Secondary School News

Dear Parents and Caregivers of Clayfield College Secondary,

We are looking forward to welcoming your child/children to the College for 2022 and would like to share some information with you in preparation for the year ahead. For families new to Clayfield College, you are encouraged to contact the school if there is anything requiring further explanation. It is important to all staff that you have the necessary information to make a seamless transition. 

It has been a different beginning to the school year; however, with our Remote Learning platform, Clayfield Connect, we are well-placed to support student learning until we resume face-to-face lessons on Monday, 7 February. Staff have been in full preparation mode this week with the organisation of online learning resources and welcome information for students/parents, ensuring the first 2 weeks are productive and helpful as we transition into this phase. 

Remote Learning 

As we begin Remote Learning, please remind your child to check emails and TEAMS consistently as this will be the main form of communication between staff and students.  

There will be a roll call every morning with Heads of Year from 8.00 am and they will reach out to students this week, to share how this will take place. If your child is absent, please email studentservices@clayfield.qld.edu.au or use the Clayfield College app to enter this absence.  If you have any general questions, please direct them to the Heads of Year: 

Years 11 and 12 

Years 11 and 12 will commence remote learning on Thursday, 27 January. Students will follow their regular timetable which can be accessed on Student Café. New students will be directed by their Head of Year on how to navigate this portal and find all the relevant information required. 

Year 7

Year 7 students will commence remote learning on Monday, 31 January. Whilst we recognise this as an exciting time for your child as they make the transition into Secondary School, we also acknowledge that this is not the start to the 2022 year that we had envisaged. Keeping this in mind, the Teaching and Learning Team have planned a program to alleviate any concerns your child may have about starting Secondary School in an online format.  

All students will be issued with a learning pack of activities for the week. The learning pack will also contain a schedule for the week and instructions on how to use the materials in the pack. Packs can be collected on Friday 28 January between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm from Circular Drive (Gregory St). 

A typical day of remote learning will look as follows:  

Years 8 to 10  

Students in Years 8, 9 and 10 will commence remote learning on Monday, 31 January and will follow a modified timetable. This timetable will be emailed to students by Friday, 28 January.  

To create and maintain a safe learning environment, it is expected that students will behave in accordance with the PMSA’s commitment to achieving fair, collaborative, inclusive and respectful working and learning environments, and with the College values of integrity, individuality, excellence, care, faith, diversity and resilience. The high standard of behaviour expected by the College requires self-discipline, self-respect and respect for the rights and property of others. 

Work Space 

Your child’s workspace at home needs to be set up to promote their learning. It should: 

• Be as quiet as possible 
• Have plenty of light  
• Be well-ventilated  
• Have a desk or table for their device and other learning resources 
• Allow them to position their computer screen to avoid reflection or glare 
• Allow them to position their computer screen to promote privacy should they be using their camera 
• Have a comfortable chair with good back support 
• Be away from other people in the house to avoid distractions   

Operational expectations 

To ensure your child can make the most of learning opportunities provided through One Note, Teams, Zoom and other relevant platforms, please ensure that they: 

• Understand how to use the learning platforms relevant to them, such as email, Teams, One Note and/or Zoom  
• Check their school email three times each day 
• Mute their microphone unless their teacher specifically asks them to speak 
• Stay in front of the screen when using their camera, and ensure there is no movement or other distractions (such as a television screen) that could be seen by those viewing their image 

Behaviour 

Your child’s workspace at home is now their classroom, so some of the etiquette and protocols of the classroom are necessary. Specifically: 

• Appropriate dress for lessons 
• No food or drinks (other than water) during interaction time with teachers 
• Employ simple manners including thanking people and making requests politely 
• Be punctual for meetings and/or timetabled interaction 
• Use online platforms for learning purposes only, that is,  
  • Questions should be about work or to clarify feedback 
  • No comments on others’ work 
  • No chatting to other students unless specifically required by the teacher

On-campus learning resumes on Monday, 7 February, please be mindful of the following COVID-19 Guidelines in place for 2022: 

• One parent/caregiver per family on the campus at a time
• Please check-in at Main Reception if you are on campus for a meeting
• A mask is to be worn by all adults entering the College
• We respectfully request you do not prolong your stay on campus

First Campus Day Organisation 

On Monday, 7 February all students are required to bring their new textbooks and stationery to school. Class teachers will provide further information to the students in relation to book subject titles and headings. Dress will be full school summer uniform, with hat.  

Secondary Students are asked to assemble by 8:25 am in House areas as follows. Please bring your school bags to your House area and do not enter any Locker Areas before school.  All new students are to meet their Head of Year at Student Services at 8:15 am, where they will meet their Buddy and then be escorted to the Meeting Venues. 

