Junior School Welcome

Dear Junior School Parents and Carers

I hope you and your family have enjoyed a restful and enjoyable break and had the opportunity to spend quality time together over the holidays. We are excited to welcome everyone back for what promises to be another busy and rewarding term in the Junior School.

A special welcome is extended to the new students and families joining our Junior School community this term, along with our international short-stay students who will join us for a month from the beginning of Week 2.

As we begin a new term, it is also worth reflecting on the wonderful Semester 1 we shared together. There were many highlights across the Junior School, including our Gallery Walks; Cross Country and swimming carnivals; Andrews Cup and Britton Shield events; Mother’s Day celebrations; Giving Day; the Year 6 Camp; co-curricular activities; and countless moments of learning and achievement both inside and outside the classroom. It was wonderful to see our students embrace opportunities with enthusiasm, demonstrate resilience and continue to grow in confidence, character and curiosity.

Term 3 is always one of the busiest and most exciting terms in the school calendar. We begin with our Semester 1 Academic Assembly and NAIDOC Week celebrations before moving into a term filled with countless sporting, cultural and community events. Highlights include our Athletics Carnival, more Andrews Cup and Britton Shield competitions, Year 4-5 camp, Parent-Teacher Conferences later this term, Book Week celebrations, Grandparents' Day, Father's Day events and the Year 5-6 Canberra Tour in the final week of term.

As always, our focus remains on providing an engaging, supportive and inclusive learning environment where every child is known, valued and understood, and where they are encouraged and empowered to achieve their personal best. We deeply value the strong partnership between home and school and thank you for your continued support of our students, staff and College. Together, we create a community in which every child can thrive.

Please note that Monday 13 July is a Staff Day and Boarder Travel Day. All students return to school on Tuesday 14 July, with Term 3 commencing on a Week B timetable.

New Students

We are delighted to welcome several new students and families to the Junior School this term. We look forward to welcoming them into our classrooms and wider community and helping them feel connected, supported and at home at Clayfield College.

We are also excited to welcome a group of international short-stay students who will join us for four weeks from the beginning of Week 2. These students will be immersed in the life of our College, learning alongside our students and experiencing Australian schooling.

We know our students will make them feel welcome and help showcase the warmth, inclusivity and strong sense of community that makes Clayfield College such a special place to belong.

The College App

The next time you access the App, you will be prompted to log in using your Parent Lounge username and password. This is designed to enhance the security of the App and ensure continued access to College communications. Please ensure you log in to continue receiving important College information.

Families are encouraged to regularly review your notification settings and subscriptions to ensure you receive information relevant to your child's year level, activities and co-curricular commitments.

The Collective

The Collective is our whole-school newsletter and is distributed each Thursday. This communication contains important updates from the College Leadership Team, Deans, Heads of Department and Junior School staff.

Together with the College App, The Collective is our primary means of communication with families. We strongly encourage parents and carers to read these publications regularly to stay informed about upcoming events, notices and opportunities.

Useful Contacts

Staffing

Junior School HPE Teacher 

Mrs Peta Richardson, Junior School HPE Teacher, will be on Long Service Leave throughout Term 3. We welcome Mrs Ebonney Woolnough, who will be teaching in this role during Mrs Richardson's absence. We know students and families will make her feel very welcome as she joins our Junior School community.

College Counsellor

As previously communicated, Mrs Kelsey Lahey, College Counsellor, has now commenced parental leave. We extend our warmest wishes to Kelsey and her family as they enjoy this special time together.

During Kelsey’s leave, we are pleased to welcome Miss Jessica Weller to the role. Jessica is an experienced education and wellbeing professional with more than fifteen years’ experience across New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia. Her background includes school-based teaching, counselling and pastoral care positions, and most recently she has served as College Counsellor at Moreton Bay Boys’ College and Padua College.

We look forward to the expertise and care Jessica will bring to our Pastoral Care team and the support she will provide to students across the College.

Semester 1 Academic Assembly

On Tuesday 14 July we will celebrate students in Years 3 to 6 who have achieved Academic Merit and Academic Excellence in Semester 1.

Families of award recipients have received separate communication from myself already. We look forward to recognising and celebrating the efforts and achievements of these students.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place during Week 6, from Monday 17 August to Friday 21 August.

These conferences provide an important opportunity to discuss your child's progress, celebrate achievements, and establish goals for the remainder of the school year. Individual teacher schedules and booking information will be shared early in Term 3.

Sports News

Following a successful Semester 1 of participation, teamwork and achievement, we look forward to another exciting term of Junior School sport.

Andrews Cup (Years 2 to 6)

• Football - Tuesday 21 July (Years 4 to 6)

• Athletics - Thursday 20 August (Years 2 to 6)

   

Britton Shield (Years 2 to 7)

• AFL - Thursday 13 August (Years 2 to 6)

• Basketball - Thursday 10 September (Years 2 to 6)

   

Further information regarding training and event arrangements will be communicated through the College App.

Junior School Athletics Carnival

The Years 2 to 6 Athletics Carnival will be held on Wednesday 29 July at Bowden Park, Geebung. We warmly welcome families to attend and support our students throughout the day. More detailed information will be shared in the coming weeks.

Ms Amy Lewin is available to assist with all Junior School sport enquiries via alewin@clayfield.qld.edu.au.

School Uniform

As students return for Term 3, all students should continue to wear their Winter Uniform in accordance with College expectations.

