Message from Michele Marquet, Head of Junior School

Dear Parents and Carers,

The term continues to a busy and productive, with so many exciting opportunities for the students to engage with and enjoy. Last week, Year 4 and Year 3 shared recent unit learning with families; da Vinci Day was held and we welcomed a Planetarium incursion for Year 5. This week is National Reconciliation Week; we had the excitement of the K-Y2 Music Showcase this afternoon and we are eager to see the Y3-Y6 students have their turn tonight. These activities and experiences add colour and provide real life experiences to enhance and deepen our students’ learning.

Y3-Y6 Athletics Carnival
On 10 June, our Y3-Y6 students will be participating in their annual Athletics Carnival to be held at SOPAC. The Programme of Events is available to view here. Further information, previously shared, about this event can be found here.

Getting ready for Camps
Next Monday, 2 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, 4 June, for their annual excursion.

We hope that our students embrace every activity with enthusiasm and stay open to making new friends and trying different 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 our teams at the recent annual Da Vinci Decathlon held at Knox. Da Vinci Decathlon is a national academic competition designed to challenge and stimulate students. Teams from a broad variety of schools competed in groups of eight across ten disciplines: Engineering, Mathematics, Code-breaking, Art and Poetry, Science, English, Ideation, Creative Producers, Cartography and Legacy.

Our 16 Year 5 and Year 6 students proudly represented Cranbrook Junior School:
Year 6: Charlie Dusseldorp, Christian Kollias, Jonathan Kuchel, Oliver McGee, Alexander Rainbow, Tully Sharpe, Jerry Watson and Mason Pun.
Year 5: Teddy Bentvelzen, Heiji Cao; Hamish Fernandez, Charlie Heckes; Alfie Li-Brown, Neil Mohorikar, Imanol Plante, Nate Soon-Wong.

We are very proud of our students’ presentation and their well-deserved results.

• Year 5 – 1st place in Engineering
• Year 6 – 2nd place in Code Breaking

We thank Mrs Koika-Cellini, Miss Boniface, Mr Botto and Mrs Brodie for supporting our teams.

Kind wishes,

Michele Marquet
Head of Junior School

From the Deputies

Dear Parents and Carers,

Year 5 & 6 Budding Artists Showcase Creativity Inspired by Bundanon
Following an inspiring visit to the Immersive Art Experience at Bundanon, our Year 5 and Year 6 Bundanon art students have returned brimming with creativity and artistic insight. Their engagement with the breathtaking landscape, unique architecture, and captivating exhibitions at Bundanon has culminated in a remarkable collection of artworks.

We are delighted to present a curated selection of these students’ creations in a mini exhibition, on display in the Library (iCentre) from Monday, 26 May to Friday, 6 June. This showcase highlights not only the students’ artistic talents but also their thoughtful reflections on the natural world that surrounded them during their visit.

Parents and carers are warmly invited to visit the exhibition during morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up times. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your sons’ imaginative responses and witness their artistic journeys inspired by one of Australia’s most striking cultural and environmental destinations.

We look forward to welcoming you to this special exhibition and sharing in the joy of their achievements.

Kind regards
Grant Andrews, Richard Baker and Genet Erickson Adam

Pre-schools’ Update – Week 5

Dear Pre-school Families,

We are pleased to share the highlights from another enriching week at St Mark’s and St Michael’s Pre-school. Our inquiry into this term’s Transdisciplinary Theme, Where We Are in Place and Time, with the Central Idea “Homes help us understand ourselves and others,” continues to inspire curiosity and hands-on learning among the children.

The children have been actively participating in cooking experiences, preparing family recipes that reflect their culture, their favourite dish or even something they have decided as a whole class. These activities not only deepen their understanding of diverse cultures but also cultivates a sense of community and belonging. Additionally, they provide opportunities to explore fundamental mathematical and scientific concepts in a practical context.

We have seen, across all classes, a lot of building exploration through various mediums. Children have engaged in constructing models of homes, allowing them to express creativity and their own understanding of homes. It has been fascinating to see their creations come to life and expanding beyond their own homes to their neighbours, creating villages and even animal homes.

