Secondary Bulletin

The Trafalgar Exchange

As part of their recent exchange to Trafalgar Castle School in Canada, Savannah Connolly, Imogen Davies, Ava Luk, and Charlotte Strickland each shared favourite moments from their unforgettable journey. 

Fly over Canada & Whistler 

Written by Ava Luk

Fly Over Canada was truly an unforgettable experience. We dove into a virtual reality adventure where our seats moved to simulate flying across the country which was complete with wind and light mist every time we soared through clouds. The views were incredible, showcasing Canada’s stunning lakes, mountains, and cities. I’d highly recommend Fly Over Canada to anyone visiting Vancouver, it’s truly one of the most memorable rides you can have! 

Our visit to Whistler was an amazing experience. We explored Whistler Village and visited the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, which showcases the culture and history of the local Indigenous communities. We were given a guided tour of the museum, and at the end, we took part in a cultural dance activity. Our group was split into three parts, each representing and dancing like a different animal. 

After the tour, we headed to Whistler Village and split into smaller groups for lunch and to explore the area. There were many cultural food options available, but most restaurants were closed, so the main choices were Italian and Mexican. After lunch, some people treated themselves to a sweet dessert from Beavertails, a Canadian pastry shop they highly recommended we try. In the end, we regrouped for dinner, which turned out to be burgers and fries once again! 

Blue Jays Game & The CN Tower 

Written by Savanna Connolly

The Blue Jays game we went to in Toronto was honestly unforgettable. The atmosphere inside Rogers Centre was electric—like something straight out of a movie. From the roar of the crowd to the sea of blue jerseys, you could just feel the energy buzzing in the air. It didn’t matter where you were sitting; it felt like we were all part of something huge, like we were inside a scene from a sports film where anything could happen. 

And the craziest part? We spotted Finn Wolfhard from Stranger Things in the crowd! It was so surreal to see someone that famous just casually watching the game like everyone else. It definitely added to the whole “movie moment” feeling. The game itself was intense and so much fun to watch. Every pitch, every swing, had us on the edge of our seats. 

The Blue Jays played their hearts out, but in the last two minutes, the other team hit a heartbreaking home run and took the win. I wasn't too upset that our team lost because I was secretly rooting for the other team the whole time because their jersey was prettier. 

Seeing the CN Tower in person was so cool—it honestly lived up to all the hype and more. It was just as majestic as Drake says in his songs. Standing beneath it and then riding up to the top felt surreal, like we were ticking something major off our bucket list. The view from up there was insane—you could see the entire city stretched out beneath us, and the way the sunlight hit the skyline made everything feel magical. 

The gift shop at the CN Tower was the best one we visited on the whole trip. It had the coolest souvenirs, from Toronto merch to CN Tower miniatures, and even some fun, quirky stuff we didn’t see anywhere else. We went a little crazy in there, but it was totally worth it. It was honestly so cool being at such a celebrity-rated and popular attraction as the CN Tower. Just knowing that so many famous people, like Taylor Swift and The Weeknd, have been there made the whole experience feel even more exciting. 

It’s one of those places you always see in movies, music videos, or Instagram posts, and suddenly we were there, living it for ourselves. There’s something about being in a spot that’s known all over the world that makes you feel like part of something bigger. It was the highlight of the trip!! 

Niagra Falls 

Written by Charlotte Strickland

Visiting Niagara Falls was such a great experience. It was a bit chilly, but really nice when the sun came out. We walked for ages along the edge of the falls, it felt like they just kept going and we could feel the mist from the falls like light rain. It’s the kind of place where you keep stopping just to take photos because the view is so stunning.   

It was busy around the area with everyone trying to take photos of the view, but   it was still a lot less cramped on land than it was in the boats. I remember looking down to see tourists with red ponchos on, all huddled together and so close to the falls. It looked freezing but fun at the same time. After walking for a while we went to explore the shops along Clifton hill, a famous street and a major check of the bucket list.  We had lunch at the Rainforest Café, which was super cool with all the jungle decorations and sounds. The gift shop was awesome too as it was full of fun souvenirs and little things you don’t really need but can’t help buying. 

The whole area kind of reminded me of the Ekka in Brisbane, lots of fun and energy, but with an incredible view of the waterfalls the whole time.  We really wished we had more time but because the drive there was pretty long we could only stay for a few hours, despite having so much more we wanted to see and do. The few hours we were there however, were memories we will treasure forever and it’s definitely somewhere we’d go back to! 

Grouse Mountain 

Written by Imogen Davies 

During our time in Vancouver, we first visited the amazing Grouse Mountain. To travel up to the top of the mountain we got to enjoy an amazing gondola ride with spectacular views of the stunning forest below. 

