Senior School Welcome

 Dear Parents and Carers

We trust the Easter break has provided a valuable pause for rest and renewal, and we hope students return feeling re-energised and ready for the term ahead. 

It is a pleasure to welcome everyone back to the Senior School and to continue our work together as a Clayfield College community. Term 2 is always a significant and purposeful period, with students re-establishing routines and building sustained focus in their learning.

Beyond the classroom, students are encouraged to engage fully in the breadth of opportunities available at Clayfield College, from co-curricular involvement through to leadership and community connections that strengthen belonging and wellbeing. These experiences remain an important part of a well-rounded school journey.

We sincerely value and appreciate the ongoing partnership with families and look forward to a positive and productive term ahead, supporting each student to make the most of the opportunities before them.

We look forward to welcoming all Senior School students to begin the term on Tuesday 21 April 2026.

Staffing Update

We welcome to the Clayfield College community both Lisa Chadwick, who replaces Shannon McGeady, English and Humanities Teacher, and Kathryn Dore as Head of English and Humanities.

Lisa Chadwick

English and Humanities Teacher 

Lisa brings extensive experience in English, EAL/D and Humanities education across a range of respected schools. She has led and taught General English at senior levels, held curriculum leadership roles, and is highly experienced in supporting diverse learners to achieve strong outcomes. Lisa’s background includes overseeing EAL/D and literacy programs and working confidently with QCAA‑aligned senior English courses. We are delighted to have Lisa join our community and look forward to the contribution she will make to our students and staff.

Kathryn Dore

Head of English and Humanities 

Kathryn is a seasoned educator and leader with over 17 years’ experience in schools, including Villanova and Mount Maria Colleges, bringing deep expertise in English, Literature, and Humanities, alongside a strong track record in curriculum leadership and student growth. She has taught extensively across Years 7 to 12 and is well versed in QCAA expectations, including assessment design, moderation, and external assessment processes.

Having held senior and middle leadership roles at Mount Maria College, including Acting Assistant Principal – Curriculum, and Education Leader: Pedagogy and Student Growth, Kathryn is known for her clear instructional leadership, high expectations, and strong support of both staff and students. Her background as an external marker for both senior English subjects and NAPLAN, further strengthens her capacity to lead high‑quality teaching and learning across the department.

Kathryn’s experience and professionalism ensure continuity and confidence in English and Humanities classrooms. We look forward to the educational leadership she will bring to our community.

Communication Channels

We will continue to communicate with you using the channels outlined below. You will also find guidance on who to contact in the first instance should you need to get in touch with our team.

Friendly Reminders

• The College App provides current information about events and activities, as well as important notices, alerts and a live school calendar. Please refer to the College App Guide linked below for further information.

• Parent Lounge provides up-to-date information including a student’s timetable, teachers, policy documents, excursion details, view Report Cards and schedule Parent Teacher interviews. Please refer to the following link for information on and access to Parent Lounge.

• Staff can be contacted via email during the school week. Email addresses are the first initial of the teacher’s name and their surname with @clayfield.qld.edu.au. 

   

• Students are expected to take pride in their presentation by wearing the correct school uniform at all times, in line with the CollegeUniform Policy, and ensuring a neat, tidy appearance that reflects the standards of Clayfield College. Please refer to the Uniform Policy below for further information.

   

• During Term 2, the Senior School will transition to the Winter Uniform, with timing guided by the weather and communicated via The Collective. A one-week transition period will apply, during which students may wear either the Summer or Winter Uniform.

   

• Students are expected to support a focused and connected learning environment by following the College’s mobile phone and smart device procedures, with Years 7 to 9 securely storing phones at Main Reception on arrival and Years 10 to 12 keeping them switched off in lockers during the school day.

• Pastoral Care (PC) begins at 8:30am each morning and is an important time for roll marking, communication of Daily Notices, organisation, wellbeing support, and uniform checks, so please ensure students arrive on time and notify the College via the app of any late arrivals or appointments.

