And, in the midst of my heady excitement of moving out and on, I realised, with a fleeting moment of insight that it wasn’t my little sister Jill who was confused about my leaving, it was actually my father who wondered why I was exiting the home stage. At the time, I was a bit surprised – here was the most exciting point in my life thus far (or so I thought) and he was sad,

caught unwittingly in the dance of the in-between. I wondered why he wasn’t as excited as me, or for me.

I will never forget that moment. That vision of my father, struggling to let go, has revisited me on the countless occasions I have farewelled my own children – invariably as they were heading off on their seemingly impulsive overseas trips with their multi-stamped passports in hand, backpacks bulging and faces alight with the promise of the new. It is in these moments that I have come to understand the tug between independence and dependence, and the sense of being uncomfortably wedged between two competing constructs.

No-one prepares you for the joy/grief cycle of

parenting or the dance of the in-between, do they? It would seem that so much focus is given to the Year 12 year, as if, having achieved the ultimate highs and lows of such a time that life might resume its pre-Senior rhythm. Not so. We are all raising adolescents whose main aim in life right now is … independence, the ability to define themselves separately from their parents and to thrive in the process.

Autonomy is vital if young adults are to believe that their choices and actions matter (Harris, 2022). Yet watching our children become or seek to become autonomous can be a confronting reality, because we would like to hold on for just a little bit longer. We would like to be needed for things other than car advice or wallet opening or loan negotiations. We would like to regain the equilibrium of the pre-adolescent state, even just for a moment: wouldn’t we?

Perhaps not. Perhaps you are braver and wiser than me and more stoic in the face of departures. Perhaps you have learned to manage through the various exits and entrances of life, more robustly. Yet, I am always struck by the bitter sweetness of our Year 12 cohort, finishing. Right now, they are vacillating between brief moments of insight – appreciation for friendships, for parental belief in them and for the care of their teachers and, at other times, indicating their casual, sometimes brutal indifference or displaying energetically, their desperation to ‘get out’ – deeming that life beyond Palm Drive will be so much richer, more liberated, and more exciting – we hope it is. This is the time of the dance in-between. Every teen goes through it, but that does not stop us as parents from wondering if it is only our child, and it is only us who are feeling like on-lookers rather than participants in this elaborate performance. The silver lining is, of course, that this is but a phase, a time, a universal period that parents

invariably face – differently, at different times, but face, nonetheless: lest our adolescents never step across the threshold into adulthood.

And so how do we manage such a time – we bravely inhale the moments of joy; the delight we have when we feel their enthusiasm for their new life, see their deep connections with friends and almost touch their palpable excitement about the tomorrows ahead.

We remember our own energy-infused delight at moving on and out of the ‘captivity’ of uniforms, bells, and regimes. We seek to enjoy and embrace this time as special, important, and alive.

There is nothing humdrum about the dance of the in-between, it is vibrant, capricious, and allconsuming. Let us embrace it, learn its steps, join in – for we shall not pass this way again.

Thank you to our Year 12 parents for sharing a part of this journey with us – we pray for all that lies ahead – far, far beyond the dance of the inbetween.

“We are all raising adolescents whose main aim in life right now is … independence, the ability to define themselves separately from their parents and to thrive in the process...”

Quindecinnial

A tartan journey

Emmie Gordon has been a Fairholme Girl since Kindy.

It’s a bittersweet time for her as she prepares for Graduation this week...

Emmie Gordon’s tartan journey started when she was just three years old.

‘Mum still has my kindy outfit. The tartan shorts were adorable!’

As Emmie recently joined her Junior School teachers for an afternoon tea, she proudly showed off her 15-year badge, which she hasn’t taken off since the start of her final year.

‘I will cherish this badge forever. Fairholme is where I have grown up, and it’s a place I never want to forget.

‘I always said if mum and dad ever moved away, I’d make them pay for boarding because

I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.’

Emmie has come a long way from her days of painting and listening to stories narrated by Mrs Nicols, having secured Black House Prefect alongside her fellow classmate of 15 years, Eva Quinlan, Cameron House Prefect.

‘It was always a goal of mine to receive a Prefect badge, but to lead with a close friend who has worn the tartan for over a decade too was really special.’

With graduation looming, Emmie says it’s the tight bond of her cohort that she will miss the most.

‘It’s the friendships that have been formed that are the biggest thing that I will take away from this entire journey; I’ll cherish the memories spent with my cohort forever.’

There’ll be no gap year for Emmie, who has already been accepted into the Australian Catholic College and will study Nursing.

