At Holme Issue 18 - September 2023

AT Holme

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S PEN

‘We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.’

I am an avid traveller, as is my husband, and our children. Collectively, we prefer the less travelled path – Natalie and Mitchell venturing to places without paths, at times – the sort of places that cause mothers nightmares.

Upon return, people say – “A treehouse in San Mateo, Mexico: amazing!” “Wow! I’ve never even heard of Plovdiv.” “Where on earth is Lake Bohinj? No-one ever says – was it hard? The assumption is that travel is like a glorious event where all runs smoothly, to time, and without any moments of angst. Fortunately, not. Travel is a problemsolving activity; it is often an act of compromise

– particularly when travelling with others, and invariably a time of heart-wrenching highs and unexpected lows. Therein lies its richness: a time and place to grow through the juxtaposition of challenge and delight.

In travel, are a cumulation of moments that often can only be digested and appreciated in their entirety – after the event.

In 2013 my husband and I spent a month in Istanbul, living amongst locals in an apartment perched nearly 100 stairs above the narrow cobble-stoned road below. We ate borek and drank Turkish tea each morning at a tiny café where no-one spoke English

Travel is not meant to be easy...

- Jawaharial Nehru

staff or customers. We bought meat from a butcher with whom we had no shared language and purchased fresh bread, the reddest tomatoes, and sweetest cherries daily, from a ramshackle stall at the end of the road. Yet, the value of this opportunity, appeared subsequently, and upon reflection.

During the latter part of our stay, we were caught in the midst of civil turmoil. Our street was cordoned off by police. A nearby unit block was operating as a makeshift hospital.

Tear gas became a cloud hovering above us. On the first day of the unrest, we had found ourselves locked in the train station with other bewildered commuters – cannons of tear gas had been fired. We panicked, fearful, frightened. Eventually, a door was pried open from outside and we crawled, on our stomachs, onto a street of chaos.

In the days that followed, the locals made sure we could access food, explained in broken English what the basis of the conflict was and kept us safe. Meanwhile, Smartraveller listed Turkey as a red zone and my family was urging us home. It wasn’t that easy to go – in fact, there was no access to our street at either end, unless on foot.

We were probably unaware of the depth of danger around us. Travel is not always easy, but I wouldn’t wish those weeks in Istanbul away, either. I wouldn’t wish away the kindness of strangers, the challenges, nor the entrée into Turkish politics that remains a fascination.

Like travel, the journey of finishing school is a problem-solving activity, it involves compromise, and it is often a time of heart-wrenching highs and unexpected lows – for Year 12s and their parents. Hopefully, Smarttraveller would not list it as a red zone – though, no doubt, those moments occur at times.

In their senior year, these young people are ‘becoming’ – becoming adults, and as they strive for and thrive on the prospect of independence they sometimes can ‘bite the hand that feeds them.’

Their post-school horizon often appears like a glorious event where all runs smoothly and anything holding them back from this utopian world where there will be no rules, and where decisions will be there’s entirely – is deemed cruel, archaic, dictatorial. Perhaps this is an exaggerated scenario but if you are raising an adolescent there will be moments like these – lest they are too comfortable or too entwined to leave the nest of home. To leave home, one must, in some way – muddy the nest.

‘Ride out the whirlwind. Place yourself in circumstances where you can enjoy these strong young women, at their best...’

– Dr Linda Evans

Each will see their Fairholme time differently, at this juncture. For some, without the next destination in clear sight, they want to hold on –just a little longer. For others, the beckoning of a new, shiny, bright destination is all encompassing. Whichever, time is on its march forward and the finish line will be crossed on Friday 17 November. March pasts, eisteddfodau, grand finals and debates will entwine with memories of common room lunches, teachers passionate about their subject, singing out of the Boarding House (again), falling in and out of friendships, too many assignments and Sess, with his camera – taking

just one more shot.

The mundane and delightful will both take their place; they will be the things they will take away into their next journey, the things that will have their greatest meaning, later.

Ride out the whirlwind. Place yourself in circumstances where you can enjoy these strong young women, at their best.

Avoid the temptation to pander to every whim, in order to keep things steady – always, always, your thoughtful, wise, measured, adult voice, matters. Like travel, finishing school is often best observed

‘after the event’, away from the intensity of the time and when perspective clambers its way into line of sight.

For now, as we start to grieve their leaving, take time to appreciate your own travel journey – look how far you too, have come.

There is a richness inherent in the metaphoric distance travelled, from treehouses in San Mateo, Mexico to Palm Drive, Fairholme. If there is to be real growth, it’s not meant to be easy.

Dr Linda Evans | Principal

Q&

A

with Year 12 Head Boarder, Bridie Worland

How long have you been at Fairholme College? Where is home?

