Senior School Bulletin

Our students have a wonderful capacity to embrace an opportunity to have fun, and last Friday was a beautiful example of this. As we brought Book Week to a close with our character dress-up day, the College was filled with colour, creativity and plenty of smiles. Everywhere I looked, students had transformed themselves into characters from their favourite novels. I particularly loved seeing groups who had decided not just to dress as one character, but to bring an entire cast from a novel to life. They had worked together, shared ideas and, in doing so, created something that others could enjoy too. Even our staff embraced the opportunity, adding to the sense of joy and making the day feel just a little different from the ordinary.

As I watched it unfold, I found myself thinking about how quickly enthusiasm can change the atmosphere around us. It doesn't always begin with something big. Sometimes it is one person who is willing to have a go, share an idea or approach something with a little more energy. Someone else notices, joins in, and before long, what began with one person becomes something shared. That seemed to happen so naturally throughout the day.

There are, of course, many moments in Senior School life that are not quite as light-hearted. There are busy weeks, challenges to navigate and times when students may not feel particularly enthusiastic about what is in front of them. Yet perhaps that is when the energy we bring becomes even more important. A smile, an encouraging word, a willingness to try, or simply choosing to approach something with a sense of possibility can change how a moment feels; not only for us, but for someone beside us.

As I think about our students and the years they spend in the Senior School, I hope they come to understand just how much influence they have on the people around them. They may never know that their encouragement helped someone keep going, that their enthusiasm made someone feel welcome, or that their willingness to join in gave someone else the confidence to do the same. But these small moments matter. They are part of the experience we create for one another every day.

Perhaps that is what stayed with me most from Book Week. We never quite know where our energy will travel. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to bring a little joy, and others begin to carry it too.

Student Free Day / QCAA Staff Day

Week 8, Friday 4 September 

The College will be closed on Friday 4 September, for a Student Free Day / QCAA Staff Day.  Please ensure other arrangements have been made for your daughter/son on this day.

Summer Uniform Transition

A reminder that all Senior School students will transition to the Summer Uniform from Monday 7 September (Week 9). 

As students return to school next week, please ensure they are wearing the correct Summer Uniform and that all uniform items are clearly named. We appreciate the support of families in ensuring students continue to wear their uniform with pride and represent Clayfield College positively. 

Please refer the Uniform Policy available below.

Semester 2 Co-curricular/Group Photos

Term 4, Week 1 - Wednesday 7 October and Thursday 8 October 

Please see attached Photo Schedule for Semester 2 Co-Curricular/Group Photos. 

• Parents/Students please check the schedule for photo time and uniform requirements. 
• Students must arrive promptly for the time noted in the schedule. 
• Students appearing in photos which requires the Summer Formal Uniform, Sports or a specific uniform (i.e. QGSSSA) to be worn, must have the correct uniform, including correct jewellery, no make-up, neat hair and green ribbons, to appear within their photo on the day.  
• Students not in correct uniform will be unable to be in their photo. 
• Note: This is the final year, in which the old uniform is to be worn and permitted for photos. 

Teacher Education Scholarship Applications Open

Applications for the PMSA Teacher Education Scholarship (TES) are now open.

The scholarship supports senior students who are planning to undertake studies in teaching or early childhood education.

Valued at $2,000 per year for up to four years, the scholarship aims to encourage and support the next generation of educators while fostering connections with PMSA schools throughout their studies and future careers.

September Holidays Year 12 Study Bootcamp

Monday 21 September to Thursday 24 September

Tutors from MindBridge Education will be available each day from 9:00am to 12:30pm in the Upper LRC to help students with questions or queries. If you are interested in availing of this opportunity, please follow the link below to pick the subject/s you would like assistance with and the session/s you will attend.

All QCE subjects offered at Clayfield College will be covered however, based on the data students provide us, priority will be given to subjects that the cohort indicates are highest areas of need.

Reminder that all students are required to sign in on arrival and must leave the College campus at 12.30pm.

The English and Humanities spaces have been very active over the last few weeks, with Clayfield students participating in a range of activities that have complemented their day-to-day learning.