Once we got to the top of the mountain, we found ourselves in a snowy landscape we hadn’t expected which was cold, crisp, and beautiful. We trekked through the snow in hopes of spotting the resident grizzly bears and we did! They were enormous, with thick, fluffy brown coats, and we even learned a bit about their stories and how they came to live there. It was an unforgettable moment, and of course, we took tons of photos with the bears and the gorgeous snowy backdrop. Eventually, the cold became too much, and we warmed up inside the cozy café and gift shop and we were all happy about it as we couldn’t feel our fingers anymore. 

To warm up my body a little more, I decided to head to the cafe and grab myself some hot chips which did not disappoint. We had the option of going to watch the bird show, which was outside, but we decided to take the opportunity but as soon as we got the bird show the freezing cold weather overtook us and we headed straight back warm. Overall, Grouse Mountain was an amazing experience that I would absolutely love to endure again, and I will say that my favourite parts for seeing the snow and bears!  

State of Origin Fever Hits Clayfield

Our Sports Captains in Secondary School, Mia and Reese, are embracing the State of Origin spirit as Queensland prepares to even the scoreboard in Game 2 and they’re inviting all students to join in the celebration!

On Wednesday 18 June, students are encouraged to show their maroon or blues pride by wearing State of Origin accessories such as jerseys, ribbons, scarves, or beanies once they arrive at school. Please note that full school uniform must still be worn to and from school, with accessories added on campus only.

Let’s bring the energy, the colour, and the spirit to Clayfield College as we cheer on this great event!

Care@Clayfield Parent Resources

As part of our recent Care@Clayfield sessions with Jonny Shannon, we’re pleased to share the following resources with our parent community. 

• The Amanda Video – Share With Care

  A reminder for parents about the importance of mindful sharing online and the impact of oversharing images of children.

  🔗 Watch here

   

• Sextortion Documentary

  A powerful and informative documentary exploring the growing issue of online exploitation.

  🔗 Watch here

   

• Mobile Phone Contract

  A downloadable agreement to help families set boundaries and expectations around device use.

  📄 Download the contract

   

• Parent Safety App – Bark

  A tool designed to help families monitor online activity and keep children safe across digital platforms.

  🔗 Learn more

Brain Break HQ: A Space for Connection

In the heart of the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), students across Years 7 to 12 now have access to a welcoming and engaging space known as Brain Break HQ - a designated area where they can relax, recharge and connect with peers through a range of classic and modern boardgames.

Open before school from 8:00am, during morning tea and lunch breaks, and after school until 4:00pm, Brain Break HQ offers an alternative recreational space that encourages social interaction, strategic thinking and a healthy balance between study and downtime. Games such as Scrabble, The Game of Life, Jenga and Code Breaker are available for students to enjoy either casually or as part of a friendly competition with classmates.

Managed by our wonderful Mrs Smith in the LRC, this initiative supports student wellbeing by providing opportunities to step away from screens, engage in face-to-face interactions, and experience the fun of traditional gameplay in a calm and inclusive environment. We envisage that as the collection of boardgames continues to grow, so too will the popularity of this space as a hub for community and creativity.

Brain Break HQ reflects the College’s commitment to nurturing the whole student - academically, socially, and emotionally - within a supportive and vibrant learning environment.

Men’s Health Week

The 9 June to 15 June marks Men’s Health Week. This week brings awareness to the health and wellbeing of boys and men in our community.  

Men’s Health Week serves as a reminder that that wellbeing extends beyond physical health. Mental health is just as important and closely linked to overall health outcomes. 

The research shows that men are less likely to seek support when they are experiencing mental health challenges. A range of factors contribute to this, from the unique way men experience mental health challenges to stigma and beliefs around masculinity. A key message of Men’s Health Week is that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our students are encouraged to reach out to a trusted teacher, their Head of Year, or College Counsellor for support.   

On Wednesday, our Year 10 students led a whole College Push-Up Challenge to raise awareness for men’s mental health. The push-up challenge encouraged students and staff to complete 3214 push-ups, honouring the 3214 lives lost to suicide in 2023. We made the push-up target by 2! It was amazing to see the College come together and raise awareness for men's health. 

Men’s Health Week is for everyone. We all have a role to play in supporting the boys and men in our lives – whether that’s a son, brother, father, uncle, husband, partner, grandfather, coach, teacher, classmate, colleague or neighbour. We can make a difference by regularly checking in, encouraging boys and men to express themselves, and supporting them to ask for and access help.  

Throughout Term 2 our students have had the opportunity to engage in a variety of creative and linguistic endeavours to inspire their love of learning within the Arts and Languages. Our wonderful staff have worked tirelessly to ensure these enrichment and extension activities provided challenge, learning opportunities and lots of fun and connection with other students along the way.

Languages

Our Year 11 Spanish students stepped into the kitchen for a delicious cultural experience in Term 2, cooking arepas and guacamole from scratch using authentic Hispanic recipes. It was a hands-on, engaging way to explore Hispanic culture through its flavours, while practising language skills in a fun, collaborative environment.

