Thank you for such a warm welcome to the Clayfield family. In just a few short weeks, I have already gained a strong sense of what makes Clayfield such a special place for students, staff and families. I look forward to working closely with our community to continue strengthening our Junior School. My approach is one of open and clear communication, with a strong belief in a 'team around the child' - partnering with families to achieve the very best for every student. I am excited to get to know you all over the coming weeks and months, and I hope many of our parents can join us for the upcoming information sessions next Monday. Please find below some key messages and reminders from the Junior School team.

Welcome Back Communication

If you have not already done so, we encourage all parents to read the Welcome Back Communication (linked below), as it contains important and helpful information to support a successful and smooth start to the school year ahead. There have been some small changes in several areas, so it is important that this is read carefully. Parents are also encouraged to attend the sessions outlined below, if possible.

Meet the Junior School Team – Information Afternoon

As outlined in the Welcome Back Communication, we look forward to welcoming you to our ‘Meet the Core Teacher’ and ‘Meet the Leadership Team and Specialist Teachers’ sessions, scheduled for Monday 2 February (timings below).

This is a valuable opportunity to meet your child’s homeroom and specialist teachers, become familiar with classroom routines and procedures, and learn about the exciting learning opportunities planned for the year ahead. Teachers will outline timetables, expectations, curriculum focus areas, daily routines, and there will be time to ask any questions you may have.

You will be provided with a clear and comprehensive understanding of your child’s learning journey for the year, and we strongly encourage you to attend. If you are unable to be present, we will provide the information discussed.

Pre-Prep to Year 12 School Photos

Includes Optional Sibling Photos

As we also outlined in the Welcome Back Communication, Pre-Prep to Year 6 class photos, individual photos, Pastoral Care Group photos and Prep to Year 12 House photos will take place on Monday 2 February. All students are to wear their full formal school summer uniform on this day. House Captains are to wear their College Blazer for House Photos.

If students have HPE, they are to please bring their HPE uniform to change into after the photos. This information will also be provided via The College App. 

Sibling Photo: An offering from Studio Kirby is for parents to have a sibling photo taken. These are scheduled before school from 7:15am to 8:15am, in the Assembly Hall. Junior students must be accompanied by an adult or responsible Senior sibling, as no supervision is provided.

Ordering: Information about ordering photos will be available after photo day.

The photo day schedule is provided below for your information.

Urgent Action Required - Annual Permissions

With reference to the Welcome Back Communication, we remind you of the following annual requirements which are to be actioned in Parent Lounge for all returning students:

2026 Pre-Prep Student Activities Permission & Parent/Student Details and Medical Information Update
2026 Prep to Year 12 Student Excursion and Activities Permission & Parent/Student Details and Medical Information Update
2026 Prep to Year 12 Student Technology Agreement
2026 Year 1 to Year 5 Overnight Device Waiver
2026 Pre-Prep to Year 12 Media Consent Preferences

The process is outlined within the 'Annual Permissions' section of this communication.

Due date for completion: Wednesday 28 January 2026 (extended to Monday 2 February).

For new families who have commenced this year, both requirements have been completed through your enrolment process and therefore no action is required by you.

Junior School Interhouse Swimming Carnival (Years 2 to 6)

On Wednesday 11 February, we look forward to welcoming parents to The Valley Pool (432 Wickham St, Brisbane) for our Years 2 to 6 Junior School Interhouse Swimming Carnival. Further details about the event will be shared in the Sports section of The Collective and via The College App.

Class Parent Coordinators

Thank you for those who have already kindly volunteered to become one of our 2026 Class Parent Coordinators. We are still looking for volunteers in the following classes: Prep K, Year 1W, Year 2B, Year 2W, Year 3B, Year 3H, Year 4R, Year 5B, Year 5P, Year 5S and Year 6R.

The P&F Friends of Junior Group, through the Class Coordinators, facilitate a WhatsApp Group per class for any parent who wishes to join. This is a parent-based community platform which is run independently from the College. Positive and friendly communication is expected, as well as adherence to the College’s Parent Code of Conduct.

If you are interested in becoming a Class Coordinator, please complete the registration form below as soon as possible. The P&F Year Level Parent Coordinator, Katie Kennedy, will then reach out to the volunteers shortly thereafter.

Junior School Clubs Program

Our Prep to Year 6 Clubs Program, offered by the Junior School team, will begin in Week 2 of Term 1 (with some lunchtime clubs starting the following week). Further information about the lunchtime and after‑school options will be shared via The College App shortly. Please note that clubs are optional, free of charge, and the offerings change each term.

Junior School After-School Club

We are pleased to share that an After-School Club (previously called Homework Club), will be offered for students in Years 1 to 6, running Monday to Thursday, commencing in Week 2.

Lower Junior After-School Club | Years 1 to 3

The Lower Junior After-School Club is available for students in Years 1 to 3 and operates in the Lower Learning Resource Centre (LRC) from 3:05pm to 4:30pm, Monday to Thursday. To attend, students must be registered via email to studentservices@clayfield.qld.edu.au (please include your child’s full name and class, eg Year 1A).

