AT
Holme
Issue Twenty One | November 2023
AT HOLME
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN
Finishing Well ‘Whatever it takes to finish things, finish.’ -Neil Gaiman Last Friday, our Year 12 cohort finished well. It’s as simple and as complex as that. Finishing school is about completing ‘the long game.’ If we baulk too early at the setbacks, fixate on the mistakes or dwell too deeply on disappointments we can miss the richness of the growth that occurs between entering and exiting school.
completion of the year, whenever it is possible. Underpinning the events that mark the end of a school year, like Interhouse Dance, is an exquisite demonstration of team, connection and fun. To our staff who are leaving Fairholme – we thank them for finishing exceptionally well. We are grateful for their seasons with us – many for more than a decade, this longevity indicates how much our staff enjoy working with your daughters and sons (in Kindy).
On Thursday evening at the Valedictory Dinner, I marvelled at the young women who sat to share a last meal together. They are impressive as individuals and as a cohort, the world is full of promise for them. We wish them each and all, God’s richest blessings To our students who make the Wednesday finish line, as they go. I am impressed. They understand the long game. They understand that the richness of a year is often not felt until the finish line is crossed. Cutting out of the race early, gives temporary relief but robs of the delight of completion. Thank you, parents, for supporting your daughter’s
FAREWELLS Rochelle Butlin, our enthusiastic Head of Stephens House, is moving back to Brisbane, and we congratulate her on her role at St Aidan’s as
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN Continued...
Curriculum Leader of Business and Accounting. Margie Dunne, Head of Boarding is retiring after 14 years of long days, late nights as well as the joy and vibrancy of living amongst 220 boarders. We are so thankful for her professionalism and commitment. Rod Egerton, Music Teacher and Coordinator of Instrumental Music of a quarter of a century is retiring – we are ever grateful for his legacy and musical footprint. Naomi Hosking (Aird) has been our Laboratory technician for nearly 15 years. We have enjoyed her efficiency and positivity and will miss her sprinting between Middle and Senior school, daily. Sadly, there will be no more Hilton Jennings directing traffic at the fron of Fairholme Junior. We are so grateful to him for eight years of welcoming girls and families every day. After 17 years at Fairholme Junior, Karen Reading, intrepid Prep teacher is relocating to Brisbane. We imagine that she will quickly be recruited to a Primary school there. After nearly two decades as a Fairholme Junior teacher, Peter Webb is retiring – he has promised that he will be one of our ‘go to’ supply teachers. Eddie Van Klinken JS Teacher – is retiring after seven cohorts of Year 1 students. We look forward to her involvement in the Music program of the College into the future. 2024 – PHONES (AND APPLE WATCHES AND LIKE-APPLE WATCHES) AWAY FOR THE DAY As we look ahead to a new year, we are cognisant of the legislated changes to technology availability for students at the College. From next year, phones and wearable technology are required to be ‘away for the day’: such is the governmentlegislated requirement for all schools. In the ideal world, no student would have such a device at
school – for almost all, there is no need. As in the recent past, the main office, sub school and boarding offices are able to take messages, or students are able to call if necessary. Each girl from Year 7 to 12 has access to email, if required. Further, as a Boarding School, there is phone access long after the school day finishes, if needed. Since all devices must be away for the day, your support in keeping such technology at home is appreciated. Given that the motivation of the government and of schools is to support the wellbeing of young people, this is an opportunity to shift habits. In fact, this is our opportunity as a community, to support a recalibration of the way communication occurs and to address phone addiction. How disappointing it would be, to miss this moment of change and to be positioned by young people to believe that living without a phone (albeit without access to it) during school hours is not possible. This change will not eliminate the problems associated with poor choices as users of technology, but it gives us all, time, space and hours in a day when the lure of a phone is negated: so let it be. Similarly, diligence in negotiating, monitoring and restricting internet and social media use in a reasonable and age-appropriate manner for your daughter/s remains vital in managing this sometimes fraught space. Thank you in anticipation of your support, of pausing and thinking a little differently about how communication can occur without a phone (or wearable technology) at school. FINALLY Wishing you a happy and Holy Christmas, the delight of family and the blessing of pausing. We look forward to the new year – but not too quickly, let us savour the weeks ahead, first.
Dr Linda Evans | Principal
Year 9 Graduation
Year 11 breakfast
‘I anchored into my “Why” – my reason for attempting this swim.’ - Kate Gurney At the Year 11 Breakfast this morning, the girls were fortunate to hear the wise words of past Fairholme student, Kate Gurney (1999). Kate recounted her attempt to swim the English Channel in August this year, aborted at the four-hour mark due to untenable conditions, but a journey that has yielded so
much more. In her possession, is a pebble from the beach in England where this magnificent effort began, and we suspect that this “recovering perfectionist” will head back to England to retrieve a matching pebble from the beach in France in the not-too-distant future. Irrespective, we delighted in her story, her bravery, and her resolve. In her words – “what is unfinished business, cannot yet be deemed a failure.”
