Senior School Bulletin

A sense of belonging is a defining part of the Senior School experience at Clayfield College. It is reflected in the way students are known, supported and included from the moment they walk through the gates, and in the shared understanding that each individual has a place within the community.

As students return for Term 2, there is a natural opportunity to be intentional about how this sense of belonging is experienced by others. The start of term often brings a reset in routines, classes, and interactions, creating space for both familiar connections and new ones to take shape.

Within the Senior School, much of this connection is formed through everyday moments. Working alongside different peers in class, reconnecting after time apart, or including others in conversation all contribute to a positive and inclusive environment. While these actions may seem small, they play an important role in strengthening the broader community.

There is also value in students considering how they might extend their connections beyond their usual circles. Reaching out to someone new, or reconnecting with a peer they have not spoken with recently, can broaden perspectives and, in doing so, support their personal growth. These experiences help students to build confidence, develop social awareness, and navigate a wider range of relationships.

At Clayfield College, we encourage students to recognise that belonging is not only something they experience, but something they actively shape through their actions. This week, I invite each student to take a small step, whether by starting a new conversation or strengthening an existing connection, and to notice what they learn about themselves in the process.

Families might continue this conversation at home by asking, “Who did you connect with today?” and “What did you learn from that interaction?” These reflections help students to see the connection between their relationships and their own growth.

Welcome to Term 2

We are delighted to welcome students and families back to school and hope everyone enjoyed a restful and enjoyable break. It has been wonderful to see students return with positive energy and readiness for the learning opportunities ahead. Term 2 is an important and productive part of the school year, and we look forward to a successful start.

Below is some key information for the beginning of the term:

Progressive Reports

Term 1 assessment marks and associated progressive reports will be available from 3:00pm, Monday 27 April for students in Years 7 to 11.

Parents and carers can access these reports via Parent Lounge under the Student Details tab. Select “Curricular Activities” from the drop-down menu to view feedback.

These reports provide:

• Valuable Feedback: highlighting areas of achievement from Term 1 assessments

• Feed Forward Information: offering guidance on next steps and areas for improvement

   

Students are encouraged to reflect on this feedback and use it to further refine their academic goals for Term 2.

Parent–Teacher Interviews (PTIs)

Parent–Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Week 2 and offer families an opportunity to connect with teachers, discuss current progress and collaboratively plan goals for the remainder of the year. Booking for these valuable interviews is now open via Parent Lounge.

Chess Club

Chess Club will recommence in Week 2 of Term 2. Please note that due to Parent–Teacher Interviews, Chess will be held in Room 17 on that afternoon. We look forward to welcoming both returning and new students to the club.

After School Tutoring Opportunity with Mindbridge Education

Clayfield College is pleased to announce an optional after school tutoring opportunity for students in Year 7 to 12 starting in Week 3 of Term 2.

The tutoring program, delivered by Mindbridge Education, will run here at the College and will provide structured academic support across Year 7 to 12 subjects in a focused and supervised environment. Whilst the tutoring is facilitated and run by Mindbridge Education, a Clayfield College staff member will be present during tutoring sessions.

Sessions are two hours in duration and follow a research‑based Pomodoro 50‑20‑50 study structure designed to maximise focus, strengthen understanding, and improve retention. Students are supported in small groups with a 1 to 4 or 1 to 5 tutor to student ratio, ensuring personalised guidance and meaningful academic support.

The program is delivered by 99+ ATAR tutors and high performing university students with strong academic backgrounds and mentoring experience. Pricing is $50 per session when paid in full for the term or $60 per session with weekly payments.

To assist with planning, families are invited to access the expression of interest below:

If you have any questions about this after school tutoring opportunity, please contact info@mindbridgeedu.com.au

We are excited for the learning and growth that Term 2 will bring and appreciate the continued partnership between home and school as we support students to achieve their goals and personal academic success.

House Excellence

In the final week of Term 1, our focus shifted to polite greetings, encouraging all students to warmly acknowledge staff and peers throughout the day. The House Excellence point for the final week of Term 1 went to Ashburn House, who always greet staff in a friendly manner. This week, Henderson House receives points for ensuring their laptops were charged and ready for learning.

