Secondary School News

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students

We trust that you have had a restful break and feel refreshed and excited to embrace the opportunities and experiences that Term 3 will bring.

We are delighted that we have new students starting this term in the Secondary School in Years 7 and 8. We welcome these students and their families to the community and wish them the very best for the journey ahead. We will also be welcoming a number of short-stay students throughout the term.

We welcome back Ms Perrie Bourke who is returning after Long Service Leave, as well as a new staff member, Ms Emily Rossow. 

Ms Rossow, an Old Collegian, and previous staff member, has 10 years Senior English and Social Science teaching experience in independent schools around Brisbane and Moreton Bay. Ms Rossow will take Ms Monnickendam’s classes.

Term 3 begins on Monday 10 July. In preparation for the term, we would like to highlight some key expectations, procedures, events and dates.

Uniform Requirements

Clayfield College expects students to take pride in their presentation each day and meet the requirements of the Uniform Policy. Please read over the below expectations and ensure your child is prepared for the first day back at school.

• Students will return in Winter Uniform.
• Shoes should be polished with laces tied.
• Hair is to be kept tidy, and if longer than the collar, it must be tied up. Girls who tie up their hair must wear green scrunchies or ribbons (hair clips are not allowed).
• Boys are to wear ties each day with buttons done up.
• No jewellery is to be worn at school, except for one ear piercing in the lower lobe – small silver or gold sleepers, studs or pearls. Pearl earrings are available to be purchased at the College Shop. 
• For students wearing the new uniform, the shirt must be tucked in at all times. 
• We understand students may have had false eyelashes, fake tans 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. If students have received an extra ear piercing over the break, please ensure they do not wear anything in the piercing while at school. 
• The College will provide information to students and parents two weeks prior to the return to Summer Uniform.  

Please refer to the Uniform Policy for further information.

Infringements will be applied if consideration is not given to appropriate uniform requirements.

Pastoral Care Class 

Pastoral Care (PC) time begins promptly at 8:30am every morning. This is an important time of the day when PC teachers mark the roll, provide ongoing support through group and individual conversations, promote connections through group activities, encourage organisation by reading the Daily Notices, helping students with their daily routines and holding students accountable for the correct wearing of the College uniform. Thank you for making sure your child(ren) arrives at school on time. If students need to leave school throughout the day or will be late to school, please notify the College via the App.

Mobile Phones 

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 need to hand their phones into Reception when they arrive at school and can collect them after school. Phones must be turned off. Years 7 to 9 boarding students will leave their phones in the Boarding House during the school day. Students in Years 10 to 12 are required to have their phones turned off, in their lockers and they are not to be used throughout the school day. The exception to this is students in Years 10 to 12 who require their phone for HPE lessons. It is then their responsibility to collect their phone from their locker before the lesson and return it back to their locker after the PE lesson. If students are found with their phones they will be confiscated and can collect them from the Head of Secondary’s office at the end of the day. If they are found to have them for a second time, students will not be permitted to bring their phone on to campus until further notice.

Parent Lounge

Parent Lounge provides up-to-date information on College life. Such information includes your child’s timetable and teachers, 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. Please see below a guide that will assist you in navigating key features of Parent Lounge.

Years 7 to 12 Academic Policy and Procedures Document

We draw your attention to the Years 7 to 12 Academic Policy and Procedures Document. This document gives an overview of all procedures and protocols that need to be adhered to by staff, students and parents with regards to:

• academic integrity
• assessment
• drafting, scaffolding, conferencing and feedback
• subject changes, and
• AARA.

You can access the document through the link below. It is also available in Parent Lounge and Student Café under Links: Assessment and Reporting.

Please be reminded that all students are required to adhere to the procedures and protocols outlined in this document with regards to submission of assignments and completion of exams.

Academic Queries

For any academic queries or concerns in Years 7 to 12 you are encouraged to contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance. Following this, if you require further assistance, please contact the relevant Head of Department. Our teaching staff and Heads of Department are committed to working with you and your sons and daughters to provide the best academic support and outcomes for every student.

Criteria to Qualify for Academic Awards 

Please see below the criteria to qualify for an academic award in Years 7 to 12. We draw your attention to the last paragraph which specifies the attendance requirements around qualifying for an award.

Years 7 to 12 Parent Teacher Interviews 

Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences for Years 7 to 12 will be held on Tuesday 11 July and Thursday 13 July from 3:30pm to 8:00pm. We are offering either a meeting in person or using the Zoom platform. Teachers will be seated in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) on both evenings. Consultations will be 10 minutes per teacher. Bookings have been open via Parent Lounge since Wednesday 14 June and will remain open until 9:00pm Sunday 9 July. Details on how to book interview times were sent out to families on Friday 9 June. We encourage your sons and daughters to be present and to participate in each meeting.

Tutorials

Academic Staff offer tutorials to provide small group and individual support to students. Please see below the 2023 tutorial schedule. 

Clayfield College Home Learning Policy

Please find below the Clayfield College Home Learning Policy. 

Student Absence Prior to Assessment (Years 10 to 12)

If a student is absent from school on any day in the two-day (48 hour) period prior to an examination sitting date or assignment due date, they will require a medical certificate to be submitted. In the absence of a medical certificate, each case will be reviewed independently by the Teaching and Learning Leadership Team and appropriate consequences will be determined.

Key Term 3 Dates 

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

Kind regards

Mrs Lakshmi Mohan

Deputy Principal - Head of Teaching and Learning

Mr Justin Desmarchelier 

Head of Secondary