Secondary News

Ignite: Fuel their Potential 

Experiential learning is a holistic philosophy of education based on the notion that an individual’s life experiences, education and work play a central role in their learning and understanding of new knowledge (Fry, Ketteridge and Marshall, 2009; Kolb and Kolb, 2009). Experiential learning focusses on learning through connection and collaboration. It allows students to practice and review their learning with the view to critically reflect on what they have learnt and to make links with previous experiences and theory. Experiential learning is designed to provide students the opportunity to learn from their own successes and mistakes. 

Our young people are living in an information and technology driven society and are preparing for a very different world from the one we know. It is imperative that they have the skills to flourish in this world. In addition, it is important to realise that society not only faces a change in the types of jobs that are needed, but that young people also need to be educated for a job that does not yet exist (Fisch and McLeod, 2009; Voogt and Odenthal, 1997). Students need to be innovators, entrepreneurs, lifelong learners, effective communicators, and responsible global citizens. 21st century skills are dispositions and competencies that will allow students to succeed in any career pathway that they choose, including ones that are yet to emerge. 

In keeping with our Strategic Pillar: Learning from Experiences, this year we are launching the inaugural Clayfield College ‘Ignite: Fuel their Potential’ Program and associated ‘Connections Day’. This program will aim to provide students with opportunities to authentically immerse in experiential learning and will also keenly focus on the development of key 21st century skills. 

To support student engagement, the Ignite Program and Connections Day have been selected to foster and promote the following focus areas:

Connection: 

This will be built within and between the Years 7 to 10 student body during the Ignite program. Students will work in groups of up to 5, across year levels. Groups will be formed according to student interest and passions, rather than year levels. Connections will be strengthened on Connections Day via sport and cultural activities in Pastoral Care and House groups.

Collaboration: 

Regardless of group size, each student group will interact with other groups and with the student body, to consider each other’s ideas and provide productive feedback. Students will be required to work collaboratively to build teamwork skills. 

Communication: 

Students will be provided support to prepare and pitch ideas, as well as scaffolding for providing effective feedback, allowing them to communicate appropriately and productively with each other.

Enterprise: 

Students will be encouraged to take initiative and be resourceful in problem solving, a skill useful across subject disciplines. 

Problem solving: 

Students will consider, discuss and research potential problems that require attention. They will be supported to find innovative, real-world solutions to these problems.

Reflection: 

The final day of the Ignite Program will consist of guided time for reflection.

These focus areas will provide our students with a range of skills to encourage passionate problem solvers who can go on to be active, purposeful, and meaningful change makers.  

Particular 21st century skills fostered by the Ignite Program and Connections Day include:

• Developing an understanding and appreciation of self, including personal passions, interests, values, and strengths
• Understanding of the design thinking methodology, including empathising, ideating, validating, prototyping, and pitching
• Developing capacity to lead self and others and to collaborate and project manage effectively
• Building capacity as storytellers; pitching and persuading with purpose
• Increasing self-confidence, resilience and tolerance of failure and risk
• Empowering knowledge, skills and processes to support students to stand up and take action to solve problems that matter to them

Skills gained in the program will be beneficial to all students regardless of their subject choices and interests now, and in their future years of schooling.

The Ignite Program will run in Weeks 8 and 9 of Term 4. Further information and details with regards to the program will be emailed to families in Week 6. 

Looking Forward in Secondary

Reindeer Bake Sale

On 17 November, Year 9 Social Science students are holding a bake sale to raise funds to sponsor a reindeer herd.  Primary students will be able to pre-order a baked item in the week before. Pre-order forms and prices will be available nearer the time.

Why: During our Year 9 Social Science subject, our students are required to take action on an issue they have discovered during their study of biomes. They are putting their inquiry learning into action and trying to affect positive change for reindeer herds in the Artic and the groups of people who survive on and with these herds.

Are you interested in becoming a Homestay Family?

Clayfield College is excited to be welcoming Study Tours in 2023. We are currently looking for interested homestay hosts for a South Korean group who will be visiting our campus from Monday 30 January to Saturday 25 February 2023. Please see the attached Handbook for more information. Contact Christine Quist cquist@clayfield.qld.edu.au or call (07) 3262 0221 for more information.

• South Korean Study Tour arriving 30 January and departing 25 February 2023 (26 nights)
• Male Primary students requiring Homestay
• 1 to 2 students per home
• 9 to 12 years of age
• Nightly reimbursements ($50 per student, per night)
• Requirements: each student to have their own bed, all meals, transportation to/from school & weekends will be spent with the host family
• If interested, Blue Cards and a house inspection will be organised
• Please read the attached "Homestay Handbook" (below) for more detailed information

Uniform Shop Update

Please click here for updated Uniform Shop information on our website. You will find information and shop hours and a link to a new online ordering site.

There is also information there about the Sustainable School Shop which allows parents to buy and sell second-hand textbooks, uniforms and other student resources.