‘Not only is it my last year at Fairholme, but it is also my last year here in Toowoomba. Our whole family is moving back to Brisbane.’

Our Year 12s can expect their ATAR results in mid-December.

with Lucy Mitchell

For Boarder, Lucy Mitchell, home is a small town just outside Darwin. It’s hot and humid and a long way from Fairholme, but she is looking forward to spending the holidays with family and playing with her two dogs.

Where do you live?

Humpty Doo. It’s a small town in the Northern Territory, just south of the Arnhem Highway, approximately 40km from Darwin. The population is about 4,300 people and is about 3200km by road from Toowoomba. Humpty Doo is also famous for its massive statue of a boxing crocodile!

How far from Fairholme is home?

It’s a long way! Over 3000km from the Boarding House to our home. Drive to Brisbane, catch a flight Darwin, and then a further 6 hour drive to home.

What do your summer holidays look like?

Catching up with friends and family, hanging out at home, water skiing, and working for my dad’s business. Plus sleeping in my own bed! I also love playing my our two dogs, Nahla and Rose.

Christmas in the boarding house

News from the arts

The Official Opening of the Darling Downs South West Queensland Regional Exhibition of the Creative Generation Excellence Awards in Visual Art were held at the Toowoomba Regional Gallery (TRAG) over the weekend. This year the state-wide awards attracted over 504 entries from schools across the state, with 92 being selected as finalists and from this group, just 30 works were chosen for the central exhibition to be held at QAGOMA in 2023.

Year 12 Fairholme students, Milly Betts-Jackson, Sarah McMaster, Charlotte Patterson and Ruby Smith had their works selected to represent the College at the DDSWQ Regional Exhibition. Ruby Smith’s work, ‘Chronic News’, was announced as one of the 92 short-listed finalists and she was presented with a Certificate of Commendation. The girls’ artwork will remain on display at TRAG until 4 December.

Congratulations!

Five Fairholme students were recently awarded an Empire Theatre Youth Bursary.

The Empire Theatres Foundation offers Youth Bursaries to provide opportunities for young people to develop their performing arts skills (including instrumental music, singing, dance and acting) at leading Australian performing arts educational institutions. Congratulations Ebbeny Williams-Cherry, Lu Lutton, Leora Dowling, Lilly Manthey and Eliza Kinniburgh, we can’t wait to hear about your adventures in the arts!

The power of resilience

If there was a mantra to reflect the life of Lisa Curry, from an observer’s perspective, it

would be this: Get Up. Dress Up. Show Up. Never Give Up.

An hour glimpse into her life, courtesy of the Fairholme Mothers’ Long Lunch, along with a gulp of her autobiography, ‘Lisa: A Memoir 60 Years of Life, Love, and Loss’, captures the heart of a woman who has spent a lifetime working with unique resolve to achieve her goals. Whilst her accumulation of swimming medals and accolades is beyond impressive, far more so, is her view that medals are a temporary achievement, what matters is what you make of yourself through attempting to win.

Threaded through her life has been a determination to never give in or never give up, along with the application of hard work. She says that if you want to be better then you have to depend on yourself, you have to do the work. Having done all this, if you do not win, then it is important that you also do not lose the lesson inherent in a loss.

The adage – you win some, you learn some, comes quickly to mind. Having swum over 40,000 kilometres up and down the black line, in an impressive career, gives Lisa credence to talk about the impact of goal setting,

the importance of finding the best coach possible for whatever passion you or your child has, and the requirement of sheer hard work – there are no short cuts, no silver bullets, and no backdoor deals that secure anything of value.

Success, in her words is never lineal; yet we crave it to be so, don’t we. We write the script for ourselves and that of our children. We tick boxes, write lists, and imagine outcomes – all worthy exercises – sometimes we do all three without the Curry hard work included. But, what we sometimes fail to do, is accept the opportune learning when we lose, the self-reflection when the plan does not go to plan and the realignment of goals that are all required when we have to adjust our approach to reach a different outcome. Therein lies the difference from an athlete and a great athlete, a learner and a scholar: the ability to re-evaluate and reflect. Having done all that there are no guarantees that the ‘gold medal’ we are seeking actually has our name engraved on the back.

