Secondary Bulletin

Year 9 Camp at Mt Tamborine

Last week, our Year 9 students embarked on an exciting camp experience at Mt Tamborine. Highlights included the Mt Tamborine TreeTops adventure, featuring ziplining and self-guided high ropes courses. This was followed by outdoor challenges such as mountain biking, giant ladder climbing, leadership initiatives, a stranded simulation, orienteering and capture the flag.

Wednesday’s Curriculum Day took a cross-disciplinary approach, focusing on environmental sustainability and the mining industry. Students explored a scenario through three rotations including ethical resource use and renewable energy, culminating in a creative Drama performance that brought these issues to life.

The camp was a valuable opportunity for students to grow personally, learn through experience, and strengthen connections within their cohort.

Thank you to the staff who attended camp including Ms Toni Kirton, Miss Morgan Andrew, Ms Tanya Mathias and Mr Jacques Stemmet. Additionally thank you to the Curriculum Day staff who led activities for the students which consisted of Mrs Lakshmi Mohan, Mrs Kim Eagle, Mrs Emily Rossow, Mr Brett Steeples, Miss Fleur Wrakuale, Mr Adrian Walker and Mrs Katrina Ash.

Ms Amy Hayes 

Head of Year 8 and 9 

RUOK? Awareness Day

RUOK? Day will be observed on Thursday 11 September. This day is dedicated to encouraging open conversations about mental health and well-being. We would like all students to wear a touch of yellow with their school uniform; this could be yellow socks, ribbons, hairbands, hats or any other accessory. Undergarments are not to be worn on top of the uniform and all students who catch public transport, must be in full school uniform to and from school. During lunchtime, we will be running some fun activities, together with learning moments in Wellbeing and Foundation Lessons, Year Level Meetings and Personal Development lessons.

Illuminate the Sky

House Spirit Photo Competition

Clayfield College students and staff celebrated Book Week with enthusiasm, dressing up as their favourite literary characters and sharing their love of reading. The vibrant House Spirit was on full display, captured in the photos below.

Ashburn House

Gibson House

Henderson House

Radcliffe House

Youngman House

The winning photo is Campbell House!

Youngman House Fundraiser - tomorrow!

On Friday 29 August, join Youngman House for a fun-filled crazy hair/wig and sock free dress day and bake sale (Secondary students only) to support The Kids’ Cancer Project! 

Students are allowed to wear FREE DRESS, but to take part in this fundraiser, they must come with crazy hair/wig and/or crazy socks - that's the whole point of the day! 

Enjoy delicious homemade treats and help raise funds for vital research that’s working hard to find kinder, more effective treatments for children battling cancer. Let’s mix a little fun with a whole lot of heart to make a real difference!

If you are travelling to school on public transport, you must wear your uniform and change at school.

Student Free Day / QCAA Staff Day

The College will be closed on Friday 5 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

With the warmer weather approaching, we will start our transition from the Winter Uniform to the Summer Uniform, over the coming weeks. 

Primary 

• Students to wear their Summer Uniform from Monday 8 September (Week 9).

Secondary 

• Transition Week (Students can choose to wear their Winter or Summer Uniform): Monday 1 September to Friday 5 September (Week 8). 
• Students to wear their Summer Uniform from Monday 8 September (Week 9). 

Please refer to the Uniform Policy, available below, to reference the relevant uniform items. 

Year 9 Camp Curriculum Day

Recently, several Secondary staff, including the Deputy Principal – Head of Secondary, Dean of Secondary, Dean of Curriculum and a number of Heads of Department had the pleasure of visiting the Year 9 Outdoor Education camp to deliver a Curriculum Day. 

This day focused on environmental sustainability and the relationship between environmental longevity, social well-being and the resource industry, and featured cross-curricular learning experiences designed to challenge students’ thinking and foster meaningful engagement in the topic of sustainability. Activities centred around the fictional town of Chroma; a town that mines ‘chroma’ a fictional colourful mineral, which shines brightly, radiating the town. However, Chroma’s colour fades, the more it is mined. 

Students engaged in subject area specific tasks, and a culminating drama activity. The activities included:

Humanities Activity – Trading Game

Students participated in a resource trading simulation, encouraging them to reflect on the value of natural resources and the ethical considerations surrounding their use. Through this activity, they explored themes of social justice, as well as sustainability, gaining insight into how responsible resource management can benefit the wider community and its stakeholders.

STEM Activity – Renewable Resources

Students participated in hands-on experiments allowing them to investigate a range of energy technologies that could be adopted by the town of Chroma. This inquiry-based approach helped students assess the efficiency, and practicality of different solutions, reinforcing the role of innovation in sustainable development.

Drama Activity – Chroma Town Residents

Students used storytelling and perspective-taking to bring sustainability issues to life within the fictional town of Chroma. Their work highlighted the importance of empathy and collaboration in addressing sustainability challenges.

The day culminated in a sustainable decision-making activity where students grappled with the challenges facing the fictional town of Chroma. They considered a range of stake holders and devised innovative dramas to promote their decision making around the future of the town.

Mr Adrian Walker, Dean of Secondary commented: 

“It was inspiring to see our students engage so deeply with real-world issues through such a rich and varied learning experience. The integration of disciplines not only strengthened their understanding but also empowered them to think creatively and compassionately about the future.”

