As the cold and flu season approaches, we kindly ask all families to be mindful of our community’s health. Please keep your child at home if they are showing any signs or symptoms of illness. If your child has been vomiting or has had diarrhoea, they should remain at home for at least 24 hours after the last episode to help prevent the spread of illness.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Kind regards
Nurse Jess
Our Term 2 AFC bus passes are now available to purchase for our Junior School AFC Bus Service.
The bus operates across Monday to Friday during the term, it is $100 for a pass that is valid for the selected weekday during the term only (for example if lessons are on a Monday and Friday, you will need to purchase 2 passes for your child to be able to use the bus for those days).
A friendly reminder that due to traffic conditions in the afternoon it may be difficult for your child to attend lessons at 3.45pm, if utilising this service your child may be late to their lesson.
Please use the Humanitix link to select and purchase a bus pass: https://events.humanitix.com/2025-cranbrook-junior-school-afc-bus-service
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact with bus@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au
It is a pleasure to be back at Cranbrook, albeit it for this term only prior to Dr Johnstone commencing. Having spent sixteen years here in two iterations, including six as Deputy Head from 1997-2002 along with a few weeks last year, I have great affection for the place and look forward to being part of the community in the coming weeks.
Speaking of Dr Johnstone, the Year 12 students were fortunate to share lunch with her last Friday before the Prefect body had a Q&A session with her. She was impressed with the insightful questions asked and the ‘positive vibe’ as she called it that came from the senior students. That may have been in part because they were collecting their Year 12 jerseys, but I know they were also genuinely interested in finding out her thoughts and ideas on all things Cranbrook.
Quite a few of the questions were around school culture – “What was it like at her current school, Ravenswood?”, and she asked the boys what it was like here. To my mind, in a school, culture is king. In its simplest form, culture can be defined as “how we do things around here”. In the Senior School Assembly this week, I asked the boys to reflect, individually or in mentor groups or classes, how would they describe the student culture here and what part are they playing in that? Representing the School in sports or other activities is one part; helping a friend, engaging in something which has a positive impact on others or contributing to something bigger than yourself are parts of the culture piece that underpins so much of what goes on here.
From a person far wiser than I am, Professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, said “It is our choices, Harry, that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Guiding our students to make wise and informed choices is vital and the partnership between home and school in this space is central to it all. It is worth the time and effort.
It is wonderful to have the students back on campus for a new term. I am enjoying the many events and activities currently taking place: sport, music, drama, academic achievement, service activities, social events – the opportunities are endless. And to see the large crowd at the CSPA Mother’s Day breakfast this week was further evidence of the strength of the partnership mentioned above. Thank you to Angelique Haritos and her team for their organisation of this event.
I am looking forward to seeing all that unfolds in the weeks ahead and I wish all families an enjoyable term.
With good wishes
Stuart Meade
Acting Head of School
Dear Parents and Carers
Despite the wet weather we experienced last week, the students from P-Y6 have been wholeheartedly engaging in their learning and co-curricular activities. As I have walked around the Junior School or when visiting St Michael’s Pre-school in the last week, it has been a delight to see the students focusing so positively on their learning both in classroom, and outside in various co-curricular activities.
What a joy it will be tomorrow to celebrate the significant role mothers play in the lives of their children. We wish all mothers and other women who play significant roles in the lives of our students a very happy Mother’s Day this Sunday.
Mother’s Day – Friday, 9 May
We are looking forward to welcoming all our guests tomorrow at our K-Y6 Mother’s Day Activities (7.45am – 8.30am). On this day, our students will take their guests around our site to attend several activities together.
Important Reminder:
As mentioned in our Mother’s Day invitation:
Developing Organisational Skills
One of the biggest challenges for many students as they grow up is around the area of organisation. Many boys struggle with being organised, but these executive functioning skills are vital to foster and develop because they can impact a child’s ability to make the most of every learning opportunity and they are essential for managing our lives as we move into adulthood. Being organised is built on habits being developed over time – sometimes that takes quite a while to build!
Below are some hopefully helpful tips to assist our students to embed good organisational habits:
Young boys often lose things, leave them behind or forget where they last left them. This can be a big frustration for families. It really assists if every item your son brings to school is clearly named. If it is named, it is far more likely the item can be returned!
Kind wishes,
Michele Marquet
Head of Junior School
Dear Families
Please note these important reminders:
When does my Y3-Y6 son wear his sports or PE uniform during the school week?
A reminder that students in Years 3-6 may wear their PE or sports uniform to and from school on:
Please note: Students are not permitted to wear their sports uniform on the day they only have an optional co-curricular activity either before or after school.
JS Y3-Y6 PE Uniform:
JS Winter Sport Uniform:
Carline, drop off and pick up reminders
To ensure the safety of all our students and other pedestrians inside the school property, the speed limit once inside the school gate is 10 km/h. Some cars have been observed travelling too quickly in carline. Please consider the safety of all and reduce speed.
