Secondary Bulletin

Staffing Update

As I had shared in the Secondary Welcome Back Communications, Mr David Cunningham is moving on from Clayfield College. We wish Mr Cunningham the very best in the next phase of his career journey.

I am now pleased to share with you that we have appointed Ms Sarah Zambelli to replace Mr Cunningham.  Ms Zambelli is a Senior Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry teacher currently teaching at Somerville House, where she has been for 10 years. She will begin with us on 2 May, which is Mr Cunningham’s final day at the College, and this will allow for a handover between Mr Cunningham and Ms Zambelli. We are delighted to welcome Ms Zambelli to the College and STEM Department. Please join us in making her feel welcome to our Clayfield Community.

I am also pleased to share Ms Julie Francis’s appointment as Secondary Mathematics Coordinator. Ms Francis is an extremely experienced Mathematics educator and a very well-respected member of staff at the College. We congratulate Ms Francis as she takes on this position of added responsibility. 

Dive into reading with Sora eBooks

Students and parents are reminded that the excellent Sora eBook platform is readily accessible via the Lighthouse homepage. Sora provides users with a wide range of age-appropriate fiction and non-fiction titles. 

Students can enjoy reading material curated for their year level, while teachers have the option to assign books to entire classes to extend learning and foster a love of reading. All members of the Clayfield College community with a registered school email can log in and explore the growing library.

Atomi

Atomi is a leading Australian online learning platform that delivers curriculum-aligned, bite-sized video lessons and interactive quizzes across a wide range of Secondary School subjects.

At Clayfield College, Atomi is used to reinforce classroom learning, support revision, and track student progress. Students are encouraged to complete tasks set by their teachers on the platform and to use it independently for assessment preparation and revision.

We’re pleased to announce that Atomi is now integrated with Single Sign-On (SSO), meaning students and staff can use their Clayfield College login credentials to access Atomi seamlessly.

The Upper LRC: Your Learning Zone

The Secondary Learning Resource Centre (Upper LRC) is a space designed to support learning, reading, and quiet connection with others. Mrs Smith, who runs the Secondary LRC, is responsible for the inviting atmosphere and skilfully curated selection of resources. Whether students are here for a lesson or during morning tea or lunch breaks, we invite students to make the most of this calm and supportive environment.

While in the Upper LRC, we encourage students to use their time for assigned work, catch-up tasks, study, or quiet reading. Please remember that gaming on devices is not permitted anywhere on school premises, including in the Upper LRC.

We thank the students for helping us create a respectful and inviting space for everyone. We are so pleased to have everyone in this space and look forward to seeing all make the most of everything the Upper LRC offers.

EDGE of Innovation: Our New Learning Hub

We are excited to announce that our new The EDGE (Entrepreneurship, Design, Growth and Engineering) Building will soon open its doors.

This purpose-built facility will house six new learning spaces, including a state-of-the-art Engineering workshop, a modern Design Lab, and classrooms for Business, Entrepreneurship and general learning. We envision The EDGE to be a centre of innovation where the students will combine technological design and fabrication skills with creative business acumen.

The EDGE Building also features elevator access for improved accessibility, an upgraded stairwell to accommodate increased foot traffic, and sustainable lighting solutions to reduce environmental impact. We look forward to this exciting step forward for learning at Clayfield College. 

At Clayfield College, our motto 'Let Your Light Shine' continues to guide and inspire our students to act with purpose, pride, and integrity in all areas of College life. Grounded in the core values of Care, Integrity, Resilience, and Respect, this term students are focusing on the small, everyday actions that help shape a strong, respectful community. These include:

• Politely excusing themselves if late or needing to leave
• Respectfully greeting staff
• Using professional and courteous email etiquette
• Respecting the environment by taking personal responsibility for shared spaces.

By embedding these habits into daily routines, students actively demonstrate the values we hold dear, helping to foster a positive culture where every individual has the opportunity to shine.

Uniform Update: Transition to Winter Uniform

From Monday 19 May, we will begin the transition to the Winter Uniform. During this week, students may wear either the Summer or Winter Uniform. 

Please note that from Monday 26 May, all students are required to wear the full Winter Uniform.

Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards are a positive and rewarding challenge of self-discovery. They present students with the opportunity for personal growth, resilience, and perseverance.

We recognised two students this week that have achieved their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. Megan Groundwater and Harriet Peirce have shown exemplary commitment to The Duke of Edinburgh and pushed themselves in all areas of the Award.

We are incredibly proud of our Silver Award recipients, Megan and Harriet, and would like to recognise them both for their achievement. Congratulations! 

Last week, our community came together to observe Anzac Day – a time to honour the courage, sacrifice and spirit of the Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. 

At Clayfield, Anzac Day is more than a history lesson or a special assembly, it’s an opportunity to connect the values we learn and live every day – care, resilience, respect and integrity – with the stories of those who came before us.  By honouring their legacy, we also challenge ourselves to live these values in our everyday lives.  We show care by looking out for one another, resilience by facing challenges with courage, respect by listening and learning different perspectives and integrity by doing what is right, even when it is hard. 

As we move toward Week 3, I encourage you to find a moment to connect with your child and check in about what they would like to achieve this term by way of clear, specific learning goals, participation in our extra and co-curricular programs, and strategies to demonstrate kindness and perseverance when faced with challenge.

In Semester 1, some of our Personal Development and Wellbeing and Foundation lessons focus on helping students understand their digital footprint and explore online experiences in a safe and responsible manner. 

For both Primary and Secondary students, these topics are introduced through age-appropriate methods such as role play, scenario-based learning, and sessions with external presenters. For instance, the eSafety Commissioner’s 'Mighty Heroes' program uses role-play to teach younger students about protecting personal information and showing respect online. 

Older students engage in activities that encourage critical thinking about their online presence and its potential impact on their future. These interactive approaches aim to empower students to make informed choices and develop positive digital habits. We encourage parents and carers to support these initiatives by participating in related workshops and staying informed about online safety practices. Some of these are outlined here.

Date claimers:

• Labour Day Holiday: Monday 5 May
• Dolly’s Dream Presentation for Years 7 and 8 Students: Wednesday 14 May and Thursday 15 May

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.

Webinars for Families to Help Choose Tertiary Study

QUT is hosting a free webinar with Carolyn Alchin on Thursday 1 May. Carolyn is an accomplished career counsellor and practitioner and is hosting a webinar on the topic of how to choose tertiary study:

Year 12 students interested in studying medicine – UCAT

If you want to apply for medicine this year, a gentle reminder that UCAT registration closes on Friday 16 May.

Meet the Universities and Tertiary Institutions

2025 Futures Expo

Families of Year 10, 11 and 12 students are invited to the annual Futures Expo held at Clayfield in the Assembly Hall on Monday 16 June at 3:15pm to 5:00pm.

We invite tertiary institutions, universities, the ADF, registered training organisations and student exchange companies to speak with our students and their families about future study and career options. 

Mark this date in your diary! 

2025 44th Annual Brisbane Tertiary Studies and Careers Expo TSXPO

Diary claimer: Saturday 19 July and Sunday 20 July 2025, 10:00am to 4:00pm, RICC and the RNA Brisbane Showgrounds. 

Admission is FREE!

Tertiary Institutions and University Open Days for 2025

QTAC publishes all the 2025 Open Days on their website to help you plan your visits to universities and tertiary institutions. 

You can find them all via the below button.

Semester 1 Co-Curricular and Group Photos

On Wednesday 4 June and Thursday 5 June, the Semester 1 Co-Curricular / Group Photos will be taken.

Further information and schedule will be provided once finalised.