Junior School Bulletin

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope all families enjoyed a restful Easter break and are feeling refreshed as we begin another busy and rewarding term in the Junior School. Term 2 is always a purposeful term, with many opportunities for learning, connection and community involvement. Below are several important dates and updates for the coming weeks. 

Semester 1 Co‑Curricular / Group Photos

Semester 1 co‑curricular and group photographs will take place during Week 7, from Tuesday 2 to Thursday 4 June. Please note that dates have been adjusted slightly to ensure Year 6 students are able to be included, as they will be attending Year 6 Camp from June 3 to 5 2026. 

Further information and a detailed schedule will be shared closer to the time. 

Mother's Day Breakfast

Join us on Friday 8 May 2026, from 7:00am to 8:15am, for a tea-party inspired breakfast in honour of Mother’s Day, as we celebrate the Mothers and Mother-figures in our Clayfield family.

See Upcoming Events section for further event details and to purchase your tickets.

P&F Mother's Day Stall

Our Annual P&F Mother’s Day Stall will take place on Friday 8 May 2026. Students from Pre‑Prep to Year 6 will visit the stall during the school day and take their gifts home at the end of the day. The stall will feature a range of gifts for students to purchase for their loved ones. Gifts are priced between $5 and $20 and will be purchased using pre‑purchased vouchers.

See Upcoming Events section for further details and to pre-purchase stall vouchers.

P&F Junior School Disco and BBQ

The P&F Junior School Disco and BBQ will be held on Friday 22 May 2026, from 5.00 to 7.00pm. This community event is for Pre‑Prep to Year 6 students and their families. 

The Junior Disco is open to Clayfield College Junior School students and siblings of current Clayfield College Junior School students. Numbers are limited and registration is essential.

See Upcoming Events section for further details and to purchase tickets.

ANZAC Day

As previously noted in the Collective before the break, as well as in the Term 2 Welcome Back Collective - Junior News, Prep to Year 12 students commemorated ANZAC Day through a student and staff assembly, taking time to reflect on service, sacrifice and remembrance. 

Junior and Senior School students are also encouraged to attend the ANZAC Day Service at Kalinga Park on Saturday 25 April 2026. This long-standing community event has brought together the Clayfield College community and surrounding suburbs for over 100 years. It would be wonderful to see many Clayfield College students attend and represent the College with pride as we march together. 

Kalinga Park ANZAC Day Service 

• Date: Saturday 25 April 2026
• Time: 6:45am for a 7:00am service 
• Meeting Point: Corner of Park Avenue and Kalinga Street 

Students are asked to meet Mr Marshall and Ms Podoliak at the meeting point on the corner of Park Avenue and Kalinga Street from 6:45am and to wear full summer formal uniform, including hat. 

Junior School Interhouse Cross Country

The Junior School Interhouse Cross Country Carnival will be held on Wednesday 29 April 2026, from 9.30am to approximately 11.30am at Shaw Park. All students from Year 2 to Year 6 will participate. 

A letter with further details has already been sent to families. Parents and caregivers are warmly invited to attend and support the students. Additional information regarding arrival procedures, transport and spectator arrangements will be shared separately. Please see below table for estimated race start times:

Please note that race start times are approximate and may change slightly on the day. 

Junior School Assemblies - Term 2

Junior School assemblies provide valuable opportunities to celebrate learning, recognise student achievement and strengthen our sense of community. Families are warmly invited to attend where possible. 

We appreciate your support in helping students approach assemblies calmly and respectfully, while still enjoying the opportunity to applaud and celebrate the achievements of others 

Brisbane City Council – Safer Schools Program

Clayfield College has been included in Brisbane City Council’s Safer Schools Program for Term 2, 2026. This program supports schools by promoting safe parking practices and ensuring compliance with local traffic regulations during busy drop‑off and pick‑up times. 

The safety of our students, families and wider community is our highest priority. We know that parking around the school can be challenging during peak periods, and these pressures can sometimes lead to unsafe or illegal parking behaviours. Unfortunately, this creates real risks for children, pedestrians and other road users. 

