The Opus 2 concert on Tuesday evening did not disappoint with its diverse repertoire, exceptional musicianship and sense of teamwork. It is wonderful that we can come together as a community to enjoy these terrific performances as we celebrate the powerful way music can enrich our lives. Not only does music draw whole communities together and enhance our cognitive development but it also provides a means of communication. It can calm us when we are stressed and build us up when we need a boost. Whether singing, composing, playing, creating or responding - music can be very impactful.
It is very pleasing to see so many students participate in the musical opportunities offered at Clayfield and use events such as Opus to share the consequence of their hard work both individually and as a member of an ensemble with our community. As a musician, I understand the practise and dedication required to achieve this feeling of accomplishment, and as a parent, the source of conflict this daily music practise can provide. The pleasure can quickly turn into nagging as a device is more frequently sighted in hand during the week than the instrument. Professor Timothy McKenry in his article How to stop nagging your child to practise their musical instrument draws together some practical tips from multiple studies conducted by musicians, teachers and educational psychologists.
Start young and keep it fun
Praise their effort not their ‘talent
Emphasise the long-term benefits of playing
Encourage appropriate music
Value your child’s music
We are so blessed at Clayfield to have such a vibrant music program driven by a team of passionate musicians. Events such as the Opus concert series provide the opportunity to showcase the amazing things which are going on in lounge rooms every day. I hope that you manage over the weekend to come together as a family to enjoy music and we look forward to coming together for the Clayfield College Solo Festival Grand Concert next Friday evening.
Our Clayfield History
A school is only as strong as the community it holds together – its students, staff, parents and wider networks. In any graduating cohort there may be sporting stars or those still waiting to find their passions. The parents standing behind the BBQ at a fundraiser may be new faces, or the warm smile of friends forged over many years of giving. Our staff come and go with opportunities to develop their career, or perhaps expand their family. The human landscape, as with the built environment, is an ever changing phenomenon.
However Clayfield College shows a familiarity over the 90 years of our history that is akin to the warm embrace of a treasured grandmother.
Woven into the fabric of our community is the continual feeling of inclusion, of family, of safety. When meeting any of the thousands of graduates that have passed through our gates you can be forgiven in thinking we are following a predictive script. The references to the ‘small school with the big heart’, or that our ‘community is like no other’. Because it is. It IS a small school with a big heart. And it IS like no other!
From those first students enrolled in 1931, we have fostered a close-knit community with a strong emphasis on service, of civic responsibility, and the benefits of embracing your role as a Student, Parent, Staff Member and Old Collegian of our College.
The development that defines a school of 90 years can be traced through the construction of new buildings and the journey of all who pass through it, their triumphs and tribulations. But to keep the spirit of a school alive and anchored across nine decades takes more than bricks and mortar. It takes a belief in who we are, an understanding of how we achieve and a knowledge of why we pursue our collective values.
Clayfield College has never tried to be the biggest or the loudest. We do however have 90 years of young boys and girls that have gone on to shine their light across academia, the arts, sports and community. We have Rhodes Scholars and Order of Australia recipients amongst our Old Collegian Community. We boast Olympians, World-Class Musicians and International Artists. Our graduates have quietly achieved outstanding results in Science Technology Engineering and Maths and live in all corners of the world.
Every decade of our 90 years has grown on the base of the years before, investing in the future of the boys and girls to come, and cementing the essence of what it means to belong to Clayfield College.
Over the coming weeks and months there will be opportunities for you to help celebrate our College and its remarkable 90 year history, as well as help continue our long tradition of inspiring young learners to achieve personal excellence within our nurturing community. The 90th Anniversary Gala Dinner on 23 July details are being released today, which promises to be the perfect opportunity for current parents, past Collegians and wider community members to come together and celebrate our collective journey. The P&F are hosting a family fun day with an Inflatable Obstacle Course fundraiser and community birthday party on 13 June. And our Annual Giving campaign is about to be launched. This year we focus on advancing STEM opportunities within Clayfield and are choosing to build on the outstanding results achieved by recent students and staff alike in this integral field of study.
I look forward to joining you as we celebrate the Clayfield experience and all that it offers.
Meg Graham Foundation Manager.
What's Happening Primary
Excursions This week our Year 1 students visited the Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens as part of their ‘Living Things and Their Habitats’ inquiry unit. The children engaged in an in-depth educational program in which they looked at various plant parts and how plants obtain their needs. They observed animals in the lagoon, discussed their external features and explored leaf litter in the rainforest.
