National Simultaneous Storytime Yesterday, students and staff embraced National Simultaneous Storytime enthusiastically with splashes, sparkles, and sprinkles of blue as we shared this year’s book, Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker, along with 2.3 million people across Australia and New Zealand. In the Junior School, we engaged with the book and author with grade piazza readings, viewing the livestreamed eventfrom Green Square Library, as well as the Year 6 Library Monitors, Mrs Fleetwood and myself reading the story to the K-2 assembly. Kindergarten enjoyed creating their own bowerbirds and collections which they proudly wore throughout the day. This annual event is a wonderful way to bring people together creating a sense of community and connection through story and art.
Sydney Writers’ Festival I am looking forward to attending some of the author sessions at The SWF Family Program this Sunday, 26 May at Carriageworks. There are 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 can inspire reading, writing and creativity, which often has a lasting impact. Hopefully, I will see some of our families there.
Happy Reading!
Ms Light
Message from Grant Andrews, Acting Head of Junior School
Dear Parents and Carers,
The anticipation for next week’s Music Showcases is palpable, as the beautiful sounds of our students rehearsing for their performances can be heard throughout the Junior School. This year’s showcases promise to be spectacular displays of talent and dedication, as students and our Music Department are excitedly looking forward to sharing their passion for music with an enthusiastic audience.
Please make a note of the information below, so you know in which concert(s) your son is taking part.
K–Year 2 Junior School Showcase (every student in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2):
Thursday, 30 May: 1:30pm – 2:30pm in Junior School Gym
Boys arrive at School as normal in the morning
Boys perform in school uniform (shirt, shorts, socks and black shoes – no blazer or jumper)
Boys may be collected from their Piazzas by a parent or carer at the conclusion of the concert
Parents do not need to book to attend
Please note: attendance is required for Chamber Choir & Voices, Y4 String Quartet and Y5 Cello Duo at this K-2 event.
Year 3–6 Junior School Showcase (every student in Year 3 to Year 6):
Thursday, 30 May: 6:30pm – 7:45pm in Junior School Gym
Boys arrive back at School and go to their Piazza at 6pm
Boys wear school uniform (shirt, shorts, tie, socks and black shoes – no blazer or jumper)
Boys will be dismissed from specified areas
Parents do not need to book to attend.
The invitation to this musical extravaganza can be found here.
National Simultaneous Storytime During assembly yesterday, students listened intently to Ms Light as she read to them the book, Bowerbird Blues. National Simultaneous Storytime is a colourful, vibrant and fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children’s book that explores age-appropriate themes and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum. The children and our Staff were encouraged to wear a ‘splash’ of blue in support of this wonderful initiative.
Debating News Recently, our ISDA Primary B team progressed to the finals’ series of the ISDA Years 5 – 12 Debating Competition. Successfully winning their Octo Final against Sydney Grammar, they now debate in the Quarter Final against PLC Sydney at Riverview this Friday evening. We wish them well and thank Ms Light (Debating Coordinator) and Miss McKendry (Debating Coach) for their guidance and expertise.
Kind regards,
Grant Andrews Acting Head of Junior School
From the Deputies
On Tuesday, the Junior School staff hosted ‘Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea’, in support of the Cancer Council. Almost one in two Australians may be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. Our morning tea helped to raise vital funds to bring us closer to a cancer-free future. We would like to thank our Staff for their generous contributions to this important cause.
Canteen update: Please note My Student Account has extended the cut-off time for ordering lunch for Junior School students to 8:30am.
Pre-schools’ News – Week 4
Dear Families,
Firstly, we would like to thank parents who joined us at Cranbrook Junior School for our family engagement session with Kaya Lyons. It was a great opportunity to come together and discuss the topic of Fostering Child Development through Playful Interactions.
Upcoming Events:
St Mark’s Pre-school Monday, 27 June, Bush School at Centennial Parklands.
Arrival Time: Please arrive at Pre-school no later than 9am.
Morning Tea: Please bring morning tea in a labelled zip lock bag and a labelled water bottle.
Health and Safety: Please do not send your child in wearing gum boots.
Spare Clothes: Provide a spare change of clothes and shoes to leave at Pre-school for your child to change into, if needed, upon returning to Pre-school.
