Senior School Bulletin

At Clayfield, I am continually inspired by the curiosity I see in our Senior School students; in the thoughtful questions raised in class, the creative approaches to problem-solving, and the conversations that spill into corridors long after lessons end. These moments remind me that curiosity and creativity are truly powerful strengths within our community.

Curiosity often begins quietly, with a simple “I wonder…” When students give themselves permission to explore an unfamiliar idea, test a different approach, or see something from another perspective, learning becomes deeper and more personal. Creativity is not just found in the arts; it is present in innovation, collaboration, and the courage to try again when something feels uncertain.

This week, I encourage each student to step just beyond their comfort zone. Try something new - a topic, a hobby, or a fresh way of thinking. Families might ask, “What sparked your curiosity this week?” Nurturing these small moments of exploration helps our young people grow in confidence and discover what is possible.

Foundation Day Cup

Foundation Day was a vibrant celebration of Clayfield spirit, with students from Years 3 to 12 competing in a games carnival that culminated in an energetic whole-House Tunnel Ball finale. With teamwork, determination and plenty of cheering on display, Houses battled it out for the coveted Foundation Day Cup, and congratulations go to Youngman House for taking out this year’s title. The original trophy being presented at Assembly was generously donated in 1978 by the ‘Winning’ family and was last awarded to Mackay House - a wonderful piece of Clayfield history. More information is provided below. The new Cup is a nod to that tradition, reflecting a time when the Junior School proudly competed as Gould, Court and Mackay Houses, making this celebration not only spirited, but steeped in history.

House Excellence

This term, the Director of Senior School is awarding a weekly Stronger and Wiser Point to the House that best demonstrates our focus behaviour. Our focus this week was Punctuality, recognising the importance of being organised, prepared and on time as a mark of respect for learning and one another. Congratulations to Radcliffe House for their outstanding consistency and well done to Mr McIntosh for his diligent leadership and clear expectations as House Leader. Next week, our focus turns to Email Etiquette, as we continue to strengthen the habits that reflect professionalism, courtesy and integrity - truly Stronger and Wiser in action.

Stronger and Wiser

House Spirit Photo Competition

As part of our Stronger and Wiser initiative, the Year 12 Formal House Spirit Photo Competition celebrates unity, pride and positive leadership on a special milestone evening. The House that captures the strongest sense of connection, respect and spirit will earn points toward the House Cup.

And the winner is….Henderson! 

Central Australia Service Trip Information Evening

Tuesday 3 March | Chapel | 6:00pm

Discover the Red Centre’s dramatic and untamed landscapes on this cultural immersion and trek learning journey, exploring sections of the Larapinta Trail, the wonders of Kings Canyon, and the sacred sites of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. You’ll be immersed in one of the world’s most ancient landscapes through a combined cultural immersion, service program, and on-Country trekking experience, more information below:

Who: Years 7 to 10

Where: Central Australia

When: 19 to 28 September 2026

Learning Beyond the Classroom

At Clayfield, our Geography and Social Science programs prioritise learning that connects students with the environments and communities they study. Fieldwork and local investigations move learning from the page into the real world, helping students apply concepts, practise skills and build confidence as curious, capable geographers.

Year 11 and 12 Geography Fieldwork

Nudgee Beach

On Tuesday, our Year 11 and 12 Geography students completed their first fieldwork of the year at Nudgee Beach. The investigation focused on how land cover changes along Kedron Brook have contributed to a land management challenge at Nudgee Beach. Students collected data in the field, examined the Kedron Brook mouth and observed the impacts of mangrove degradation firsthand. 

It was an authentic day of learning that asked students to step outside their comfort zones. Heat, mosquitos, mud, strong sun and even an intermittent downpour all made an appearance. Despite the conditions, students showed excellent resilience and engagement, and the opportunity to apply geographical skills in a real setting made the learning purposeful and memorable.

Thank you to Mrs Rebecca Geevarghese, Geography teacher and teacher responsible, and to Ms Leeta Austin for her support on the day.

Year 7 Liveability Fieldwork – Coming Up

On Wednesday 18 March (Week 8), all Year 7 Social Science students will take part in a local fieldwork incursion as part of their Liveability unit. Students will walk the area between Eagle Junction Station and Kalinga Park to conduct an environmental quality survey and gather evidence to evaluate the liveability of Clayfield.

This is students’ first formal experience with geographical field methods at the College. With their teachers and accompanying staff, students will record observations, collect data and consider how features of the built and natural environment contribute to the liveability of a community.