Our Year 9 Spanish students enjoyed an authentic dining experience at La Carmela restaurant. They were welcomed and served entirely in Spanish, and each had the opportunity to order their meal and dessert using the language they learnt in class. It was a fantastic way to apply their skills in a real-world context, reinforcing classroom learning while building confidence in a fun and meaningful setting.

On Monday our Years 9 to 11 students enjoyed a day full of fun, laughter, and cultural immersion during our Secondary Spanish Day: Forget the Siesta, It’s Time for Fiesta! From painting colourful Toritos de Pucará and learning about Inca traditions, to assembling and tasting delicious alfajores, and dancing to live Mexican music, students celebrated the richness of the Spanish-speaking world through hands-on, joyful experiences.

We now look forward to continuing the fiesta with our Primary Spanish Day this Friday, where younger students will celebrate Peruvian culture through art, create Inti Raymi sun masks, and dance to the vibrant rhythms of Peru!

In Term 2 our Chinese students have been preparing and competing in various events organised by the Queensland University of Technology.  Do Hee Lee (Year 10), competed at the 18th 'Chinese Bridge' National Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign Secondary School Students Australia Final held in Melbourne and was awarded 2nd place in the national competition.

Do Hee will proudly represent Australia at the Global Competition in China in October. This highly challenging competition tests Chinese listening, writing, speech, and cultural talents. Do Hee performed exceptionally well throughout every stage of the competition, demonstrating great skill and dedication. Our Primary students will be competing this Saturday at the Queensland University of Technology.

Scene Project- Drama

This term, our Years 9 and 10 Drama students engaged in a dynamic workshop with Queensland Theatre, exploring the new script Calibration as part of The Scene Project—the company’s largest educational initiative. The program fosters creativity, collaboration, and student voice by inviting participants to be part of the theatre making process.

Students explored character, storytelling and performance techniques while offering their own insights into the development of the script. The workshop not only built confidence and connection but also gave students a sense of ownership and pride in their creative contributions, highlighting the power of the arts to inspire and engage. We are looking forward to our drama students presenting their scenes at the Queensland Theatre Company next term.

Visual Art Incursions with Wendy Winsley

Over the past week, our Visual Art students across multiple year levels have had the exciting opportunity to work with local artist Wendy Winsley during a series of creative incursions.

Last week, our Year 8 students participated in a vibrant session focused on Fauvism, where Wendy guided them through the development of their major artwork for the semester. The session was full of colour, creativity, and hands-on learning.

This week, our Year 11 Visual Art students also worked alongside Wendy in a workshop that focused on felting techniques. This practical session helped students build foundational skills in preparation for future projects in Years 11 and 12.

These experiences provided our students with valuable exposure to professional artistic practices and inspired them to explore new techniques and creative possibilities.

Music

Following an exciting Opus concert series from our Primary and Secondary ensembles our musicians have been busy preparing for the upcoming Combined Choral Concert with Brisbane Boys’ College. We are looking forward to presenting two movements from the stunning 'Requiem Op.48' by Gabriel Faure. Everyone is very welcome to attend the concert. We look forward to ending Term 2 on a high note!

Futures Expo – this Monday!

On Monday 16 June, we have universities, student accommodation (colleges), TAFE, private VET training providers and the Defence Forces in the Assembly Hall at 3:15pm. 

The Futures Expo is a key event for students in Years 9 to 12 to help with your subject selection and making post-high school study choices. Families and siblings are welcome to join us. 

At the registration table, we will have a Futures Expo Starter Pack so you’re not stuck wondering what to ask. We have prepared ready-made questions in our Get Set for Work and Exit Prep careers classes, so you have questions literally at your fingertips to ask our exhibitors. 

And, new for this year, we have a prize draw for those who attend. We have six showbags of merchandise donated by each of the exhibitors. Each student will be given a ‘passport’ upon arrival which needs to be stamped or signed by six exhibitors and then popped into our entry box. Six winners will be drawn at the end of the Futures Expo.  

See you there! 

Year 10 Subject Selection For 2026

For Year 10 students interested in enrolling in the Diploma of Business in 2026, the updated estimated cost from Axial Training is $2950. If you have any questions about the Diploma of Business, please feel welcome to contact Ms Lou Bromley on lbromley@clayfield.qld.edu.au

Futures Expo 2025 – Years 9 to 12

Next week, Clayfield College will host our annual Futures Expo in the Assembly Hall on Monday 16 June, from 3:15pm to 5:00pm.

This valuable event is a fantastic opportunity for students and families to connect with representatives from universities, tertiary education providers, student accommodation services and training organisations. Year 12 students are expected to attend, and all other senior students (Years 9 to 11) are warmly encouraged to join. Families, including siblings, are also welcome.