Senior School Bulletin

In the pace of Senior School life, it is easy for students to keep their focus fixed on what comes next, the upcoming assessment, the next commitment, or the demands of a full and varied schedule. Yet there is real value in taking a moment to pause and reflect on what has already been experienced, learned, and achieved.

Over the past week, I have noticed the steady and often quiet progress of students across our Senior School. This can be seen in many ways: working through a challenging task, managing time more effectively, contributing to class discussions, or supporting peers during busy periods. These moments may seem small in isolation, but over time they reflect meaningful growth.

Reflection allows students to recognise this progress more clearly. It shifts the focus beyond outcomes alone and towards the effort, persistence, and judgement that develop along the way. In doing so, it helps to build a more realistic and confident understanding of their own learning.

There is also value in taking the time to notice others. The Senior School experience is shaped not only by individual effort, but by the interactions and support shared between students each day. A simple explanation, a word of encouragement, or a thoughtful gesture can make a significant difference, even if it is not always acknowledged at the time.

At Clayfield College, we encourage students to develop this awareness of both their own journey and the contributions of those around them. This week, I invite each student to consider one thing they feel proud of, something that reflects their effort or growth, and one moment where they appreciated the actions of someone else. Where possible, take the time to share that appreciation directly.

Families might continue this conversation at home by asking, “What is one thing you are proud of this week?” and “What is something you appreciated in someone else?” These reflections help students to see their progress more clearly, while also strengthening their sense of connection to those around them.

ANZAC Day

Prep to Year 12 students will commemorate ANZAC Day at our College Assembly on Wednesday 22 April.

Junior and Senior School students are also encouraged to attend the ANZAC Day service at Kalinga Park on Saturday 25 April, a long‑standing community event that has been attended by the Clayfield community and surrounding suburbs for over 100 years. It would be wonderful to see as many Clayfield College students as possible attend and march together as a school.

• Location: Kalinga Park 
• Time: 6:45am for a 7:00am Service  
• Date: Saturday 25 April 

Students are asked to meet Mr Marshall and Mrs Podoliak at the corner of Park Avenue and Kalinga Street from 6:45am. Students are required to wear their full summer formal uniform (including hat) to represent Clayfield College with pride. 

Winter Uniform Transition

During Term 2, the Senior School will transition to the Winter Uniform. The timing of this change will be guided by the weather and will be communicated through The Collective. A one‑week transition period will apply, during which students may wear either the Summer Uniform or the Winter Uniform.

House Excellence

And the winner this week is Gibson! Their tidy areas were consistently spotless, organised and ready for learning - a well‑earned victory that reflects real pride in their environment. As we move into next week, our focus shifts to polite greetings, encouraging all students to warmly acknowledge staff and peers throughout the day.

House Excellence Tally:

Radcliffe – 3 points

Youngman – 1 point

Campbell – 1 point

Gibson – 1 point

House Spirit Photograph Competition

The Interhouse Cross Country showcased the determination resilience and pride of our students as they challenged themselves across the course. Whether racing for a place or pushing through to finish every participant contributed to the strong sense of house spirit and encouragement seen throughout the day. Events like this remind us that effort teamwork and having a go are just as important as the final result.

And the winning photo is….Henderson!

House Spirit Photo Competition:

Ashburn – 1 point

Radcliffe – 1 point

Henderson – 2 point

Harmony Day

Harmony Day 2026 was a truly joyous celebration of culture, connection and community at Clayfield College. Our PE Centre came alive as students proudly shared their heritage through an inspiring Procession of Nations, followed by a rich tapestry of performances that showcased the diversity within our College. From the powerful First Nations and Torres Strait Islander dances to vibrant Spanish flamenco, Indian Garba, Irish music and dance, and moving performances in Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Papua New Guinean traditions, each item told a story of identity, pride and belonging. Student speakers and musicians added moments of reflection and unity, reminding us that harmony is built through respect, listening and shared celebration. It was a memorable day that beautifully reflected our College values and the strength of our inclusive community.

Thank you to all students and staff for preparing the following performances and speakers:

• First Nations Dance – Cairns and Stradbroke Island
• Student Reflection – Jessie Talbot Cooke
• Pacific Island Dance – “Pate Pate” (Te Vaka)
• Torres Strait Islander Dance 
• Prep Choir – “Hello My Friends” (Multilingual)
• Student Reflection– Erika Wdowiak (Colombia / Poland)
• Spanish Dance – Rumba Flamenca (“Meneíto”)
• Chinese Song – “听我说谢谢你” (Year 4)
• Staff Reflection – Ianthe Campbell 
• Indian Dance – Garba
• Chinese Performance – “Intelligence” (Year 12)
• Irish Performances – Harp, Jig, Allegria Strings and Dancers
• Hawaiian Dance – “Ulupalakua”
• Vocal Performance – “Little Bliss”
• Student Speaker – Ema Costello
• Japanese Folk Dance – Soran Bushi
• Spanish Song – “La Canción de la Igualdad”
• Korean Song – “Arirang”
• Papua New Guinea Dance – New Ireland Province
• Prayer & Finale – “We Are the World”

When I Grow Up Fundraiser

On Wednesday 1st April, Radcliffe will be hosting their annual House fundraiser to support Reachout Australia, a charity that supports the mental health of young people. Students will be allowed to dress up according to the theme “When I Grow Up”, and there will be a bake sale at morning tea and lunch in the Middle Years Courtyard. 

