Secondary News

The first four weeks of Term 4 have been filled with a myriad of activities across year levels and key learning areas.

Looking Forward in Secondary

Year 12 External Exams

In Week 1 of Term 4, Year 12 students received feedback on their Mock and Holiday Trial Exams. They attended tutorials in Weeks 2 and 3, where they could further engage with their teachers to clarify concepts and receive further feedback. Students attended a session on exam expectations and protocols, following which, from Monday 24 October, they embarked upon their external exams. Many of our senior teachers are External Exam Markers and are preparing to mark exams in their subject areas in the upcoming weeks.

Year 10 Business and Enterprise 

Our entrepreneurs are preparing for their pop-up market day, which will be taking place on Friday 28 October. The classroom has been a real ‘hive’ of activity as students cut material, grated beeswax, painted pots and planted succulents. Social media activity has helped heighten the anticipation for this event. Staff and students (and even parents!) can use their cards to purchase from the students on Friday. Make sure you don’t miss out! There will also be a temporary stand selling the students products at Vend Marketplace in a few weeks.

Reindeer Bake Sale

On 17 November, Year 9 Social Science students are holding a bake sale to raise funds to sponsor a reindeer herd.  Primary students will be able to pre-order a baked item in the week before. Pre-order forms and prices will be available nearer the time.

Why: During our Year 9 Social Science subject, our students are required to take action on an issue they have discovered during their study of biomes. They are putting their inquiry learning into action and trying to affect positive change for reindeer herds in the Artic and the groups of people who survive on and with these herds.

Jewellery Reminder

 The only earrings that are permitted as per the Uniform Policy are the following:

Small, thin gold/silver sleepers

Small gold/silver studs

The students will be very pleased to note that next year, the College Shop will be selling pearl earrings, which will be added to the Uniform Policy in 2023. The only pearl earrings which will be permitted are those sold at the College Shop.

Second or third piercings are not permitted, including the wearing of clear studs. Wearing tape over earrings is not acceptable. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Are you interested in becoming a Homestay Family?

Clayfield College is excited to be welcoming Study Tours in 2023. We are currently looking for interested homestay hosts for a South Korean group who will be visiting our campus from Monday 30 January to Saturday 25 February 2023. Please see the attached Handbook for more information. Contact Christine Quist cquist@clayfield.qld.edu.au or call (07) 3262 0221 for more information.

• South Korean Study Tour arriving 30 January and departing 25 February 2023 (26 nights)
• Male Primary students requiring Homestay
• 1 to 2 students per home
• 9-12 years of age
• Nightly reimbursements ($50 per student, per night)
• Requirements: each student to have their own bed, all meals, transportation to/from school & weekends will be spent with the host family
• If interested, Blue Cards and a house inspection will be organised
• Please read the attached "Homestay Handbook" (below) for more detailed information

Upcoming Bronze Adventurous Journey

An email was sent to all Year 8 and 9 students encouraging those interested to sign up for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Award participants need to be 14 years old to start their Bronze Award. The award consists of 4 components:

• Skill
• Physical Recreation
• Service and
• Adventurous Journey

For those that are interested, a Bronze Adventurous journey is planned for Week 9 of this term. This will be an overnight hike to Mapleton. Please see Mrs. Wilson for further information.

Looking Back in Secondary

From the STEM Department 

UQ Science Ambassadors Program

On Friday 7 October, Clayfield College was honoured to attend the UQ Science Ambassador 22nd Anniversary and Awards Evening. Clayfield College was presented with an award for 18 years of participation in this valuable program. The award was accepted on the evening by our Year 12 Academic Captains and past UQ Science Ambassadors, Nysha Kapur and Kaylin Barrie. This program aims to promote Science in a fun and engaging way. It is safe to say that this program has not only lifted the participation rates of Science here at the college but has led to a strong interest in STEM related careers post schooling. Our ambassadors also learn great leadership skills by taking on the coordination of our STEM programs such as the Ignite Science Club and Tech Clubs. We congratulate our STEM Ambassadors for next year: Dimity Whitaker, Caitlin Pett, Roxy Bohn, Kiki Bell, Sophie Lloyd and Hana Costello. We look forward to their Leadership of STEM in 2023.