I started at Fairholme in Year 10, so I’ve been here for three years. Home for me is the sensational town of Gayndah. Fun fact: it’s actually the oldest town in Queensland!

What is your favourite thing about home?

I live on a citrus property and my favourite thing about home is the people from all around the world who are constantly coming and going to pick fruit. It has been amazing to be exposed to so many different cultures throughout my lifetime and make connections with the most interesting people.

A day is never the same at home and I love the unpredictability.

As you leave Palm Drive for the last time at the end of the year, what are the memories or feelings you will take with you of Fairholme?

If it’s not possible to hold onto every memory, I would choose to take shaving my head for Shave for a Cure because that is a day I will never forget. Also, the feeling I have when I’m around my friends and being in the moment is quite unforgettable.

Do you have any mentors or favourite teachers?

Ms Dunne has been a hugely positive influence on me this year. She has always kept her eye out for me, and I am so grateful for her just wanting to see me do my best.

My honourable mentions include my beautiful Holme Group teacher, Ms Butler for being like my

second mum, and Mr Cantle for always trying his hardest to make us laugh.

Head Boarder – what has this experience been like?

Two words: hard but AMAZING! A lot of mistakes have been made but the experience has taught me so much about myself.

I have loved watching the Year 7s grow in their new environment and supporting them to be more comfortable and express their weird selves.

The people and connections I have made at Fairholme and through this role has been unforgettable. I am definitely not looking forward to saying goodbye at the end of the year.

What would you say to your Year 11 friends about entering their final year?

I know you have probably heard this a thousand times, but do not wish it away because it goes by so unbelievably quickly! Try to spend as much time with your friends as you can.

What are your plans for next year?

Good question... I’m thinking Occupational Therapy and living life in Brisbane at College. But the details are undecided!

If you could go back and tell yourself something (or a few things) about how to walk through Year 12, what would you say to yourself?

I would say to myself that you don’t have to change to live up to anyone’s expectations and that it might feel like you are alone, but you are not!

AROUND THE GROUNDS

TOUCH FOOTY CHAMPIONS

Five Fairholme Touch Football teams took to the fields at the South West Qld Touch Secondary All Schools Carnival and the Swans Schools Cup.

Congratulations to our Under 13 and Under 15 teams who were crowned tournament Champions for both All Schools and the Schools Cup, as well as our Opens, finishing Runner-Ups in each of the competitions.

Fairholme Touch is in great hands with so many talented young players coming through!

EQUESTRIAN EXCELLENCE

Congratulations to our 12 Fairholme Equestrian team riders who have been selected in the Queensland team to compete at the Australian Interschool Championships in Melbourne this September.

Special mention also to our four Fairholme girls awarded leadership positions on the Queensland team. We wish you all the best!

• Simone Sorenson - Showjumping Captain

• Torra MacDonald - Show Horse Captain

• Charlotte Ostwald - Combined Training Captain

• Anastasia Topalov- Eventing Vice Captain

• Josephine Ostwald

• Georgie Hill

• Kate Frith

• Isabelle Ostwald

• Abbey Gordon

• Kaida MacDonald

• Geneva Searle

• Annabelle Rogan

VICKIE WILSON STATE CHAMPS

Coming up against the top 20 school netball teams in Queensland, both our Junior and Senior Vicki Wilson teams represented Fairholme with pride at the recent State Championships.

Our Fairholme Junior Vicki Wilson 1 team claimed 5th place in the State, improving on last year’s results, and our Senior team finished in 12th, also a few places better than last year’s ranking. Fantastic work girls and coaches!

DARLING DOWNS TRACK AND FIELD TRIALS

Well done to our 49 Fairholme girls who recently competed at the Darling Downs School Sport 9-12 Years and 13-19 Years Track & Field carnivals.

Fairholme students won an amazing 24 Gold, 18 Silver and 10 Bronze medals, with 20 girls gaining selection for the Darling Downs team to compete at the Queensland State Championships next term.

Darling Downs representatives:

10-12 Years: Lucy Barnes and Grace Ward

13-19 Years: Evie Armstrong, Addi Attrill, Abi Barnes, Abi Crocker, Chelsea Gladwin, Tayla Kauter, Claire Longmire, Isabel Longmire, Rose McLoughlin, Greer Muirhead, Laura Patterson, Annabelle Rogan, Mackenzi Schefe, Grace Vanzella, Julia Wainwright, Maggie Walker, Alara Williams, Ella Williams

QUEENSLAND REPRESENTATIVES

Mackenzie Grimes has just returned from the Australian School Sport Swimming Championships where she took out the National Title in the 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstrock and the 15/16 Years Girls Medley Relay. Amazing achievement, Mackenzie!

