Message from Grant Andrews, Acting Head of Junior School
Dear Parents and Carers,
Reconciliation Week National Reconciliation Week is a time for us to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, as well as contribute to the work of reconciliation across our nation. There have been numerous experiences and class discussions throughout this week across the School. For example, 6R aimed to learn something new about Indigenous culture each day, to build their understanding, appreciation and respect for First Nations cultures. Mr Okunbor brought in some Yolngu artworks and students explored the different processes, techniques and meanings behind each piece. Students also investigated the unique cultures, customs, languages and laws of the many distinct groups that make up Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Getting ready for Camps Next Monday, 3 June, sees our Year 3 cohort travel to the Blue Mountains for their camp and Year 5 to the Royal National Park, south of Sydney. Year 3 and Year 5 students will need to be at School at the normal time in preparation for a prompt 9am departure.
Year 6 will be heading to Canberra on Wednesday, 5 June, for their annual excursion. All Year 6 students must be at school by 5:40am.
We hope that our students embrace every activity with enthusiasm and stay open to making new friends and trying new experiences. We trust that they will engage fully, participate actively and take advantage of the unique opportunities for personal growth and adventure.
Da Vinci Decathlon We are delighted to share the success of the recent annual Da Vinci Decathlon held at Knox, an academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate students across Australia. 77 Year 6 and 72 Year 5 teams competed in groups of eight across ten disciplines: Engineering, Mathematics, Code-breaking, Art and Poetry, Science, English, Ideation, Creative Producers, Cartography and Legacy.
16 Year 5 and Year 6 students proudly represented Cranbrook Junior School: Year 6: Kaspar Buck, Leonardo Buchanan, James Chau, Curtis Carlsson, Jack Eagle, George Fyfe, William Holt and Alexander Pontifix. Year 5: Jayden Bao, Christian Kollias, Jonathan Kuchel, Charlie Dusseldorp, Alexander Rainbow, Tully Sharpe, Minato Yamada and Mason Pun.
We are very proud of our students’ presentation and their well-deserved results. Our achievements included several teams placing in the top 16 positions.
Year 6: 11th overall, 3rd in Engineering, 6th in Creative Producers & Legacy, and 14th in Ideation.
Year 5: 4th in Creative Producers and 16th in Cartography.
We thank Mrs Koika-Cellini, Miss Boniface, Mr Botto, and Mrs Brodie for supporting our teams.
Kind regards,
Grant Andrews Acting Head of Junior School
JS Community Prayer Morning
Next week, on Friday (7 June) there will be a community prayer morning with Mr. Noble for any parents, carers or staff in our JS community. It will be held at 8am in Music Room 2 on the Junior School campus. It is an opportunity for people to spend time in prayer for each other and the School. We run prayer meetings on the first Friday of each month during term time.
From the Deputies
Debating News We are very pleased to report that our ISDA Primary B Debating Team won their quarter final debate against PLC Sydney last Friday. We wish them well as they progress to the semi-finals this Friday night when they will debate SCEGGS. Cranbrook’s Year 8, Year 9 and Senior A teams have also made it to this stage of the competition. Good luck to all teams!
K-Y6 CARLINES We would like to remind all K-Y6 parents to please use the carline for drop-offs and pick-ups via Kent Road, unless students are walking to School. At no timeshould students be dropped off or picked up by car in Iluka Street or Elanora Street. Please kindly respect the residents that live close to our School and the order imposed by Woollahra Council on the School’s operations.
Pre-schools’ News – Week 5
Dear Families,
As our unit of inquiry continues to flourish, the children are becoming true inquirers, digging deep and asking lots of wonderful questions. To support our teachings, both St Mark’s and St Michael’s Pre-schools have been very busy this week.
On Monday, our St Mark’s Pre-school went on an excursion to Bush School in Centennial Park, where they had the freedom to explore, experience, experiment, and communicate their discoveries in a supportive and nurturing environment. The sun was shining and fun was had by all!
At St Michael’s, the children have been investigating our Spiny Leaf Insects, Lulu and Leroy.
Upcoming Events: St Michael’s Pre-school- 5 Day Group and 3 Day Group. Monday, 3 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 to Pre-school 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.