Lisa’s Olympic comeback at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 as a 30-year-old mother of two did not reap the podium finish she was seeking. She finished fifth and swam faster than she ever had before, and therein was success, not in a tangible form but in what she made of herself in the attempt. A successful life attracts the world of media, as the reading and viewing audiences voyeuristically and thirstily seek to understand the life of a sporting celebrity: it is an Aussie obsession – mine too. In speaking yesterday, Lisa reminded us of the negative impact of life lived through a lens and through the pressure ‘to be.’ Poignantly, she shared aspects of the ongoing journey of grief following her daughter Jaimi’s tragic death in 2020.

It has led her with unerring clarity to know the importance of family above all else – a self-evident truth, but one for us all to note, in the moments we are distracted by ephemeral things. It has led her to use the ‘good stuff’ in her home – the best plates, cutlery, glasses, in essence, to live with life now and to appreciate each day as it appears.

“Where there is life, there is hope,” said Dr Alex Wodak, former head of the drug and alcohol unit at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney when he met with Jaimi and Lisa in 2014. Such was our reminder yesterday, as we listened to a story of hope and hopefulness, amidst a life of glowing achievements and of the deepest of grey shadows.

There is a sense that Lisa Curry will continue to live her mantra - Get Up. Dress Up. Show Up. Never Give Up and in so doing, will remind all who cross her path that life is lived at its fullest when we do so. Yesterday, from a woman who could have, but never became a teacher, we were privy to an exceptional lesson in life.

Dr Linda Evans | Principal

Spring Fair hits a high note

The show went on and it was great!

What a phenomenal community of parents and friends we have at Fairholme College.

Judging by the happy faces, Spring Fair 2022 was a wonderful success (despite the incessant rain!). Thankfully we were able to put on a great day for both girls and parents.

Heartfelt thanks to our wonderful Convenor Louise Hamilton and P&F President Bronte Smith for their hard work and good humour in making it a wonderful fair for everyone!

Big thanks, also, to our amazing sponsors, especially Platinum Sponsors: Toowoomba Family Vets and our Gold Sponsors Browns Office Choice, Orchy Ice Toowoomba, Toowoomba Orthodontists and MNP Security for your generous support.

To all the staff, the Treasury team, Facilities’ boys, parents and all our girls… thank you!

Presenting Fairholme awards

Year 7 Special Awards

The Award for Original and Significant Contribution to College Life - Caitlin Schultheiss

The Chairman’s Award for Positive Care and Support of Peers - Alicia Yap

Year 7 Academic Awards

General Merit - Imogen Allen, Alexia Davey, Mila Faletau, Ashton Hamblin, Charlotte Lee, Layla Magarey, Aemilia Moar, Emily Moore, Maeve Morison, Ruby Murphy, Avantika Saji, Caitlin Schultheiss, Richa Vimal, Alicia Yap, Helen Yong.

Year 8 Special Awards

The Chairman’s Award for Positive Care and Support of Peers- Millie Dewar

The Award for Original and Significant Contribution to College Life - Claire Murphy

Year 8 Academic Awards

General Merit - Anne Anderson, Francesca Barwick, Ava Carrigan, Rhea Desai, Millie Dewar, Alexandra Edwards, Tayla Kauter, Lily Martin, Penelope Moffitt, Claire Murphy, Amelia Roughan, Emma Salter, Grace Taylor, Megan Treloar, Serah Vimal, Ruby Walker and Claire Willis.

Year 9 Special Awards

The Madge Chamberlin Middle School Cultural AwardYueying Deng

The Quota Award for Service - Leora Dowling

The Chairman’s Award for Positive Care and Support of Peers - Millicent Lockwood

The Virginia Noakes Memorial Prize for DedicationLaura Macdonald

Ardens sed Virens Award - Jane Newnham

The Award for Original and Significant Contribution to College Life - Ayesha Saleh

The Madge Chamberlin Middle School Cultural AwardEbbeny Williams-Cherry

Year

9 Academic Awards

General Merit - Molly Cleeve, Chanudi Dissanayake, Lara Ecroyd, Lilli Hamilton, Indianna Hitchcock, Lucy Kilner, Alexandra Kuhn, Eleanor MacFarlane, Gracie Mack, Charlotte Mailler, Ruoqing Qiu, Ayesha Saleh,

Elana Schultheiss, Geneva Searle, Julia Wainwright, Annie White and Rori Zimmerman

Year 10 Special Awards

Maria Barr Memorial Prize for Visual Art - Lily Cameron

The Chairman’s Award for Positive Care and Support of Peers - Sruthi Gandu

Dr Ros Dunlop Prize for Outstanding CommitmentClare Hogan

The Dorothy Morton Encouragement Prize for PianoElizabeth Janetzki

The Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award - Annabelle Rogan

The Allan and Jeanette Faragher Spirit of Fairholme Award - Ciara Teahan

The Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Future Innovators Award - Kadence Wilson

