Letting Go…

November 24, 2020

Jacaranda blossoms, a Junior School guard of honour, bagpipes, girls in tartan, a mass Jump’n’Jive, 

The Irish Blessing, tears and laughter may seem to construct the ultimate incongruous juxtaposition - but, that’s just the way a Senior farewell happens at Fairholme.


On Friday, we breathed in deeply and readied ourselves for another Valedictory Assembly. Without wanting to be morbid, there is something ‘funeral-esque’ in such an occasion: the wrench of a final goodbye and the realisation that we can hold on no more. Letting go is paradoxical: difficult but vital.


It is hard to capture this occasion in words because farewelling a cohort represents the culmination of quite an exceptional journey – one built on such diverse elements: learning, losing, achieving, missing out, frustrations and joys and every possible emotion that can be wedged in between. Some girls have spent most of their life at Fairholme, since they first donned their cute tartan shorts at age three until they walked for one last time down Palm Avenue on Friday. Others have navigated the sisterhood of the Boarding House – the sometimes-suffocating effects of mass living pitched chaotically against the precious, irreplaceable reward of lifelong friendships. The depth of connections was palpable and thus the letting go was difficult. There was a lot to grieve for and a lot to love about Friday.


That we were able to celebrate with families was special, particularly in a year when this has not been possible. And yet, having spoken to a principal colleague in London on Friday, I counted my blessings.


‘How are things?’ I enquired.


‘Only six away with COVID today, two staff, which has made it tricky,’ she replied, almost nonchalantly.


‘Masks?’ I asked.


‘Yes, all of us – it is so hard to teach whilst wearing a mask. We have to have all our windows and doors open, too, which has been interesting, particularly as it gets colder.’


At times, throughout the year, I’ve thought of Seniors in other countries whose school years simply ceased. There were no occasions to mark their departure – no special Assemblies, Dinners, Formals. They walked out of school one day, expecting to return but didn’t, couldn’t. Like the Valedictory Assembly, it is hard to put words around the pandemic landscape of 2020, and whilst we have missed out on things, moments and events, we have gained on perspective. We have been handed a lesson in what really matters, and we have all been forced to observe it – I believe our Seniors have learned it, with exceptional grace.


These Seniors of 2020 have unwittingly led their way through a pandemic and have rolled with disappointment with a resilience that we always hope to teach well, but don’t always manage. This year we have – this year they have – COVID has been an insistent teacher. Thus, as the school year closes, for me, it really is time to count my blessings rather than my frustrations, or disappointments. At this tenuous time in life across the globe, we have managed to see our Seniors out with the respect they have gained, and with the ceremony we value – jacaranda blossoms, a Junior School guard of honour, bagpipes, tartan, a mass Jump’n’Jive, The Irish Blessing, tears and laughter: a messy, spirited, delightful incongruous juxtaposition of symbolism and imagery. How lucky we are to find the letting go so difficult but the celebration so important.


We are grateful for each and all. They will always be, our girls.


Go well, Senior Leaders 2020.




Dr Linda Evans | Principal


More News…

Leading with Heart: Miranda Mann, 2026 Head Boarder

By Sarah Richardson • November 24, 2025
As we welcome a new year, 2026 Head Boarder Miranda Mann talks about her ambition for her time in the role, reflects on her formative years and looks to what the future holds beyond the tartan. Miranda represents the sixth-generation of cattle graziers from Hillgrove Station, north of Charters Towers. With a deep connection to the land and a heart full of compassion, Miranda brings a grounded, inclusive, and community-focused ideal to the Head Boarder role in 2026. Beginning at Fairholme in Year 7, when she first arrived from her family’s historic Brahman cattle station, established in 1861, before the founding of Townsville. The transition from rural life to boarding school was significant, but it was the unwavering support of her fellow boarders and the dedicated boarding staff that helped her find her place. “An experience that has shaped me to who I am today is the support I received from fellow boarders and staff during tough times,” Miranda reflects. “It’s a great feeling when you know the people around you care for you and want you to succeed. That drives me to do the same for others, because the impact can be significant.” As Head Boarder, Miranda is most excited about working closely with students and staff throughout the year, especially during key events that bring the community together. “I want to make the most of my time left at Fairholme, it’s going to fly by,” she says. “My goal is to leave an everlasting impact by building a more connected and respectful boarding environment. I want every girl to feel comfortable and to enjoy the boarding space even more than they do now.” Miranda’s hope is that her leadership style is rooted in empathy and action. She encourages younger boarders to embrace every opportunity: “Get involved with others and join in on activities around the boarding house, even something as simple as a game of touch. It really makes the term more enjoyable and creates everlasting memories. And don’t be afraid to try new extracurriculars, even if you haven’t done them before.” With her strong sense of community, deep appreciation for her roots, and a genuine desire to uplift those around her, Miranda Mann is set to make 2026 a memorable and meaningful year for the Fairholme boarding family.

