The Goodwood/Vasco English-medium High School was founded on 1 October 1976 with the appointment of CE de Wet as Headmaster.

Fairbairn was officially inaugurated a year later, on 24 February 1978, by PS Meyer, Director of Education of the Cape Province.

[3] The Cape Education Department was informed of this decision and the name was changed in the official records on 11 February 1993.

[4] The Big Walk was instituted at Fairbairn College in the days when schools received their basic funding from the State but had to rely on voluntary contributions from parents for any "extras".

The aims of the house system are to encourage a spirit of friendly competition and sportsmanship within the College, involve as many learners as possible, especially those who are not good enough at sport to be chosen for inter-school events, build up the Esprit de Corps of the College and create positions of leadership for learners and thereby promote their personal growth.

In addition to competitions in all the major sports (including: hockey, rugby, netball and chess), an interhouse quiz, in which every learner participates, is held in the third term.

In 1977, shortly after the foundation of the school, a mixed choir was founded which quickly became, and remains, the cultural showpiece of Fairbairn.

The singing of Fill the World with Love from the film Goodbye Mr Chips is guaranteed to bring a tear to many an eye.

As the matrics leave the CE de Wet Hall for the last time, the Choir leads the congregation in singing God Be With You Till We Meet Again.

A Carol Service, of one hour duration, is held in the CE de Wet Hall on the second last day of the academic year.

[5] The programme is interspersed with Bible readings, prayers, congregational singing and choir and solo performances.

de Wet, the founder Headmaster, asked her to try to find a school song for Fairbairn while she was in England.