Mothers’ Long Lunch
An hour glimpse into the life of Rosie Batty, Australian of the Year, 2015, courtesy of the Fairholme Mothers’ Long Lunch, captured the heart of a woman who has spent a decade seeking to change how the world views family and domestic violence. How do you make sense of the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the incomprehensible? Family and domestic violence is an unpalatable topic, not one you’d imagine for your regular feel-good mothers’ long lunch speaker. Yet, I am so glad that I heard her speak, gained a glimpse into the pain of her story but, more importantly, a larger window into her resolve to make a difference. Be brave enough to begin again – Rosie Batty has been. Her story is one that we need to listen to, take heed of, and not avoid. For those who may have forgotten, ten years ago, Rosie Batty’s eleven-year-old son Luke was at Cricket practice – here, in a totally unanticipated moment, he was murdered by his own father. The world stopped in its tracks – Australia reeled. Luke’s death prompted us to recognise that family violence can happen to anyone and everyone. Wealth. Education. Background. These things do not protect us. In the aftermath of the unimaginable, Rosie Batty did the unthinkable – she spoke to the media. She found her voice, less than twelve hours after losing her only child, and spoke. Somewhere within her, she knew that speaking out was the only thing she could do to honour the life of Luke. So profound has been the impact of
her work, that researchers refer to ‘the Rosie Batty effect’ in reporting on the change in the way we view family and domestic violence. Consider that one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner in Australia, one in three women face family violence in their lifetime and one in four children, and that children are often the unseen victims. Their experiences play out as trauma does, throughout their life. Conversation, education, and expectation of respect are fundamental, she believes, to affecting change. In her view, jail sentences are not the cure – by that point in time, the damage has been done. It is what happens before, not after that requires our focus. Part of our Senior Thrive program tackles this topic. It’s been a project of Catrina Sharp for a number of years, to bring practitioners in this field together to speak with our students. Local lawyer, Adair Donaldson who works in this area, is a regular presenter. Further, Catrina facilitates the gathering of a panel with local specialists - our girls form questions, run the session, and collectively ponder the unthinkable. For this age group, it is about discussing coercive control, and power-based actions that can manifest in some girls’ emerging, first and subsequent relationships.
Learning how to recognise behaviours of control and manipulation are conversations that need to occur. Of course – a lesson or two, or a presentation on domestic and family violence does not shift the fundamental problem of coercive control, entitlement, or the uneven imposition of power: but it’s a starting point. We also need to value bravery, independence of action and a sisterhood of support. Expecting respect needs to be a given, at all times, in all places. There are gender differences. There should not be a power difference attached. We want our girls, your daughters, to be able to stand up for themselves and others, when the moment requires it – at any time, in any circumstance they need to make another accountable. It is why the mantra – “I choose to do this because it is hard, not because it is easy” has become ‘Fairholmised’ over the past twenty years. We need to be a voice for the one in three women and one in four children who require our support. I am grateful for the Rosie Batty effect – a woman who found her voice amidst the unthinkable, the unimaginable, the incomprehensible. I am so grateful to have heard her words. Be brave enough to begin - again. Dr Linda Evans | Principal
IN THE ARTS MUSICAL NUANCES CONCERT Students from our Year 8 Performance Music and Year 11 Music classes performed their final assessment pieces for the year at our Musical Nuances Concert. From voice to instrumental delights, the girls wowed the audience with their confidence and musical talents. KINDY TO YEAR 3 CHRISTMAS CONCERT One of the cutest events on the calendar each year! Our Kindy to Year 3 Christmas Musical is always a delight.
AROUND THE GROUNDS RUGBY SEVENS ON A ROLL Our 13 Years Rugby 7s team were crowned champions of the South West Sevens Series, defeating TAS 29-10 in the Preliminary Final and going on to beat Downlands 22-10 in the Grand Final. Congratulations also to our Opens Rugby 7s team, who won their semi-final 24-7 against Downlands but went down in the Grand Final against a strong Glennie team. Great season, girls! ANDREWS CUP BASKETBALL Our Junior basketballers played exceptionally well to bring home the A Grade trophy at Andrews Cup Basketball. A slam dunk effort! FAIRHOLME EQUESTRIAN AWARDS These trophies are awarded to riders competing in the Interschool disciplines of Dressage, Show Jumping, Combined Training, Eventing and Show Horse. The successful riders will have gained the highest points overall across several disciplines or in individual disciplines as specified. The Holmes Cup (All Riders) The highest overall points across the Interschool disciplines in the championship’s competitions throughout the school year. Winner: Charlotte Ostwald Fairholme College Junior Equestrienne Trophy (Primary Only) 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: Grace Ward’ Sara Holmes Dressage Trophy Highest points gained from Dressage in the nominated competitions throughout the school year. Winner: Bella Ostwald