Next Thursday, 27 May, our Year 3 and 4 students will be visiting Ngutana-Lui Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Studies Centre. This visit will link with the student’s studies of early Indigenous culture. The children will experience and participate in activities ranging from storytelling and boomerang throwing, to investigating traditional tools used in art. Thank you so very much to all parent helpers who volunteered to assist with these activities.
World Environment Day On Wednesday, 26 May, the Green Team will be recognising World Environment Day. They will be introducing a new Primary School initiative of ‘Wrapper Free Wednesdays’ to coincide with this special day. ‘Wrapper Free Wednesdays’ is a dedicated day of the school week where all families are encouraged to eliminate soft plastics from packed lunches. The initiative prompts students and families to reconsider how lunches are packed in an effort to raise awareness of the amount of plastic consumption in our everyday lives, and the impact this has on our local marine and wildlife. Over 7 million tonnes of rubbish ends up in the world’s oceans each year, 80% of which is plastic!
The Green Team’s tips for ‘Wrapper Free Wednesdays’ are: to pack food in reusable containers; drink water from reusable bottles; have a reusable spoon for fork with your lunch; and have a reusable lunchbox.
Primary students with a ‘Wrapper Free Wednesday’ lunchbox on World Environment Day are invited to join the Green Team for a picnic lunch on Leopard Terrace.
Scholastic Book Fair Thank you to all families who supported our Scholastic Book Fair. It was a great success and we are now able to purchase more wonderful resources for our Library.
Under 8’s Day Ahoy, me hearties! Thank you for your wonderful support of Under 8’s Day. The PrePrep to Year 3 children looked wonderful in their pirate attire. With their generous gold coin donations the students raised over $100 for children’s brain cancer research. Yo ho ho!
Learning Resource Centre - Homework Club Registration For students in Years 3-6, Homework Club is offered from Monday – Thursday; 3:20pm – 5:00pm. Students must be booked in for Homework Club via email to studentservices@clayfield.qld.edu.au. It is preferred that parents sign their child out of Homework Club from the Upper LRC. Alternatively, a text message or phone call to your child when you have arrived at the College is acceptable, if communicated to the teacher on duty.
External Student Achievements It is always wonderful to share in the achievements of our students. May we please request parents/carers include Clayfield College Student Services StudentServices@clayfield.qld.edu.au in your email to the College regarding these successes. It is a pleasure to be able to communicate these achievements with our College community.
Term 2: Week 6 (Monday 24 – Friday 28 May)
Timetable: Week B attached Primary What’s Happening Calendar Snapshot Please refer to the online calendar, via the CC App or your Parent Lounge, for a live daily/weekly schedule of events.
Assembly: no assembly
PRIMARY SPORTS AND ANDREWS CUP NOTICES
Britton Shield Football Training – Important Notice Please note that training on Mondays and Wednesdays will now finish at 4:30pm. Parents/Caregivers must also collect students from the oval at the completion of each training session.
Andrews Cup Netball – Venue Change for Competition Thursday 22 July 2021 Please see attached communication with updated information regarding venue change.
Andrews Cup Cross Country Training continues Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 6:45am-8:00am on the College Oval. Families of AC Cross Country runners – as per previous email communication, please see attached copy of information about the AC Cross Country Carnival that is being held on Monday 24 May in Toowoomba. A transport link has been provided and will need to be completed before Thursday 20 May.
Please contact Mrs Richardson prichardson@clayfield.qld.edu.au for further information regarding Andrews Cup Sport.
All spectators attending Andrews Cup events are asked to familiarise themselves with the Andrews Cup Code of Behaviour.
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Term 2 Clubs Please see attached our Club offerings for Term 2.
On Tuesday 18 May the outstanding music program at Clayfield College was again on display at the Opus 2 concert. Parents and friends were able to enjoy the pre-concert function hosted by the Music Support Group. The concert featured performances by Percussion Ensemble, Senior Choir, Corelli Strings, Campo della Voci, Paganini Strings, the Junior String Quartet, Canzona and Symphonic Winds. The program presented by all ensembles was of a very high standard and thoroughly entertained the supportive audience in attendance. Congratulations to all the students, staff, conductors, accompanists and back stage staff who were involved. We are looking forward to the upcoming Music Festival next week and the combined choral workshop and concert with Brisbane Boys College in June.