House Excellence Tally

• Radcliffe – 3 points
• Youngman – 1 point
• Campbell – 1 point
• Gibson – 1 point
• Ashburn – 1 point
• Henderson – 1 point

House Spirit Photograph Competition

On Wednesday 1 April, Radcliffe hosted their annual House fundraiser to support Reachout Australia, a charity that supports the mental health of young people. Students were allowed to dress up according to the theme “When I Grow Up” and there was a bake sale at morning tea and lunch in the Middle Years Courtyard. We were delighted to see all of the creative outfits!

And the winning photo is….YOUNGMAN

House Spirit Photo Competition Tally

• Ashburn – 1 point
• Radcliffe – 1 point
• Henderson – 1 point
• Youngman – 1 point

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.  

Youngman House – Cancer Fundraiser

Some of you will remember The Big Chop from 2024. This year we are planning on running a similar event. 30 students and staff donated their ponytails in 2024, raising $5,000 for child cancer research, and we hope that this year will be just as successful. 

As mentioned in Assembly, on 9 October (Term 4), students and staff will have the opportunity to donate a minimum of 20cm of their hair which will be turned into wigs for cancer and alopecia patients OR shave their hair to raise funds for the Leukemia Foundation. Clayfield’s Chop will run in conjunction with World Mental Health Day and Youngman’s fundraising event, Crazy Sock & Hair Day, with all proceeds going towards the Kids Cancer Project or The World’s Greatest Shave. 

If you are unable to donate your hair but would love to show your support, please donate to our campaign page, in which all funds go towards the two foundations. Further details will be shared once we finalise participation numbers. If you have any questions feel free to email or come find Ema, Isabelle, Mimi, Bella, or Hayley (Year 12). 

If you are interested in donating or shaving your hair, please fill out the form linked below:

We hope to see many of you involved and remember there is still time to grow your hair before October, so mark your calendars and get growing!

Maintaining Connection in the Face of Competing Demands

As we begin Term 2, many families are settling back into familiar routines, balancing school commitments with work, sport and family life. For our young people moving through the secondary years, life naturally becomes more demanding and complex. Students in Years 7 to 12 juggle a wide range of commitments, assignments, exams, co‑curricular activities, sporting teams, social events and, in some cases, part‑time work. While these experiences help build independence and resilience, they can also make it challenging for families to maintain regular, meaningful moments of connection.

Despite the busyness, connection remains vital. Adolescents may be striving for greater independence, but they still rely on the reassurance of a steady, supportive home base. Small, consistent rituals can help anchor them during these fast‑moving years. These do not need to be grand or time consuming; their strength lies in being predictable and dependable.

In our house, for example, Friday night is always movie night. No matter how hectic the week has been, we pause, come together and enjoy something simple. It is a moment we all look forward to, an invitation to slow down and reconnect. Many families have their own cherished routines, such as a weekly breakfast outing, cooking dinner together, a Sunday afternoon walk or checking in over hot chocolate before bed.

What matters most is creating a rhythm your child can anticipate, even during high pressure times like assessment blocks or exam seasons. These predictable touchpoints help maintain communication, foster a sense of belonging and remind our young people that they do not have to navigate the demands of adolescence alone.

For busy parents, staying connected does not have to mean finding extra time, sometimes it is about using the moments that already exist:

• Make the most of small windows: car rides, meal prep, or walking the dog often create natural opportunities for conversation.
• Focus on presence, not perfection: even ten minutes of undistracted attention can be deeply reassuring.
• Keep routines simple and sustainable: consistency matters more than length or complexity.
• Check in regularly: a brief daily check in helps keep communication open.

• Acknowledge effort and pressure: noticing how hard your child is working can be just as powerful as offering solutions.

   

It’s also helpful to openly acknowledge the pressures your child may be managing. A simple, I know you have got a lot on this week can open the door to meaningful conversations and show your willingness to understand their world.

As we move through Term 2 together, even in the face of competing demands, staying connected is both possible and powerful. A few intentional, flexible traditions can make a lasting difference, strengthening family bonds during the years when our young people need them most.