St Michael’s Pre-school- 2 Day Group Thursday, 6 June, Australian Wildlife Displays Incursion.
Kind regards,
Abigail McFarlane Pre-schools’ Coordinator
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 4 and Year 3 Learning Showcases
Year 4 Learning Showcase To celebrate the culmination of a week of provocation for ‘Where we are in place and time’, Year 4 parents were invited to join students for the final morning of their adventure into Terra Fabula. This event was designed to immerse parents into the students’ learning journey and to share their understanding of how the past shapes the present.
Terra Fabula was an immersive experience that guided students through a series of challenges and conditions to create their own fictional land and people. Integrating geographical, scientific, mathematical and English skills, students navigated how their communities lived, farmed and connected with others.
But what happens when explorers arrive, followed by settlers? Parents joined students to help them ponder and navigate these scenarios as they explored the concepts of causation, connection and perspective.
Thank you to the Year 4 families for their support and involvement in making this showcase an enriching learning experience for our Year 4 students.
Year 3 Learning Showcase Year 3 families were welcomed into classrooms on Friday, 24 May, to participate in an immersive experience in which students demonstrated and discussed the concepts and skills from their current unit of inquiry, ‘Sharing the planet’. Students were able to demonstrate their understanding of the important decisions we make about agricultural processes and advancing technologies in the industry, by sharing the automated farming models that they created. Parents had the opportunity to engage with students to gain a deeper understanding of their creativity, thinking skills and communication skills.
Thank you to all Year 3 families who came to support our learners and celebrate their learning.
Little League Winter Sport Round 4
Round 4 was a particularly pleasing round of sport for Cranbrook. The hard work and dedication our students have demonstrated during the first half of training is truly starting to show. Across all year levels, there were noticeable improvements in core skills and teamwork. Our focused training sessions are paying off, as evidenced by the impressive results and the growth in our players’ abilities. The commitment of our students is leading to success as we move forward in the season. Keep up the great work!
Yours in Sport,
Mr James Roughan Head of Sport & PDHPE
Tennis
The Development Group has shown outstanding progress in their recent Saturday Sports sessions, focusing on improving their forehand, backhand, net play, serves and game strategies. Through rigorous drills and practice, they have enhanced their power, accuracy, and consistency in these areas. The internal tournament provided an excellent opportunity for the boys to apply their skills in a competitive setting, resulting in significant improvements in match play and strategic thinking. Among them, Harry W has demonstrated the most remarkable improvement, excelling in all aspects of his game. The boys’ commitment and hard work were evident, and they demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and camaraderie. We are proud of their achievements and look forward to further advancements in their tennis development.
Ben Higgins Head of Tennis
Rugby
Last week the weather was fantastic, allowing all our teams to train and play without any interruptions. The coaches focused on core skills throughout the week, and this showed in the games on Saturday.
Year 3 focused on tackling.
Year 4 worked on making multiple passes to players in space.
Year 5 practiced support lines.
Year 6 concentrated on the draw and pass.
A special shoutout to the Year 4 team for their impressive training session against the Year 5’s on Friday.
Results:
Year 6A – vs. St Aloysius: 39-5 Win
Year 6B
Game 1 vs. Scots: 12-1 Win
Game 2 vs. Redlands: 4-8 Loss
Year 6A
The 6A team had a very strong win over Waverley, demonstrating continued improvement in several areas. The students are developing ongoing competence in their positional roles, which is evident in their improved strategic play. Particularly impressive, was their hunger and dominance at ruck time. Their ability to work together in a cohesive fashion is driving their success and setting a high standard for the second half of the season.
The Year 6B team effectively moved the ball into space and successfully executed offloads when taking contact. This led to some of the boys scoring their first tries in rugby. However, the defence needs improvement and this was particularly evident in the second game when fatigue set in. During these moments, players allowed opponents to run through the middle by grabbing at shirts instead of using their shoulders. At training, our focus will be on hitting with our shoulders and squeezing the knees.
