Governance
Clayfield College is an independent day and boarding school in Brisbane for girls and boys from Pre-prep to Year 12. The College is one of four outstanding schools owned by the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) along with our sibling schools Brisbane Boys’ College, Somerville House and Sunshine Coast Grammar School. The Parallel Learning model that offers both coeducational and single sex learning when it makes the most difference for students, is unique to Clayfield College only.
The PMSA, established in 1918, is a joint mission of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod and the Presbyterian Church of Queensland. The Churches formed the PMSA to purchase Brisbane High School for Girls (now Somerville House) and Clayfield College (now Brisbane Boys’ College) in 1918. Read more about the PMSA.
Clayfield College commenced on 9 February 1931 when Brisbane Boys’ College moved to their Toowong location. Today it proudly provides outstanding opportunities for boys and girls beyond the regular curriculum and across all ages so students can let their light shine.
More than 100 years since establishment, the PMSA is a financially strong, not-for-profit organisation that plays a vital role as the connecting link between the schools and the two churches and in setting the direction of each school. Most recently this included the transition to Parallel Learning at Clayfield College, to maximise each student’s growth at all stages of their development. All PMSA schools offer a unique ecumenical learning environment where children learn Christian values common to two churches, not the beliefs and practices of just one church.
The PMSA works together with the Clayfield College Council and Principal to provide:
- a caring, Christian-based culture
- high quality programs for developing teaching excellence
- financial strength and support
- human resources, legal and compliance support
- governance and policy-making support, particularly around child safety.
PMSA Board
The PMSA is run by a board which comprises 13 members. Up to five PMSA Board members are each appointed by the Presbyterian Church and the Uniting Church and up to three are directly appointed by the PMSA Board. The PMSA Board is supported by three committees, a School Council for each of the schools, and the PMSA Group Office.
More about the PMSA Board Members
Clayfield College Council
The objectives of the Clayfield College Council is to provide leadership and good governance of the school to achieve its vision and mission.
The Clayfield College Council is made up of nine members. These members include up to two PMSA Board members, up to six independent College Council members appointed from the community, and the College Principal, who is a non-voting member. The Clayfield College Council is delegated the responsibility to govern and administer the performance of the College. The College Council’s role includes:
- Oversee educational performance and improvement, enrolments and the effectiveness of enrolment procedures.
- Lead, guide and uphold the culture, reputation and standards of conduct of the school
- Recommend appointment of the Principal
- Oversee the implementation of Group policy, frameworks and procedures and approve school policies.
- Establish and oversee the implementation of the school strategic plan
- Develop and oversee the school master plan
- Identify, monitor and manage risk for the school
- Oversee the development of the school business plan and annual budget, monitor the financial performance and ensure the long term sustainability of the school.
- Ensure appropriate levels of communication with the Principal, the PMSA Board and the school community and other stakeholders.
The full charter for the Clayfield College Council is available here.
The College Principal reports to the College Council and is responsible for the daily operations of the College.
When positions on the Clayfield College Council are vacant, they will be advertised on the Clayfield website, PMSA website, AICD website, in the College newsletter and on appropriate websites for board position vacancies.