Junior School Bulletin

As I write this week's Collective article, I am still reflecting on the wonderful experience of attending our Year 4 and 5 Outdoor Education Camp at QCCC Mapleton last week. I was fortunate to spend a few days alongside our students and staff, and it was a fantastic opportunity to get to know many of them even better outside the classroom environment. 

One of the highlights of camp was seeing the growth that occurs when students are challenged in a supportive environment. Throughout the camp, students stepped outside their comfort zones, strengthened friendships, developed greater confidence and independence and demonstrated resilience when faced with new challenges. It was also wonderful to see students encouraging one another, working together as a team and developing important leadership, communication and problem-solving skills. 

A sincere thank you to all the staff who attended camp and to those back at school who ensured everything continued to run smoothly. It has also been wonderful to see the energy and enthusiasm around the College over recent weeks, from welcoming students participating in our International Short Stay Program to celebrating Faith Week and preparing for upcoming community events. 

I look forward to seeing many families at On the Green this Sunday. From what I have been told, it is always a fantastic community event and a wonderful opportunity to come together outside the school day to connect with friends, old and new, and celebrate the spirit of our College community. As someone who is experiencing the event for the first time, I am excited to share in what I know is a much-loved Clayfield College tradition and to see many members of our community there. 

Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff and the many opportunities that make our Junior School such a vibrant and connected community. I wish all families a wonderful weekend and look forward to sharing further highlights and celebrations with you in next week's Collective. 

Health and Wellbeing Reminder

As we continue through the winter months, we kindly ask families to keep children at home when they are unwell. This helps minimise the spread of illness within our community and supports the health and wellbeing of all students and staff.

Children should only return to school once they are feeling well and are able to participate fully in their learning and daily activities.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a healthy and supportive environment for everyone.

Junior Interhouse Athletics Carnival

Our Junior Interhouse Athletics Carnival was a wonderful celebration of participation, perseverance and House spirit, with students embracing every opportunity to challenge themselves and support one another throughout the day.

From competing in Track and Field events to cheering on their teammates, students demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, enthusiasm and pride in representing their Houses.

Thank you to Ms Lewin and Mr O'Rourke for their leadership and organisation of the carnival, and to all staff for their support of students both in the lead up to the event and on the day itself.  We also thank our parents for encouraging students, volunteering thier time and cheering from the sidelines. 

Congratulations to all students for their enthusiastic participation and the way they represented their House and the College. It was a fantastic day and one that showcased the positive spirit of our Junior School community. 

Please refer to the Photo Gallery for images from the day.

Parent-Teacher Conferences - Final Reminder

A reminder that bookings for our Week 6 Parent-Teacher Conferences are now open via Parent Lounge.

Families should refer to the information previously provided by classroom teachers regarding conference schedules, available appointment times, and booking instructions.

Bookings will close at 9:00am on Monday 10 August.

We strongly encourage all families to take advantage of this opportunity. Parent-Teacher Conferences are an important part of the partnership between home and school, providing valuable time to discuss each child's progress, celebrate successes, identify areas for growth and work together to support their continued learning and wellbeing.

Students are encouraged to attend alongside their parents wherever possible, helping them to reflect on their learning and contribute to future goal setting.

We look forward to these important conversations and the opportunity to continue working together to support every child's growth and development.

Grandparents’ Day

We look forward to welcoming grandparents and special friends to Clayfield College for Grandparents' Day on Friday 21 August 2026. 

This much-loved Junior School event provides an opportunity for students to celebrate the important people in their lives by sharing their learning, spending time together in the Junior School and creating special memories with family and friends. 

To assist with planning, we ask that all grandparents and special friends intending to attend register by Friday 14 August. 

Please refer to the flyer below for further details.

Campbell House Jeans for Genes Day Fundraiser

Friday 31 July 2026 

Campbell House loves the colour blue and particularly, blue jeans! 

This Friday, Campbell House will proudly lead a College-wide fundraiser in support of Jeans for Genes Day, raising vital funds for the Children's Medical Research Institute and its work to improve the lives of children affected by genetic diseases.

Students from Pre-Prep to Year 12 can come to school dressed in appropriate denim attire. 

A bake sale will be available to students in Year 6 through to Year 12 in the Old Collegians' Courtyard at Lunch.

The money raised from every bake sale purchase helps support important medical research and brings hope to children and families facing significant health challenges. 

Details: 

• Pre-Prep to Year 12 Campbell House Jeans for Genes Day 
• Wear appropriate denim attire

• Donations support the Children's Medical Research Institute 

   

Thank you to Campbell House for championing this important initiative and for helping make a difference in the lives of Australian children and their families. 