Year 5A – The Year 5A team had a big win at the weekend, running out 56-0 winners over Grammar St Ives. Despite missing a few regulars, the boys got off to a good start with Col O poaching the ball at a ruck and then sprinting 15 metres to touch down. The team’s width and attacking shape caused the Grammar defense major problems, with Jimmy C and Hadley S directing traffic well. Overall, it was a strong Cranbrook performance, but the boys will need to focus on their defensive spacing and alignment as they look forward to more difficult tests to come.
Year 5B – Year 5B team had two good wins against Kings (6-1) and Trinity (8-1). Their support play was great, which is what we had been working on at training. This week, we will continue to work on that and our tackle consistency.
Year 4A – Won 40-5 against Shore. The game started with Shore taking the lead, but from there the boys showed excellent grit to shut down any attempt to score again. They defended very well, and at times for multiple phases, until they forced a mistake or turned it over. On attack, we saw some excellent ball carrying and ruck security, but the ball movement to our wings in the second half was a particular highlight. We will continue to work on spreading out and passing to people in space.
Year 4 Red 7’s
Game 1 vs. St Aloysius: 6-1 Win
Game 2 vs. Scots College: 3-5 Loss
3 Red 7’s
Game 1 vs. Grammar St Ives: 3-3 Win
Game 2 vs. Newington: 2-7 Loss
3 White 7’s
Game 1 vs. Kings: 5-1 Win
Game 2 vs. Barker: 8-2 Win
Our regular Monday morning session, open to all players, focused on tackling, ruck security, and passing. These sessions give players extra practice, and we’re seeing these players shine in their teams!
Peter Dumbleton Head of Rugby
Rugby Year 3
Rugby Year 4
Rugby Year 5
Rugby Year 6
Football
Year 3
Our Year 3 teams were unstoppable this round, showcasing their incredible talent and teamwork. The 3A’s, 3B’s, and 3E’s delivered a football masterclass, netting a whopping 40 goals while conceding just one against Newington College. Their potent attack and rock-solid defense were a sight to behold. Not to be outdone, the 3C and 3D teams also dazzled against Newington Lindfield, ensuring that Year 3 didn’t drop a single game.
Year 4
Year 4 faced tough competition from Grammar St Ives. It was a mixed bag of results, but our boys showed heart and determination throughout. Each match was a testament to their hard work and growing skills, promising great things for the future.
Year 5
Year 5 followed in the victorious footsteps of our Year 3 teams, remaining undefeated over the weekend. Their matches against Grammar St Ives were a showcase of superb football, with every player contributing to the success. From stellar defense to clinical finishing, Year 5 proved they are a force to be reckoned with.
Year 6
Our Year 6 teams faced fierce competition from Mosman Prep and Redlands. Every game was a hard-fought battle and, although they were pushed to their limits, they displayed resilience and sportsmanship. Despite being battered by strong opposition, their effort and spirit were commendable.
Ben Rollison Head of Football
Overall Performance With a total of 10 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses, Cranbrook Football had a strong day. The players’ dedication, skill, and passion for the game shone through in every match, making this round a memorable one.
Congratulations to all our players, coaches on a great weekend of football.
Football Year 3
Football Year5As
Football Year5Bs
Football Year5Cs
Football Year5Ds
Football Year6
Overall Performance
With a total of 10 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses, Cranbrook Football had a strong day. The players’ dedication, skill and passion for the game shone through in every match, making this round a memorable one.
Congratulations to all our players and coaches on a great weekend of football.
Multi Sports
In Round 4, students in Multi sports continued to work on their kicking precision, demonstrating noticeable improvements. They also engaged in tagging games, which effectively enhanced their lateral movement skills. Indoor soccer was a highlight, with all participants showcasing their growing competence and teamwork. Overall, the students have significantly improved their skills and are doing an excellent job.
Josh Cohen Assistant Head of Sport
Junior School Music News – Week 5
This afternoon, our first of three concerts was held. The second concert will be held this evening:
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
Students to arrive back at School and go to their Piazza at 6pm
Students to wear school uniform (shirt, shorts, tie, socks and black shoes – no jumper or blazer)
Students 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 students meet teachers outside in St Andrew’s Square
Students to wear school uniform (shirt, shorts, tie, socks and black shoes – no jumper, blazer or cap)
Students 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