Students must not be dropped off or collected in Elanora or Iluka Streets. We continue to receive complaints from our neighbours and Woollahra Council regarding families who ignore this rule. Please help maintain Cranbrook’s good neighbourly relations by complying with this request.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.
Kind regards
Grant Andrews, Richard Baker and Genet Erickson Adam
Dear Pre-school Families,
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful parents, carers, and family members who joined us for our Mother’s Day celebrations this past week. It was a joy to see so many of you in attendance, helping us create special memories with the children. Your presence made the morning truly meaningful.
At St Michael’s and St Mark’s, we believe that a strong connection between home and school is incredibly valuable. When families are involved in our community, children feel a deeper sense of belonging, confidence, and joy. Your ongoing support not only enriches our activities but also strengthens the emotional and social development of each child.
A quick reminder to check Cranbrook Connect each week for the latest updates. We upload our weekly diaries and important information every Monday, so please make sure to log in regularly to stay informed about your child’s learning journey and upcoming events. Here will be able to find Mother’s Day celebration photos!
Upcoming Events:
| Week | Date | Pre-School | Who | Event |
| 3B | Wednesday 14 May | St Mark’s | 5 Day Group | Woollahra Fire Department Visit 10am |
| 4A | Monday 19 May | St Michael’s St Marks | All | Emergency Lockdown and Evacuation Drill Week Winter Uniform |
| St Mark’s | 5 Day Group | StEPS Screener 9:30am |
Kind regards,
Abigail McFarlane
Pre-schools Coordinator
At the end of last term, our Year 1 students and teachers took part in an excursion to the Gadigal Mudjin walking tour of The Rocks. This experience provided students with an opportunity to explore rich local Indigenous history, culture, and heritage. During the tour, students learned about important symbols, language and place names, explored bush tucker and discovered artefacts at the Discovery Rocks Museum. We also took part in storytelling and dance.
This excursion connects to our unit on ‘Where we are in place and time’, where students are inquiring into the Central Idea: “Understanding the histories and cultures of different peoples helps us to live together respectfully.”
Excursion Photo Gallery
Kindergarten and Year 3 students were taken on a vibrant journey through Australia’s First Nations Dreamtime with Ryka Ali. Through music, dance, and storytelling, Ryka shared the richness of Indigenous culture and the importance of connection to land, community, and tradition in a meaningful and engaging way. The boomerang throwing was a particular highlight, adding a fun and memorable touch to an already exciting experience.
Incursion Photo Gallery
Click here for information regarding 2025 NBA Basketball School Camp.
The winter sport season kicked off last weekend with a reduced fixture list due to widespread ground closures across Sydney. Despite the disruption, the teams who did take the field made the most of their opportunity. It was heartening to see our students compete with such determination and energy in Round 1.
Our Year 6 rugby team started their campaign with a strong performance against a very competitive Waverley side. In what was a closely contested match, the students displayed grit and teamwork, narrowly going down in a high-quality game.
Meanwhile, our football teams enjoyed an encouraging start, with impressive results across the Year 5 and Year 6 cohorts. Matches against King’s and St Augustine’s showcased the growing depth and talent within our football program. This weekend we are excited to have our Year 4 and Year 6 A rugby teams playing on Hordern Oval which will give our students an opportunity to showcase their skills and teamwork to our wider Cranbrook Community.
Yours in Sport,
James Roughan
Head of Sport & PDHPE
Rugby
Cranbrook 6A 12 – 21 Waverley
After a frustrating weather-hit week, Junior School rugby resumed. All year groups managed to secure pitch sessions and prepared well for their upcoming fixtures.
With only one game going ahead, our Year 6 players kicked off the year with a local derby against Waverley. Despite falling behind 21-12, the team put in a positive performance and fought hard to stay in the game. Charlie D and Frank T scored the tries, while Henry W made a great defensive contribution.
We welcome the better weather and hope for all years to get the season started this weekend.
Peter Dumbleton
Head of Rugby
Football
After a cancellation of the Year 3 and Year 4 matches, due to the wet weather, all eyes were on our Year 6 and Year 5 teams as they kicked off Round 1 of IPSHA. Our Year 6 teams delivered an impressive performance, with the A, B, and C teams securing wins. The D team fought hard but narrowly lost in a tight contest. The A team
were dominant in their 9-2 win over Kings, Santiago D’s silky footwork and deft passing lead to numerous goals and scoring opportunities for himself and others throughout the match. In the C’s game Tully S was all over the park, scoring goals and bringing a high level of energy to every play. Our Year 5 teams were also dominant against St Augustines, the B team worked hard to secure a 3-2 victory in a hard-fought contest with a last minute winner scored by Evan H. Aarav S scored 2 goals, while Trystan A was strong on offense and defence as the A’s secured a 3-1 win. The D’s went down 1-3 in a close tussle. Congratulations all teams on a fantastic round of football. We look forward to round 2 this weekend.
