Secondary Bulletin

Progressive Reports

Progressive reports will be published by 24 October, providing families with a snapshot of student progress and assessment results from Term 3. These reports offer meaningful feedback on current performance and feed forward guidance to help students set clear goals and strategies for improvement. They are designed to support ongoing learning and encourage reflection as students prepare for the final term of the year. 

Year 12 students will receive feedback on their recent mock exams before the end of this term. This feedback is designed to guide their preparation for external examinations and support their continued improvement.

Year 12 Trial Exam Week

A reminder that Year 12 ATAR Trial Exams will be held in the second week of the school holidays. Detailed information has been emailed to students and families. Students are expected to wear either their summer uniform or HPE uniform when attending exams. Once students have completed their final exam for the day, they will be required to leave the school site to ensure a quiet and focused environment for others still sitting exams.

End of Term 3

As we approach the end of Term 3, we’d like to extend our congratulations to all students for a productive and rewarding term. 

With assessments now completed, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the hard work, growth, and achievements of all students this term. Student commitment to learning and perseverance through challenges has been commendable. This has been evident in the Academic Captain’s Resilience Awards which have been presented in Assembly this term. These awards have been given to students identified by staff as showing grit and determination to achieve their best academically in each subject area. We are very proud of all students who have been identified for these awards. 

Save the Date

Year 7-12 Assembly – Monday 20 October: Speech Night Awards will be announced at this Assembly.

We hope that everyone enjoys a well-deserved break over the holidays; filled with moments of doing what they love, in the company of those who bring them joy as well as some peaceful rest, so that we all return refreshed and ready for the term ahead.

2025 Queensland Economics Teachers’ Association University of Queensland Economics Competition

We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Year 11 students in the 2025 Queensland Economics Teachers’ Association (QETA) and University of Queensland (UQ) Economics Competition.

This prestigious competition brought together high-achieving Year 11 and 12 students from 26 schools across Queensland, who undertook a rigorous exam assessing economic theory, problem-solving and real-world application. We are proud to share that Emily achieved equal first place in Queensland, an outstanding accomplishment!

Emily attended the official award ceremony at UQ last week, where she was presented with her certificate and prize. Congratulations, Emily, we are so proud of you!

We also celebrate the impressive efforts of our other top-performing students:

• Alexa Wu – 3rd in Queensland
• Greer Gallagher – High Distinction
• Eunis Kam – Distinction
• Megan Groundwater, Tara Wright and Dana Solo – Credit

Congratulations to all our Economics students on these remarkable results!

Do Hee Lee Represents Clayfield at International Chinese Language Competition

Do Hee Lee (Year 10), is currently in Beijing, China, representing Clayfield College in the prestigious Global Chinese Language Competition. Competing alongside 119 students from over 106 countries, Do Hee has embraced every opportunity the competition has offered. She has been busy doing professional photo shoots and media interviews conducted in Chinese, as well as proudly presenting Clayfield College school badges on the world stage. Yesterday, Do Hee delivered her two-minute speech in Chinese, and today she will take to the stage once again to compete. We are incredibly proud of Do Hee’s achievements and the way she is letting her light shine internationally.

Cake Creation Assessment Showcase

Year 9 students recently completed their special occasion cake assessment in Food Technology. Working individually, each student designed, baked, and decorated a cake based on a theme of their choice. Cakes were required to be at least one 6” layer, with some students opting to prepare a second layer at home.

Baking took place in class, followed by four dedicated lessons for decorating. Students applied a range of techniques including buttercream and fondant icing, piping, drip effects, glitter work, and floral decorations. Some sourced additional materials such as modelling paste or fresh flowers to enhance their designs.

Throughout the process, students demonstrated strong planning and time management skills, maintained hygiene and safety standards, and worked independently to complete their cakes within the allocated time. Each cake was photographed for assessment, and students were responsible for cleaning their workspaces thoroughly after each session.

The final results reflected a high level of creativity and effort. 

Thank you to families for supporting students with ingredients and preparation at home. And a big thank you for Food Technology Assistant Selina Tayler for the organisation behind the scenes. The photos below capture the impressive outcomes of this hands-on learning experience.

Mrs Rebecca McGuinness

Food Technology Teacher 

Year 12 Families

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

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!

QLD 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:

Term 3 Recap

As we draw Term 3 to a close, it is important to reflect on the many opportunities our students have embraced and to look ahead to the final term of the year.

Earlier this term, our athletes demonstrated their skill, determination, and House pride at the Interhouse Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to Ashburn House on claiming the win and well done to all competitors who gave their best on the day. 

The Athletics team has continued training with focus and commitment throughout the term, and we wish them every success in the upcoming QGSSSA Athletics competition on Thursday.

This term has been alive with House and community spirit. From Ashburn’s Pyjama Day, Campbell’s Jeans for Genes Day, and Youngman’s Crazy Hair and Sock Day, all supporting important charitable causes, to the excitement of Book Week, it has been wonderful to see students’ creativity, energy, and joy in action across the College.

Our Academic Captains also led this year’s Thinker’s Challenge, which included both a trivia competition and the 'Brisbane in 10 Years' vision activity, a wonderful testament to the strength of our academic culture. 

In the Arts, the annual Opus Concerts were again a highlight, showcasing the remarkable talent and dedication of our Music students in an evening of outstanding performances.

Looking Ahead

Term 4 promises to be memorable, with major events including the House Changeover Dinner, Speech Night, House Lunch, Year 12 Celebrations, and the Ignite Program. 

We are also delighted to launch new House initiatives such as Clayfield’s Got Talent and the Clayfield Spirit Games, both of which proudly align with our pillars of Wellbeing through Belonging and Learning from Experiences.

As always, I remain grateful for the energy, commitment, and spirit of our students and staff. Together, we continue to live out our motto: let your light shine.

Upcoming Social Media Age Changes to Help Keep Kids Safer Online

Starting 10 December 2025, there will be new age guidelines for children using popular social media platforms. These changes aim to help protect young people under 16 from some of the challenges that can come with social media use. 

What’s Changing?

From the above date, children under 16 won’t be able to create or keep accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. While they won’t be able to join these platforms, they can still view public content without logging in. The aim is to help create a safer, more age-appropriate online experience for younger users by delaying the age that they can create an account.

Why This Matters

The new guidelines come from recent Australian legislation focused on supporting young people’s wellbeing by encouraging safer social media habits. Platforms will be working to make sure these changes are put in place with care.

How Parents Can Help

• Stay in the loop: Check out the eSafety Commissioner’s website for updates and helpful tips.
• Chat with your child: Use this as a chance to continue to talk about safe and healthy ways to use the internet.

• Explore together: Consider alternative online activities or apps that are designed for younger audiences.

   

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