Senior School Welcome

 Dear Senior School Parents and Carers

The holidays provide a welcome opportunity to pause and recharge, but there is something special about the moment Clayfield College comes back to life. As students reconnect with friends and teachers, the familiar energy of the College returns. It is these everyday moments that remind us of what makes Clayfield such a special place.

The beginning of a new term also offers an opportunity to pause and look back. Growth is not always obvious while it is happening and confidence rarely develops overnight. Instead, it grows quietly through the everyday moments - having the confidence to ask a question, persevering when learning becomes challenging, encouraging a peer, taking on a new opportunity or simply becoming a little more comfortable in who they are. It is often only when we pause that we recognise just how far our young people have come.

As we begin the second half of the year, we are excited not only for what our students will achieve, but for who they will continue to become. We know the weeks ahead will bring moments of challenge, achievement, laughter and growth, and we look forward to sharing them with our Senior School community.

We cannot wait to see what this term will hold for our students, and we look forward to sharing every step of it with you. It will be wonderful to welcome all Senior School students back for the commencement of Term 3 on Tuesday 14 July.

Staffing 

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.

Pastoral Care (PC) Teacher - Campbell 3 

Following Ms Belinda Pilgrim’s appointment as Head of Department – Inclusive Learning, Miss Elyse Smallacombe will assume the role of PC Teacher for Campbell 3. Elyse is excited to take on this role and support the students in her care while building strong connections within the House.

Nancy Ashburn Learning Resource Centre (LRC)

Please note the following staffing coverage for the Upper Level of the LRC in Term 3:

• Monday to Thursday: Mrs Michelle Smith
• Friday: Miss Hayley Gibbs

Communication Channels

As a gentle reminder, the ways we will continue to communicate with you are outlined below, along with guidance on who to contact in the first instance should you need to reach out to 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.

   

• 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.

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.

Application for Leave

Short-Term Absences (Less than three days)

Short-term absences should be reported via the College App before 8:20am, 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 (Three days or more)

We recognise that, at times, exceptional personal circumstances may require leave during term time (e.g. 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.

Years 7 to 12 Academic Procedures and Policies 

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 Monday 13 July (in-person only appointments) from 3:00pm to 7:30pm and Thursday 16 July (Zoom only appointments) from 3:30pm to 8:00pm. For the in-person appointments, teachers will be seated in the Nancy Ashburn Learning Resource Centre (LRC), Drama Black Box and EDGE 2.1 and 2.2. 

Consultations will be 10 minutes per teacher and can be booked via Parent Lounge. Details on how to book interview times have been sent out to families and bookings will close at 8:00pm on Friday 10 July. 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 3 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 3

Collaborative Partnerships

Thank you for your continued support and for the collaborative partnership we share. Together, we look forward to another term of supporting our young people as they learn, grow and embrace the opportunities ahead.

Warm regards

Mrs Natasha Podoliak

Director of Senior School