Ben Rollison
Head of Football
Y6 Football As
Y6 Football Bs
Y6 Football Cs
Y6 Football Ds
Tennis
On Saturday, the Juniors focused on consistency and rallies. Half of the group participated in a Round Robin tournament, showcasing impressive points and rallies. Special mention goes to courts 4 and 5, where the players demonstrated fantastic control of the ball, effectively placing it toward their targets.
Ben Higgins
Head of Tennis
Multi-Sports
The Winter Multi-Sports season began positively, with all boys actively participating in a variety of kicking, catching, and evasion games. Throughout the sessions, students showed strong enthusiasm and commitment as they developed their fundamental movement and ball-handling skills. These were then applied in small-sided games, allowing the students to demonstrate teamwork, strategy, and improved game awareness. Zachary F was deservedly named Player of the Week in recognition of his consistent effort, positive attitude, and strong performance during all areas of training.
Josh Cohen
Multi-Sport Coach, Assistant Head of Sport & PDHPE teacher
When we surveyed Year 6 last term about coeducation, one of the most important issues for them was sport. So last week our Director of Sport, Mr. Grice, two Year 11 students (and Junior School Alumni) Charlie Harris and Slade Keating, and I spoke to Year 6 about sport in the Senior School.
Despite rainy weather and low chances of many games or training last weekend, Mr Grice chatted with students about what sport looks like in the Senior School, their sporting options, and the pathways for boys through the CAS, and for girls through the ISA.
Slade Keating and Charlie Harris spoke about their sporting careers in the Junior School and through to the Senior School, including trying new sports and figuring out what you love. Sport isn’t just about winning, but the community it creates.
We want that community and support for Cranbrook sport to grow with coeducation and believe it will.
Year 6 asked great questions about sporting options, routines for getting changed for PE classes, and even about behavior and detentions in the Senior School.
Please keep an eye out for a coeducational afternoon tea in June before Year 6 goes to Canberra.
Daisy Turnbull
Director of Coeducation and Academy
Term 2 2025
The Junior School has been filled with the beautiful sounds of our students singing and creating music as the entire School has been busy preparing for our Showcase performances in Week 5. Please read the detailed information in the Music section so you know in which concert(s) your son is performing in. The invitation to this musical extravaganza can be found here.
K-Y6 Music News
This term is filled with musical performances and excitement, as every K-6 boy is involved in our Junior School Showcase, which takes place in Week 5.
Please mark in your diary, the following major events which you are warmly invited to attend.
K-Year 2 Junior School Showcase (every student in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2)
Year 3-6 Junior School Showcase (every student in Year 3 to Year 6)
Our Junior School Showcase is a highlight of the year, and we hope that you can attend to support our students as they share the culmination of their hard work and creativity.
Best wishes,
Peter Fox
Head of Music, Junior School
In a landmark moment for Australian theatre, Kip Williams (OC 2004) has been nominated for Best Direction of a Play at the 2025 Tony Awards. The nomination honours Williams’ visionary direction of “The Picture of Dorian Gray“, a production that has captivated Broadway audiences with its bold fusion of live video, dynamic staging, and emotionally resonant storytelling.
Williams, widely regarded as one of Australia’s most innovative theatrical talents, has consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional stagecraft. His signature style—seamlessly integrating multimedia and live performance—has drawn acclaim both at home and abroad. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” marks his Broadway debut, bringing his distinctive creative voice to one of theatre’s most prestigious stages. The Tony Awards, widely considered the highest honour in theatre, will be presented on June 8, 2025 at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Whether Williams takes home the coveted trophy or not, his nomination already stands as a significant cultural milestone—one that bridges continents and showcases the power of daring, imaginative storytelling, and the pathway that Cranbrook Drama offers our students.
Andrew Benson
Head of Drama
During Library sessions, we have been sharing with classes the children’s and YA program for the upcoming Sydney Writers’ Festival. The Family Program on Sunday, 25 May at Carriageworks includes a range of free and ticketed talks, events and activities for 5–12 year olds. Meeting and engaging with authors and illustrators in such an environment are a wonderful way to inspire reading, writing and creativity. Hopefully, we will see some of our families there.
Click here for more information on the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
The 2025 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge is open!
All students have received their login details via a sticker in their school diary. Please note that passwords are new for 2025.
Further instructions for logging in, entering student records at home and challenge rules may be found here.
Students are supported in their weekly Library sessions to access a range of picture books and novels across all Challenge levels.
Parents are also welcome to borrow additional books after school with their sons.
For further information please contact Mrs de Wit in the iCentre: edewit@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au