The Mayoral School Achievement Medal - Kadence Wilson

The Award for Original and Significant Contribution to College Life - Rachel Yap

Year 10 Academic Awards

General Merit - Chloe Bruggemann, Mia Callachor, Grace Cornford, Haylee Crouch, Sruthi Gandu, Hannah Kassab, Sophie Khan, Abbie Loughlin, Ruby Newell, Hannah Pocknee, Annabelle Rogan, Ankita Sajjan, Ciara Teahan, Shumaila Wahab, Kadence Wilson and Rachel Yap.

Year 11 Special Awards

The Patricia Horrocks Memorial Prize for DiligenceKatie Brock

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

The Fairholme Old Girls’ Association Bursary - Holly Ford

The Cupples Family Prize - Isabella Lewis

The Professor WM Kyle Memorial Bursary - Georgia Quinn

The Professor WM Kyle Memorial Bursary - Julia Rathie

The Award for Original and Significant Contribution to College Life - Nia Saleh

Presenting Fairholme awards

The Gwen Gartshore Prize for Piano - Nia Saleh

Year 11 Academic Awards

General Merit - Lilly Biernoff, Janithya Dharmawardhane, Isabella Doyle, Chloe Ecroyd, Holly Ford, Keely Gilmore, Rose Malone, Alyssa McDonald Smith, Eliza Paffey, Georgia Quinn, Julia Rathie, Georgina Walker, Isabelle Watts

Year 12 Special Awards

Prefect for Sport - Taleah Ackland

The Rita Moreton Award for Servant Leadership - Molly Armstrong

The Patrea O’Shea Memorial Award for an Outstanding Captain of The Arts - Skye Bleney

The Award for Outstanding Service to the CollegeMonika Bruggemann

The Nancy Shaw Prize for Head Girl - Monika Bruggemann

The Nicholas Byron Award for an Outstanding Captain of Sport - Liberty-Ann Clark

The Patrea O’Shea Memorial Award for an Outstanding Captain of The Arts - Charli Cumming

The Allan Faragher Memorial Award for Head Day GirlErin Hoffensetz

The Janet Abberton Memorial Award - Erin Hoffensetz

The Phyllis Lovell Memorial Bursary - Erin Hoffensetz

Ampol Best All-Rounder Award - Evangeline Imray

The Chairman’s Award for Positive Care and Support of Peers - Hannah Johnson

The Marshall Award for Positive Attitude and Helpfulness in the Boarding House - Hannah Johnson

The Award for Original and Significant Contribution to College Life - Eliza Kingston

The Award for Work and Artistic Endeavour - Eliza Kingston

The Bob Balsillie Memorial Award for the Prefect for The Arts - Eliza Kingston

Ray Powell Cup for Work and Sport - Emily Mailler

The Nicholas Byron Award for an Outstanding Captain of Sport - Ava Marjoribanks

Lindsay Statham Memorial Award for Contribution to The Arts - Sarah McMaster

The Pat Jackson Prize for Responsibility and Initiative of a Day Girl - Cosme McPhie

The Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Future Innovators Award - Mahsa Nabizada

The Community Service Award - Mahsa Nabizada

The Daisy Culpin Memorial Award for Leadership and Work - Zara Nimac

The Friends of Boarding Award for Responsibility and Initiative of a Boarder - Charlotte Patterson

The Prize for Head Boarder - Charlotte Patterson

Significant Contribution in Work, Sport, Cultural Activities and Leadership - Charlotte Patterson

The Rita Moreton Award for Servant Leadership - Audrey Rouse

The Mrs Margaret Cameron Prize for Work and Character - Lauren Scott

The Waveney Browne Memorial Award for Conscientious Endeavour - Ruby Smith

The Pamela Wall Memorial Trophy - Alex Thompson

The Phyllis Lovell Memorial Bursary- Alex Thompson

The Rita Moreton Award for Servant Leadership - Alex Thompson

The Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award - Yalnaz Wahab

The Moderator’s Prize for Christian Leadership - Ruby Wilkes

Year 12 Academic Awards

General Merit - India Bailey

General Merit - Scarlet Barwick

Music Extension Award - Skye Bleney

Psychology Award - Ella Bruggemann

General Merit - Ella Bruggemann

The Jillian Cupples Memorial Prize for a Drama Student from Rural Australia - Liberty-Ann Clark