Celebrating Peer Support in Boarding

By Sarah Richardson • November 24, 2025
Friendship, connection, and a beautiful handover afternoon tea. At the beginning of this year, our Boarding Wellbeing Audit highlighted one message loud and clear: strong peer support is one of the most powerful influences on boarder wellbeing. In response, we set out with intention to strengthen and expand the ways our older girls walk beside and uplift our younger ones. In Term 2, we introduced our Middle Sisters program: a group of dedicated Year 11 Boarders who stepped in to support our Year 7s as the Year 12 academic demands increased. Over the past three terms, the Year 7s and Year 11s have shared plenty of laughs, chats, and practical support, building bonds that have enriched daily boarding life. Wanting our Year 8s to experience the same connection, we extended the initiative to include Year 10 Boarders who were interested to take on a similar role. This group has done a wonderful job running relaxed, group-style mentoring over shared dinners—something the Year 8s have thoroughly enjoyed. A big thank you to Year 11 Boarder, Bella Quinn, who has taken the lead in organising our next group of peer mentors. She has brought together our current Year 9s, who will step into mentoring roles in 2026, supporting today’s Year 7s as they move into Year 8, continuing the cycle of connection and care. Bella hosted a lovely afternoon tea to mark the handover. It was a chance for our Year 11 Middle Sisters to introduce their Year 7s to the new Year 9 mentors who will walk alongside them next year. The Cameron Room was filled with chatter, laughter and the beginnings of friendships that will carry through many years of boarding life. It was a reminder of what makes our community so special: girls supporting girls, encouraging one another, and finding strength in connection.

Back-to-Back State Champion

By Sarah Richardson • November 19, 2025
Fairholme Year 6 student, Eden Broksch, has once again shown her incredible talent and determination, taking out the State Championship title in the Tetrathlon for the second consecutive year. Competing at the Queensland Representative School Sport State Track and Field Championships in Townsville, Eden shone across all four Tetrathlon events: 100m, Long Jump, Shot Put and 800m. The competition, held over two days, began with the 100m and Long Jump. Eden admits the first day didn’t quite go to plan. ‘At the end of the first day, I was in about 12th place,’ she shared. But day two brought a remarkable turnaround. After a strong Shot Put performance, she surged up the leaderboard. ‘After the Shot Put, I moved up to fourth place. I was pretty confident I could place in the top three if I finished with a good run in the 800m,’ she said. What followed was a determined and inspiring final effort. Eden ran her heart out in the 800m — her favourite event and that final burst was enough to secure the overall win. ‘I ran a personal best time in the 800m and ended up winning overall by just a couple of points,’ she explained, smiling. This victory also means Eden will once again don the maroon colours, earning her place on the Queensland team for the second year in a row. ‘It feels so good,’ she said. ‘I love going away with the team, it’s so much fun and one of my best friends is also going too, which makes it really enjoyable to share the experience.’ In the lead-up to nationals, Eden has been training with enormous commitment and energy. ‘I’m running usually five days a week, two throws training sessions, two long jump sessions and I also play touch football,’ she explained. Shot Put and the 800m remain her favourite events, but her love for combined disciplines continues to grow. She’s already looking ahead to the future. ‘I love competing in the combined events. I don’t just have to focus on only one event, I can do multiple. I hope to move from the tetrathlon to the heptathlon when I’m old enough.’ Eden is also a true all-round athlete. This year alone, she has represented Darling Downs in Orienteering and both Queensland and Darling Downs in Cross Country, all while representing Fairholme in touch football, netball and gymnastics as well. Her passion for sport extends beyond competition — she treasures the friendships she has forged along the way. ‘I’ve made lots of great friends through athletics from all over,’ she said. As Eden prepares for the School Sport Australia National Championships in Canberra at the end of the month, her goals are clear. ‘I want to improve on last year’s score and achieve another personal best in the 800m.’ Congratulations, Eden! Fairholme is incredibly proud of your grit, talent and wonderful attitude. We’ll be cheering you on as you take on the national stage once again.
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