Secondary School News

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Welcome to Term 3!

As we embark upon Term 3, we extend a warm welcome to each of you. Term 3 brings fresh opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration between home and school. We are excited to continue our journey together, building upon the foundation laid in Semester 1 and exploring new avenues of discovery. Your support and involvement remain invaluable, and we look forward to a term filled with progress, achievement, and memorable experiences for all.

We are delighted that we have new students starting this term in the Secondary School in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. We welcome these students and their families to the Clayfield College community and wish them the very best for the journey ahead. We will also be welcoming short-stay students in Years 7 and 9 for four weeks, commencing Monday 15 July. 

Term 3 begins on Tuesday 9 July. In preparation for the term, we would like to highlight some key expectations, procedures, events and dates.

For families new to Clayfield, if there is anything requiring further explanation, you are encouraged to contact Student Services on 3262 0262 from where you will be redirected to your child's Head of Year. 

Policies Reminder

As we begin a new Semester, it is timely to review the following College Policies and talk with your child about technology use and wearing the correct uniform. Thank you for your continued partnership as we aim to keep all in our community safe. 

Jewellery

Our uniform focus for Term 3 will be jewellery. Students are expected to take pride in their uniform, including the wearing of jewellery. To support students who are having difficulties meeting the expectations of the Uniform Policy regarding jewellery, we will be taking the below actions in Term 3. Please talk with your child/ren about this so we can develop a strong partnership to support our students be the best they can, each day.

• Jewellery check in Pastoral Care (PC) class every morning.
• Students with incorrect jewellery will remove the items and give to their PC teacher for safe keeping in a small, sealed paper envelope with their name on it.
• Jewellery may be collected at the end of the day from the Head of Secondary’s Office or Pastoral Care Administrator.
• An infringement will be issued for students who are wearing incorrect jewellery.
• After three infringements, students will receive a Take 5 lunch time reflection.
• Students who continue not to meet expectations regarding jewellery will be invited in with their parents for a discussion on how to move forward in partnership. 

Please see below the requirements as stated in the Uniform Policy:

Only matching small studs or sleepers, gold, silver, or pearl, may be worn – one in each ear lobe in the lower hole. 

 

Studs or sleepers with stones or with twisting or thickening are not acceptable. 

 

Tongue studs and visible body piercing is not allowed (this includes nose piercings). 

 

Body decoration of any kind is not allowed.

 

Make-up, including false eyelashes, mascara, and tanning products, must not be worn. Nail polish and acrylic nails are not acceptable.

 

Hair must be tidy – tied up when touching the collar, fastened back away from the face.

Hats and Blazers

While students wear the Winter Uniform, they are required to wear their hats and blazers while outside of College grounds before and after school. Student leaders and staff are on duty at the gates before and after school to assist students to meet this expectation. 

Students who are not wearing a hat or blazer when they arrive or depart school will be issued an infringement.

Pastoral Care Class

Pastoral Care (PC) time begins promptly at 8:30am every morning. This is an important time of the day where PC teachers mark the roll, provide ongoing support through group and individual conversations, promote connections through group activities, encourage organisation by reading the Daily Notices, help students with their daily routines and hold students accountable for the correct wearing of the College uniform. 

Thank you for making sure your child/ren arrives at school on time. If students need to leave school throughout the day or will be late to school, please notify the College by using the College App. This is also important if they are attending any district sporting events.

Mobile Phones and Watches

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 need to hand their phones into Reception when they arrive at school and can collect them after school. Upon arrival at school, Years 7 to 9 students walk through Reception to place their phone in their pouch. Phones must be turned off. 

Years 7 to 9 boarding students will leave their phones in the Boarding House during the school day. Students in Years 10 to 12 are required to have their phones turned off, in their lockers, and they are not to be used throughout the school day. If students are found with their phones, they will be confiscated, and they can collect them from the Head of Secondary’s Office at the end of the day. They will also receive an infringement. 

If students are found to have their phones for a second time, they may not be permitted to bring their phone onto campus until further notice. 

Smart Watches are allowed but are not to be used for messaging during the school day. If students are found to be misusing their smart watch, it will be confiscated, and the student may not be allowed to bring it on campus in future. 

Parent Lounge

Parent Lounge provides up-to-date information on College life. Such information includes your child’s timetable and teachers, policy documents, excursion details, school calendar and parent directory. 