NEXT WEEK:
Health and Fitness Week Activities
Solo Music Festival Heats
DATE CLAIMERS:
Sunday 23 May Gibson/Henderson House Chapel
Friday 28 May Solo Music Festival Grand Concert Wear your Sports Uniform Day with accessories
Sunday 30 May Campbell and Radcliffe House Chapel
What's Happening Boarding
It is hard to believe we are in Week 5 with only four weeks left until the end of term.
This week is National Boarding Week. Our celebrations commenced last Friday with Harmony Day Assembly and have continued this week with cupcake surprises last night at dinner and acknowledgement today to our boarding wonderful staff and Dr. Cousins and Mrs Cousins who always shower us with treats each term.
This weekend is another one full of fun activities:
Friday 21 May Dorm Sleepover - Years 6 to 8
Saturday 22 May Park Run from 6:30pm Volleyball and Dinner with Marist- 4:00pm to 6:15pm Reds v Crusaders Rugby Game at Suncorp Stadium - 6:30pm to 10:00pm
Sunday 23 May House Chapel Gibson and Henderson Houses 5:00pm to 6:00pm
BBC Activities and Chapel Service Compulsory for all other Houses 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Kathryn Searle Head of Boarding.
Sports Update
QGSSSA Cross Country Our Cross Country girls were united and enthusiastic in their participation in last Saturday’s QG Cross Country event at Yatala. The Autumn weather was perfect for the event however; the wet, muddy and very heavy course made it feel like a 'true Cross-country' event. Mud stains were worn as badges of honour post-race as girls cheered every runner regardless of school, but keeping their biggest cheers for the girls in the blue, green and gold! The committed contingent of Clayfield girls did the College proud. They were very well supported by a small, but very vocal, group of supporters. This helped make the atmosphere the joyous occasion it was. Whether our girls were running on the track or shouting support from the sideline, our Clayfield girls were a standout, exemplifying determination, grit, enthusiasm and support. We really are GOOD SPORTS!
Autumn Fixtures
Week 6 marks the final week of Autumn fixtures and what a full week it is, especially for our Touch teams. Due to the rain early in the season, many games were cancelled. We do need to play a number of rescheduled games to make up the round. Please ensure you keep up to date by following the College App which will provide the most up-to-date information.
Football Our Football teams will hold a break-up breakfast on Thursday 27 May morning after training. This year the Sports Support Group is supplying the morning tea for the girls. A big thank you to our Sport Support Group for the generous donation for all our sporting teams. All girls are encouraged to attend to thank the coaching staff and provide a small gift of appreciation.
Touch The touch teams have a very busy final six days playing four games. Our girls have decided to have a 'Target Match' conclusion to their season. This means they are hoping to get a number of girls and families along to their last matches to cheer them on. The girls will then celebrate with a Pizza Party, again supplied by our Sports Support Group. All girls are asked to stay after their game and take part in the break-up which will also include providing a small gift of appreciation for their coach.
Week 6 Sports Schedule – Final week of Autumn Sport
*Please ensure you keep checking the App for any changes and updates to this schedule.
QGSSSA Gymnastics We are now less than two weeks away from the long-awaited return of QG Artistic Gymnastics to the sporting calendar. Our girls have responded very well to training with many still knowing all routines and performing them very well at training. Unfortunately, we do have a few of our gymnasts who are injured so our teams have had a little re-shuffling. Regardless, Clayfield will put forward 6 very strong and competitive teams to compete on Wednesday 2 June at the Sleeman Sports Complex. As per previous arrangements, each group will be bused to and from the venue. All girls will need to fill in the transport list on the Croc Board so we are aware who needs transport and whose parents will be attending and thus providing the transport for their daughters. Further details will be emailed during Week 6. Please contact Ms Christine Barnes or Mr Tim Opstelten if you have any questions.
QG Gymnastics Team lists
Winter Sports – Pre-season All four winter sports have now commenced and a full list of training session times is on the College App and Croc Board. Any girls who did not attend any of the training session in Week 5 must either attend in Week 6 or email Ms Barnes to advise they wish to play if they cannot attend due to a clash with the current Autumn fixtures. All team nominations must be made to QG in Week 6. There are some teams that may not be nominated due to a lack of numbers at training. Please ensure you attend training or let Ms Barnes know if you are wanting to play to ensure your team has enough players to register a team.
Again, we are still looking for more girls in both tennis and hockey as a priority and also a few more to play netball in the younger year levels. If you haven’t yet registered your interest in one of the four sports, do so in Week 6 by attending a training session and finding out more about the sport.