A notable event this week was a visit from two of our parents from St Michael’s 5 day class, who introduced the children to the world of construction.

The session included:

• Viewing a video clip of a building site
• Learning about the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Wearing their own PPE
• An introduction to hand tools
• A live jackhammer demonstration by a parent
• Hands-on experience using child-friendly tools

We value the contributions of our parent community and welcome opportunities for you to share your hobbies, interests, or time with the children. If you would like to read a story, share a skill, or contribute in any way, please reach out to your child’s class teacher.

Kind regards,

Abigail McFarlane
Pre-schools Coordinator

Year 4 Terra Fabula

Terra Fabula is an immersive, interdisciplinary learning experience that invites Year 4 students to step into the role of creators, thinkers and problem-solvers. Over the course of the week, students design their own fictional land and community, navigating a series of challenges and inquiries that integrate geographical, scientific, mathematical and English skills.

Through hands-on exploration, they consider how their communities live, farm, trade and connect with others – until the unexpected happens. What will they do when explorers arrive? 

Each step of Terra Fabula brings rich opportunities for critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. The week culminates in a special showcase with parents and guests, where the world of Terra Fabula truly comes to life in a morning full of adventure and discovery.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Year 3 Learning Showcase

As part of their Sharing the Planet inquiry, Year Three students have been inquiring into the relationships between living and non-living components of environments and how these influence agricultural decisions. Throughout the unit, they explored traditional and modern food production techniques, including Aboriginal land management practices and contemporary agricultural technologies. Students applied their understanding by designing and creating innovative solutions to real-world sustainable agricultural challenges. The Parent Showcase was a fantastic opportunity for students to share their learning and proudly present their thoughtful and creative inventions.

Year 6 Environmental Leaders Embark on Hands-On Native Garden & Permaculture Workshop

On Wednesday, 22 May, our Year 6 Environmental Leaders took part in an exciting and immersive learning experience focused on native gardens and permaculture design. This special session was organised and led by Mr Richard Baker, as part of the School’s ongoing commitment to environmental education.

The workshop was facilitated by renowned garden designer and horticulturist, Narelle Happ, who brought over two decades of experience and a passion for creating sustainable, productive and nurturing outdoor spaces. Narelle guided the students through the key principles of garden planning and ecological design.

During the session, students explored a variety of topics, including:

• Plant Selection: Understanding which native species thrive in local conditions and how to group them effectively to encourage biodiversity and resilience.
• Soil pH and Quality: Learning firsthand how to assess soil composition and pH levels, and their importance for plant health.
• Permaculture Design Principles: Discovering how to build gardens that are both sustainable and productive, with minimal ongoing input.

The learning took place in the cleared garden area near the Music Cottage, which is currently being prepared for a new garden installation, a perfect real-world setting for these young environmental stewards to apply their ideas.

This enriching experience was made possible through a native garden consultation awarded by Woollahra Council, supporting the planning of future habitat and bush foods gardens at Cranbrook. The consultation included:

• A site walk-over with native garden expert advice
• A mud-map sketch showing suggested planting patterns
• A list of native species tailored to the school’s site

Our Environmental Leaders left the workshop with a deeper appreciation of ecological gardening and are now well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to the development of a vibrant, sustainable garden space at the Junior School.

Mr Richard Baker
Deputy Head Operations and Staffing P–6

Little Leagues Report – Round 4

We were fortunate to see a number of fixtures go ahead in Round 4 despite the heavy rainfall earlier in the week. Our students made the most of the opportunity, showing tremendous grit and perseverance in several hard-fought matches.

With just one round of winter sport remaining before the King’s Birthday long weekend and the Athletics Carnival fast approaching on Tuesday, 10 June, I encourage all students to maintain strong focus at both training and in games. This final push will set the tone before a well-earned break to recharge ahead of the second half of the season.

Well done to all teams for continuing to represent Cranbrook with pride, sportsmanship and integrity. Keep up the great work!

