Year 4 Waterslea Camp Gallery
Message from Michele Marquet
Dear Parents,
It is hard to believe that we have come to the end of the first term. Thank you to the many parents who have taken the time to thank the staff for the things we do – it is such an encouragement, and we love working in partnership with you as your children navigate their learning journeys. We would like to thank our staff too – teachers, educational assistants and our administrative team for their flexibility, gracious support and tireless efforts this term.
P – Y6 end of Term 1 and start of Term 2 Information
Please note: Term 1 finishes today, Thursday, 6 April. Term 2 commences on Wednesday, 26 April for all P-6 students. Students may return to School in either their full summer or full winter uniform. By the start of Week 4, Term 2, full winter uniform is required for all students.
For Junior School students, the holidays are an excellent time for boys to have a haircut and for families to check that their son has only his own uniform items and each item is named clearly. We remind parents that the boys’ hair length should not fall below their collar.
Easter Service
It was wonderful to hold the JS Easter Service in the new Vicars Centenary Building yesterday. Our Chamber Choir and Voices did a superb job singing their hymns and anthems, expertly prepared by Mr Fox and Mrs Holmes a Court. The Year 6 contributors, prepared by Mrs Harricks, spoke clearly and with suitable expression. We thank Mr Noble for his message and Mr Baker for his thorough organisation for the service.
Kind wishes,
Michele Marquet
From the Deputies
The Term 2 Events Overview for Parents has been loaded onto Cranbrook Connect and can be viewed here.
Visit to CJS from the Headmaster of Jhyanglang Primary School, Nepal
Recently, it was wonderful to welcome to Cranbrook, Gagan Devkota and his brother, Keshan. Gagan is the Headmaster of Jhyanglang Primary School in Nepal. Cranbrook students, staff and parents have visited this school and its community regularly over the last 13 years, assisting with its rebuilding after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. We are excited to be shortly recommencing planning for our Year 6 trip to Nepal in 2024, after a three-year hiatus due to Covid. This will provide an opportunity for 2024 Year 6 students and an accompanying parent to travel to Nepal during one of the holiday breaks to become engaged with supporting some of the communities with whom we have long term relationships.
Below photo:
Megan Light, Junior School coordinator of Nepal Trips for many years, with Gagan Devkota, Headmaster of Jhyanglang Primary School.
Above photo:
Gagan presents Cranbrook Junior School with a lovely plaque in a traditional Nepalese frame, to thank Cranbrook for its long-term support of the Jhyanglang Primary School and the surrounding community.
Reminders for Term 2
- Term 2 commences on Wednesday, 26 April for all students P-Y6
- Optional Co-Curricular activities recommence from the first day of term, Wednesday, 26 April.
- After School Sports training for winter teams (Years 3 – 6) recommences Wednesday, 26 April.
- If you have not already done so, please download the Cranbrook Parent App asap. This will be vital for Parents in Y3-Y6 particularly, as important information about weekly sports fixtures will be coming via this app in Term 2.
- The first round of winter Sport (Years 3 – 6) commences on the first Saturday of term (29 April). Please see your son’s Year Level tab, then go to the Sports subheading to find specific year level information and fixtures for each sport.
- Our Mother’s Day Activities/Breakkie on Friday, 12 May from 7:30am – 8:30am.
Learn to Swim Programme
Cranbrook’s Learn to Swim programme is please to announce that new spaces are now available for immediate enrolment. The programme has been designed to cater to swimmers of all ages and abilities, from beginners aged from 6 months to more advanced swimmers who want to refine their technique and become stronger and more confident in the water. If you are looking to enrol your child in a swimming programme, now is a great opportunity through the quieter season where you may receive more active learning time.
To make things even easier for parents and guardians, we have also introduced an online enquiry system for assessments. Our Learn to Swim team will get back to you with a response regarding the next available time slots for assessments. The assessments will ensure your child’s swimming ability is matched to the appropriate class based on their needs.
Cranbrook’s Learn to Swim pool will remain at 31 degrees Celsius all winter. This ensures that swimmers can enjoy the water in a comfortable and safe environment, even on the coldest days of the year. Our experienced instructors are passionate about teaching children to swim, and we use a range of techniques and tools to ensure that every child receives the support and guidance they need to progress. We believe that swimming is an essential life skill that every child should learn, and our Learn to Swim programme is an excellent way to achieve this goal.
To book your assessment or enrol your child please visit:
https://www.cranbrook.nsw.edu.au/community/murray-rose-aquatics-and-fitness-centre/learn-to-swim-programme/
Cranbrook School App
We have launched our new sport and co-curricular app, Cranbrook School app, devised to ensure families can be kept more closely across their son’s activities at school. This app is for use by all Junior School and Senior School parents.