Five of Fairholme’s cross country runners recently competed at the Australian Cross Country Championships in Canberra. Congratulations to Lucy Barnes, Abigail Barnes, Julia Wainwright, Mackenzi Schefe and Laura Patterson on their fantastic runs!

Lucy Barnes came home with two medals, claiming a silver in the team event and a bronze in the relay, along with her incredible 4th place in the 11 Years Girls 3km race.

IN THE ARTS

A BOX OF CHOCOLATES

Middle School presents ‘A Box of Chocolates’ – a variety of arts performances for your enjoyment. Monday 11 September, starting at 6.30pm in the Fairholme Assembly Hall.

UNISQ ‘FUTURE VISIONS’ ART AWARDS

This year’s UniSQ ‘Future Visions’ Art Awards attracted 149 submissions from Year 10 – 12 students across the Darling Downs and further afield. Judges selected just 59 entries as finalists for inclusion in the Exhibition, on display at the University of Southern Queensland until Sunday 3 September. 13 of these finalists were works produced by Fairholme students, with three of our Fairholme Art students winning major prizes.

Year 10 Indianna Hitchcock

Year 11 Roma Aarons, Bonnie Boorman, Hannah Coggan, Milla Deignan-Ekelund, Lina Duong, Georgia Hoffman, Celina Mouzouris, Kadence Wilson

Year 12 Alexis Fleming, Maggie Lattimore, Alyssa McDonald Smith, Maeve Toombes

Visual Art Open Category

Overall First Prize – Awarded to Roma Aarons (Year 11) with her synthetic polymer diptych work, ‘Shutter Symphony’ (after Schoenheimer).

Environmental Science Art Award

Overall Second Prize – Awarded to Alyssa McDonald Smith (Year 12) for her digitally-manipulated photographic studies, ‘Mother Nature’s Void’. Overall Third Prize – Awarded to Kadence Wilson (Year 11) for her photographic work, ‘A Land of Flooding Rains’.

CRÈME DE LA CRÈME

Some of Fairholme’s most accomplished musicians showcased their talents at our Crème de la Crème concert on Friday 11 August. The concert featured delightful performances by Year 12 Music Extension students and Senior Music Scholarship recipients.

DANCE SHOWCASE

Once again, our Dance students have delivered a fabulous evening of captivating performances at the Fairholme Dance Showcase. A special thank you to our passionate Dance extraordinaire, Mrs Choice, on producing yet another stunning performance.

STARRY NIGHT!

Our Junior School students from Prep to Year 6 put on a sensational show at the annual Junior School Showcase. Well done to all girls and our fabulous Music, Dance and Drama teacher, Mrs Natalie Rawle, on such a wonderful evening of performances.

Dancing sisters shine on stage

The Carrigan sisters are no strangers to the spotlight, having already graced the stage in many large dance productions.

Fairholme Year 9 student, Ava, is the eldest of the four Carrigan girls and has been dancing for almost as long as she has been walking.

Dreaming of one day performing professionally, Ava is well on her way to achieving her goal, having already performed with an impressive array of dance companies.

‘I do about 22 hours of dance each week, including classical ballet, contemporary and jazz.’

‘I love performing on stage after months of training and collaborating with choreographers to bring the performance to life and share it with the audience.’

Both Ava and her younger sister Grace (Year 7), recently performed alongside a cast of 60 young dancers from across Australia, in the Majors & Minors production for Brisbanebased contemporary dance company, RB Corp. Instruction.

For both young dancers, this production has been a highlight of their blossoming dance careers.

It’s being part of junior companies and performing together with her friends that motivates Grace’s passion for dance.

‘I love making new friends and learning different styles of dance. I’m not sure where dancing will lead me, but I just know it will always be part of my life.’

For Year 5 student Lula, dancing is less about taking centre stage and more about keeping fit and having fun.

Lula’s true love is being on the family farm and horse riding with her cousin, but she still loves dancing for fun and fitness.

‘Dance is fun, and it makes me happy spending time with my friends.

I really enjoy being part of my dance school’s Christmas production each year and supporting my sisters.’

Following in the footsteps of her older sisters, the youngest of the Carrigan siblings, Miette, is a jazz, tap and hip hop girl. At just seven years of age, Miette has already successfully secured herself a lead role, playing Young Sven in the Toowoomba Ballet Theatre’s production of ‘The Snow Queen’ earlier this year.

Miette is also set to take the stage in September as part of the Brisbane City Youth Ballet’s production of The Magic Toyshop.

‘I love performing at Eisteddfods and being part of theatre productions. When I grow up, I want to dance and paint.’

The future is certainly bright for these dedicated young dancers. We look forward to seeing where their talents lead them in the future both on and off the stage.

