Fahan School boarders help quake-hit Nepal rebuild

Year 10 students from a Hobart girls’ school learn about community support and resilience while rebuilding a village in Nepal.

Sarah Toose with the manure she bagged and sold to raise money for her trip to Nepal.

SCHOOL holidays on her family’s farm near Beaufort, west of Ballarat, are always a busy time for Year 10 student Sarah Toose.

This year, the Fahan School boarder spent hours shovelling manure into hundreds of bags to sell by the roadside.

Sarah was determined to raise money for a school visit to Nepal — a trip of a lifetime and one with a benevolent purpose.

A group of 24 students from the girls’ boarding school in Hobart will travel to Langtang National Park in Nepal next month to meet, stay with and learn from the families whose communities are recovering from the 2015 earthquake.

During the trip, the students will work on a community project to rebuild the village school.

“I’m filled with anticipation, a mix of excitement and nerves,” said Sarah, explaining it would be her first overseas trip.

“I know it will be tough going, but these are important cultural experiences that I can hold on to and share when I return home. I know I’ll come back with a greater appreciation for the life we have here in Australia.”

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Travelling interstate to attend school wasn’t daunting for Sarah. Her mother and grandmother attended Fahan and they said they cherished their memories of the environment.

Sarah said she enjoyed her first days at Fahan.

“I immediately felt welcome when I arrived and any nerves I had quickly disappeared,” she said. “Fahan’s Boarding House is like one big family; the girls are like my sisters and we all look out for one another.”

Head of boarding Kirsteen Devine works to build a strong rapport with the girls who live in Nateby House, named after the farming homestead it once was.

“It’s the boutique, family-oriented nature that our boarding families find most appealing. They experience a sense of comfort and assurance when they first visit the school, realising that their daughter’s wellbeing is our top priority,” Mrs Devine said.

“Our enviable size means each girl receives individual attention and is supported along her individual pathway.”

Sarah said her academic studies and approach to learning had improved since arriving at the school.

“Our boarding house tutors are available for study sessions every day. My grades have improved since joining Fahan and I’m enthusiastic about study,” Sarah said.

The boarding house routine is flexible so girls can participate in sport, community and social activities.

Sarah is an avid water-polo player and sailing enthusiast, attending weekly training sessions for both.

“Being at Fahan has opened up so many opportunities for me and I enjoy being able to get involved in new and exciting experiences,” Sarah said. “I couldn’t have imagined I’d be travelling to Nepal, yet I’m going be there in just a few weeks.”

● fahan.tas.edu.au