• Pathways Programs

    at Fairholme

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Pathways Programs

Pathway Programs offer a dynamic exploration of industry-based experiences and learning.


Direct entrance pathways to tertiary and post-secondary study, complement and enhance our students’ opportunities, as well as offer an employment advantage.


All girls from Year 10 to Year 12 at Fairholme College participate in Pathways Programs. We believe that by beginning a Pathway Program earlier in the girls’ schooling, it ensures they are making informed career and subject choices, having ‘tasted’ or experienced an area of interest outside of traditional subject offerings.

What's so good about our Pathway Programs?

Get a taste

Our students get the opportunity to explore areas of career interest earlier in their schooling, ensuring they are equipped to make informed subject choices.

Achieve industry qualifications

Gaining a nationally-recognised qualification gives our girls an edge when entering the workforce and can provide pathways into tertiary study.

Gain valuable experience

Our Pathway Programs help students to gain valuable workplace experience and improve their life skill sets prior to leaving school.

Contribute to ATAR Results

Certificate III and above level qualifications can contribute directly to ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) calculation.

Making informed decisions


The success and subsequent longevity of these programs, is evident when SET Planning with our girls throughout Years 10, 11 and 12. Exposure to study and practical placement in an area of career interest at this early stage, assists with our girls’ decision-making processes, which enables them to make more relevant and informed subject choices.

Contributing directly to ATAR Results


Another bonus to our Pathway Programs, under the new ATAR system, is that a Certificate III and above level qualification can contribute directly to ATAR calculation. This gives many of our girls peace of mind as they head into their Senior year with a guaranteed ATAR result.

Enhancing our students' opportunities


Gaining a nationally-recognised qualification can provide a pathway into tertiary study and gives our girls an edge when entering the workforce. We see our girls experience success in their ATAR subjects, tertiary study and employment, all due to this program.


The program can assist with:

  • direct entry into various universities
  • enhances scholarship, residential college and job applications
  • success in ATAR subjects and contributing to students' ATAR result
  • gaining and improving students' workplace, study and life skill-sets
  • building the girls' resume
  • providing employment options.

Fairholme College Health Hub

Providing the most relevant and diverse practical, hands-on hospital, nursing, allied health and medical placement opportunity for our girls.


Health Services is one of our long-standing, advanced Pathway Programs. The program is run from our Fairholme Health Hub — a 3-bed simulated hospital ward with Allied Health station, housed on-campus.


The creation of the Fairholme College Health Hub ensures our Health, Allied Health and Medical students can train in Toowoomba, as well as Brisbane, while still accessing the high-quality training opportunity Mater Education delivers out of the Mater Hospital, Brisbane. 


It has also allowed fruitful partnerships with our local hospitals, St. Vincent’s and St. Andrew’s, and other dynamic health organisations, like Lifeflight, Southern Queensland Rural Health (SQRH) and RMEA/QRME.

Book a tour

Discover a huge variety of Pathway Programs


Some of the popular Pathway Programs studied at Fairholme College include:

  • Allied Health and Health Services – Health Hub
  • Animal Studies
  • Automotive
  • Aviation (RePL) – Droning
  • Beauty Services, Make-up and Massage
  • Business and Social Media Marketing
  • Crime and Justice
  • Dance
  • Early Education and Children’s Services (0-5 years)
  • Education Support (Teacher Aide)
  • Electro-technology
  • Events and Tourism
  • Fitness
  • Hospitality
  • Nursing
  • Recreational Pilot Licence
  • Retail Cosmetics
  • School-based Traineeships and Apprenticeships

Students in the spotlight



Preparing for life beyond Holme

By Sarah Richardson • 05 Apr, 2024
For our Senior girls on the verge of moving from Year 12 into life beyond the tartan, feeling prepared and confident to write their next chapter is crucial. The Fairholme College Pathways Programs are designed to empower each girl to explore their unique career interests long before they reach graduation, ensuring they are equipped to make informed choices about their future study, work, and career pathways.
Year 11 Fairholme students Amelie Moore helping in classroom of Year 1 students.

On the pathway to success beyond the school gates

By Sarah Richardson • 26 Oct, 2023
Thanks to the Fairholme Pathways Program, Year 11 student, Amelie Moore, is heading into Year 12 with the peace of mind of a guaranteed ATAR result.

Following the family tradition

By Sarah Richardson • 01 Sep, 2023
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.
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