Fairholme College Combined Training Trophy Highest points gained from Combined Training in the nominated competitions throughout the school year. Winner: Charlotte Ostwald Pugh Bakeries Show Jumping Trophy Highest points gained from Show Jumping in the nominated competitions throughout the school year. Winner: Simone Sorenson Fairholme College Eventing Trophy Highest points gained from Eventing in the nominated competitions throughout the school year. Winner: Geneva Searle Fairholme College Hack and Rider Trophy (Show Horse) Highest points gained from Show Horse in the nominated competitions throughout the school year. Winner: Torra MacDonald Fairholme College Equestrian Commitment Trophy Awarded to the girl who has shown consistent commitment, team spirit and dedication to representing themselves and Fairholme in the sport of Equestrian. Winner: Torra MacDonald Interhouse Equestrian ‘Squelch’ Trophy (Secondary) 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 • Kate Frith • Felicity Piccini • Hayley Rickter • Heidi Horsley • Bianca Bruggeman ALL SCHOOLS TRACK AND FIELD Our small but mighty Fairholme team finished 13th out
of 136 girl’s schools after four days of competition at the 2023 All Schools Track & Field Championships the best result from a Toowoomba school. A special mention to our medallists • Taylah Chapman - Gold in the Under 15 MultiClass Discus, Silver in the 100m and Silver in the 200m • Julia Wainwright - Bronze in the Under 16 1500m and a national qualifying standard in the 800m Congratulations also to Mackenzi Schefe and Abi Barnes, running national qualifiers in the 2000m Steeplechase. We wish Mackenzi Schefe and Julia Wainwright all the best as they now head over to Perth for the Australian All Schools Championships in December. FUTSAL CHAMPIONS Both our Year 7-10 and Year 11-12 Competitive Teams were victorious in the Term 4 Futsal Finals. Bron Francis was awarded player of the final in the Year 7-10 team, and after many magnificent saves in goal, Annabelle Rogan received player of the Year 11-12 final. STUMKAT SHIELD WATER POLO The annual Stumkat Shield Water Polo match between Fairholme and Glennie did not disappoint. Fairholme bringing home the shield, winning 5-3 in an awesome display of teamwork and sportsmanship! KNOWLES CUP TENNIS The Knowles Cup Tennis competition produced some outstanding results this year. Battling it out with the best teams from schools across Brisbane and Toowoomba, the Fairholme Intermediate team qualified for the finals in third place and the Junior team finished strongly to narrowly miss the finals. Our girls also performed very well individually. Congratulations to Alexandra Edwards and Cindy Deng, awarded the Marie Lephard trophies for their divisions. This trophy is awarded to the player with the best overall results for singles matches over the competition.
A fond Fairholme farewell
This week, at the final Assembly of the year, we awarded the last of the PRESENTING FAIRHOLME awards for the year. These awards were determined according to final results achieved in the full academic program in each year level. We acknowledged 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 Chanikka Brown Trishia Estanislao Isobel Heinrich Isabelle Kelly Ruby McCumstie Olive McKenzie Chloe Russell Lydia Shirtcliff Ordine Tertia Georgie Cussons Proxime Accessit Cindy Deng Dux Giselle Statham YEAR 8 The MacLaren Award Georgie Allen Addi Atrill Aria Bray Miley Chapel Mia Hall Lauren Diener Val Holland Madison McClymont Lucy Stewart Ordine Tertia Caitlin Schulthiess Proxime Accessit Alicia Yap
Dux Ruby Murphy
Dux Gracie Mack
YEAR 9
YEAR 11
MacLaren Award Olivia Bell Sophie Boyce Lilly Donald Regina Lethbridge Georgie Perrignon Annabelle Suttor
MacLaren Award Heather McKenzie Kayla Horncy
Ordine Tertia Alexandra Edwards Proxime Accessit ClaireMurphy Emma Salter Serah Vimal Dux Grace Taylor YEAR 10 MacLaren Award Mia Duggan Emmi Lange Kate Lindenmayer Isabelle Nixon Ordine Tertia Ariel Qiu Rori Zimmermann Proxime Accessit Annie White
Ordine Tertia Sruthi Gandu Proxime Accessit Sophie Khan Annabelle Roga Jean Tassie Memorial Prize for Dux of Year 11 Ruby Newell
HOLME Store hours The HOLME Store will close on Tuesday, 5 December 2023 and will reopen on Monday, 8 January 2024. The HOLME Store will be open from 7.30am-4pm on the Boarder Travel Day (Monday 22 January 2024) and will be closed on Friday 26 January for the Australia Day Public Holiday. Opening Hours: Monday: 12.30 - 4.00pm Tuesday: 12.30 - 4.00pm Wednesday: 12.30 - 4.00pm Thursday: 7.30 - 12.30pm Friday: 7.30 - 12.30pm For more information, including uniform details and pricelist, visit HOLMEstore on our website.
Upcomingevents 2024
22 Jan
Orientation Program for all new girls and all
Year 7 students
22 Jan
Returning Boarders into Residence by 5pm
23 Jan
Term 1 Concludes
26 Jan
Australia Day Public Holiday
15 Feb
Year 3-6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival
16 Feb
Interhouse Swimming Carnival
16 Feb
Year 7 Parent Information Session
16 Feb
Principal’s Welcome
19 Feb
Induction of Year 9 Leaders
24 Feb
ACER Scholarship Exams
12 Mar
Interhouse Cross Country
27 Mar
Term 1 Concludes