Winter Sports: Hockey Netball Tennis Volleyball
QGSSSA Athletics – Pre-season QG Athletics training will now commence in Week 7 as we are still finalising coaching and the program for the season. Training will take place on Monday afternoons at Bowden Park and Wednesday and Friday mornings on the CC Oval. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the Croc Board on Monday 23 May and will ask girls to indicate what events they are keen to try. These sessions are for anyone wishing to learn any of the events in Athletics and therefore be eligible to make the QG Athletics team. All girls are encouraged to attend these training sessions in preparation for the College Inter-house carnival Week 2 of Term 3 and the QGSSSA carnival at the end of Term 3.
Elite Sporting Program – Sports Specialist Series Week 5 was the start of a three-week series of guest speakers for our Elite Sporting Girls. The first presenter was Mark Knowles, Hockey Australia’s National Athlete Pathways Program Technical Lead. A very successful athlete himself, Mark shared with the girls his own story of adversity and triumphs in elite level sport and what he learnt throughout his journey. All the girls were captivated by his story, engaged with his very down to earth approach and thrilled to hold both Gold medals Mark achieved in his time with the Australian Men’s Hockey Team, an Olympic Gold and a Commonwealth Gold medal. From discussions with the girls since the presentation, many are even more determined and focussed on achieving and striving for their own sporting dreams.
Our next presentation is with Accredited Sports Dietician, Sam Armstrong. Sam has worked with many sporting clubs including the Brisbane Lions, and a number of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, her niche however is working with older children and teens in ensuring optimal growth and performance. With a promising sporting career herself and experiencing her own issues with diet while performing, Sam will deliver a very real and pertinent presentation on the role of diet in performance and the essential information our girls need to ensure optimal growth and performance in the sports.
Health and Fitness Week Week 6 is Health and Fitness Week at Clayfield College. The week is designed to promote, celebrate and engage the student body in a range of health and fitness related activities throughout the week. This year our Sports Executive have taken ownership of the event and will be organising and running most of the events across the week. A brief schedule is provided below:
Monday: Tug of war - Boarders Vs Day Girls, Senior Vs Teachers, Juniors Vs Seniors Tuesday: Dodge ball - Boarders VS Day Girls Dodge ball, House Vs House Wednesday: Staff Vs Student Netball Thursday: Zumba session and Learn to dance session Friday: Jumping Castles!!
There will also be fun bells, fruit giveaways, whole school fitness activities – Beep test.
All students are encouraged to wear their HPE uniform to school on Friday 28 May for the whole day so they can get into all the fun on the oval and jump on the jumping castles.
Whole School Community Challenge
We will also be launching a Whole School community challenge - The Push Up Challenge for better mental health, at the senior school assembly on Friday morning, 28 May.
The Push Up Challenge - for better mental health.
June 1 - 25 2021 3,318 push-ups over 25 days.
Get fit, have fun, learn about mental health!
To join our team and raise awareness and funds for better mental health click on the link and join us in The Push Up Challenge throughout June.
Ms Christine Barnes Head of Health, Wellness and Sport.
House Chapel
Henderson and Gibson Families are warmly invited to our annual House Chapel and Picnic to be held this Sunday 23 May. We will begin with a shared afternoon tea in the Chapel Courtyard at 4.15pm and our Chapel service will commence at 5pm. Students are welcome to wear suitable casual clothes to the service. In line with COVID Safe procedures, food to be contributed for the shared afternoon tea must be shop bought and not freshly prepared. (e.g. Mini muffins / biscuits suitable to be served)
To comply with COVID safe measures we are ticketing the event through Trybooking. Seats will need to be booked (free of charge) at https://www.trybooking.com/BRH... before noon on Sunday. You will be required to check in on arrival and we ask that you please carry a mask.
Campbell and Radcliffe House families are warmly invited to our annual combined House Chapel and Picnic to be held Sunday 30 May. We will begin with a shared afternoon tea in the Chapel Courtyard at 4.15pm and our Chapel service will commence at 5pm. Students are welcome to wear suitable casual clothes to the service. In line with COVID Safe procedures, food to be contributed for the shared afternoon tea must be shop bought and not freshly prepared. (e.g. Mini muffins / biscuits suitable to be served)
We would love to hear from any students who would like to play a part in our Chapel service. Roles are varied from bible readings, prayers, playing an instrument or singing, being part of a play, collecting the offering, welcoming guests at the door or serving the afternoon tea. If your child would like to participate in our joint House Chapel please let Miss Spencer sspencer@clayfield.qld.edu.au or Ms Wong swong@clayfield.qld.edu.au know by email. We encourage Campbell and Radcliffe House students from Primary and Secondary to volunteer for a role in our Chapel Service.
