Welcome to our Clayfield Community

A warm welcome to returning families and those families joining our community this year. A new academic year is filled with optimism and positivity, so what better time to reflect on and plan for academic success!

This week, Clayfield College shone brightly as our newest students joined into our Clayfield community. On Tuesday, our Year 7 cohort took their first steps into Secondary School, greeted with warmth and enthusiasm by our Year 11 students. As mentors, the Year 11 students played an important role in helping our newest students navigate their first day, fostering a sense of belonging from the very start.

In the spirit of this year’s theme, ‘Be Fearless – Let’s Illuminate the Sky’, our Year 7 students have already begun to shine. They have set up their IT accounts, organised their lockers, and met their House and PC teachers, ensuring they are ready to tackle this new chapter with courage and confidence.

On Wednesday, we welcomed all students with an inspiring welcome from Principal, Dr Andrew Cousins. With the support of our dedicated staff and senior students, we are ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Let’s encourage all our students to ‘Be Fearless’ as they illuminate the path toward an exciting year ahead.

Organisation for Success

Consistent routines can play a pivotal role in a successful academic year. These routines can include setting a regular bed and waking time and planning when preparation (packing bags, charging laptops, etc.) for the school day will occur.

Setting up a quiet, organised space for homework and study where possible can contribute to developing effective study habits, as can ensuring technology-free workspaces and bedrooms.

Creating a study timetable facilitates students' planning their homework and studying around family, extra-curricular, and other commitments. This study timetable should plan for regular homework, which can include a review of the day's work for each subject, formal homework that is set by teachers and saved on OneNote, working towards assignments, reading (related to subjects or for pleasure), and preparing for the following day.

In-Class Extension Tasks

Extension tasks can foster and support academic growth and personal success. Extension tasks are found on subject OneNotes. Some students will be actively directed to attempt these tasks by teachers; however, all students are welcome and encouraged to attempt the subject-specific extension tasks to extend their engagement, interest, and understanding in the relevant subject.

Extension tasks benefit students by fostering a deeper understanding and retention of subject-specific concepts, reinforcing learning within the classroom. Through these activities, students often have the opportunity to enhance their range of skills and interests, fostering a positive learning experience.

2025 Debating Team

All students are encouraged to consider debating as an academic extra-curricular opportunity this year, which would support success in all academic endeavours by building analytical, research, teamwork, and communication skills.

Debating commitments include weekly team meetings starting in Term 1, Week 5, and continuing until the end of Term 2, preparation of materials/scripts for debates where relevant, and attendance at each of the four debates. Debate dates for 2025, for each year level, are found below.

If students feel they can commit to this and are interested in fostering their analytical, research, communication, and teamwork skills, please email Mr Opstelten - (topstelten@clayfield.qld.edu.au).

Please note that as each team requires five or more students for it to be feasible and avoid forfeit fines, teams will only run if there is enough student interest. Therefore, all students are encouraged to consider this extra-curricular activity now, as sign-up will close at 12:00pm on Wednesday 5 February.

2025 Debating Schedule

Year 7

Round	Date
Round 1	Thursday 27 March
Round 2	Thursday 24 April
Round 3	Thursday 15 May
Round 4	Thursday 5 June

Year 8

Round	Date
Round 1	Thursday 27 February
Round 2	Thursday 20 March
Round 3	Thursday 1 May
Round 4	Thursday 22 May

Year 9

Round	Date
Round 1	Wednesday 5 March
Round 2	Wednesday 23 April
Round 3	Wednesday 7 May
Round 4	Thursday 29 May

Year 10

Round	Date
Round 1	Wednesday 26 February
Round 2	Wednesday 19 March
Round 3	Wednesday 30 April
Round 4	Wednesday 21 May

Year 11

Round	Date
Round 1	Wednesday 5 March
Round 2	Wednesday 23 April
Round 3	Wednesday 7 May
Round 4	Thursday 29 May

Year 12

Round	Date
Round 1	Wednesday 12 March
Round 2	Wednesday 26 March
Round 3	Wednesday 14 May
Round 4	Wednesday 4 June

Swimming Nominations Now Open!

Students are invited to nominate for the upcoming Swimming Carnival. This is a great opportunity to showcase their talent, compete for their House, and embrace the Clayfield spirit.