Yours in Sport

Mr James Roughan
Head of Sport and PDHPE, Junior School

Football

Unfortunately, our Year 4 football players were unable to take to the field this weekend due to the heavy downpour. However, for the teams that did play, it was an action-packed weekend filled with strong performances and exciting football across all year levels.

Year 6
Our Year 6 teams put on an impressive display of skill and determination. The 6A team recorded a dominant 7–0 win over Trinity, with Bobby delivering a stunning solo goal and a man-of-the-match performance. The 6B team showed great resilience, coming from behind to secure a 1–1 draw thanks to Leo’s superb free kick. In the 6C match, Jack controlled the midfield while Jamie and Henry found the back of the net in a convincing 3–0 win. Despite a tough 3–1 loss for the 6D team, Alex stood out with a strong performance, supported by the efforts of Sreenivas and Sacha.

Year 5
The Year 5 teams enjoyed a solid weekend, demonstrating great teamwork and spirit. The 5A team earned a hard-fought 1–1 draw, with Teddy scoring a late equaliser. The 5B team impressed with a 3–0 win, as Aiden and Evan brought intensity and scored crucial goals. The 5C team played out a 1–1 draw, with Ted’s strong defensive efforts key to holding off the opposition. Meanwhile, the 5D team claimed a 2–0 victory, with second-half goals from Neil and Emilio, and a well-placed assist from Kingston.

Year 3
It was a great weekend for our Year 3 footballers, who displayed enthusiasm and developing skill. The 3A team secured a 4–2 win, led by Tom’s leadership, the defensive discipline of Gabriel and George, and the creative flair of Hamish and Harry. The 3B team played with confidence in a 4–0 win, with Nathan and James controlling the midfield and Hugo finishing strongly. The 3C match ended in a 2–2 draw, highlighted by Oli’s early goals and Freddy’s standout performance. Despite a 5–1 loss for the 3D team, they showed impressive resilience in the second half, with Angus scoring a well-earned goal.

Ben Rollison
Head of Football

Rugby

Another frustrating weekend for Cranbrook Junior Rugby, with the weather impacting all but one game due to unplayable pitches.

Year 5A vs Shore

The Year 5s began their account strongly against a well drilled Shore side, aiming up in the defensive contest throughout the affair. In particularly, Eric led the defensive efforts putting in some fantastic chop tackles throughout the game. Shore scored a couple of late tries at the end to take the chocolates.

Year 5A vs Scots

Against Scots, we continued to face a battle-hardened side who were very strong in the breakdown. To the credit of our players, we still managed to advance down the pitch coming ever so close to getting over the white paint. Special mention should go to Bertie M for putting in a sensational effort throughout, chasing down the opposition to prevent a breakaway try.

Peter Dumbleton
Head of Rugby

Tennis

This term, the Junior School Winter Tennis program at Lyne Park has seen excellent progress, with our students showing strong commitment to developing their skills. Training sessions have focused heavily on technique across all areas—grip, footwork, swing patterns, and positioning—to help players rally more consistently and transition from orange to green balls.

One of the highlights has been the noticeable improvement in rallying and match-play awareness, with our players demonstrating greater control and confidence each week. A special mention goes to Archer A, who has improved his skills and understanding each week. His enthusiasm, rapid improvement in both technique and consistency have been outstanding.

The foundation being built in these sessions is setting the students up for future success in tennis, and it’s been exciting to see their development unfold on the courts at Lyne Park.

Ben Higgins
Head of Tennis

Sydney Writers’ Festival

It was wonderful to see so many Cranbrook families enjoying the Children’s and Family Day at Carriageworks last Sunday. Students have been sharing their session highlights with their peers during Library sessions this week.

National Simultaneous Storytime 

Last Wednesday, along with 2,204,658 children in 16,632 locations around Australia and overseas, our Junior School students and teachers engaged with this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime book, The Truck Cat, via live stream and readings in classrooms, piazzas and the library. A gentle story of migration, belonging and kindness, Kindergarten summed up the story’s message beautifully in words and pictures after reading the book with Ms Light: A house is not a home without…love, laughter, family, food, fun and snuggles. We have loved collecting and displaying photos of our Cranbrook Cats too – please continue to share on the padlet.