Secondary Bulletin

Change in Lesson times for Secondary School in 2026

In 2026 there will be a change in lesson times in the Secondary School each Wednesday. 

In Week A, the day will commence with Assembly, and in Week B with a Wellbeing and Foundation session. In both instances this will be followed by six academic lessons. 

Currently, Assembly and Wellbeing and Foundation are run in half hour lessons once a week. In 2026 this will transition to a one-hour session each fortnight. Whilst the time allocated to these important student-centred programs remains unchanged, the extended time will allow for greater depth of learning and further opportunity to celebrate student achievements- thus fostering student engagement, reflection and emotional, social and academic development. 

On Wednesdays, there will be no Pastoral Care Session, and the first attendance for the day will be marked at Assembly/Wellbeing and Foundation. 

Lesson times will remain unchanged on all other days of the week. Additionally, there will be no change to the start and end times of each school day. 

Please see below lesson times for 2026:

Block Timetables

Exam block timetables have been emailed to Year 7 to11 students this week. Students should check these timetables carefully to ensure they are aware of start times. Students should also check to ensure they have no clashes and do not have more than two exams on any given day. Room information, including rooms for any relevant AARA adjustments, such as varied seating room arrangements, will be emailed in the week prior to exams. Any questions about exams should go to the subject teacher in the first instance. We wish all students well as they prepare for these upcoming assessments.

Charged Devices for the School

This is a reminder that it is a student’s responsibility to have a charged laptop for the school day. If a student is concerned about the level of charge on their device during the day, they are welcome to charge it during break times in the Upper LRC. Students are further reminded that during the school day, their device is for teaching and learning activities at the discretion of the classroom teacher. During break times students are encouraged to engage in time away from devices through personal interaction with others or time for rest. Any device use for educational purposes during break times must occur in the Upper LRC.

Creative sparks have been ignited throughout the term as our Language and Creative Arts students engaged in a wide variety of activities and experiences. 

Languages

Do Hee Lee (Year 10) and Lia Lee (Year 6) returned from the Global Chinese Competition held in China during the September holidays. What an incredible experience for our students to immerse themselves in the culture and meet students from a wide variety of countries. Congratulations to Ms Chen and both students for their dedication and commitment.

Ten Spanish students were also given the very special opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and language of Spain visiting historical places, eating traditional food and undertaking intensive language classes. Thank you to Senora Carrasco and Senora Lockyer for accompanying the students and enabling such a unique experience.

Our Year 7, 8 and 9 Chinese students also enjoyed their excursion to watch a Chinese film and enjoy Chinese food. 

LUX 25

Join us on Friday 14 November to celebrate the artistic talents of our Primary and Secondary students through an inspiring showcase of visual art, music, drama, and language performances. This vibrant event on the College calendar highlights the imagination, skill, and passion of our young artists and performers, an unmissable celebration of the arts within our school community. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Refer to the Upcoming Events section of this edition for more details and how to register! 

Music

Our Secondary Musicians have been very busy preparing for a variety of performances at our annual Speech Night being held at QPAC on Tuesday 18 November at 7:00pm. String, band and all of our choristers will feature throughout this evening of celebrations. 

Auditions for 2026 choir and ensemble placement will commence in Week 6 and conclude in Week 8. We look forward to seeing everyone during these auditions as we start the planning process for 2026.

As we come to the end of another year, it’s wonderful to reflect on the rich and varied creative journeys our students have undertaken within the arts and language studies. From curriculum projects to captivating performances on stage and inspiring visual art exhibitions, the creative spirit has flourished in every corner of our College.

The arts play a vital role in nurturing the whole child, encouraging curiosity, empathy, confidence, and imagination. Through visual art, drama, music, and language, students learn to express their ideas, connect with others, and see the world through different perspectives. These experiences build not only skill but also resilience, collaboration, and a lifelong appreciation for culture and beauty.

QTAC ATAR Verification

QTAC has confirmed the process and costs associated with ATAR Verification. Year 12 students may require verification for scholarship applications or wish to have a formal record of your ATAR results.

Printed Verification

A printed and verified copy of your ATAR certificate posted to you.

Cost: $30 incl. GST

Electronic Verification

An electronic copy of your ATAR results sent to up to three nominated institutions, employers, or other entities in a single transaction.

Cost: $17 incl. GST

For more information, please visit QTAC’s ATAR page. For further assistance, email verification@qtac.edu.au or contact the ATAR hotline on 1300 193 173.

QTAC Applications

A gentle reminder that QTAC applications are open until 8 December for the major offer round in January for study in 2026.

A handy 'How to' guide for QTAC applications is on our Careers and Pathways page: 

Missed open days earlier in Term 3?

Several universities offer campus tours on school holidays for Year 12 students and their families, and registration is online. Here are four of the major universities in Southeast Queensland offering tours during the holidays:

• University of Queensland Campus Tour
• Queensland University Technology Campus Tour
• Griffith University Campus Tour
• Australian Catholic University Campus Tour

Year 9 and 10 Families

TAFE at School 2026: offers have been sent for places in TAFE qualifications as part of their TAFE at School offerings. If you have applied for 2026, please check your emails for your offer especially your spam folders.

All Year Levels

Careers Newsletters: The latest in scholarships, tertiary study information and work information is live on Careers and Pathways page:

Casual Jobs for Clayfield Students

Grill'd and Eat Street are looking for casual hospitality workers. The flyers for these opportunities are now online:

Work and Study in 2026!

Queensland Health is offering a Podiatry Trainee Program, giving students the opportunity to be mentored and gain hands-on experience working with podiatrists while they study.

Two local accounting firms have also contacted Clayfield about their 2026 cadetship programs, allowing students to work while studying accounting or commerce.

Find out more online:

QTAC Applications

A reminder that QTAC applications are now open. The application fee is $70 until 30 September. From 1 October, the fee increases to $150.

For key dates and more information, visit the QTAC website:

Clayfield’s Got Talent

This Friday, the stage is set for Clayfield’s Got Talent! Each House has selected their best act to represent them in what promises to be a fun and inspiring showcase of creativity and spirit. Performances will take place during House time - a celebration of our students’ talents and House pride!

Dolly’s Dream Presentation

Earlier this term our Year 7 and 8 cohorts attended a presentation by Dolly’s Dream as part of our Wellbeing program. This presentation focused on understanding and preventing bullying. The session helped them unpack what bullying is, and what it is not.

Students were encouraged to think about how their actions, and even their silence as bystanders, can impact others. They also learned practical ways to speak up, support their peers, and access help when needed. It was a reminder that kindness, respect, and courage can make a real difference in creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

Wellbeing Through Belonging

During Wellbeing this term, Year 8 and 9 students are discovering how they can contribute positively to creating and maintaining respectful relationships. 

Year 8 students are focusing on emotional literacy. They’ve learned to recognise and name emotions, understand how feelings influence behaviour, and express themselves in respectful ways. These skills strengthen empathy, self-awareness, and peer connections, helping students manage challenges and communicate more effectively.

Year 9 students are exploring positive self-talk and coping strategies. They’ve practiced reframing negative thoughts and using tools like identifying personal strengths to manage stress. These skills support emotional resilience, both in and beyond the classroom.

As we head into the second half of term, it’s an ideal time for students to be aware of strategies to cope with assessment stress and also ways they can support one another. 

-Miss Amy Hayes, Head of Year 8 and 9