Circular Drive Reminder

The safety of our students, staff and families remains our highest priority during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. 

We ask all families using Circular Drive to: 

• Always follow the directions of staff. 
• Drive forward to the furthest available bay before stopping. 
• Remain in your vehicle while in the pick-up queue. 
• Ensure students can independently exit and enter vehicles promptly and safely. 
• Observe the signed left turn only when exiting onto Gregory Street. 
• Drive slowly and remain alert to students, staff and other vehicles. 

New Dean's Commendation Award 

At Clayfield College, we love celebrating student achievement. Our End of Semester Academic Awards recognise high levels of attainment and academic success, but we also know that some of the most meaningful growth happens day by day, week by week, and term by term. 

To recognise this important progress, we are introducing the Dean's Commendation Award as part of our Junior School assemblies. Whether it is increased confidence, a positive attitude to learning, persistence when faced with challenges, improved behaviour or personal best efforts, the Dean's Commendation Award celebrates the journey as much as the outcome. 

Whilst these awards will not be presented every week, they will, from time to time, recognise a student who has demonstrated initiative, perseverance, dedication to learning and a positive attitude. Recipients will exemplify the College values of Care, Integrity, Resilience and Respect through actions that reflect a commitment to personal growth and making the most of every opportunity.  

By introducing this award, we hope to shine a light on the many students who consistently work hard, embrace challenges and make positive strides in their learning and development. We look forward to celebrating these achievements and recognising the growth that takes place across our Junior School community. 

100 Day Prep and Year 12 Celebration 

We were delighted to welcome the Year 12 students to the Prep Centre on Tuesday as we celebrated two very special milestones, with our Prep students marking their first 100 days of learning and our Year 12 students celebrating their final 100 days before graduation. 

As our older students prepare to finish school and embark on new adventures, they shared fond memories of their schooling journey with our youngest students over morning tea. What wonderful memories will our Prep students recall when they reach Year 12? 

Please refer to the Photo Gallery for highlights.

Year 4 and 5 Outdoor Education Camp 

The Year 4 and 5 Camp at Mapleton was a wonderful opportunity for students to step outside their comfort zones, strengthen friendships and develop their leadership and teamwork skills. Whether soaring on the flying fox, spending a night away from home, canoeing, bridge building, archery, tackling the climbing wall or participating in team challenges, students were encouraged to support one another, show initiative and embrace new experiences with confidence and resilience. 

Please refer to the Photo Gallery to enjoy some of our highlights. 

Short Stay Cultural Experiences 

While our Year 4 and Year 5 students enjoyed their Outdoor Education Camp at Mapleton, our Short Stay students continued their immersion experience at Clayfield College, participating in classes alongside our students and engaging in the daily life of the College community. Throughout the week, they joined Year 6 classes, under the guidance of Mr John Richardson, building connections, developing their understanding of Australian schooling and embracing a range of meaningful learning experiences. 

To further enrich their time in Australia, students participated in two memorable excursions that showcased Brisbane’s unique natural and cultural attractions. A visit to the Mt Coot-tha walking trails provided opportunities for nature exploration and a bushwalking experience in one of Brisbane’s most beautiful environmental settings. The students even saw a koala in its natural habitat. Later in the week, students travelled to South Bank to explore the Queensland Museum and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), followed by a picnic beside the Brisbane River. These experiences complemented their classroom learning and immersion program, creating lasting memories while deepening their appreciation of Australian culture, history and the natural environment. 

Please refer to the Photo Gallery to enjoy some of our highlights. 

Academic Captains' Book Week Short Story Competition

All students are reminded of the Academic Captains, Megan Groundwater and Ema Costello’s Book Week Short Story Competition for students in Years 3 to 12.

This year's theme ‘A Light in the Dark’, offers students the opportunity to explore ideas of hope, resilience, discovery and transformation through creative writing. Students may choose to interpret the theme literally or metaphorically, and all genres are welcome.

Entries are due Friday 7 August, Term 3 Week 4. 

Students may submit one story, and previously written pieces may be entered provided they connect clearly to the theme.

Word limits:

• Years 3 and 4: 500 words maximum
• Years 5 and 6: 500 words maximum
• Years 7 and 8: 700 words maximum
• Years 9 and 10: 800 words maximum

• Years 11 and 12: 1000 words maximum

   

The Academic Captains look forward to celebrating the creativity, imagination and talent of our student writers, with winners and runners-up announced at Assembly and recognised in The Collective later in the term.