Literature Award - Amelie Clifford

Mrs Norma Thomas Memorial Award for Encouragement

Presenting Fairholme awards

of a Year 12 French Student - Amelie Clifford

General Merit - Amelie Clifford

Dance Award - Charli Cumming

Ancient History Award - Harriet Davoren

English and Literature Extension Award - Harriet Davoren

General Merit - Harriet Davoren

Jeff Randall Memorial Award for Most Improved Student in Year 12 Accounting - Joeli Goodger

German Award - Erin Hoffensetz

General Merit - Erin Hoffensetz

Agricultural Science Award - Olivia Houldcroft

Legal Studies Award - Faith Hurley

The Mrs M Snow Memorial Award for General Mathematics - Faith Hurley

Lawrence Drama Trophy for the Most Improved Student of Drama - Yulita Khalil

Music Award - Eliza Kingston

The Vocational Education and Training Award for an Exceptional Trainee - Eliza Kingston

Chemistry Award - Emily Mailler Economics Award - Emily Mailler

The Lady Persia Galleghan Memorial English AwardEmily Mailler

Modern History Award - Emily Mailler

General Merit - Emily Mailler

Physical Education Award - Ava Marjoribanks

Sport and Recreation Award - Katie McGrath

Visual Art Award - Sarah McMaster

The Beverley-Anne Schmidt Award for Love of Literature - Cosme McPhie

Drama Award - Cosme McPhie

French Award - Cosme McPhie

The Mrs Robyn Jones Award for a Dedicated Student of Ancient History - Cosme McPhie

General Merit - Cosme McPhie

Accounting Award - Bridie Miller

Belle Gillies Memorial Award for Specialist MathematicsZara Nimac

Biological Science Award - Zara Nimac

Japanese Award - Zara Nimac

General Merit - Zara Nimac

TAFE Queensland Outstanding Vocational Student Award - Abbey Palmer Visual Art Award - Charlotte Patterson

General Merit - Charlotte Patterson

General Merit - Mia Rogers

General Merit - Lauren Scott

Essential Mathematics - Ruby Smith

Patricia Sulewski Geography Award - Ruby Smith

Hospitality Award - Holly Sperling

The Mater Education Pursuit of Health Excellence Award - Peggy Thomas

General Merit - Yalnaz Wahab

Essential English Award - Madison Weir

Fashion Award - Ruby Wilkes

Mathematical Methods Award - Wassan Yusaf

Physics Award - Wassan Yusaf

General Merit - Wassan Yusaf

The MacLaren Award - A UniSQ Excellence Award –Emily Gordon

The MacLaren Award - A UniSQ Excellence Award –Natise Smith

The MacLaren Award - A UniSQ Excellence Award –Holly Sperling

Fairholme College Year 12 Summa Cum Laude Award –Emily Mailler

Fairholme College Year 12 Summa Cum Laude Award –Zara Nimac

Fairholme College Year 12 Summa Cum Laude Award –Lauren Scott

Fairholme College Year 12 Summa Cum Laude Award –Yalnaz Wahab

Significant Contribution to College Life - Caitlin Schultheiss

Fairholme equestrian awards

Fairholme Equestrian Awards trophies are designated to riders competing in the Interschool disciplines of Dressage, Show Jumping, Combined Training, Eventing, Show Horse. The successful riders will have gained the highest points overall across several disciplines or in individual disciplines as specified for secondary school. There is only one trophy eligible for Junior school.

The Holmes Cup (All Riders) is awarded to the girl receiving the highest overall points across the Interschool disciplines in the championships competitions throughout the school year.

Winner: Charlotte Ostwald Fairholme College Junior The

Equestrienne Trophy (Primary Only) is awarded to the Primary rider (Year 1-6) with the highest overall points, gained from across the Interschool disciplines, from competing in the nominated competitions throughout the school year.

Winner: Josephine Ostwald

The Sara Holmes Dressage Trophy is awarded to the girl with the highest points gained from Dressage in the nominated competitions throughout the school year.

Winner: Bella Ostwald

The Fairholme College Combined Training Trophy is awarded to the girl with the highest points gained from Combined Training in the nominated competitions throughout the school year.

Winner: Charlotte Ostwald

The Pugh Bakeries Show Jumping Trophy is awarded to the girl with the highest points gained from Show Jumping in the nominated competitions throughout the school year.

Winner: Simone Sorenson

The Fairholme College Eventing Trophy is awarded to the girl with the highest points gained from Eventing in the nominated competitions throughout the school year.

