The Arts Bulletin

The Creative Arts and Languages Department has been a hub of activity this term as our students engaged in many creative and linguistic endeavours to support their learning. Thank-you to the staff for always going above and beyond to provide these unique opportunities and to the students who are always willing to be involved, curious and creative! 

Research shows that the arts foster critical skills that are crucial for success in today’s world. Whether it's working together on a performance piece, writing a script, creating a sculpture or learning a language, students learn how to express ideas, navigate challenges, and support one another, skills that are highly valued in virtually every profession.

The Arts also build emotional intelligence. It teaches empathy by encouraging students to see the world through others’ perspectives and provide healthy outlets for expressing feelings. This emotional resilience is especially important in a world where adaptability and interpersonal skills are more essential than ever.

Languages

In August our Chinese students and Spanish students from Primary and Secondary competed in the LTQ Speaking competition at Griffith University. Congratulations to all students who placed and gained Highly Commended awards.

Do Hee Lee (Year 10) and Lia Lee (Year 6) together with Ms Chen will proudly represent Australia at the Global Competition in China in September. This international competition will feature over 70 students from a variety of countries around the world. 

Ten students from Years 9 to 11 will travel to Spain over the holiday to immerse themselves in the culture and history of the country. They will also have the opportunity to study at an international school in Madrid. We wish Senora Lockyer and Carrasco and the students a safe journey and look forward to hearing all ab out their experiences when they return next term.

Drama

Throughout the term, our Year 9 and 10 Drama students engaged in a dynamic workshop with Queensland Theatre, exploring the new script Calibration as part of The Scene Project the company’s largest educational initiative. Our drama students travelled to the Queensland Theatre company to perform their selected scenes from the new script with three other schools from Brisbane that.

Our Year 8 students enjoyed a unique workshop with Flipside Circus. Students were able to experiment how the use of physical activity is used throughout performances. 

Visual Art

Year 5 students recently enjoyed an inspiring art incursion with Queensland photographer Naomi McKenzie, who shared her expertise in capturing the world through a creative lens. The workshop introduced students to the Elements of Art; line, shape, space, texture, value, colour, and form; through photography.

Using analogue cameras, students experimented with composition and perspective, carefully considering how the elements could be highlighted in their images. They also gained a rare insight into the traditional film development process, watching their photos come to life in the darkroom.

The incursion not only expanded students’ technical skills but also encouraged them to view their surroundings with fresh eyes, noticing artistic possibilities in everyday details. This experience will support their ongoing art studies and deepen their understanding of how artists communicate ideas through images.

Year 7 students took part in an inspiring ceramics incursion with sculptor Wendy Winsley, our resident artist. As part of their Myth and More unit, students explored the theme of hybridity, creatures that combine human, animal, and plant characteristics. Guided by Wendy, they learned how to bring these imaginative ideas to life in three dimensions, experimenting with clay construction techniques to build their own hybrid creatures. The workshop encouraged students to consider both the science of hybridity and the power of creative imagination, resulting in a series of unique and fantastical ceramic forms.

Our Year 9 students worked with artist Claudia Mazzotta on the Bauhaus design. Our boys worked with leather and our girls used a variety of fabrics with free stitch.

As part of their Public Site-Specific Sculpture unit, Year 10 students took part in an exciting workshop with sculptor Wendy Winsley, our resident artist. The focus of the workshop was on creating armatures, the structural frameworks that support sculptures. Students learned how to design and build strong foundations for large-scale works, gaining insight into the processes artists use when creating public art. This hands-on experience not only developed practical making skills but also encouraged students to think about how sculptures interact with the spaces and communities around them.

Music

On the Green was a huge success for our Clayfield community as we were treated to performances by our Big Band and featuring Kate Cebrano. We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Kate in a vocal and instrumental workshop before the event giving them an amazing insight into being a professional musician.

Our choral, band and string students have performed at the beautiful Saint Andrew’s church for Opus 3 with our Primary students featuring at Grandparent’s Day and Opus 4.

Our elective music students in Years 9 and 10 were able to experience the art form of opera with a performance of La Boheme at the Lyric Theatre QPAC.

Our students in Year 2 to 6 were treated to Opera Queensland’s performance of 'The Adventures of Figaro'.

Canzona students were invited to be a part of the combined choir at the Brisbane Boys’ College Grand Concert performing orchestra and choral work 'The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace' and the 80s hit 'You’re the Voice'.

Our Ciao Bella, Canzona and Ragazzi choirs also entertained our Dads, Grandads and significant others in our College at the Father’s Day Breakfast.

Opus 4

Date: Thursday 11 September

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Clayfield College Assembly Hall

Ensemble Groups: Beginner Band, Campo delle Voci, Corelli Strings, Middle School String Quartet, Piccolo Choir, Vivo Strings, Wind Orchestra, and the Irish Dancers; ‘Shuffling Shamrocks’ 

Please ensure you have subscribed to your ensemble in the Culture tab of the College App for further information regarding our Opus 4 Concert, including pre-concert arrival times.

Allegria Strings Performance

Allegria Strings proudly represented Clayfield College last Thursday evening, performing at the VIEW Club’s Presidential Dinner held at the Greek Club.

VIEW (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) is a national organisation that connects women within local communities. Through social events and networking, VIEW supports and advocates for the education of young Australians in need. Allegria Strings provided beautiful background music during the pre-dinner gathering.

Private Music Lesson Cancellation

As we approach the end of term, we kindly remind families that if you wish to discontinue your child’s Private Music Tuition, it is essential to notify the Music Department. Without timely notice, a cancellation fee equivalent to two weeks of lessons will apply. 

To avoid this charge, please email your withdrawal notice to music@clayfield.qld.edu.au by the end of Term 3. For a detailed understanding of our Terms and Conditions, we encourage you to review the information provided on the lesson application form below.

Alice in Wonderland Workshop

Clayfield College had the privilege of hosting our first Alice in Wonderland workshop with Opera Queensland’s Jason Barry-Smith on Tuesday, and it was an outstanding success.

Jason’s expertise and engaging approach inspired both our chorus and leads, giving them practical tools to lift their vocal and dramatic performances. The session has set an exciting tone for the next workshop and for the development of our production.

Secondary Music Dinner

Tickets are now available for this year’s Secondary Music Dinner, to be held on Friday 17 October. 

Please note the venue has changed this year to Nudgee Golf Club, 1207 Nudgee Road. 

This special evening is for music students in Years 7 to12, and we look forward to celebrating with many of our Secondary musicians at this enjoyable event!

2026 Musical