From Katherine to Boarding…

Imagine travelling for three days just to get to school.

This is now the new norm for Boarding student, Charli McWhirter, who started at Fairholme College this year.

Hailing from Katherine nearly three thousand kilometres away, Charli says the long commute has already been worth it.

‘There are so many opportunities here for me, I’ve joined four different sporting teams, and I have a gym I can go to any time I want.’

Charli was first introduced to the Fairholme way when she attended our Be a Fairholme Girl for a Day.

‘I knew from that day I wanted to become a Fairholme girl. She says it had a certain warm feeling, and everyone was so welcoming and friendly,’ she said. 

The Year 10 student has only been on campus for a couple of weeks and admits to some homesickness.

However, she says, with the help of our staff and Head of Wellbeing, it’s becoming easier.

‘Every morning, I meet with the Head of Wellbeing, Ms Caitens, just to brain dump and tell her everything I have been feeling, and she gives me so many great tips and tricks. 

There’s no point trying to hide your homesickness because it makes it worse. I try to keep busy, and I ask the Nurse Manager, Ms Riordan, to take me out to her horse farm every chance I get.’

While being on the sporting field is where she feels most comfortable, Charli has jumped at the chance to broaden her studies, taking up a Certificate II in Rural Operations and Equine Studies through our Pathway Program.

‘My dad and I love breeding horses, so I think this course will be really handy.’

If your daughter would like to Be a Fairholme Girl for a Day on 9 March, register online »