Secondary Bulletin

Staffing Update

We are happy to share the appointment of Mr Frank Sikalas as Secondary Technologies Teacher. Currently teaching at Aviation High School, Frank’s areas of expertise include Robotics, Engineering and Aerospace. He also has experience in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language) . As a current parent, Frank is already a valued member of the Clayfield community and will commence as a staff member on Monday 9 June. 

Lunch in the Forum

Lunch in the Forum is a termly initiative run by the HEAL (English, Humanities and EAL) Department to inspire student engagement and enthusiasm in English and Humanities studies. Each term, the focus changes to highlight a different area of the curriculum. This term, the spotlight was on the Spelling Bee.

Our annual Spelling Bee attracted more participants and greater support than ever before, a testament to the growing excitement around this event!

Congratulations to Sophie Morizet-Morales, Praju Neupane, Ella Jesson McIntyre, and Megan Groundwater, who were this year’s spelling champions. They will receive their certificates in Assembly.

Australian Geography and History Competitions

As a department, we believe in fostering excellence and a love of life-long learning by encouraging our high-achieving students to engage in extension opportunities including academic competitions.

We are proud to recognise the following students for their involvement in these national competitions.

Australian Geography Competition 

• Sari Weyer (Year 7)
• Isabell Bowtell (Year 8)
• Coco Kawasaki (Year 8)
• Savaana Kapur (Year 9)
• Alex Layt (Year 9)
• Phoebe Lockyer (Year 10)
• Lola Burkitt (Year 10)
• Nora Fu (Year 11) 
• Tanya Wu (Year 11)
• Charlotte Lay (Year 12)
• Hannah Dryden (Year 12)

Australian History Competition 

• Mackenzie Goodbody (Year 7)
• Lily Isles (Year 7)
• Lucus Lu (Year 7)
• Vyom Patel (Year 8)
• Lulu Dryden (Year 9)
• Sophia Condon (Year 10)

Medieval Feast (Year 8 Social Science)

Last Friday, the Year 8 Social Science students enjoyed a medieval-inspired lunch hosted by their dedicated teachers. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the conclusion of their history unit, with the feast even ending on a sweet note - delicious (if not entirely historically accurate) ice blocks for dessert.

On behalf of the Year 8 students and the HEAL Department, I would like to sincerely thank Social Science teachers Kat Ash, Anita Wood, and Noah Castellaro for their creativity, preparation, and supervision of this memorable event.

Subject Selection Evenings

Please be aware that subject selection information evenings for current Year 8 and 9 students and families are being held next week. Subject selection information evenings are valuable opportunities to gain information to support informed decision making about future studies. These information evenings also provide opportunities to talk with Heads of Departments and some subject teachers to further support making confident academic decisions.

• Year 8 into 9 Subject Selection Evening will commence at 6:00pm and conclude at 6:55pm.
• Year 9 into 10 Subject Selection Evening will commence at 7:00pm and conclude at 8:00pm.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Flanno for a Farmer – Gibson House Fundraiser 

We’re thrilled to announce that this Friday 6 June, Gibson House will be hosting our annual fundraiser – Flanno for a Farmer – and we’d love your support! This year, we’re raising funds for Farm Angels, an incredible Australian charity that supports farming families and rural communities facing tough times, particularly in the wake of natural disasters like drought, floods, and bushfires. 

These are the hardworking people who help put food on our tables, and when disaster strikes, the impact can be devastating — financially, emotionally, and mentally. Farm Angels provides practical and heartfelt support: food hampers, care packages, fuel cards, school supplies, and mental health programs that bring real comfort and care to those in need.  

We’ve got a fun-filled day planned, and every dollar raised goes directly to Farm Angels! There’ll be a Bake Sale in the Middle Years Courtyard at morning tea and lunch, with a delicious selection of homemade treats. At lunch, join us for some boot-scootin’ fun with Line Dancing led by Clayfield Old Collegian Claire Harris – no experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm! And don’t forget to dress to impress in your best country gear – there’s a Best Dressed Competition with a prize for the most impressive outfit. Whether you’re in it for the treats, the dancing, or just the good vibes – every contribution counts.  