A reminder that we maintain a strict No Hat, No Play policy to support student health and wellbeing. All students must bring their College bucket hat to school each day in order to participate in outdoor learning activities and play.

Uniform Shop

Phone: 3262 0251

Email: clayfieldcollege@theuniformcompany.com.au

Before School Hours and Supervision

Please do not drop students at school before 7:30am, as staff supervision is not available prior to this time. 

No student should be on campus before 7:30am unless they are attending a scheduled co-curricular training session and proceed directly to that activity under the supervision of the relevant staff member or coach.

Students arriving before 8:00am must report to the Lower LRC, where supervision begins at 7:30am.

Grandparents' Day

We look forward to welcoming grandparents and special friends to our annual Grandparents' Day on Friday 21 August.

This special event provides an opportunity for our Pre-Prep to Year 6 students to celebrate the important people in their lives through shared experiences, classroom visits and a celebration of learning.

Further details and registration information will be shared early in Term 3.

Clubs Program

The Clubs Program will commence in Week 2. Further details regarding available clubs and registration processes will be communicated via the College App.

These activities are provided at no cost to families and offer students additional opportunities to explore interests, build friendships and develop new skills.

After School Club

Our After School Club program continues to operate Monday to Thursday for students in Years 1 to 6. 

After School Club provides a supervised environment for students after the school day and includes opportunities for homework, quiet activities, recreation and social connection with peers.

Families wishing to utilise this service are asked to register through Student Services via studentservices@clayfield.qld.edu.au with the following details:

• Child's Name
• Child's Class
• Preferred days for After School Club (eg. Mon - Thurs)

Places are limited, and bookings are required. 

Students in Years 1 to 3 must be collected by 4:30pm and students in Years 4 to 6 are to be collected by 5:00pm.

Further information regarding operating hours, collection procedures and booking arrangements is available through Student Services.

External Activity Providers 

The following document contains external activities that will be available for students to participate in during Term 3 2026. Please contact the provider directly for bookings and information. 

Alice David - Administrator and Reception Supervisor, is the College contact for any questions you may have regarding external activity providers, please contact her via studentservices@clayfield.qld.edu.au.

Parent Helpers

If you enjoy helping behind the scenes, we would love your support covering books and assisting in the Lower LRC.

Please contact Ms Avalon Banfield at abanfield@clayfield.qld.edu.au for further information.

Social Media and Student Privacy

As we begin another term, we remind all families of the importance of respecting the privacy and safety of all students.

Photos and videos taken at College events should only include your own child unless explicit permission has been obtained from the parents or guardians of other students who appear in the image.

We appreciate the support of our parent community in helping create a safe and respectful environment for every child.

Circular Drive Reminder

Thank you to all parents and carers for your support in helping our Circular Drive collection process run more smoothly and efficiently. The cooperation of families has made a significant difference, and we appreciate your ongoing assistance.

The safety of students, staff and families remains our highest priority. To ensure the afternoon collection process operates as safely and efficiently as possible, we ask that all families:

• Clearly display your family name on your vehicle dashboard or windscreen. This allows staff to radio ahead and have students ready for collection, helping to keep the line moving efficiently.
• Follow the directions of staff on duty at all times.
• Drive all the way to the furthest available collection point so we can maximise the number of vehicles entering Circular Drive during each collection cycle.
• Remain in your vehicle at all times. Parents and carers should not exit their vehicle whilst in the collection line.
• Ensure that students being collected via Circular Drive can independently enter the vehicle and place their school bag inside without assistance. If they are unable to do this yet, you are able to park in the surrounding streets and collect them from the school.
• Continue around the block (exiting to the left) and re-enter the queue if your child is not yet ready for collection.
• Avoid turning across traffic into Circular Drive, as this creates a safety risk for other vehicles, pedestrians and road users.

• Turn left when exiting Circular Drive. Please do not turn right when leaving the collection area including when you need to re-enter the queue.

   

By working together and following these procedures, we can ensure that Circular Drive remains a safe, efficient and positive experience for all members of our community. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Years 5 and 6 Canberra Tour

Our Year 5 and Year 6 students will undertake their Canberra Tour from Monday 14 September to Thursday 17 September.

This valuable educational experience provides students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of Australian democracy, history and citizenship through visits to a range of significant national institutions and landmarks.

Further information will be provided to Years 5 and 6 families across the term ahead of this trip.

Junior School Term 3 Save the Dates

Who Should I Ask?

At Clayfield College, we value the strong partnership between home and school and encourage open, respectful communication. Working together enables us to best support each child's learning, wellbeing, and development.

For any questions or concerns relating to your child's learning, wellbeing or classroom experiences, the first point of contact should always be your child's classroom teacher. For specialist subjects, families are encouraged to contact the relevant specialist teacher directly.

If further support or discussion is required, families may then contact:

• Mrs Robynne Bailey for matters relating to Pre-Prep to Year 2 

• Mrs Lauren Coote for matters relating to Years 3 to 6

   

Both Mrs Bailey and Mrs Coote work closely with students, families and staff to support student wellbeing, learning and pastoral care.

Should you feel that a matter requires further discussion following these conversations, I am always happy to meet with families. Please contact the Junior School administration team (juniorschool@clayfield.qld.edu.au) to arrange a suitable time.

The term ahead promises many wonderful opportunities for learning, connection and celebration. The Junior School team and I look forward to partnering with you throughout Term 3 and sharing in the growth and success of your children.

Warm regards

Mr Damien Marshall

Director of Junior School