Senior School Bulletin

As a new year begins, I’m thrilled to see our school community coming together, full of energy and curiosity. The weeks ahead offer students many opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge themselves, supported by the guidance and encouragement of our community. I invite families to take time to talk with students about their goals for the term, what they are looking forward to, and the ways they can be supported along the way. As the term unfolds, it’s worth remembering that each day is a chance to bring your best self and make a positive difference in someone else’s day. Simple moments of connection, whether reaching out to someone new or reconnecting with others, help build confidence, belonging, and a positive start to the year – make today count!

Year 12 Student/Parent Information Evening

As part of the Year 12 Leadership Retreat that begins tomorrow, Friday 30 January, there will be a Student/Parent Information Session that all parents and carers are encouraged to attend.  

Time: 5:30pm to 7:00pm 

Location: Chapel 

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 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. 

Welcome Back!

As we begin the 2026 academic year, the Teaching and Learning Leadership Team would like to extend our warmest welcome to all students and families. We look forward to learning, growing and achieving with you all this year, through effort and commitment. We hope you have all had time over the holidays to reset, relax, and enjoy quality moments with people who are special to you.

Reporting

Progressive reports for Year 12 assessment completed in Term 4 will be released by the end of Week 3. These reports contain valuable feedback and feedforward comments on the most recent piece of internal assessment.

Assessment Calendars

Assessment calendars will be available on Monday 9 February. These calendars contain dates for assessment for all year levels for Semester 1. These valuable documents allow students and families to plan for upcoming assessment around other commitments.

Debating

Students interested in joining a debating team should refer to the email sent late in Term 4 to Years 8 to 12 students and re-sent earlier this week to all year levels for full details.

If you wish to be part of a team, please ensure you submit your letter of application by Monday 2 February. We encourage all enthusiastic speakers, critical thinkers, and team players to take part in this amazing extra-curricular activity.

Debating is about discovering your voice and learning how to use it with confidence. Students who take part quickly realise that debating sharpens the mind, teaching them to think critically, listen carefully, and respond with clarity. It’s also a team pursuit, where collaboration and trust are just as important as individual skill.

Beyond the competitions, debating builds communication skills that will serve students in every aspect of life, from the classroom to future careers. It nurtures leadership, resilience, and the ability to see issues from different perspectives. Most importantly, it’s exciting, challenging, and a chance to grow alongside peers who share a passion for ideas.

Chess Club

We’re thrilled to announce that Chess Club will be continuing in 2026! Last year saw fantastic growth in skills and strategy, with students challenging themselves and each other each week.

Chess is more than just a game, it sharpens critical thinking, builds patience, and encourages creativity. We can’t wait to see even more students join in the fun next year, whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out. Chess Club will start in Week 2 on Tuesday 3 February in the Upper LRC from 3:15pm – 4:45pm. All students in Years 7 to are invited.

Writers Toolbox

Writers Toolbox is a learning platform which is an integral tool for Literacy lessons and is required for all Year 7 to 9 students. This learning platform requires an annual subscription which was included as part of the booklist for Year 7 to 9 on the Campion Booklist. If you did not use Campion to purchase books and equipment for this academic year, you will need to access Campion to purchase the Writers Toolbox subscription. Campion is still open to all families until Week 2. 

Trips and Tours

At Clayfield College, our trips and tours are a significant part of student life, offering meaningful opportunities for growth, connection and real-world learning. Please use the form below to register your interest in the 2026 programs, noting that trips depend on meeting key criteria such as minimum student numbers.

Harmony Day

In Week 9 on Tuesday 24 March, Clayfield College will celebrate Harmony Day, recognising Australian identity and the many cultures that make up our College community. The day is an opportunity to reflect on inclusivity, respect and belonging, and to celebrate the diversity that enriches our school. Students who are interested in presenting a group cultural dance or performance as part of the celebrations are warmly invited to contact Mr Walker at awalker@clayfield.qld.edu.au

Feros Care - Thank You

We are proud to share a heartfelt message of thanks from Feros Care following our students’ involvement in the More the Merrier Christmas Card Campaign at the end of 2025. Through their creativity, care and generosity, Clayfield College students helped deliver 5,025 handmade and handwritten Christmas cards to seniors across Australia, bringing connection, comfort and joy during the festive season. Feros Care shared that many recipients were deeply moved, with seniors expressing how meaningful it was to receive a personal, handwritten card, some for the first time in many years. 

These simple yet powerful acts of kindness created moments of happiness, warmth and belonging, beautifully reflecting our College values and our commitment to service and community. We thank our students and staff for the compassion they showed and are delighted that Clayfield College has been invited to be part of this initiative again later in 2026.

Welcome to a New School Year!

Growing Stronger, Wiser, Together.

As we open the doors to a new school year, I extend a heartfelt welcome to all our parents, caregivers, and students. I hope the holiday break offered you moments of rest, joy, connection, and - most importantly - good health. Returning with refreshed minds and renewed energy gives us a strong foundation for the year ahead.

This year, our Principal, Dr Cousins, has invited us to lean into the theme, Keep on getting Stronger, Keep on getting Wiser, a beautiful reminder that every experience, challenge, and success helps shape the young people we are guiding. Strength and wisdom grow not only through academic learning, but also through everyday interactions, supportive relationships, resilience-building, and the sense of belonging we cultivate within our Clayfield College community.

Across the College, we will continue to build on our Strategic Pillar: Wellbeing Through Belonging. Research consistently shows that when students feel connected - to their peers, teachers, and the culture of their school - they engage more deeply, take healthy risks, and thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Belonging is not a single program or initiative; it is created through thousands of small moments where students feel known, valued, and understood.

Throughout the year, our Pastoral Care Team will be working closely with families to nurture this sense of connection. We know that genuine partnership between home and school has a powerful impact on student flourishing. Together, we can help each young person strengthen their wellbeing, develop their emotional skills, and approach challenges with increasing confidence and self-awareness.

As we begin this new chapter, I am filled with hope and optimism. There is something uniquely energising about the start of a school year, a fresh page, new goals, and endless opportunities for growth. I look forward to working alongside you as we continue to shape the Clayfield community where every student feels they belong, every family is supported, and every young person can grow stronger and wiser.

Wishing you all a positive and inspiring start to the year.