Event	Details
Date	Thursday 6 February 2025
Location	Nudgee College Pool
Registration Deadline	Monday 3 February 2025 at 3:00 PM

Don’t miss out - be fearless and dive in!

Pre-Prep to Year 12 School Photos

As advised in the Welcome Back Communication / Primary News, Pre-Prep to Year 6 class photos, individual photographs, PC photos, and Pre-Prep to Year 12 House photos will take place on Monday 3 February.

All students are to wear their full formal school summer uniform on this day. If students have HPE, please bring your PE gear to change into after the photos. This information will also be provided via the 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. Primary students must be accompanied by an adult or responsible secondary sibling, as no supervision is provided.

Ordering

Orders placed after school photo day may incur a late fee, so please order as soon as possible.

Please see attached Studio Kirby Ordering Information, photo schedule and photo packs information.

Upcoming Key Dates

Week	Date	Event
Week 1 Week A Timetable	Friday 31 January	Year 12 Leadership Retreat
	Friday 31 January	Year 12 Parent/Student Information Evening at 5:30pm
	Saturday 1 February	Year 12 Leadership Retreat
Week 2 Week B Timetable	Monday 3 February	Student Photos
	Thursday 6 February	Years 7 to 12 Interhouse Swimming Carnival
	Friday 7 February	Scholars and Investiture Assembly at 9:00am
		Clayfield College Foundation VIP Welcome at 5:30pm
		P&F Association Parents Welcome Evening at 6:00pm
Week 3 Week A Timetable	Monday 10 February	Foundation Day Celebrations (Lessons 1 to 4) Years 7 to 12 Semester 1 Assessment Calendars published
	Tuesday 11 February	Years 10 and 11 Parent/Student Information Evening at 5:30pm
	Wednesday 12 February to Friday 14 February	Year 7 Outdoor Education Camp
	Thursday 13 February	Duke of Edinburgh Information Evening at 6:00pm
	Friday 14 February	Henderson House Fundraiser: Palentines Day
	Friday 14 February	Library Lovers’ Day
	Saturday 15 February	Year 12 Formal
Week 4 Week B Timetable	Wednesday 19 February	Pre-Prep to Year 12 Commencement Chapel at 4:30pm
	Thursday 20 February	NAPLAN Practice (Year 7 and 9 students)
	Thursday 20 February to Friday 21 February	Year 12 Biology Camp
	Saturday 22 February	ACER Scholarship Exam at 8:30am ISCF Ice Skating at 5:00pm
Week 5 Week A Timetable	Wednesday 26 February	Years 7 to 12 Principal Led Tour at 9:00am
Week 6 Week B Timetable	Wednesday 5 March	QGSSSA Swimming Championships
Week 6 Week B Timetable	Friday 7 March	CCOCA Future Leaders/ International Women’s Day Breakfast
Week 7 Week A Timetable	Wednesday 12 March to Friday 14 March	NAPLAN Testing: Years 3, 5, 7 and 9
Week 8 Week B Timetable	Monday 17 March	NAPLAN Testing: Years 3, 5, 7 and 9
	Tuesday 18 March	Harmony Day Assembly at 10:45am
	Tuesday 18 March to Wednesday 19 March	NAPLAN Testing Catch Ups: Years 3, 5, 7 and 9
	Wednesday 19 March to Friday 21 March	Years 10 to 12 Block Exams
Week 9 Week A Timetable	Monday 24 March	Years 10 to 12 Block Exams
	Tuesday 25 March	Years 10 to 12 Industry Networking Evening
	Sunday 30 March	Ashburn, Campbell and Gibson House Chapel
Week 10 Week B Timetable	Monday 31 March to Wednesday 2 April	Music Fest
	Tuesday 1 April	QGSSSA Artistic Gymnastics Championships
	Thursday 3 April	Radcliffe House Free Dress Fundraiser: Reach Out
	Thursday 3 April	Term 1 ends
	Friday 4 April	Student Free Day/Boarders Travel Day
	Friday 4 April	Staff PD Day
	Friday 4 April to Monday 7 April	Duke of Edinburgh Kayaking Journey

Week 1 Photo Gallery

P&F Boarders' Welcome Event

Welcome Morning

First School Day of 2025!

2025 Welcome Assembly