   

• Crocs Café offers healthy, nutritious options for Senior School students at breakfast, morning tea, and lunch, with orders placed via FlexiSchools (by 8:30am daily cut-off) or purchases made by EFTPOS, noting that mobile phones cannot be used for transactions in line with College policy.

Application for Leave

Short-Term Absences (Less than three days)

Short-term absences should be reported via the College App before 8:20am, or by email to studentservices@clayfield.qld.edu.au if needed, with planned absences also logged in advance via the App; all students arriving after 8:30am must sign in at Reception, and those leaving early must be signed out by a parent or carer. 

Longer-Term Absences (More than three days)

We recognise that, at times, exceptional personal circumstances may require leave during term time (eg family emergencies); however, non-essential absences, including family holidays, are strongly discouraged and recorded as unauthorised. Planned absences of three days or more must be submitted via the Absence Request Form to absences@clayfield.qld.edu.au (with student name and class), and all requests are reviewed by the relevant Director and recorded on reports.

A Community of Belonging, Respect and Responsibility

Every student has the right to learn in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. Clayfield College is committed to fostering a culture of care and connection, underpinned by clear expectations and shared accountability. This includes upholding the PMSA commitment to fair, inclusive, and respectful learning environments, alongside the College values of Care, Integrity, Resilience, and Respect.

High standards of behaviour are expected from all members of the community and are grounded in self-discipline, self-respect, and respect for others and their property. In supporting this, we all share responsibility for promoting positive behaviour through our actions, communication, and conduct.

Years 7 to 12 Academic Procedures and Policies Document

The Years 7 to 12 Academic Procedures and Policies Document gives an overview of all procedures and protocols that need to be adhered to by staff, students and parents with regards to: 

• Academic integrity
• Assessment
• Drafting, scaffolding, conferencing and feedback
• Subject changes, and

• AARA 

   

You can access the document via the link below. It is also available on Parent Lounge and Student Café under Links: Assessment and Reporting. 

Progressive Reports 

On completion of summative assessment across all subject areas, students will receive a progressive report which provides valuable information on their learning. The Progressive Report is personalised for each student and provides student-specific and genre-specific feedback including:

• Student learning behaviours in the lead up to the assessment
• Feedback (strengths) 

• Feedforward (future focus goals)

   

We encourage you to view the progressive reports with your child, celebrate their strengths and achievements and discuss feedforward strategies/suggestions. Progressive Reports are available on Student Café and Parent Lounge. Use this link for directions on how to access the Progressive Reports on Parent Lounge.

Clayfield College Home Learning Policy

At Clayfield College we believe that home learning plays an important role in consolidating concepts and skills taught in the classroom. However, we also acknowledge that the expectations around home learning and the time associated with the same, are unique to different year levels, and as such will vary as students’ progress from Year 7 to Year 12. 

Criteria to Qualify for Academic Awards 

Please find below the criteria to qualify for an academic award in Years 7 to 12. We draw your attention to the last paragraph which specifies the attendance requirements around qualifying for an award.

Years 7 to 12 Parent Teacher Interviews

Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences for Years 7 to 12 will be held on Tuesday 28 April and Thursday 30 April from 3:30pm to 8:00pm. 

We are offering either a meeting in person or using the Zoom platform. Teachers will be seated in the Nancy Ashburn Learning Resource Centre (LRC) on both evenings.

Consultations will be 10 minutes per teacher and can be booked via Parent Lounge from 9:00am Tuesday 21 April for Boarding families, and 9:00am Wednesday 22 April for all families. Details on how to book interview times will be sent out to families and bookings will close at 8:00pm Sunday 26 April. We encourage your child to be present and to participate in each meeting.

Tutorials 

Our dedicated teaching staff offer tutorials to provide small group and individual support to students. Please find here the 2026 Term 2 Tutorial Schedule.

2026 Term Dates:

To assist with your planning for the remainder of the school year and holidays, please find below the remaining school term dates for 2026.

Fundraiser Days:

Key Dates for Term 2:

I look forward to continuing our partnership and to seeing our students engage fully in the rich learning opportunities and experiences that Term 2 will bring.

Warm regards

Mrs Natasha Podoliak

Director of Senior School