From the Business, Entrepreneurship and Performance Department

Mental Health Week

Mental Health Week is an annual awareness week that aims to shine the spotlight on individual and community mental health and wellbeing. At Clayfield College, we recognise the importance of bringing mental health into focus and creating opportunities for discussion, awareness, skill building and fun through community connection. A range of activities occurred across the week that focused on getting students moving, interacting and having fun. These included a gratitude tree, paint and chill, a petting zoo, a staff versus student dodgeball game, mindful colouring and a dance party.

Year 10 Health and Wellbeing 

This term Year 10 HWB students have been studying lifestyle activities in Australia and have been introduced to a range of the most participated in activities for people aged 15 – 25 years. Our aim for this unit is to introduce students to a range of activities that encourage lifelong involvement in exercise. Activities include pilates, visits to Snap Fitness and Kalinga Park, aquaerobics and taekwondo. 

From the English and Humanities Department

It has been a productive start to Term 4 in the English and Humanities Department. Supporting Year 12 students with their preparation for external exams has been high in priority with a number of tutorials and drop-in sessions occurring for General English, EALD English, Ancient History, Modern History and Geography. Year 12 Modern History students have been keen to share the celebration of completion of their Five-Day Plan which was part of their study of the Soviet Union under Stalin. This event involved setting some weekly goals for work completion and culminated in a medal ceremony that celebrated the successful fulfilment of their plan. 

Year 9 Social Science

Year 9 Social Science students have engaged enthusiastically in their study of Biomes; becoming passionate about the plight of reindeer herds in the Arctic Circle, who are at risk due to climate change and other things causing modifications to their tundra biome. These modifications have altered the biome to such a point that reindeer herds now struggle to find adequate food. 9A in particular have decided to put their inquiry learning into practice and are taking action to minimise the impact of biome modifications on reindeers and the people whose lives depend on them. They have placed posters around the school to raise awareness, created an information display on the windows of their Social Science classroom and presented in assembly. Their next step is to hold a reindeer themed bake sale later in the term to raise enough funds to sponsor a reindeer herd in Norway! We are incredibly proud of their passion, efforts and action. 

Student Achievements

We are delighted that a number of students who competed in both the Australian Geography and Australian History Competitions have been awarded merit and distinction certificates. These will be presented to students in future assemblies. Two Year 9 students also participated in the QHTA Historical Writing competition, submitting entries at the end of last term. They are to be congratulated on the quality of their submissions.

Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey

On Thursday 20 October, 8 students, accompanied by Mrs Wilson and Mrs Hart, participated in a Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey to Cooloola Recreation Area. This was a 3-day and 2-night canoe expedition which contributes towards the girls Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. Students set off bright and early on Thursday morning to launch their canoes from Elanda Point. Launching from Elanda Point meant that the group needed to cross Lake Cootharaba. Fortunately the predicted winds had not yet developed, and the conditions for crossing were ideal. The group pushed upriver for a total of 10km onto Harry’s Hut and set up camp for the night. On Friday morning students headed off to explore upriver. They stopped for what turned out to be a very soggy lunch at Campsite 2 before returning to Harry’s Hut. Unfortunately, that afternoon due to extreme rainfall in Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach, the group made the decision to evacuate. After an eventful afternoon and evening, they returned safely to school a little after midnight. We are very proud to acknowledged that each and every one of our participants stayed calm and level-headed during what was a stressful situation. The teamwork displayed during this adventurous journey shows how this program supports the development of our young people into capable and confident leaders. We certainly know how to put the “adventure” into our adventurous journeys!!

Languages Student Achievements 

At the end of Term 3, Rhea Suchak (Year 7), and Charlotte Lay and Federica Patelli (Year 9) participated in the Education Perfect (EP) and Modern Language Teachers Association of Queensland (MLTAQ) Speech Contest 2022. 

The girls tested their speaking skills against other students in the state. 

We are very pleased to announce they were all granted an 'Elite award'. This award is the highest achievement in this contest and given to those who achieve between 91-100 points.

Rhea Suchak, 1st place, with a total of 94 points

Charlotte Lay, 2nd place, with a total of 96 points

Federica Patelli, 1st place, with a total of 99 points

¡Felicitaciones chicas!