To comply with COVID safe measures we are ticketing the event through Trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/BRHKH. Seats will need to be booked (free of charge) at before noon on Sunday 30 May. You will be required to check in on arrival and we ask that you please carry a mask.
We look forward to this special opportunity to gather as Houses at these wonderful events.
CAR RAFFLE: Have you purchased your ticket yet for the P&F Car Raffle? Nearly half have been sold.
There are only 600 tickets for sale, you heard it right, that’s a 1 in 600 chance of winning a VW T Cross valued at $35,990.
Please support us and allow us to continue to help our children at Clayfield College. Please feel free to share this with family and friends, but be quick as tickets are selling fast. To enter, just click the link - https://bit.ly/3wpE9Gj
Futures Expo
Clayfield College is very excited to be hosting our very first Futures Expo, to be held here at school on Monday 14 June 2021, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the Assembly Hall
This is a wonderful opportunity for students to discuss tertiary pathways with major universities, find out about local residential colleges and talk with our brand new provider of in-school vocational courses for 2022, Axial Training. We would like any student in Years 7-12, their siblings and friends to join us for this important event.
This important event is free, but all attendees must register via the Try Booking website www.trybooking.com/BQYVC
Fun Run Obstacle Course
2 weeks to go!!!
Clayfield College Fun Run (Obstacle Course) Sunday June 13, 10am - 1pm College Oval High School and Primary Event (Pre-Prep to Year 12)
There are only 2 weeks to go until the Oval gets filled up with giant inflatables for students of all ages to enjoy.
To get an idea of what to expect, here is a video.
It's going to be a great carnival atmosphere with music, a BBQ, coffee and snow cones for sale!
The course is suitable for all ages from pre-prep, Primary and High School. The younger students will also have access to a Junior Jumpers area which is specifically for younger students only.
Have you: 1.Bought your tickets from the College Website Go to https://quickweb.westpac.com.a... Click on College Tours, Excursions & Activities). Tickets are
$15 each and will be available until the 10th June from the website. You can also buy tickets at the event.
The Inflatable Course is open to students and siblings that don't attend Clayfield so feel free to invite friends and family along!
2. Signed up for an online sponsorship page at schoolfundraising.com.au and raise money to fund more STEM initiatives at Clayfield College. This is an optional component but you can earn amazing prizes by earning at least $10.
Congratulations to Luca Gout, Landon Miller and Sam Faraone who are our top fundraisers so far!
3. Signed up to volunteeer at the Fun Run here: https://volunteersignup.org/9FDM7. Even if you can't make it on the day, there are still ways of helping.
It takes a village to run an event like this and we really appreciate any help putting up shade tents, supervising the inflatables or working on the BBQ or registration table.
We would like to thank our sponsors Family Doctors Plus, Clayfield Swimming and AFL Auskick for supporting our event and the P&F, PSG and school staff who have organised this event.
Whole School Notices
Health and Fitness Week
Please note, ALL STUDENTS are allowed to come to school in their HPE uniform on Friday 28 May and can accessorise further with head bands, leggings or even sweat bands to further 'Activate' the HPE uniform.
From Clayfield to Kitava Island Morning Tea
80th Anniversary of CCOCA
Old Boys' Reunion
Chess Mates
Do you want your child to experience the benefits of learning chess while still having fun along the way? Designed especially for children in Prep and above, our chess classes are fun, interactive, and tailored by our teachers to suit the students in each class. While your child will still learn that winning can be fun, they’ll also learn a whole lot more! In fact, chess can help your child develop socially, academically, and emotionally.
Wednesday 3:20 - 4:10 Location: Room 56 Music Room Starting Week 1 $17 per session
To know about what we stand for, our founder Ash did a TEDx talk at UQ last year. Here is a link to it -
Auskick
Clayfield College Sporting Support
Are you interested in Netball or Hockey?
We are looking for additional members to support the Clayfield College Sporting programme. You might be an Old Collegian, a Parent or simply an enthusiastic Netball or Hockey player from within our greater community looking to get involved, and help the next generation of athletes achieve their dreams, play their best and have some fun!
These are paid casual positions and offer good flexibility around study, work and family commitments.
Don’t wait to be asked, and don’t be left wondering what you could have offered. Contact the College NOW by emailing Chris Barnes (Head of Health, Wellness and Sport) on CBarnes1@clayfield.qld.edu.au.
