What Fairholme College does

Fairholme College is a private, non-profit, all-girls boarding school located on the Toowoomba Range escarpment in Queensland, Australia, operating as a college of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland and governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Mr Ian Andersen, with Dr Leigh Hobart as Principal. Founded in 1917 when Margaret Cameron sold land to the Presbyterian Church on the stipulation that it become a school for girls, the institution has educated girls continuously for over a century and currently serves more than 900 students from Kindergarten (age 3) through Year 12, including approximately 220 boarders in what is described as one of Australia's largest boarding schools.

The core educational product is organised into four vertically integrated stages: Fairholme Kindy (play-based early learning, 2/3/5-day programs), Junior School (Prep to Year 6), Middle School (Years 7-9), and Senior School (Years 10-12 with ATAR and VET pathways). The school is differentiated by an all-girls pedagogical model, an integrated pastoral care framework based on restorative practices, the THRIVE life skills curriculum, a House System (Cameron, Black, Stephens, Powell), and the Presbyterian faith foundation. Specialised add-on programs include the High Performance Sport Program, Fairholme Equestrian (five-consecutive-year Interschool Queensland Overall Champion), the Arts (dance, drama, music, visual arts, debating, technical production), FAST Aquatics, Fairholme Fitness, the Pathways Centre, and service learning (RAW Impact Cambodia, Duke of Edinburgh, Sony Foundation Camp). Outcomes include a 2025 median ATAR of 87.35 with 46% of the cohort at ATAR 90+, 97% VET completion, and 11 Olympians produced.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition, boarding, and enrolment fees, supplemented by government funding; fees are not publicly disclosed and are administered through a direct-to-consumer enrolment process led by the Head of Enrolments. The go-to-market motion is a direct enrolment funnel supported by college tours, 'Be a Fairholme Girl for a Day' experience events, orientation weekends, the Fairholme website, social media, and Presbyterian Church referral networks. The school also operates as a CRICOS-registered provider for international students and maintains exchange partnerships with Rugby School, Oakham School, and Bryanston School in the UK.

Name

Fairholme College

Legal name

Fairholme College

Website

https://fairholme.qld.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1917

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fairholme College is a private, non-profit, all-girls boarding school in Toowoomba, Queensland, operated under the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, educating over 900 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, including approximately 220 boarders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent K-12 Education (All-Girls Boarding School)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools (EDAJABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

Keywords

• All-girls education
• Boarding school services
• K-12 private schooling
• Kindergarten early learning
• Independent girls school

Headquarters

HQ city

Toowoomba

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrolment Fees: Revenue generated from school fees including day student tuition, boarding fees, and kindergarten fees. The college also charges enrolments fees and receives government funding for education services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fairholme College is an independent all-girls school in Toowoomba, Queensland, delivering education from Kindy through Year 12, including one of Australia's largest boarding houses serving approximately 220 boarders. It offers the standard Australian Curriculum plus ATAR and VET pathways in Senior School, complemented by extensive co-curricular programs in sport, the arts, equestrian, service learning, and pastoral care. The college operates under the governance of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland.

Product overview

Fairholme College is an independent all-girls boarding school in Toowoomba, Queensland, offering a comprehensive educational program from Kindy to Year 12. The institution comprises several integrated products: Fairholme Kindy (play-based early childhood program), Fairholme Junior School (Prep to Year 6), Fairholme Middle School (Years 7-9), and Fairholme Senior School (Years 10-12), all supported by boarding facilities accommodating approximately 220 students. The college's core offerings are enhanced by specialized programs including the THRIVE life skills curriculum, High Performance Sport Program, Fairholme Equestrian (five-time Interschool Queensland Overall Champion), The Arts (dance, drama, music, visual arts), Pathways Centre for career preparation, and Service Learning opportunities. The institution maintains a Christian foundation through the Presbyterian Church of Queensland and operates with a restorative practices approach to pastoral care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fairholme Kindy: A kindergarten program for children from 3 years of age, providing a rich play-based learning environment within the Fairholme College grounds.
• Fairholme Equestrian
• Fairholme FAST Aquatics Centre
• Fairholme Fitness
• FACETS