The app will deliver content specific to your child for the sport and compulsory co-curricular activities (Years 3-6 Sport and K-6 Music instrumentalist lessons and groups in the Junior School) in which your child is participating. You will be able to view the weekly sport fixtures and compulsory co-curricular timetables. In addition, you will also be able to view the weekly Link newsletters and other helpful information all in the one accessible format. In the near future, your son’s optional co-curricular (for Years 1 -6 only) will also be visible and next term the attendance tile will allow you to notify the School of an absence on the day. We will advise when both of these functions are fully accessible. Formal requests for term time leave will still need to be requested (in advance and in writing) from Mrs Marquet by emailing jsheadea@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au
Please note that the button to log absentees is for school attendance only between Monday to Friday. You cannot log Saturday sports, music and all co-curricular absences on this app, so please follow the usual process if your son is unable to attend these activities.
TO ACCESS THE APP
Click here to view the information on how to download this app from the App Store.
USERNAME AND PASSWORD DISCOVERY
Click here to view information on how to access your username and password to enable access to the app.
Please remember to check your spam/junk email folder as sometimes codes and password resets can be sent there.
Junior School Parents
If Junior School families have difficulties downloading the new Parent App, please contact the Junior School Reception on 9327 9100.
If you have children on both campuses, please contact the Junior School Reception in the first instance.
Our new school app will provide you with access to the all the information you need on a daily basis for the different sport and co-curricular subjects across the School. We hope you will find this new tool helpful.
Kind regards
Cranbrook School
2023 Student Residential Address Collection
Under the Australian Education Regulation 2013, the School is required to provide the Department of Education with the following information about each student at the School:
- Names and residential addresses of student’s parent(s) and/or guardian(s)
- Student residential address (excluding student names)
- Whether the student is a primary or secondary student (education level)
- Whether the student is boarding or a day student (boarding status).
Please see the Collection Notice available here for further information.
Parents are not required to do anything – the School is responsible for providing the requested details to the Department.
If you have recently changed address, it would be appreciated if you could please email your updated address details to familyupdates@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible.
Cranbrook School Membership
Cranbrook School is a public company limited by guarantee which was established to provide students with a well-rounded, liberal education based on Christian beliefs.
It is governed by the School Council in accordance with its Constitution and has a membership comprised of eligible persons who have made significant contributions to Cranbrook or who are key stakeholders in its mission.
Parents of current students in Kindergarten to Year 12 attending Cranbrook are eligible to become a Member of Cranbrook School for so long as they have a child attending the School.
If you are not already a Member of Cranbrook School, and wish to become one, please indicate your willingness to do so by completing and returning the application form which can be found on Cranbrook Connect here.
Applications are subject to approval by the School Council, and will be considered at the next possible School Council meeting after receipt of your completed application.
We encourage you to apply to become a Member of Cranbrook School and to take up the opportunity to contribute to the governance of the School.
If you have any questions regarding membership of Cranbrook School, please contact Sarah Deveson, Company Secretary, by email on councilsecretary@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.
Perspectives: Podcast Series – A Conversation with our Headmaster
Welcome to the second episode in our Perspectives podcast series: conversations between key members of our academic staff and our Headmaster, Nicholas Sampson.
In this podcast, Michele Marquet, Head of Cranbrook Junior School, discusses with our Headmaster, how Cranbrook celebrates the whole child, the School’s commitment to the elevation of truth, the development of self-knowledge and the creation of a better society.
They discuss the importance of educational breadth and negating the harmful effects of technology through the cultivation of empathy.
If we cannot construct community, however brilliant the minds we raise, we stretch and deepen, they will function selfishly.
Providing personal insights and anecdotes from his teaching career, and own schooling years, Nicholas Sampson reflects on the vital importance of human interaction and connection in today’s technological world.
To listen please click here or on the graphic below.
Perspectives Podcast 2: March 2023
We hope you enjoy this latest conversation with our Headmaster, and we welcome your views and questions for the next release in the Perspectives podcast series, due for release in Term 3 2023, via Cranbrook@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.
Pre-schools’ News – Week 10
Dear Parents,
Pre-schoolers have had a fantastic week which included their first excursion of the year to St Michael’s and St Mark’s Church to celebrate Easter. The children explored the church by going on a tour. They heard a wonderful story and enjoyed some Easter songs. They ended the term with Easter egg hunts and Easter bonnet making. Thank you all for a wonderful first term. I wish you all a well-rested Easter break with your families and all the Pre-school staff are looking forward to an exciting Term 2.
