Senior School Bulletin

Across the Senior School this week, I have noticed the many small ways students show consideration for one another - in conversations between lessons, in classrooms and through the way they include others in daily interactions. These moments, while often brief, play an important role in shaping the tone of our community.

Kindness is most often expressed in simple ways. Taking the time to support a peer, acknowledging someone’s effort or offering a word of encouragement can have a meaningful impact. In a busy school environment, these actions can be easy to overlook, yet they are central to fostering a sense of belonging.

There is also value in being intentional about kindness. Choosing to notice when someone may need support or taking a moment to act in a way that benefits others, helps students to develop empathy, awareness and a deeper understanding of their role within the community.

Over time, these small actions extend beyond individual interactions. They contribute to a shared experience where students feel valued, supported, and connected to those around them.

At Clayfield College, we encourage students to recognise the impact of their actions on others. This week, I invite each student to take one small step, whether through an unexpected act of kindness or a simple gesture, and to notice the effect it has.

Families might continue this conversation at home by asking, “What is one act of kindness you noticed or offered this week?” and “What impact did it have?” These reflections help students to see how small actions can shape a connected and supportive community.

Winter Uniform Transition for Senior Students

From Monday 11 May, we will begin the transition to the Winter Uniform. During this week, students may wear either the Summer or Winter Uniform. 

Please note that from Monday 18 May, all students are required to wear the full Winter Uniform. Please refer to the Uniform policy below.

As we transition to the cooler months, we remind our Senior Students of the importance of maintaining our uniform standards. 

House Excellence

In Week 3, our focus was punctuality. Congratulations to Radcliffe House for taking out the win. In Week 4, the focus will shift to appearance, with particular attention to piercings. 

A reminder of our uniform policy:

Hair must be tidy and in a conservative style, appropriate for the uniform. Long hair must be tied up if touching the collar and fastened back away from the face. College ribbons and green clips or scrunchies are acceptable for girls, elastic for boys. Make-up, including false eyelashes, mascara and tanning products, must not be worn. Nail polish and acrylic nails are not acceptable. Chewing gum is not permitted. The only articles of jewellery that are permitted to be worn with the College uniform are earrings for pierced ears, and watches. Exceptions are permitted for cultural pieces of jewellery; however, these must not be visible. Only matching plain 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 are not allowed. Body decoration of any kind is not allowed.

House Spirit Photograph Competition

Houses have been busily rehearsing for their Arts Day Song and Dance – here are a few fantastic snapshots capturing House spirit in action.

And the winner is… Henderson House! Congratulations!

Trips and Tours

Clayfield College is delighted to have welcomed our Saint Kentigern College students from Auckland this week as part of our new international cultural exchange opportunity for 2026 Year 10 students. The group was warmly received at a special lunch with Dr Cousins and has already begun engaging with our school community. We hope they enjoy their two week stay in Brisbane, building meaningful connections and sharing their culture on this enriching exchange experience.

Arts Day

Arts Day will be held on 17 June with this year’s inspiring theme, “Be strong and strive for the stars”. Our Houses are enthusiastically preparing their House Songs with the valued support of our choral teachers Angela Lockyer and Leanne Kenneally, while guest choreographer Gerard Carroll has been working with students to develop some truly exciting dance concepts. The day promises a vibrant celebration of the arts, featuring House Song performances alongside a range of engaging workshops including jazz, theatre, stage combat, yoga and visual art before culminating in the much anticipated House Dance.

Strengthening our Technological Foundation

Technology is a vital tool in the modern classroom, and ensuring our staff have access to the highest-quality equipment is essential for driving innovation. Since last term, in close collaboration with our IT Department, we have successfully deployed 85 new laptops to our staff.

These devices are specifically configured for the flexible nature of modern education. Whether staff are facilitating a lesson in the classroom or working remotely, the new system ensures that access is secure, files are synchronised and updates occur seamlessly in the background. This minimises downtime and allows our educators to stay focused on what they do best: delivering an exceptional learning experience for our students.

I would like to thank the IT department for their tireless efforts as they endeavour to optimise the digital landscape of the College.