Meeting Venues 

House Leaders will call Roll at 8:30 am and students will then move to a Welcome Assembly for the whole school. Following this brief Assembly, students will move to House meetings where lockers will be assigned and further administrative tasks completed. After morning tea, students will begin timetabled lessons. 

2022 Lesson Times 

As previously communicated, there has been a slight modification to the start and finish times of the school day.  

• First bell: 8:25 am 
• Roll call: 8:30 am 
• Morning Tea: 10:20 am –10:40 am 
• Lunch: 12:50pm - 1:30 pm 
• End of day: 3:10 pm 

2022 Term Dates

To assist with your planning of the school year and holidays, please find below the school term dates for 2022.

I would urge parents to avoid taking children out of school during Term to minimise the disruption and progress of students’ learning. However, if it is necessary, parents are reminded of the legal requirements to submit a request for leave to me via e-mail (afellowes@clayfield.qld.edu.au). Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Communication 

Please note the following forms of communication used in the Secondary School: 

• The College app 
• Clayfield Collective 
• Parent Lounge Portal 
• Email/Phone 

The College App 

As a condition of enrolment, we request every caregiver download the College app (free download). The app provides current information about events and activities, as well as important notices and alerts (for example, training cancellations or venue changes, wet weather plans and ETA of buses returning from co-curricular activities). It also includes a live school calendar, absentee line and key school contacts. You are able to manage your notifications and subscriptions to ensure you are only seeing what is relevant to your family. Please refer to the Resource page on the College website for further information. 

Clayfield Collective 

The Clayfield Collective is our whole school weekly newsletter, sent via email every Thursday. This communication includes information/articles from our Senior Leadership Team such as; What’s Happening in Primary, What’s Happening in Secondary, What’s Happening in Boarding, Sport, Music and date claimers for upcoming events.It is imperative that you read the Secondary What’s Happening Section to be kept up to date with all events and information. This, together with the College app is the main forum of College communication for our families, with staff assuming that what is published in the Clayfield Collective has been read by parents. 

Parent Lounge

Parent Lounge provides up-to-date information on College life. Such information includes your child’s timetable and teacher, policy documents, excursion details, school calendar and parent directory. Parents are also able to update their contact details and child’s medical details, view Report Cards and schedule Parent/Teacher interviews. Parent Lounge, which is available for new families from 25 January 2021, is accessed via our Clayfield College website by logging into Parent Lounge with your username (5-digit code included on your Fee Statement or Letter of Offer). Your generic password ‘password’, once you log in please change your password. Parent Lounge can also be accessed via the Clayfield College app. Please refer to the Resource page on the College website for further information. 

Email 

Staff can be contacted via email during the school week. Email addresses are the first initial of the teacher’s name and their surname with clayfield.qld.edu.au. If you are contacting the teachers via email, please be aware they will be only checking emails throughout the day as their teaching schedule permits and therefore will not be able to reply immediately. Whilst staff are more than happy to communicate with you through email, please be aware that there is a 48hour response time. Further, the Community Code of Conduct, outlines appropriate communication guidelines, between parents and staff members and I encourage you to review this document. If the matter is urgent, please call Student Services on 3262 0262, where a message will be passed on and the teacher will contact you when they are available.  

Behavioural Expectations and Policy Documents 

Every student has the right to a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment. Clayfield College is committed to a culture of connection and care. Such a culture is the result of clearly articulated expectations combined with high levels of accountability. It is expected that students will behave in accordance with the PMSA’s commitment to achieving fair, collaborative, inclusive and respectful working and learning environments, and with the College values of integrity, individuality, excellence, care, faith, diversity and resilience. Behaviour of a high standard requires self-discipline, self-respect and respect for the rights and property of others. It is expected that all members of the community strive for excellence in actions, speech and appearance. Ultimately, the promotion of positive behaviours is a shared responsibility, with all stakeholders having a role to play.  

Uniform Guidelines 2022 

Parents are asked to assist the College in ensuring their children are correctly dressed each day. Shoes should be polished and hair kept tidy, with girls wearing green scrunchies or ribbons if their hair is longer than their collar. No large clips are permitted to tie up hair and there is no jewellery to be worn at school, except for 1 ear piercing in the lower lobe. These can be silver or gold studs. We understand students may have had false eyelashes and acrylic nails through the holiday period, but these are not part of the Clayfield College uniform and students must remove these before returning to school. Please refer to the Uniform Policy for further information. 

Responsible Technology User Guidelines 

Below is the Responsible Technology User Policy. Heads of Year will go through this document with students during Year Level Meetings; however, I urge you to also make it a point to discuss with your child.   

Mobile phones and watches 

Students in Year 7 need to hand their phones into Student Services when they arrive at school and can collect them after school. Students in Years 8 to 12 are required to have them turned off and in their lockers and they are not to be used throughout the school day. If students are caught with their phones they will be confiscated and can collect them from the Deputy Principal’s office at the end of the day. If it is a second offence, a meeting will be organised with parents where they will collect the phone at this time. 