Date and time: Wednesday 18 March, Lessons 2, 3 and 4

Venue: Park Avenue, Clayfield, between Eagle Junction Station and Kalinga Park

What to bring: Writing materials and a school hat

Experiences like these sit at the heart of Humanities learning at Clayfield. They invite students to notice closely, think critically and engage actively with the world around them. We are excited to see what insights and discoveries emerge from both fieldwork experiences this term.

Staff Update 

This Friday we farewell Ms Emily Rossow and thank her for her positive contribution to the College during her time with us. Ms Rossow has passionately taught English, Social Science, Historical Studies and People, Place and Philosophy and has been 2IC of HEAL (Humanities, English and EAL) and most recently Head of HEAL. She will be greatly missed.

We congratulate Ms Sian Graham who will be acting as the Head of HEAL, and Ms Belinda Pilgrim, who will be acting as the 2IC of HEALfor the rest of this semester. We also welcome Ms Elyse Smallacombe who will be joining the HEAL department for the rest of this semester. To facilitate these changes, there will be some changes to subject teachers from next week. These will be communicated to the relevant students and families by the end of this week.

Message from the 2026 Academic Captains

As the 2026 Academic Captains, we want to help create an environment where every student is motivated and empowered to achieve their personal best.  

One of the ways we hope to create this is by providing support through the newly created ‘Senior-led Study Sessions’, designed for Years 7 to 9. In these sessions, Year 12 students will share effective study strategies and provide tutoring in Science, Mathematics, English and Humanities for interested students in Years 7 to 9.

These sessions will be held on Thursday lunchtimes from 1:00pm to 1.25pm in Week 6 (Thursday 5 March), Week 7 (Thursday 12 March) and Week 9 (Thursday 26 March), with further sessions planned for future terms.

These sessions will offer a supportive space for students to ask questions, strengthen their understanding, and learn alongside their peers. We strongly encourage all Year 7 to 9 students to take advantage of this valuable opportunity.

Year 7 Camp

The Year 7 cohort enjoyed a vibrant three days at CYC Adventures on the Gold Coast, diving into activities such as Hydro Quest, Bush Navigation, Catapult building, Initiative Games, and the Survivor Challenge. Beyond the structured program, students’ favourite moments painted a picture of curiosity, connection, and the unmistakable energy of Year 7 life, from spotting turtles, kangaroos, and snake skins to bonding in cabins, playing cards, and inventing group names like Be Chickens. Many students highlighted how much they loved getting to know their peers better, whether through team games, scavenger hunts, Just Dance battles, or simply relaxing together in their cabins.

In the words of the students, my favourite moments were:

“Looking out of our cabins and seeing kangaroos!!”

 

“When the chickens (Group name) were being funny and when we were barking at the turtles in the lake (as were the instructions to get them to raise their heads above the water).”

 

“Getting to know the people in my grade and doing the Scavenger Hunt.”

With great food, plenty of laughter, and new friendships formed, the camp set a positive tone for the year ahead and created memories the students will carry with them long after returning to campus.

Year 8 Camp

Our Year 8 students enjoyed an action‑packed three days at Camp Laurence, Lake Moogerah. Students participated in a variety of outdoor activities, including giant swings, canoeing, raft building, archery, crate climbing, catapults, bucket golf, and team‑building initiatives, showing incredible courage, resilience, and enthusiasm. During the evenings, students sung and danced to songs as a cohort, played board games and cards, and celebrated Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year celebration was proudly led by our Year 8 Chinese students. They shared the meaning behind the Year of the Horse, offered fortune cookies to their peers, and introduced traditional Chinese music that created a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

The camp offered a powerful foundation for connection, resilience and teamwork, encouraging students to face their fears and embrace new challenges as they begin the year ahead.

“Waking up to a beautiful sunrise with kangaroos everywhere was a great way to start the morning on our Year 8 camp. We got to do a myriad of different things, like raft building, canoeing and archery. Every day you had something challenging to do and enjoy. We loved the water activities; I think my favourite was archery. We got to fire at each other with foam tipped arrows, it felt like a medieval battle! I made a lot of new friends, had some good food, learned new things including special types of knots and different ways to fasten logs together for making rafts and catapults. We played a lot of new and interesting card games at night and worked together as a team with our groups to complete activities.” - 8D Student

 

“Camp has changed my understanding of bravery and having the courage to step up and take the challenge. Camp helped overcome my fears in so many ways like for heights and even stepping out of my comfort zone to talk with different people I may not talk to every day. My favourite activity at camp probably would’ve been raft building because that is where I most connected with some other people and increased my confidence. I learnt how to build a raft and work as a team by hearing other people’s opinions other than my own.” - 8A Student