As part of the Safer Schools Program this term, Brisbane City Council Parking Compliance Officers will be conducting regular patrols in the streets surrounding Clayfield College. These patrols will take place both on foot and in clearly marked Community Safety and Regulation vehicles. Officers may use technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition and GPS systems to identify parking breaches, and compliance actions may be taken where offences are observed. 

We ask all parents, carers and visitors to please always follow all road rules and parking signage when around the school. Parking legally and safely helps ensure calm, predictable traffic flow and reduces risk for everyone - especially our students. 

If you are unsure about school zone parking regulations, Brisbane City Council provides a helpful guide outlining the most common school zone parking signs. This can be found by visiting the Council website and searching for School Parking. 

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in keeping our school community safe.  

Uniform Reminder

As a reminder, throughout Term 2, there will be a transition to the Winter Uniform. As previously communicated before the break and in the Term 2 Welcome information, the timing of this change will be guided by weather conditions and confirmed through The Collective. A one‑week transition period will apply, during which students may wear either Summer or Winter Uniform. 

Thank you for your continued support in ensuring students are dressed appropriately as we move into the cooler months. 

Dance Troupe – ‘Bailar’

Auditions will be held for experienced dancers who would like to be part of our College Dance Troupe, Bailar. The troupe rehearses every Monday morning from 7:00am to 8:00am with dance teacher and choreographer, Jessica French.

Audition Details:

• Who: Year 5 and above
• Date: Monday 27 April 2026
• Time: 7:00am to 8:00am
• Location: Drama Room

Please bring a water bottle, wear sports uniform and be prepared to learn a dance routine.

To register, please email Mr Walker at awalker@clayfield.qld.edu.au.

Irish Dancing – Clayfield’s ‘Shuffling Shamrocks’

Irish Dancing lessons will commence in Week 2 for students in Year 1 and above who would like to learn this traditional artform. To register, please email Mr Walker at awalker@clayfield.qld.edu.au.

Class details:

• Day: Wednesday 29 April 2026
• Time: 3:15pm to 4:00pm

Chess Mates

After School Club

Arrangements for Junior School After School Club will continue in Term 2 as communicated and in place during Term 1. Families are asked to refer to the information provided earlier in the year regarding registration, supervision and pick-up procedures.

Attendance requires a daily booking through Student Services studentservices@clayfield.qld.edu.au. 

Bookings do not roll over from one term to the next, so please email to rebook for Term 2. 

Please note that After School Club will not operate on the final day of Term 2, Thursday 18 June, with all students dismissed at the normal end‑of‑day time. 

Term 2 Clubs Program 

The Term 2 Clubs Program will be shared with families in the Week 2 edition of The Collective. 

What Does Independence Look Like?

This week sees the final look into independence with our Pre-Prep to Year 2 team, as we place a spotlight on Pre-Prep. You will notice how different this looks from independence in Pre-Prep to Year 2. Routines, role modelling, supportive care and shared social & emotional learning come together to help build the confidence that underpins healthy independence.  

This is a helpful website to support families.  

Promoting Positive Friendships in Upper Junior

Friendships are a central part of children’s lives between ages 8 to 12 years and learning how to manage them is an important developmental step. Disagreements and ups and downs are normal, but problems can grow when children fall into a drama cycle. This often begins with a small issue that escalates as stories are retold, sides are taken and concerns are shared widely. As parenting educator Rebecca Sparrow frequently notes, repeated retelling can keep problems alive rather than help children move forward. Side‑taking, although well‑intended, can make it harder for children to repair relationships themselves. 

We encourage students to talk with the person involved rather than about them. Healthy friendships are built through respectful communication, perspective‑taking, and empathy, all skills that need guidance and practice. When a situation feels tricky or overwhelming, seeking help from a trusted adult is an important and positive step. In my role at the College, I support students to reflect, problem solve, and build positive regard for others so they can navigate friendships in healthy ways.

From home, families play a powerful role by keeping conversations calm and constructive. Staying curious, avoiding feeding the drama, and helping children focus on solutions supports resilience and emotional growth. When school and home work together to promote empathy and positive relationships, children are better equipped to manage friendships with confidence, kindness, and care.