From the Principal

Reconciliation Week 

Friday 27 May to Friday 3 June, is National Reconciliation Week in Australia.  This year's theme is "Be Brave. Make Change" and it challenges all Australians -  individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.

Throughout the week our students have had a number of opportunities to reflect and learn about National Reconciliation Week through a variety of activities.  These have included:

• Friday - QGSSSA Football Reconciliation Round (our girls participated in face painting)
• Friday - NRL Indigenous Round at Suncorp Stadium Broncos v Titans match for the boarding students to attend

• Tuesday - Nevaeh Mills (Yalari Captain) and Izza Passi  (Boarding Captain) speech on assembly
• Chapel Services message about Sorry Day
• Friday - Izza is running a session about Mabo Day

On Tuesday, our Boarding Captain (Izza) and our Yalari Captain (Nevah) gave a powerful speech about National Reconciliation week and what it means to them.

Good afternoon, everyone, 

As you all may know, this week is National Reconciliation week. For those of you who are not aware, Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. We are lucky enough to be attending a multi-cultural school that allows us to raise awareness about colonization and its ongoing effects on Indigenous people. 

Mabo Day however is an annual celebration on the 3rd of June that commemorates Meriam men Koiki Mabo alongside the Passi brothers and James Rice who successfully overturned the legal fiction of terra nullius which led to the Australian Parliament passing the Native Title Act in 1993. 

For generations, both Indigenous cultures are very in tune with not only the land but the sea. Our people and practices revolve around these two things. Therefore, the Mabo decision was a turning point for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's rights as it acknowledged their unique connection with the land. 

On behalf of our Indigenous cohort at Clayfield, I would like to encourage everyone to come together in celebrating Mabo Day and Reconciliation week this Friday. 

With education comes knowledge. With knowledge comes power. Power to speak and be heard. 

Mabo was never the end but the beginning of what is yet to come in delivering justice for First Nations People. 

Jazz on the Green

Save the date for this year's Jazz on the Green!

It will be bigger and better than ever!

Featuring a famous Australian singer-songwriter.

More details coming soon.

Staff Acknowledgments

Throughout the term, we have welcomed the following staff to the College:

Adam Gray                           Finance Manager

Trudi Woodhead                Operations Manager (commencing Week 8)

Miranda Cavaliere             Executive Administrative Assistant

Chris Bryne                          Project Manager

Kate Osborne                      Teacher Aide Early Years

Jessica Baas                        Sports Coach - Netball

Tiani Griffith                         Sports Coach - Volleyball

Cassie Lloyd                        Sports Coach - Hockey

Bryon Tot                              Debating Coach

Ann-Marie Kudin                Boarding House Supervisor – Residential 

Olivia Rodman                     Boarding House Tutor 

Claudia Sutherland            Boarding House Tutor 

I am sure that you will join with me in making these new staff welcome and feel part of the Clayfield family.  

At the end of this term, we farewell several staff members as they head off to the next chapter of their careers, finish their contract with the College or commence their retirement. 

We wish Vivienne Corness, Michael Ryan, Joanne Rogers, Suzanne Stainforth, Rebecca Clydesdale, Justine Grimmick and Emma Harmon all the best for the future.  In the case of Vivienne, we look forward to her ongoing connection with the College as a parent and with Jo as one of our sports coaches.