We look forward to seeing all of the creative outfits!

Youngman House – Cancer Fundraiser

Some of you will remember The Big Chop from 2024. This year we’re planning on running a similar event. 30 students and staff donated their ponytails in 2024, raising $5k for child cancer research, and we hope that this year will be just as successful. 

As mentioned in Assembly, on 9 October (Term 4), any students and staff will have the opportunity to donate a minimum of 20cm of their hair which will be turned into wigs for cancer and alopecia patients OR shave their hair to raise funds for the Leukemia Foundation. Clayfield’s Chop will run in conjunction with World Mental Health Day and Youngman’s fundraising event, Crazy Sock & Hair Day, with all proceeds going towards the Kids Cancer Project or The World’s Greatest Shave. 

If you can't donate your hair but would love to show your support, please donate to our campaign page, in which all funds go towards the two foundations. There will be more details to come out later once we have an estimation on how many people are planning to participate. If you have any questions feel free to email or come find Ema, Isabelle, Mimi, Bella, or Hayley (Year 12). 

If you are interested in donating or shaving your hair, please fill out the form linked below:

We hope to see many of you involved and remember there's time still time to grow your hair before October, so mark your calendars and get growing!

This year Clayfield College welcomed two new members of staff who bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to the STEM department:

• Ms Lilly Li – Junior and Senior Mathematics Teacher
• Ms Lisa Brodesser – Science Teacher Aide/Laboratory Technician

STEM Ambassadors

It is my very great pleasure to announce the STEM Ambassadors for this year:

• Sophia Condon
• Do Hee Lee
• Jemma Carr
• Charlotte Strickland
• Ava Luk
• Evie Williamson

They have already established themselves as invaluable ‘members’ of the STEM department, organising and advertising STEM-related activities.

Year 12 Biology Camp

On Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 of February, 27 Year 12 Biology students went to the University of Queensland Moreton Bay Research Station on North Stradbroke Island to collect data for their IA2 Student Experiment. The students engaged in a number of data collection activities, counting different species of organisms in the intertidal rocky shore ecosystems of North Stradbroke Island.

This was an invaluable experience for the students – experiencing, firsthand, the work of a marine biologist. The students worked extremely well and were a credit to themselves and the College. Special thanks must go to the Year 12 Biology Teachers, Dr Griffiths and Ms Davies for making the trip possible!

National Titration Competition Preparation

Our Titration Club has been working hard before and after school, preparing for the National Titration Competition which will be held at the University of Queensland Chemistry Department in May. We wish them the best of luck and are confident that they can prevail in the Queensland heat.

Robotics Club

The Robotics Club started this year with a number of students getting involved. Students are learning about the various Robotics systems available such as VEX and Lego, they are studying the mechanics of robotic systems and software. These activities will instil in the students an appreciation of Digital Technologies and computational skills.

International Mathematics Day

Friday 13 March was International Mathematics Day – otherwise known as PI day!

Students celebrated by memorising and then reciting pi to as many digits as they could. 100+ digits were recited!

Integrated Pathology Learning Centre

One of the ‘perks’ of being a STEM ambassador is being given the opportunity to experience STEM activities at a high level in the real world. One such opportunity was the visit to the Integrated Pathology Learning Centre (IPLC) at the University of Queensland’s Health Sciences Building at the Royal Women’s Hospital. This visit introduced the students to the working of a state-of-the-art pathology laboratory. Special thanks must go to our Science Coordinator, Mr McIntosh who manages the STEM ambassadors and organises these incredible experiences for these students.

After School Tutoring Opportunity with MindBridge Education

Clayfield College is pleased to announce an optional after school tutoring opportunity for students in Years 7 to 12.

The tutoring program, delivered by Mindbridge Education, will run here at the College and will provide structured academic support across Year 7 to 12 subjects in a focused and supervised environment. Whilst the tutoring is facilitated and run by Mindbridge Education, a Clayfield College staff member will be present during tutoring sessions.

Sessions are two hours in duration and follow a research‑based Pomodoro 50‑20‑50 study structure designed to maximise focus, strengthen understanding, and improve retention. Students are supported in small groups with a 1 to 4 or 1 to 5 tutor to student ratio, ensuring personalised guidance and meaningful academic support.

The program is delivered by 99+ ATAR tutors and high performing university students with strong academic backgrounds and mentoring experience. Pricing is $50 per session when paid in full for the term or $60 per session with weekly payments.

To assist with Mindbridge’s planning, families are invited to register their interest below.