As places fill quickly, families are encouraged to register early for the day(s) required. Students must be signed out by a parent or caregiver from the Lower LRC; students are not permitted to leave the room unattended.

All students must bring an afternoon snack. There will be a 30-minute snack and play period after school before students complete their homework or other quiet activities. Pick-up time is strictly 4:30pm from the Lower LRC.

Upper Junior After-School Club | Years 4 to 6

The Upper Junior After-School Club is available for students in Years 4 to 6 and operates in the Lower LRC from 3:15pm to 5:00pm, Monday to Thursday. To attend, students must be registered via email to studentservices@clayfield.qld.edu.au (please include your child’s full name and class, eg Year 4A).

As places fill quickly, families are encouraged to register early. Students must be signed out by a parent or caregiver from the Lower LRC. Students may only leave the Lower LRC independently if they are attending a co-curricular activity. Parents must advise Student Services of this when registering and provide permission for their child to move to that activity.

All students must bring an afternoon snack. There will be a 30-minute snack and play period before students complete their homework or other quiet activities.

Pick-up time is strictly 5:00pm from the Lower LRC. For families with students in both Lower and Junior after school clubs, the earlier pick-up time must be adhered to. If you are running late, please contact the College on 3262 0262, which will be diverted to the Lower LRC. Thank you for your cooperation.

External Providers

The activities outlined below are managed and run by external providers and available for Term 1. Please note for Pre-Prep and Prep students, coaches and staff will collect the students from classrooms and escort them to various activities.

Please let your child’s teacher know of any after-school activities you have booked for your child.

Please contact the provider directly for bookings and information. Mrs Alice David is the College contact for any questions you may have studentservices@clayfield.qld.edu.au.

After-School Activities - Collection Arrangements

All Junior School students enrolled in after-school co-curricular activities, such as Andrews Cup or Britton Shield training, will be met by their coaches at Circular Drive, where a roll will be taken. Please ensure you have signed them up on Parent Lounge before the first session if you wish them to be included.

Swimming coaches and Lifetime Tennis coaches will also meet students at Circular Drive, if their lessons are due to start at the end of the school day.

Students attending the Lower Junior After-School Club (Years 1 to 3), or Chess and Code Camp with external providers, will also be met at Circular Drive and taken to their activity.

Pre-Prep students continue to be picked up from their classroom.

Please make sure that a note is written in the student diary so that classroom teachers are aware of arrangements for your child at the end of the school day.

Student Absence (during the day)

If a student needs to attend an appointment or leave the College for any other reason, we kindly ask parents to please notify Student Services. All students are required to sign out (Junior and Senior) at Main Reception. Parents are to park in Circular Drive and sign out the student in person.

Parents/carers should contact the College:

Via the College App on the Absentee tab;
Emailing studentservices@clayfield.qld.edu.au; or
Contacting Student Services on 3262 0262.

Flexi-School: Student Details 2026 Update

If you have not already done so, please update your child/ren’s year level and correct class in Flexi-Schools to ensure their tuckshop is received correctly.

Vehicle Family Name Tag (Circular Drive)

In Week 2, new families will receive a Family Name Tag for your vehicle which is to be displayed in the afternoon when collecting your child/ren from Circular Drive.

For any other families who require a new tag please send an email request to Mrs Hannah Jenns in Junior School Reception – juniorschool@clayfield.qld.edu.au

Welcome back to a new year of learning in the Junior School. It has been a joy to see our students return with such enthusiasm, curiosity, and readiness to engage in the rich learning experiences ahead. As a community, we remain deeply committed to nurturing inquiry-driven learning, where students are encouraged to question, explore, and develop a strong curiosity mindset that fuels their growth as capable, confident learners. To support parents in understanding more about our pedagogical approach, we warmly invite you to join the Leadership Team for the parent information session on Monday 2 February. During this session, we will share insights into the learning frameworks that guide our classroom practice and outline how inquiry and a curiosity mindset are embedded into everyday classroom experiences. We look forward to partnering with you in another inspiring year of learning.

Pre-Prep Digital Sign-In

We are excited to announce that our Pre-Prep Centre has moved onto a digital sign-in platform this week, with two new ipads installed for this purpose. It is an add-on service to the Storypark digital platform that our educators already use to connect and collaborate with families by documenting and sharing the children’s learning journeys. Thank you to our parents and carers who are patiently joining us in learning new skills as we transition away from paper-based attendance records.

Furniture Refresh

Alongside welcoming new faces to our school community, every classroom has enjoyed a fresh update. All classes from Prep to Year 6 now have conference whiteboard tables that support teacher scaffolding and smooth group work. New stools and desks give students greater movement and agency in their learning. Our Year 5 and 6 rooms have also gained extra storage and some softer furnishings, with large ottomans helping teachers create zones for whole class discussions. Movable, adjustable tables provide more choice for students and create inviting breakout spaces that encourage independence. We look forward to seeing students and teachers make the most of their refreshed learning environments.

Week 1 Photo Gallery

P&F Boarders' Welcome Event

Welcome Morning

First Day of Term 1

2026 Welcome Assembly

Musical Rehearsals