The Curriculum Day at Year 9 camp showcased the enthusiasm and positivity of the Year 9 cohort, who embraced all activities and impressed all the teachers present. The culminating activity highlighted the value of cross curricular learning, through real world challenges - empowering our change makers of tomorrow.

Year 11 and 12 Exam Block

Year 12 exams begin next week, starting on Monday 1 September and Year 11 exams begin in Week 9 on Monday 8 September.

All students have now received their block timetables. It is essential that students review these carefully to plan their study schedules, manage their time effectively, and ensure they are punctual for each exam session.

In addition to the timetables, students have been provided with an exam procedures document outlining expectations and processes. All students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with this document prior to the start of the exams, to ensure a smooth and efficient exam block experience for everyone.

Best wishes to the Year 11 and 12s for their final preparations! 

Quick QTAC Facts for Year 12 Families

This week in Exit Prep, Year 12 went through a slide deck for navigating their application portal by QTAC. The slide deck is now available to download on the Careers and Pathways website here:

Year 12 also created their ATAR portal registration during Exit Prep. It’s important to note that QTAC releases the ATARs through a different portal to the application portal.

QTAC Information Night

QTAC experts will walk you through key tips for a successful application. This session is perfect for students (and parents!) wanting to feel confident and prepared throughout the QTAC process. Don’t miss your chance to get insider advice straight from the source.

When: Wednesday 17 September

Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm

University Scholarships

Each fortnight, we publish the Options Careers Newsletter to our Careers and Pathways website, and every edition has information about scholarships, as well as informative careers articles and jobs information.

2026 PMSA Teacher Education Scholarships

Each year, the PMSA offers a limited number of Teacher Education Scholarships to selected current Year 12 students or recent graduates from our PMSA schools. 

The scholarship aims to foster a respect for the importance of education as a profession and enable aspiring educators to make a difference in the schools and communities they serve. The scholarships are each worth $2,000 per year for up to four years of study for suitable students entering an undergraduate teacher education degree or early childhood education course. 

Applications close 24 October 2025. This year’s proposed scholarship prospectus and the application timeline can be accessed here:

For Year 10, 11 and 12 Families

Have you checked out the Options Careers Newsletters we publish on the Careers and Pathways website? Each edition is a one stop shop of information for families about careers, jobs, and tertiary study.

Find the newsletter on the Careers and Pathways website here: 

Academy of Sport Information Evening

TAFE Queensland is hosting an Academy of Sport Information Evening on Monday, 8 September 2025, at 6:00pm in the C Block Auditorium, South Bank campus (66 Ernest Street, South Bank) for parents, students and families.

This event is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about their nationally recognised sport coaching and business programs, delivered in partnership with some of Queensland’s most prominent sporting organisations, including:

• Brisbane Broncos
• Brisbane Bullets
• Brisbane Lions
• Brisbane Heat
• Football Queensland
• Gymnastics Queensland
• Hockey Queensland
• Gold Coast SUNS
• Queensland Reds
• Queensland Touch
• Tennis Australia

Event Program

• 6:00pm – TAFE at School Programs (Years 10–12 across all sports)
• 7:00pm – Diploma-Level Qualifications (Post-school pathways in Sport, Event Management, and Leadership & Management)

Why Attend?

• Get a head start while at school – Discover how their Academy of Sport programs for Years 10–12 provide real-world industry experience while developing essential soft skills like leadership, public speaking, and planning.
• Explore post-school pathways – Learn about their unique diploma-level qualifications, delivered in collaboration with leading sporting organisations, offering insights into the operations of multiple sporting codes.
• Hear from the experts – Gain valuable perspectives from educators and industry professionals on how to turn a passion for sport into a rewarding career.

TAFE at School & VETiS Funding

Students in Years 10–12 can complete a nationally recognised qualification one day per week at a TAFE Queensland campus or one of our partner venues, such as the State Hockey Centre, State Tennis Centre, or Sleeman Sports Complex.

• Certificate II in Sport Coaching (SIS20321) is VETiS funded, meaning eligible students can access the program at no cost (subject to government eligibility).
• A second-year pathway into the Certificate III in Sport Coaching (SIS30521) is also available, offering additional QCE credits and ATAR eligibility.

Sporting Partnerships & Study Locations

Students can study contextualised programs through our partnerships at locations including:

• Brisbane Bullets – South Bank, Logan, Gold Coast, Zillmere
• Brisbane Heat – Allan Border Field, Albion
• Gold Coast SUNS – Carrara, Gold Coast
• Gymnastics Queensland – Sleeman Sports Complex
• Hockey Queensland – Queensland State Hockey Centre
• Football Queensland – South Bank, Gold Coast, Bracken Ridge
• Queensland Reds, Rugby League, Queensland Touch – Ballymore Stadium
• Netball & Esports – South Bank
• Tennis Australia – Queensland State Tennis Centre, Tennyson

Applications Now Open

Applications for the 2026 TAFE at School program are now open. Students can apply via the Pathways portal or at www.tafeapply.com using the code TQB2601.

Next Steps

We look forward to welcoming your students to the Information Evening and helping your them explore their future in sport.

Click here to register attendance https://bit.ly/4mspdkF

For more information, contact the Academy of Sport team on 1300 780 368 (press 3) or email academy.sport@tafeqld.edu.au.

Year 11 Semi Formal 2026