Message from Richard Baker, Acting Head of Junior School

Dear Junior and Pre-school families,

It was wonderful to welcome back all of our P-Y6 students this week, ready to learn and embrace what will no doubt be an exciting and eventful Term 4.  

I would like to encourage all parents and carers to ensure our Junior School students arrive before 8.10am each day. Term 4 is an especially busy term, and it is vitally important that we set our students up for success each day.  We kindly ask for your support in ensuring your child arrives on time, so they can benefit fully from each school day. The Cranbrook Junior School carline opens at 7:45am with many students who are walking to School entering via the gate from 7:40am.

As an adult when we are running late to an important event, we may experience the stress and the feeling that we’re already behind before we’ve even started. For our Cranbrook students, arriving late to school can feel very similar. By arriving on time each day, this allows them to settle in, connect with friends and prepare for the day ahead.  

Research shows that children who arrive early are more likely to feel focused and ready to engage with their learning from the start. They also have a better chance of developing positive relationships with their peers and teachers, as they’re present for important social interactions and instructions at the beginning of the day. Regular and punctual attendance has been linked to improved academic outcomes, as students are more likely to grasp key concepts when they are consistently present for the full day’s learning.  

We have noted a trend in parents walking into campus at the end of the day and meeting their son at the K-Y2 pedestrian gate thus saving time. The students enjoy being able to greet their parents at the gate and having a little more time to talk about their day.

Upcoming Events & Important Dates 

  • K-Y6 Swimming Programme: W1-W6 (+ Monday W7) Term 4 during PE lessons
  • World Teachers’ Day – Friday, 25 October
  • Y6-Y7 Immersion Day at Senior School – Thursday, 7 November 
  • K-Y2 Carols Service – Tuesday, 26 November 5pm at All Saints Woollahra 
  • K-5 Moving Up Morning – Wednesday, 27 November 
  • 2025 New Parent Information Session – Wednesday, 27 November 8:30am – 10:00am 
  • Y3-Y6 Christmas Lunch – Thursday, 28 November  
  • Y3-Y6 Swimming Carnival (at AFC) – Friday, 29 November (all day) 
  • Y3-Y6 Carols Service – Tuesday, 3 December 5pm (at VCH) 
  • K-Y2 Christmas Activities – Wednesday, 4 December 
  • Y6 Valedictory Service – Friday, 6 December – 1:45pm 
  • Last day of classes – Tuesday, 10 December 
  • K-6 JS Prize Giving – Wednesday, 11 December 10am 

Y7 Scholarships 2026
Parents of boys in Year 5 2024 who may be interested in applying for a Senior School Scholarship for their son, should follow this link to find out more about the 2026 Academic and Music Scholarships on offer.

Warm regards,

Richard Baker
Acting Head of Junior School