Parents are also able to update their contact details and child’s medical details, view Report Cards and schedule Parent/Teacher interviews. Please see below a guide that will assist you in navigating key features of Parent Lounge.

Years 7 to 12 Academic Policy and Procedures Document

We draw your attention to the Years 7 to 12 Academic Policy and Procedures Document. This document gives an overview of all procedures and protocols that need to be adhered to by staff, students and parents with regards to:

• Academic integrity
• Assessment
• Drafting, scaffolding, conferencing and feedback
• Subject changes, and
• AARA.

You can access the document through the link below. It is also available in Parent Lounge and Student Café under Links: Assessment and Reporting.

Please be reminded that all students are required to adhere to the procedures and protocols outlined in this document with regards to submission of assignments and completion of exams.

Academic Queries

For any academic queries or concerns in Years 7 to 12, you are encouraged to contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance. Following this, if you require further assistance, please contact the relevant Head of Department. 

Our teaching staff and Heads of Department are committed to working with you and your sons and daughters to provide the best academic support and outcomes for every student.

Criteria to Qualify for Academic Awards

Please see below the criteria to qualify for an Academic Award in Years 7 to 12. We draw your attention to the last paragraph which specifies the attendance requirements around qualifying for an award.

Years 7 to 12 Progressive Reports

Each term, students in Years 7 to 12 will receive a progressive report for assessment completed in each subject that term. The progressive report will provide information on your child’s engagement in learning, preparedness for learning, and agency in learning. It will also provide targeted and task specific feedback and feed-forward comments. 

We strongly encourage you to read these progressive reports in partnership with your child. You can find instructions on how to access progressive reports using the Parent Lounge Guide (please refer section above on Parent Lounge).

Years 7 to12 Parent Teacher Interviews

Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences for Years 7 to 12 will be held on Tuesday 9 July and Thursday 11 July from 3:30pm to 8:00pm. We are offering either a meeting in person or using the ZOOM platform. 

Teachers will be seated in the Nancy Ashburn Learning Resource Centre (LRC) on both evenings. Consultations will be 10 minutes per teacher. Bookings have been open via Parent Lounge from 9:00am Wednesday 12 June and will remain open until 8:00pm Sunday 7 July. 

Details on how to book interview times were sent out to families on Wednesday 12 June. We encourage your son/daughter to be present and to participate in each meeting.

Year 12 Trial ATAR Exams

Trial ATAR exams will be held in Week 2 of the September holidays, from Monday 23 September to Friday 27 September. All Year 12 students are strongly recommended to attend and attempt these exams and take this additional opportunity to receive valuable feedback from teachers. 

Clayfield College Home Learning Policy

Please find below the Clayfield College Home Learning Policy.

Tutorials

Our dedicated teaching staff offer tutorials to provide small group and individual support to students. Please see below the 2024 Term 2 Tutorial Schedule.

Application for Leave Form

All applications for leave that exceed three school days must be applied for via this form: Leave Application. It is important that families understand the potential effects extended leave has on academic, social and co-curricular development. 

Leave forms must be completed four weeks prior to the first date of leave and emailed to the Head of Secondary at jdesmarchelier@clayfield.qld.edu.au 

Free Dress Fundraising Days

Friday 19 July: Pyjama Day – Ashburn House 

All students may wear Pyjamas while at school. Closed in shoes (no Crocs) must be worn. If traveling via public transport, students must wear their Winter Uniform to and from school. 

Friday 2 August: Jeans for Genes Day – Campbell House

All students may wear denim jeans, denim jackets and an appropriate sleeved shirt or blouse. 

Payments for all House Free Dress Fundraisers for 2024 can be made via the Pay Online page of the College website. A $12 donation is suggested to cover all six Houses.

QGSSSA Track and Field Championships

The annual QGSSSA Track and Field Championships will be held on the last day of Term 3, Thursday 12 September. Please note it is compulsory for all students to attend as spectators.

Key Dates for Term 3

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's Head of Year, Head of Department, the Head of Secondary School or the Deputy Principal – Head of Teaching and Learning.

Warm regards,

Mrs Lakshmi Mohan

Deputy Principal 

Head of Teaching and Learning

Mr Justin Desmarchelier

Head of Secondary