Kind regards,
Abigail McFarlane Pre-schools’ Coordinator
World Bee Day Gallery
On Monday, 20 May Cranbrook Junior School celebrated World Bee Day. Community Service Leaders set out to raise awareness of the important role bees play in supporting our biodiversity and why we need to help protect these amazing pollinators. We are looking forward to using this knowledge to welcome our own hive of native stingless bees later in the year.
French Incursion Puppet Play Gallery
Anne-Marie and her crew brought to Cranbrook, once again, the magic of puppetry.
This time, the show was The Jungle Book. Students from Years 2, 3 and 4 enjoyed the funny characters: the cheeky monkey (le singe), the sly snake (le serpent) the vegetarian tiger (le tigre végétarien) and many more. Students participated in the show, interacting with the characters in French. They laughed at the silly situations and funny jokes. It was a great French cultural experience.
Becoming a Member of Cranbrook School
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.
Parent of 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.
The Members of Cranbrook School play an important role in the governance of Cranbrook. Being a Member entitles you to attend and vote at general meetings of Cranbrook School. This includes attending and voting at the Annual General Meeting, where the matters considered include receiving the statutory financial reports and electing members of the School Council.
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.
Geoff Lovell President of School Council
Year 2 and Year 5 Learning Showcases
Year 2 Learning Showcase As part of the Year 2 unit ‘Where we are in place and time’, families were invited to participate in the initial introduction of learning experiences in the classrooms. This session encouraged parents to engage in the learning process and helped students explore and document their connections to various places.
The central idea for this unit is: Perspectives over time shape our connections to places and events.
The lines of inquiry explore:
reasons people are connected to places in Australia and the world
places, sites, events and people of local significance
how and why people share and protect what they connect with
how our connections influence our perspectives over time
During the provocation, parents and caregivers joined their children in identifying and discussing the places they are connected to and the reasons behind these connections. Together, they created a mind map to visually record these connections and the underlying reasons.
The insights and personal stories of visitors enriched the students’ understanding and helped them form a deeper connection to the topic.
Thank you to the Year 2 families for their support and involvement in making the afternoon an enriching learning experience for our Year 2 students.
Year 5 Learning Showcase On Tuesday, Year 5 families were invited into classrooms to be immersed in the celebration of our students’ oral storytelling craft. As part of their recent English unit, students learned about the history and art of oral storytelling, a tradition passed down through generations before the introduction of writing. This genre emphasises the use of language through performance to communicate and unite an audience. Year 5 students showcased narratives they had crafted, demonstrating their creativity and understanding of this ancient art form.
Thank you to the families who were able to join us in this fantastic demonstration of oral compositions, as well as a general celebration of the wonderful work happening in the classrooms. The Year 5 rooms and piazza were buzzing with conversation and laughter, a true sign of the strong community of parents and learners in this cohort.
Little League Winter Sport Round 3
What a fantastic weekend it has been for our Junior School sports teams! After a challenging start to the season with the weather forcing us to wait until Round 3 for some teams to play, it was incredibly heartening to see all our teams out on the field, full of enthusiasm and ready to compete. The anticipation and excitement were evident as our multi-sport students kicked off the day in style with an energetic and skilful session. Their momentum set the tone for the rest of the day, and it was clear that all our students had a little extra drive and enthusiasm, eager to make up for lost time. Our performances across all sports were excellent. The students displayed outstanding teamwork, skill and sportsmanship in every match. It was evident that the time spent waiting had fuelled their determination and commitment. We are looking forward to building on this momentum in the coming weeks and seeing even more high-quality performances as the season progresses. Congratulations to all the players for their hard work and passion. Let’s keep up the hard work at training and continue to support each other as the season continues.
Yours in Sport,
James Roughan Head of Sport & PDHPE
Football
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and supported our football launch hosted by the Football Parents Committee on Friday evening. The Year 5 and 6 exhibition match was a thrilling showcase of the JS talent, setting a positive tone for the season ahead. A special highlight of the evening was the opportunity to meet Jo Lolley from Sydney FC. His presence and words of encouragement were truly inspiring for our young players, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and support from the community, which made the evening a resounding success.
The next day, battling cold and windy weather, the Junior School football teams had an outstanding Saturday. Out of 17 fixtures, the teams secured 14 wins, 2 draws. The young footballers were unstoppable, scoring over 80 goals collectively. Their impressive offensive play was matched by strong defensive efforts, ensuring that the adverse weather did not hinder their performance. Two of the standout matches saw the 5a and 6a teams both scoring 6 goals winning 6-0 and 6-1. The 4d’s also shone brightly, clinching a thrilling 5-4 victory in the final minutes of their game. Overall, the Junior School football teams’ exceptional performances, even in less-than-ideal weather, highlight their potential and promise for the season ahead.