 Let’s make this Flanno for a Farmerthe best one yet! 

Year 10 and 11 Are Making a Difference This Term

This term, the Year 10 and 11 students have eagerly embraced the challenges set by the College Captains, designed to foster unity and collaboration between the cohorts in pursuit of a shared goal.

The Year 11 students worked tirelessly to surprise the College during this week’s Assembly with a vibrant flash mob performance to Katy Perry’s Firework. The song choice beautifully reflected both Dr Cousins’ theme, “Be fearless as we illuminate the sky,” and the Year 12 theme, “Let your light come alive in 2025.” With their boundless enthusiasm, polished choreography, and strong team spirit, the Year 11 cohort inspired the entire community to shine brightly in all they do.

Meanwhile, the Year 10 students have been preparing for their upcoming challenge in Week 8. In alignment with Men’s Mental Health Week, they will lead a whole College Push-Up Challenge. This initiative raises awareness of an important issue: one in five Australians experiences mental illness each year, and three in four suicides involve men. 

This year’s Push-Up Challenge encourages participants to collectively complete 3,214 push-ups, honouring the 3,214 lives lost to suicide in 2023. The Clayfield College community will aim to reach this target in a single lunchtime, with all Secondary students invited to contribute to the tally. The event also promotes vital conversations about mental health and support services.

As a reminder, if you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to your Head of Year, the College Counsellor, or any trusted staff member.

I sincerely thank all Year 10 and 11 students for their wholehearted commitment to these meaningful challenges.

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 Student and Parent Sessions

With Jonny Shannon 

On Wednesday afternoon, students from Years 4 and 5, along with those from Years 7 to 12, participated in a presentation about connection and how to build meaningful relationships both in person and online while protecting one’s reputation by guest presenter Jonny Shannon. 

The session explored what it means to connect with others in a healthy way, including being friendly, asking thoughtful questions, and being open to friendships across different groups, for example sporting and hobby groups.  

A key message was that real connection requires respect, kindness, and boundaries, especially online, where oversharing can impact our digital footprint. 

Students were encouraged to stay safe online by protecting passwords, being cautious with links, and considering how tone and emojis can help shape the meaning of a message to enhance and or maintain connection focusing on the need to stay in control of devices rather than letting devices control the user. 

Conversations touched on what’s appropriate to share and how to support peers, whether by standing up for someone or simply being a kind presence. One key message stood out: 'Only hurt people, hurt people.' The goal was to encourage empathy, resilience, and stronger connections for all.

At the end of the student session, we then hosted our parents in carers in the Upper LRC for an information session on the same topic.  

In response to the key messages outlined above from the sessions delivered by Jonny Shannon, I encourage you to open a dialogue between you and your child on an ongoing basis about how they are maintaining in person connections and safety online. 

Useful Resources 

Please find below a video recording of last's night parent session, with links to resources shortly to become available from the presenter. 

Counting down to the Futures Expo! 

Universities, student accommodation (colleges), TAFE, private VET training providers and the Defence Forces will be in the Assembly Hall at 3.15pm until 5pm on Monday 16 June. 

The Futures Expo is a key event for students in Years 9, 10, 11 and 12 to get ideas for your subject selection choices as well as what to study after high school. Exhibitors will have current brochures and advice about what courses they have to offer, and how to apply. 

Plus, there are prizes up for grabs! 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. 

Make sure you have saved the date in your diaries! 

Christian Mission, Service and Training Assistance Program

The Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) is offering a limited number of opportunities for students currently in Years 10, 11 and 12 within Brisbane Boys’ College, Clayfield College, Somerville House and Sunshine Coast Grammar School to participate in the Christian Mission, Service and Training Assistance Program.

The purpose of the assistance program is to:

• Provide an opportunity for students to serve God and grow in their Christian faith through engagement in a Christian Mission, Service or Training opportunity.
• To inspire other students to be actively involved in Christian Mission, Service and Training.

Christian Mission and Service assistance packages will be available with a maximum value of $1250. 

Christian Training assistance packages will be available with a maximum value of $400.

For more information, please follow the link below.

Gibson House Fundraiser – Dress Like a Farmer Day

House Chapel