AI-Powered Differentiation with Dr Nici Sweaney

We are constantly exploring how emerging technologies can be harnessed to deepen student engagement and personalise learning. On Thursday 14 May, we are excited to welcome Dr Nici Sweaney, founder of AI Her Way, to lead our upcoming Twilight PD session for teachers.

Dr Sweaney is a renowned expert in ethical AI strategy, and she will be facilitating a hands-on workshop specifically designed for our teaching staff. The session will focus on how Generative AI can be used for differentiation. Our teachers will explore practical ways to adapt instruction, customise content and design tailored feedback; ensuring that every student, regardless of their starting point, is met with the right level of challenge and support.

We are committed to ensuring our staff are not just AI-curious, but AI-capable. This session is a vital step in our ongoing journey to optimise our classroom practice while maintaining a human-centred, ethical approach to technology.

I would like to thank our teaching staff for their dedication to professional growth during these Twilight sessions as we work together to refine our digital pedagogy for the benefit of all students.

Navigating the Future: Student AI Workshops

At Clayfield College, we believe that digital literacy is an essential skill for the modern world. To ensure our students are both AI-curious and AI-capable, Mr Sikalas (Technologies Coordinator) and I have been presenting the annual AI workshops for all students from Years 7 to 12.

These sessions are updated every year to stay abreast with rapid advancements in technology. Our 2026 workshop, titled "BE N.E.U.R.A.L.", provides students with a clear framework for the ethical and responsible use of Generative AI:

• Navigate wisely
• Ethical choices
• Understand limits
• Respect integrity
• Assist, don’t replace

• Learn responsibly

   

A key focus of these workshops is the Clayfield College AI Acceptable Use Scale. We spent time helping students understand the difference between using AI as a "thinking partner" for brainstorming and using it inappropriately to replace their own voice. We also reinforced our strict policies on referencing AI using APA 7th standards and the requirement for all students to sign a Statement of Authenticity for their assessments.

By teaching students how to write effective prompts while simultaneously respecting academic integrity, we are empowering them to use these tools to enhance, not replace, their own critical thinking.

I would like to thank Mr Sikalas for his assistance in co-presenting these sessions and our students for their insightful engagement as we continue to optimise our digital learning culture together.

Supporting Every Student to Feel Known, Valued and Understood

At Clayfield College, one of our strategic pillars is Wellbeing through Belonging. We know that when students feel known, valued and understood, they are more likely to thrive - academically, socially and emotionally. A strong sense of belonging creates the foundation for positive relationships, engagement in learning and wellbeing across all stages of schooling.

Belonging is fostered through our daily interactions; shared expectations and the consistent ways we care for one another as a community. Clayfield College policies, including the Student Code of Conduct and the Student Technology Agreement, play an important role in this. These documents are not simply rules; they exist to support respectful behaviour, safe learning environments and responsible use of technology. By setting clear and consistent expectations, they help students understand their responsibilities to themselves and to others, reinforcing a culture of respect, care and connection.

Student Expectations - Jewellery Update 

Expectations around behaviour, appearance and technology use contribute to a shared identity and help ensure that everyone feels safe and included. When these expectations are applied thoughtfully and consistently, they support a sense of fairness and belonging for all students.

In keeping with this approach, we would like to share a small but important update regarding the wearing of jewellery. From Monday 11 May, when students are wearing jewellery that does not align with the Uniform Policy, an infringement will no longer be issued. Instead, students will be calmly asked to remove the additional jewellery as a reminder of our expectations and directed to hand the additional jewellery in to Room 20.  Any jewellery that is removed will be available for collection on a Friday between 3:10pm and 3:30pm only. Please note that jewellery will not be available for collection on any other day or at any other time. This process has been intentionally designed to be clear, consistent and supportive, while reinforcing responsibility and accountability.

This adjustment reflects our commitment to wellbeing through belonging - addressing uniform expectations in a way that is respectful, educational and proportionate, while maintaining the standards that contribute to our shared sense of pride and community.

We thank parents and carers for your ongoing partnership in supporting our students. Together, through clear expectations, kindness and consistency we continue to nurture our College environment where every student feels they belong.