Best wishes
Abigail McFarlane
Little Leagues – IPSHA Cross Country and Football Reports
IPSHA Cross Country
The IPSHA Cross Country Championship was held at The Kings College last Saturday morning and all the boys who participated ran exceptionally well. Among the standout performers in the Boys 12 years were Thomas A, who placed fifth, and Charlie R, who placed thirteenth with a time of 11:31.8.
In the 11 years, Oscar R placed sixth with a time of 11:32.3, Oliver F placed tenth with a time of 11:43.0, and Kaspar B placed fifteenth with a time of 11:53.3. Freddie F and James M also had strong showings, finishing in 10th and 14th place, respectively, in the 10 years division.
The most outstanding performance of the championship came from Eddie C, who placed second in the 8/9 years division. Eddie’s commitment and dedication to training paid off, and he will represent IPSHA at the CIS Cross Country Championship. Hugo C, who placed fifth with a time of 7:49.9, and Teddy B, who placed ninth with a time of 7:53.1, will also represent IPSHA in the CIS Cross Country Championship. Harvey C will join them in the CIS TEAM ENTRIES 8/9 Boys category.
Cranbrook teams won 2 age groups and will be the school team from IPSHA to race at the CIS Cross Country Championships in the 8/9 and 11-years divisions.
Overall, the IPSHA Cross Country Championship was a great success, with Cranbrook being the best performing school. All the boys who participated should be proud of their performances. We wish all the boys competing at the CIS championships the very best of luck.
IPSHA Football
Kaspar B, playing in the IPSHA Football team, put up an impressive performance at the CIS championships. Kaspar played a crucial role in helping his team go unbeaten through the pool games, displaying his skills and talent on the field. Despite drawing the final, IPSHA emerged as joint champions, with Kaspar’s contribution being a vital factor in their success.
Years 3-6 Sport News
IMPORTANT: Y3 – Y6 Change to Uniforms on Training Days
We have reviewed the time taken to change into sports gear on training days, the loss of lesson or play time and the amount of lost property resulting from changing gear for the afternoon training sessions and have decided to make some changes to what the boys wear to school on their training days.
Starting in Term 2, students should wear the following to school on their winter sports training days:
Mondays:
Y3 – Y4 students training for Rugby/Football should now wear to school their Cranbrook training gear (including their relevant training jersey) or their navy Cranbrook PE gear (if their Rugby/Football training gear is unavailable for any reason). Rugby/Football should wear their sports shoes to school and bring their boots/shin pads with them to change into before training commences.
Winter tennis students should wear to school their navy Cranbrook PE gear and sports shoes.
Tuesdays:
Y5 – Y6 students training for Rugby/Football should now wear to school their Cranbrook training gear (including their relevant training jersey) or their navy Cranbrook PE gear (if their Rugby/Football training gear is unavailable for any reason). Rugby/Football should wear their sports shoes to school and bring their boots/shin pads with them to change into before training commences.
Wednesday or Thursdays:
Currently, students in Y3 – Y6 who have a PE lesson on one of these days wear their navy PE gear and sports shoes and should continue to do so.
Fridays:
All students have Sport on a Friday afternoon. The Y3 – Y6 boys should wear to school their Cranbrook Football or Rugby training gear (including the relevant training jersey) or their navy Cranbrook PE gear (for all other sports or if Rugby/Football training gear is unavailable for any reason). They should all wear their sports shoes. Football/Rugby should bring their boots/shin pads with them to change into at lunchtime.
NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge
The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition, but a personal challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely.
All Cranbrook Junior School students are enrolled in the Challenge each year.
The 2023 Challenge opened on Monday, 27 February.
To complete the K-2 Challenge, students, parents and teachers together read 30 PRC books by mid-August at home and at school.
To set the boys up for success and a sense of accomplishment, they have been encouraged to borrow a PRC picture book in their Library session each week to share with you at home. We will continue to do this next term. Parents are also welcome to borrow additional books after school with their sons.
Books are identified with this cover sticker.
Each book read then needs to be logged on your son’s reading record on the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge website. All students’ login details can be found on the PRC sticker in their diary.
Here is a short video on how to add books to your son’s reading log.
Please contact Ms Light or Miss Thorpe in the iCentre for further assistance and questions.
Optional Co-Curricular News
TERM 2 Y1 – Y6 CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Term 2 allocations will be sent out shortly. Please remember some groups are very popular, so not all applications will have been successful.
All related queries are to be sent to Annabel Boyd: jscocurricular@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au