Winner: Geneva Searle

The Fairholme College Hack and Rider Trophy (Show Horse) is awarded to the girl with the highest points gained from Show Horse in the nominated competitions throughout the school year.

Winner: Georgie Hill

The Fairholme College Equestrian Commitment Trophy is awarded to the girl who has shown consistent commitment, team spirit and dedication to representing themselves and Fairholme in the sport of Equestrian.

Winner: Liberty Clark

The Interhouse Equestrian ‘Squelch’ Trophy (Secondary) is awarded to the House with the highest overall points, gained from across the Interschool disciplines, from competing in the nominated competitions throughout the school year.

Winner: Stephens House Encouragement Awards

1. Adelaide Gilbert – horse issue in 2022

2. Abbey Gordon – new horse in 2022.

3. Kendra MacDonald – horse issues – working on establishing a relationship.

4. Josie Malone – Back competing after horse issues

5. Lucy Benson – keep working hard in both school and Equestrian

Passing out parade

Congratulations to all the winners announced at the recent 2022 March Out Parade Awards.

Ron Cullingford Memorial Award (Most Promising First Year Cadet): CDT Alana Callaghan

WO1 Walter John (Wally) Davies Memorial Shield (Best Second Year Cadet): CDTCPL Penne Skene

MAJ G.E. Ainsbury Award (Best Senior NCO): CDTSGT Johannah Whittle

Spirit Award 2022: CDT Chloe Carmody

The best Christmas holiday reads

From Libby Hobson

I hope you all have some Summer reading lined up for the Christmas holidays.

I have tried to select some suggestions from books I have read in 2022. Students often ask me what is my favourite book, and it is a question I simply cannot answer with a single book. I may have a favourite book I have read in the past year, or my favourite series for the year.

On that note my favourite book series I discovered in2022 is by Richard Osman and begins with the novel The Thursday Murder Club. Osman is a British comedian whose wicked sense of humour is evident in this murder-mystery series set in a retirement village. Each novel has a cleverly constructed murder to solve; however, the real delight is the quirky team of characters he has assembled who are members of the Thursday Murder Club.

My favourite Australian murdermystery author is Jane Harper and her latest novel Exiles, while her fifth publication, is her third book starring Aaron Falk as the protagonist. Personally, I would say you could skip the second novel Force of Nature and just read The Dry and Exiles (yes, I really did say skip a book!).

For those who are fans of Room With A View, and are looking for a vicarious travel experience, you cannot go past Sarah Winman’s Still Life. This rambling read shares the settings of England and Florence and features characters who supposedly interacted with E M Forster. It is a slow-paced, yet satisfying novel. My YA picks for 2022 would have

to be Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy Lin, a light fantasy suitable for 12+. Karen McManus’s two recent novels You’ll Be the Death of Me and Nothing More to Tell for the teen murder mystery fans and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy by Jenny Han for teen romance.

Remember books make fabulous gifts at Christmas or even gift vouchers from book stores are a great idea if you are not sure what someone has read.

Ebooks via the Wheelers Platform and the Greta myFairholme page (use the Read tile) are available 24 hours a day throughout the holidays. The Read tile also has lists posted to assist you to find books that are age appropriate for each year level up to Year 10.

Happy reading and all the best for 2023!

Congratulations to four of our Fairholme cricketers who competed at the State Championships as part of the Darling Down 15yrs Cricket Team recently. Lilli Hamilton (Captain), Emmy Cussons, Olivia Clark (Vice Captain) and Mabel Galbraith.

From Libby Hobson

Host a student Japanese

Fairholme College will be hosting 8 Japanese students in a program conducted by AIIU for Term 1. An important part of the educational and cultural exchange is the homestay component. We have 8 female students to place. This opportunity is open to students in all year levels. Students will attend Fairholme College and immerse in normal classes with one day per week of English Conversation/Pastoral Care with AIIU Group Coordinator

• There is no need to cook special food

• A knowledge of Japanese language is not necessary

• Host families receive a tax free stipend of $40 per night, paid fortnightly to help with the hosting costs

Hosting a student encourages host families to see their own country through the eyes of the exchange student, to visit new places and revisit old favourites, to have lots of fun and, most important of all, to gain a new family member and friend for life. Experiencing a foreign language in your own home is the next best thing to living overseas.

For further information please contact AIIU Group Coordinator Allyson Bosse on 0409059438 or email buzz25@bigpond.com