We had a number of students participate in the Readers Cup Challenge, which requires small teams to read a series of novels and then compete against other schools in trials based on the novels. Our students performed commendably in both the Quiz sections and the more difficult Creative Challenges. This is especially significant given that Readers Cup is a state-wide initiative. Competing in such an event has not only allowed our students to engage with a variety of literature but also helped them develop their collaboration and teamwork skills. Many thanks to Ms Horrobin, Careers Counsellor for accompanying our teams across a number of events as part of Readers Cup. 

Our Year 9 students had the rare opportunity to hear the author of one of their studied texts speak to them live last week. Mrs Karen Comer, author of Grace Notes presented to our Year 9 cohort and spoke not only about her novels, but also the writing process. She gave students invaluable advice around character creation and using symbolism in their writing and was able to give an accurate and unfiltered insight into the highs and lows of being a professional writer. I know that our budding creative writers in Year 9 took a lot out of the session and have recorded several tips to help them with their next creative piece of assessment. 

Across Week 7, the College celebrated Book Week, the theme of which was Symphony of Stories. Mrs Smith in the LRC organised several fun activities across the week, and our Academic Captains ran a marathon book-themed Kahoot at lunch time on Tuesday. The week culminated in the always popular costume parade, where students (and staff) showed their creative flair and dressed as fictional characters from a wide range of books and novels. Congratulations to our individual winners Alex P and Evelyn W, and group winners the ‘Nania’ girls (Megan G, Tara W, Sarah M, Dana S and Hannah G). Thank you to our judges Ms Corpe, Ms Pilgrim and Mrs Geevarghese and to Mr Lamb for his witty repartee as MC. 

Please refer to the Week 8 Photo Gallery for highlights.

House Spirit Excellence

This week's House Excellence focus was Book Week participation, and the enthusiasm across the College was outstanding. As a result, every House has been awarded a House Excellence point in recognition of the creativity, effort and spirit shown by students throughout the celebrations. Well done to all students for embracing Book Week and helping make it such a successful and enjoyable event.

 Upcoming Focus Behaviours:

• Week 9: Chargers and Laptops Returned

Well done to all students for continuing to demonstrate pride in our College values and expectations.

House Spirit - Photo Competition

In keeping with the spirit of Book Week, students enthusiastically embraced this week's House Spirit Photo Competition, showcasing creativity, imagination and a love of literature.

Congratulations to Gibson House for capturing the Book Week theme so brilliantly and demonstrating outstanding House spirit.

Crazy Hair and Sock Day Youngman House Fundraiser

Friday 9 October 2026

Year 9 Camp

During Week 6, Year 9 students embarked on their annual camp experience at Mt Tamborine. Highlights included the Mt Tamborine TreeTops adventure, featuring ziplining and self-guided high ropes courses. This was followed by two days of outdoor challenges such as mountain biking, giant ladder climbing, leadership initiatives, a stranded simulation, orienteering and capture the flag.

Thursday's Curriculum Day took a cross-curricular approach, focusing on environmental sustainability and the mining industry. The Heads of Department ventured out to join us and led a scenario-based activity through three rotations, concluding in a creative drama performance that brought these issues to life.

The camp was a valuable opportunity for students to face challenges head on, learn through experience and most importantly, strengthen connections within their cohort. Students thoroughly enjoyed their downtime playing cards, basketball and showcasing their dancing skills with Just Dance.

A huge thank you to the staff who attended camp and made it a successful and enjoyable week away including Mrs Hernit, Mrs Weller and Ms Andrew. Additionally thank you to the Curriculum Day staff who led activities for the students which consisted of Mrs Eagle, Mrs Pilgrim, Mr McIntosh, Mr Stemmet, Mr Walker and Mrs Ash. 

Holiday Clinics Now Open for Bookings

Lifetime Tennis

Lifetime Tennis will be running clinics at Clayfield College over the Spring school holiday break. All ages and abilities are welcome and private lessons are available by appointment. 

Clinic 1 Details:

• Dates: Wednesday 23 September, Thursday 24 September, Friday 25 September
• Times: 8:30 to 10:30am
• Cost: $60 per day or $160 for all 3 days. 

Clinic 2 Details:

• Dates: Wednesday 30 September, Thursday 1 September, Friday 2 October
• Times: 8:30 to 10:30am 
• Cost: $60 per day or $160 for all 3 days. 

If you'd like to enrol, please reach out to Matt Limpus, High Performance Coach via 

Ph: 0419 789 953

Email: matt@lifetimetennis.com.au

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