Products and services

• Fairholme Kindy A play-based kindergarten program for children from age 3, offered as 2-day, 3-day, and 5-day options with specialist lessons in music, dance, PE, gymnastics, library, and Auslan.
• Fairholme Junior School Private primary school education from Prep to Year 6, delivered by qualified classroom and specialist teachers in English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Technologies, Health and PE, The Arts, and Languages.
• Fairholme Middle School Supportive secondary education for Years 7 to 9, following the National Curriculum with electives in Japanese, French, Design Technology, and Digital Technologies.
• Fairholme Senior School Senior secondary education for Years 10 to 12 offering traditional academic subjects, ATAR pathway preparation, and VET qualifications, preparing students for tertiary entrance.
• Fairholme Boarding House One of Australia's largest boarding schools providing residential accommodation for approximately 220 boarders from Year 5 to Year 12, with 24/7 pastoral and academic support.
• Fairholme Sport Program Comprehensive sporting program with over 135 teams and 475 individual athletes, offering recreational to elite-level participation across multiple disciplines.
• The Arts at Fairholme Arts program offering Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts, Debating, Public Speaking, and Technical Production, with co-curricular ensembles, annual concerts, and AMEB-aligned specialist tuition.
• THRIVE Program Fortnightly life skills classes for Years 7 to 12, equipping students with personal skills for navigating complex life decisions, complementing pastoral care and Christian Education.
• Fairholme Equestrian Award-winning equestrian program (five-time Interschool Queensland Overall Champion 2021-2025) offering coaching at all levels, competition opportunities, and agistment support for boarders.
• Pathways Centre Career pathway centre for Years 10-12 students providing SET Plan interviews, resume development, employability skills, job exploration, and interview preparation.
• Service Learning Program Community service program offering Cambodia Service Trip, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Interact Club, Sony Foundation Camp, and other local service initiatives for Middle and Senior School students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 46% of 2025 cohort achieved ATAR 90 or above; 24% achieved ATAR 95 or above; 4% achieved ATAR 99 or above
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RAW ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with RAW Impact for Cambodia Service Trip program where Years 10 and 11 students travel to Cambodia to work alongside the organisation supporting vulnerable communities through generational change programs in bamboo village communities.
• The Rugby School (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational student exchange partnership with prestigious UK boarding school, providing students opportunity to live and learn abroad while building lasting international friendships.
• Oakham School (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational student exchange partnership with UK school, offering students cultural immersion and academic exchange experiences.
• Bryanston School (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational student exchange partnership with UK school for cultural and educational exchange programs.
• Toowoomba Grammar SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiennial co-production musical productions partnership with Toowoomba Grammar School, combining students from both schools in performing arts collaborations.
• Equestrian QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation with Equestrian Queensland for Interschool Queensland competitions. Fairholme has won Overall Champion Secondary School title five consecutive years (2021-2025).
• TeamKidsminorOthersOutside School Hours Care provider operating on campus, offering before school (6.30am-8.30am), after school (2.30pm-6pm), and vacation care programs for Kindergarten to Year 6 students.
• Allstar Gymnastics AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQualified gymnastics coaches providing classes during Term 3 for Kindergarten children as part of specialist lesson program.
• University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 2032 Brisbane Olympics Student-Athlete Empowerment Project, offering 'Girls 2 Win' and 'Mind 2 Win' programs. Also hosts Science and Engineering Challenge competitions.
• Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFormal music and speech/drama examination body offering students opportunity to complete practical and theory music qualifications.
• Sony FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Sony Foundation Camp partnership with Toowoomba Grammar School for approximately 12 Year 11 students providing respite care for families of children with disabilities.
• Presbyterian Church of QueenslandcoreOthersFairholme College is a College of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, with the church as founding and governing body providing spiritual guidance and governance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Somerville House: South Brisbane all-girls day and boarding school (Prep–Year 12) offering a comparable independent girls' education experience with strong academic and co-curricular outcomes; overlapping competitor for boarding families in southeast Queensland.
• The Glennie School: All-girls Anglican boarding and day school in Toowoomba, the closest direct competitor in the same regional catchment and the same all-girls boarding niche. Offers Kindy to Year 12 with boarding, closely mirroring Fairholme's product structure.
• St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School: Aspley-based all-girls day and boarding school (Prep–Year 12) with a similar mix of academic rigour, boarding, and sport/arts programs; competes for the same Brisbane-to-Toowoomba boarding family segment.
• Toowoomba Grammar School: Co-located boys' boarding/day school in Toowoomba and Fairholme's named biennial co-production partner. Most direct local peer competing for the same Darling Downs family pool across the boarding and academic segments.
• Brisbane Girls Grammar School: Leading metropolitan all-girls day school (Years 7–12) in Brisbane that competes with Fairholme for aspirational regional boarding families considering metro alternatives. Comparable academic profile and co-curricular breadth.
• The Rockhampton Girls Grammar School: Regional Queensland all-girls day and boarding school (K–12) competing for boarding families from central and western Queensland who might otherwise consider Fairholme as a Toowoomba-based alternative.

Broad incumbents

• Abbotsleigh: Leading Uniting Church all-girls day and boarding school (K–12) in Sydney's upper North Shore. Comparable in academic outcomes, boarding scale, and all-girls positioning; potential comparator for scholarship and exchange benchmarking.
• MLC School (Burwood): Uniting Church all-girls day and limited boarding school (K–12) in Sydney. Comparable in Presbyterian/Uniting heritage, single-sex model, and academic profile; broader Australian benchmark for girls' schools of similar tradition.
• Presbyterian Ladies' College (Melbourne): Larger, established Presbyterian-affiliated all-girls school in Melbourne. Comparable in faith affiliation and all-girls positioning, though metropolitan and significantly larger; a benchmark for the Presbyterian Church of Queensland on sister-school comparisons and curriculum.
• Pymble Ladies' College: Large, established Presbyterian-affiliated all-girls K–12 day and boarding school on Sydney's North Shore. Comparable faith affiliation, all-girls positioning, and academic/boarding profile at much greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fairholme
• Facebookfacebook.com/fairholmeqld
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/fairholme-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fairholme College