We will communicate with you through email notification if your child receives an Infringement for contravening school policies. You will also be notified when students receive Merit points throughout the year. The Restorative Behaviour Framework can be found in every classroom and attached here for your perusal. 

Staffing 

An important strategic commitment of the College is to continue the development and capacity of our teaching staff.  

The STEM Department will be led jointly by Co-HODs of STEM, Mrs. Paula Hart and Mrs. Francisca Wilson. Paula Hart will oversee Years 7 to 9 and Francisca Wilson will oversee Years 10 to 12 across all STEM Curriculum Learning Areas. 

We also have two new House Leaders, Mr. Tim Opstelten (Henderson) and Mrs. Clair Monnickendam (Ashburn). We are delighted to welcome the following staff to the School this year:  

• Ms. Grace Elliott – Residential Boarding Supervisor  
• Mrs. Rebecca Clydesdale – Sports Administration Officer (Primary and Secondary) 
• Ms. Alice Wilson – Enrolments Officer  
• Mrs. Helen Rath – Drama and English Teacher  
• Ms. Suzanne Stainforth – HPE Teacher  

Over the holidays, the College was notified of the following staff who have sought new opportunities. Some have travelled significant distances each day and we understand a role closer to home was an important factor in their overall decision.  We would like to thank them for their dedicated years of service and wish them every success in their future endeavours. 

• Teaching and Learning: Gabriele Haiden and Richard Hardy
• Administration and Support: Lisa Duncan, Joanne Fewtrell and Philip Pennisi 

Pastoral Care Class 

Each morning students attend a 10 minute Pastoral Care (PC) class 8.30 am - 8.40 am. Roll Call will be taken, and Daily Notices addressed at this time. There will be three PC groups per House to provide better opportunities for interaction and engagement in activities. This means that there has been a reorganisation of some groups and your child may have a new PC teacher. 

Who Should I Ask? 

In most cases, your child’s Head of Year should be the first point of contact for any general questions of an academic or pastoral nature. Please be aware, Heads of Department and Heads of Year are available and committed to discussing any academic matter; however, in most cases, they would obtain information pertaining to your child directly from the class teacher in the first instance. Therefore, contacting your child’s teacher is always the most effective first course of action. 

General information should be directed to Student Services at the Main Reception, which can be found at the entrance of the College. 

Useful Contact Details 

Fundraising Friday and Awareness Days Pre-Prep to Year 12

This year, our specific fundraising days will fall on a Friday and be linked to a House. Please find these below. 

Awareness Days are also celebrated throughout the year with various activities; however, there will be no change to uniform, only ribbons or badges worn on the school uniform. 

• Clean-Up Clayfield Day           4 March
• Earth Hour Awareness           25 March
• NAIDOC Awareness               12 July
• RUOK Awareness                     8 September
• Pink Ribbon Awareness         21 October

2022 Excursions and Activities Permission Years 7 to 12

Over the course of the year students will participate in sanctioned activities or excursions. In order for your child to participate in these and other activities, we request that you please indicate your approval and verify their medical details in Parent Lounge by Monday 31 January 2022.

Parent action required:

• Log into Parent Lounge
• Events and Payment Tab (column left side of the page)
• Select link  2022 Excursion/Activities Permission
• Terms & Conditions – Review T&C Document and Accept Check Box
• Medical Details – Review medical details from drop-down menu and Verify Check Box
• Accept/ Decline – Select Accept
• Select Save (bottom of page)

Please note that activities or excursions that are not school-sanctioned e.g.(camp, an activity outside school hours) will require specific approval which will be communicated when required.

Activities/excursions are reflected in the calendar, with specific details communicated to parents closer to the scheduled date.

New families who have already completed this process manually, through their orientation paperwork, do not need to action this requirement in Parent Lounge.

Medical Information 

It is important we have a current record of your child’s medical status to provide adequate care and support when required. Please make sure you update your child’s medical requirements including dietary requirements through the Parent Lounge Portal. Please also check that emergency contact details are accurate and correct. 

Photographs 

Secondary School class and individual photographs will take place on Wednesday, 23 February. All students are required to wear full, formal school summer uniform on this day. 

Change of Dates

Please find here, revised dates regarding activities that have been rescheduled due to the delay to school.

Parents and Friends Evening

We hope you will be able to join us for the P&F Welcome Evening on Friday, 11 February, in the Chapel Courtyard 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your child's Head of Year, Department Head or the Director of Teaching and Learning.

Thank you

Mrs. Lakshmi Mohan

Director of Teaching and Learning

Mrs. Audrey Fellowes

Deputy Principal / Head of Primary