If you have any questions about this after school tutoring opportunity, please do not hesitate to contact info@mindbridgeedu.com.au

Looking for Gratitude

A Simple Daily Practice That Makes a Big Difference

Students in Years 7 to 12 navigate a fast‑paced and often demanding stage of life. Academic expectations, friendships, co‑curricular commitments and the natural intensity of adolescence can leave young people feeling stretched and sometimes overwhelmed. In the midst of this, it’s completely natural for them - and for us - to focus more on what didn’t go well than on what did. This human tendency, known as negativity bias, means our brains are wired to notice problems more quickly than positives.

One gentle yet powerful way to counter this is by intentionally looking for gratitude and moments of pride. These moments don’t need to be big or impressive. Often, it’s the small wins - showing kindness, persevering through something tricky, managing a tough conversation, or simply enjoying a moment of connection - that help build confidence, resilience and emotional awareness.

If you’re not sure where to begin, try swapping the traditional ‘How was your day?’ for a more intentional, engaging prompt. Many parents know the familiar responses: ‘fine,’ a shrug, or a one‑word reply that closes the conversation rather than opens it. Instead, try something like: ‘What made you smile or laugh today?’ This simple shift encourages young people to recall a moment of joy, humour, or connection, often leading to a richer, more authentic conversation.

At home, a small ritual I value is ending the day with two reflective questions:

1. What were you proud of today?

2. What was your last good thing?

    

These questions gently redirect attention toward what went well and allow the day to end with a sense of achievement or gratitude. What surprises me most is how quickly this practice becomes reciprocal. After sharing their reflections, my child almost always asks, ‘Well, what’s yours?’ It’s a lovely reminder that our young people learn as much from our modelling as from our words.

By building small, intentional moments like these into daily life, families can help young people finish the day feeling grounded, capable and connected and start the next with a little more confidence and optimism.

Support Our Year 11 Service‑Learning Project: Donation Drive

This term, our Year 11 cohort has embarked on a meaningful service‑learning initiative to support the work of Dress for Success Brisbane, a non‑profit organisation dedicated to helping unemployed and underemployed women and men achieve economic independence. Through access to professional attire, development tools and employment programs, Dress for Success Brisbane empowers individuals to enter, or re‑enter, the workforce with dignity and confidence. As part of this project, our students are coordinating a Workwear Donation Drive, and we warmly invite our parent community to contribute.

How You Can Help?

We are seeking donations of good‑quality workplace attire suitable for interviews or office environments. This includes clothing for both women and men, such as:

• Professional shirts and blouses
• Blazers, jackets, and coats
• Work‑appropriate dresses, skirts, and trousers

• Accessories (eg belts, ties, handbags, scarves)

   

Please note:

• No children’s clothing 
• No shoes

• Items should be in good condition - no rips, stains, holes, or excessive wear

   

Your contributions will directly support individuals in Brisbane who are working toward employment stability and greater independence.

Donation Details:

• Where: Donation box located in Reception
• When: Open Monday to Friday in Week 9
• What to do: Simply drop off your garments during these times, no need for packaging or sorting

• Reminder: Donated clothing will not be returned

   

This initiative not only supports a meaningful community cause but also allows our Year 11 students to learn about social responsibility, empathy, and the power of collective action. We appreciate your generosity and your partnership in assisting us to bring this project to life, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Ms Kirton.

Thank you, 

Year 11 Students

Industry Networking Collective

On Monday night, Clayfield College hosted its annual Industry Networking Collective (INC), bringing together Year 12 students, alumni and College friends for an evening of meaningful conversation, connection and insight.

With guests representing a wide range of professions and industries, from veterinarians and allied health professionals to executives in business and law, students had the opportunity to ask questions, hear about a variety of career journeys and gain valuable insight into future study and career pathways. It was wonderful to see students engaging so thoughtfully with the experience and making the most of the opportunity to connect with professionals who had generously given their time.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the evening, including our students, staff, alumni, College friends and mentors. We are especially grateful to the industry mentors who shared their experiences, advice and encouragement with our students. Thank you also to Year 12 students, Keira Coscarella and Lindsay Webb for delivering the final thank you speech, and to Ms Graham for organising such a meaningful opportunity for our Year 12 students.

In other Career and Pathways news, Year 12 Career and Pathways Meetings are now well underway, supporting students as they continue to consider and plan for life beyond school. Families may also wish to note the following upcoming opportunities:

• UCAT admission test dates are now available on the website.
• Bond University Virtual Open Day will be held on 26 March at 11.00am, with registration available through the website.
• Year 10 TAFE Career Taster Program applications open on 26 March at 9.00am.
• Discover ACU Brisbane will be held on 9 April and is open to students in Years 10 to 12. The day includes workshops across a range of study areas, campus tours and parent information sessions.
• UQ Women’s College 2026 April Open Day will be held on 17 April from 10.00am to 2.00pm.

• UQ Women’s College residency applications are now open for 2027.

   

These opportunities provide students and families with valuable ways to explore future study and career pathways, gather information and continue planning with confidence.