Ben Rollison Head of Football
Football Season Launch
Football Year 3
Football Year 4
Football Year 5
Rugby
A full week of rigorous training paid off for all age groups as they entered Round 3 well-prepared and highly motivated. The matches held at Koola Park were a testament to their hard work, with each age group delivering tight and competitive performances.
Year 4 vs. Scots Year 4 had a spectacular game against Scots, securing a convincing win on home turf. The team displayed exceptional teamwork, with multiple tries scored through coordinated efforts. Their ability to maintain over 5 phases before scoring was particularly impressive, showcasing their strategic play and cohesion.
Year 5 vs. Trinity The Year 5 team faced off against Trinity and emerged victorious with a significant win. Their performance was highlighted by excellent tackling, effective rucking, and fluid ball movement in attack. This strong showing underscored their comprehensive training and ability to execute under pressure.
Year 6 vs. Tudor House Year 6 played a thrilling match against Tudor House, resulting in a hard-fought win. The boys started the game strong but allowed Tudor House to narrow the gap midway through. However, with a focused effort towards the end, they finished powerfully, scoring several tries to cap off a commendable performance.
Looking Ahead The success across all age groups in Round 3 is a promising indicator of their potential for the rest of the season. The players’ dedication to training and their execution on the field have set a high standard for future matches.
Peter Dumbleton Cranbrook Head of Rugby
RugbyYear 3
RugbyYear 4
RugbyYear 6
Tennis
Last week, it was a wet week for tennis with half of the sessions being played inside as mini tennis. When we finally got on the courts, the students worked on their net play improving their volleys and smashes. On Saturday morning, the players followed on with their net play by introducing some approach shots. The platinum and gold groups were able to experience some internal match play, with Alastair M being the overall winner, and some fantastic tennis was played by all.
The boys worked very hard all week and they are showing good signs of improvement.
Ben Higgins Head of Tennis
Junior School Music News – Week 4
This term is filled with musical performances and excitement. Please make a note of these important dates:
K-2 Junior School Music Showcase, JS Gym – Thursday, 30 May, 1:30pm (Week 5)
3-6 Junior School Music Showcase, JS Gym – Thursday, 30 May, 6:30pm (Week 5)
Junior School Soirée, Senior School’s War Memorial Chapel, Thursday, 13 June, 6:00pm (Week 7)
Gala Concert, Sydney Town Hall – Monday, 24 June, 7:00pm (Week 9)
Every K-6 student is involved in at least one major concert. There are three concerts:
K-Year 2 Junior School Showcase (every boy in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2)
Thursday, 30 May: 1:30pm – 2:30pm in the Junior School Gym
Boys arrive at School as normal in the morning
Boys perform in school uniform (shirt, shorts, socks and black shoes – no jumper or blazer)
Boys may be collected from their Piazzas with a parent/carer at conclusion of the concert
Parents do not need to book to attend
Year 3-6 Junior School Showcase (every boy in Year 3 to Year 6)
Thursday, 30 May: 6:30pm – 7:45pm in the Junior School Gym
Boys arrive back at School and go to their Piazza at 6pm
Boys wear school uniform (shirt, shorts, tie, socks and black shoes – no jumper or blazer)
Boys will be dismissed from specified areas
Parents do not need to book to attend
Gala Concert, Town Hall: Threads (Our JS Chamber Choir, Cranbrook Voices, JS Concert Band, JSSO, Mezzo Strings, JS Guitar Ensemble and all Year 6)
Monday, 24 June: 7pm – 9pm at Sydney Town Hall
Rehearsals at Town Hall during the day (a letter with further details and permission slip will be sent to you on Operoo. It will also detail who is required for a rehearsal on Sunday, 23 June, at the Senior School campus)
6:15pm boys meet teachers outside in St Andrew’s Square
Boys wear school uniform (shirt, shorts, tie, socks and black shoes – no jumper, blazer or cap)
Boys will be collected from the stage at the conclusion of the concert
Tickets will be available soon
If you have any questions, please contact our Music Administrator, Sandra Trew strew@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au