Following the family tradition

Meet Shelby Rowles, a remarkable Year 11 student whose passion for dental care led her on a transformative journey.

Through determination, initiative, and unwavering support, Shelby recently completed a Certificate III in Dental Assisting traineeship with the Australian Academy of Dental Assisting (AADA) College.

‘I commenced my School-based Traineeship with Southside Dental in Toowoomba in April 2022, after successfully completing their interview process.

Attending one day a week as part of the Fairholme College Pathways Program, I entered the workforce and loved it immediately; it felt like the perfect fit for me. This quickly led to working full 8-hour days, after school hours and holiday work,’ Shelby said. Despite the challenges of learning an entirely new field, Shelby says she embraced the traineeship with enthusiasm and soon learned to navigate and even take on leadership roles.

‘I also gained more self-confidence, improved my communication skills, experienced complex decision-making in the workplace and gained an understanding of real-world thinking and reality.

Lots of initiative was required throughout my traineeship. Staying abreast of schoolwork,

completing my traineeship units and organising trainer visits for workplace observations to sign off on completed assessments.’

The roots of Shelby’s journey run deep, influenced by her family’s healthcare background.

Her grandfather, a doctor, and her father, a Pharmacist/Farmer, she says it inspired her to pursue a career aligned with her upbringing and values.

‘Being able to undertake this traineeship, and being involved in an industry in which I have grown up and hold close to my heart has been fulfilling.’

Shelby says her journey would not have been as enjoyable without the unwavering support of our Head of Pathways Mrs Laura Anderson, and Pathways Coordinator Mrs Kelly Cumming.

‘They stood as unsung heroes, guiding me towards completion and triumph. Their support, infectious positivity and problem-solving skills were instrumental in my success.’

As she reflects on her achievement, she stands as a testament to the adage, “She can, and She will.”

Shelby Rowles, a name now synonymous with dedication and triumph, has paved a promising path in the world of dental assisting.

Dazzling Dance Showcase

Spring into WellbeingEmbrace nature

As the vibrant colours of spring bloom around us, it’s the perfect time to rejuvenate our wellbeing by connecting with nature. With the school holidays just around the corner, let’s seize the opportunity to embark on outdoor adventures with our loved ones. We can do this through exploring the wonders of the great outdoors by taking a leisurely stroll in the bush, enjoying a delightful picnic, or venturing into the serene dams or lakes for watersports. For the more adventurous spirits, hop on your bikes and hit the trails. Or, why not get your hands dirty and bond with your family in the garden? Beyond family togetherness, immersing in nature offers remarkable benefits. It uplifts moods, strengthens immune systems, and promotes better overall health. This holiday, let nature be your friend, bask in the sun, and allow your mind and body to thank you for the reinvigoration. So, step outside, savour the goodness of nature, and let springtime work its wonders on your wellbeing.

Kaye Foley’s My Model Grooming and Deportment Course is starting on 27 October 2023

Mother and Daughter Luncheon Don’t miss this...

Have you registered for the Year 5, 6 and 7 Mother daughter Luncheon, You and Your Tween: Making this years count! Introducing our Guest Speaker, Michelle Mitchell.

‘Parenting is usually difficult when you are doing a really good job of it. You are invested. You care. You are all in.’

– Michelle Mitchell

Michelle began her career as a classroom teacher but soon discovered a special interest in wellbeing. In 2000 she quit teaching and established a harm prevention charity, called Youth Excel. Her days were filled with running small group support programs for girls ‘at risk’ of dropping out of education, and she soon became well known for successful outcomes with tweens and teenagers who did not flourish under more traditional forms of therapy.

Over the next 20 years, Youth Excel continued to grow and expand. The Youth Excel Centre was established – a multi-disciplinary clinic offering psychology, counselling, mentoring for children and teenagers.

It was there that her team of twelves offered bighearted, innovative services to over 150 families each week. Michelle personally had the privilege of working with many hundreds of young people and their families as a mentor.

Today Michelle uses her experience to write and speak in schools, community events and through media.

Her best-selling parenting and children’s resources, including the highly popular Everyday Resilience Journal, have sold over 100 000 copies worldwide and have been translated into several languages. Michelle has been termed the ‘teenage expert’ by the media and is sought after for her compassionate, and grounded advice. Her innovative work has been featured on The Today Show, Today Tonight and Channel 10 Morning News and Sky News, as well as countless print media including The Age, The Courier Mail and The Daily Telegraph. You can hear Michelle on radio in Australia on a weekly basis.

We look forward to welcoming Michelle to this event.

HAVE you seen the eSafety webinars advertised through Happenings at Holme? These free, live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences and include a broad range of topics delivered by the expert education and training team. To find out more, see https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars