We would like to extend a big thank you to Charlie Harris (Year 10 student), who spoke about inspiring excellence at this week’s K-2 assembly. It is wonderful to have role models from the Senior School, such as Charlie, visiting our younger students to convey such an important message.
Charlie has kindly shared a transcript of his speech:
Good afternoon, teachers and boys,
Today, I want to talk about something very important—inspiring excellence. You might have heard those words before, but what do they mean? To inspire means to make others feel like they can do something great. And excellence means doing the very best you can.
But here’s the good news: inspiring excellence doesn’t mean you have to be the best at everything. It’s not just about scoring five goals at lunchtime or getting everything right. It’s about trying your best every single time, even when things are tricky.
Think about your favourite game, like soccer or basketball, or maybe something you love doing, like drawing. If you want to get better at it, what do you do? You practice! And each time you practice, you get just a little bit better. That’s what excellence is—it’s working hard and improving step by step. You don’t have to be perfect to be excellent. You just have to keep trying your hardest.
There’s a great movie called Ratatouille about a little rat named Remy who wants to be a chef. Everyone tells him he can’t do it because he’s just a rat, but he doesn’t give up. He works hard, makes mistakes, and learns from them. By trying his best, Remy inspires the people around him to believe in themselves, too. That’s what it means to inspire excellence—to try your best and help others do the same!
Inspiring excellence can happen in lots of little ways. Maybe it’s adding extra details to your drawings—like drawing clouds, flowers, or even a rainbow. Or it could be inviting all your friends to play a game at recess so that no one feels left out. It might be sharing your toys or helping someone who’s stuck on a tricky question in class. It could even be scoring lots of goals in your soccer game, as long as you’re sharing the ball with your teammates and cheering them on.
The next time you’re in class or out on the playground, think to yourself, “How can I inspire excellence today?” Maybe it’s by working a little harder or being kinder to someone who needs a friend. Remember, anyone can inspire excellence—it just takes some extra effort and a kind heart.
Thank you for listening, and I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day!
Message from Michele Marquet, Acting Head of School
Dear Parents and Carers,
Today, you should have received a very welcome communication from our School Council announcing the appointment of Cranbook’s next Head, Mrs Anne Johnstone. A new era will soon begin! Anne will be joining us at the start of Semester 2 next year, and I am very much looking forward to introducing her to our wonderful school, and along with other members of our Senior Executive and the broader staff, helping her to get to know what makes Cranbrook unique. There is much to plan and do as we prepare, and exciting times lie ahead as we get to know Anne and her vision for the next stage of Cranbrook’s journey. Great schools do not stand still, they adapt and change, and I am delighted that Anne will be leading us into this next era. An outstanding educator, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a Head, personal warmth and genuine care for students, staff and families.
It has been an honour to lead the School over the past nine months and as we wait for Anne’s commencement, I will continue in the role of Acting Head of School in Term 1 2025 before returning to the Junior School at the start of Term 2. I would like to thank Mr Grant Andrews, Mrs Erickson Adam and Mr Richard Baker who have carefully guided and led the Junior School over the last three terms, ably supported by Acting Deputy, Robbie Henry, and SLT members, Abigail McFarlane, Christina Cellini and Heather Brodie, as well as the rest of the staff across St Mark’s, St Michael’s and the Junior School. Their gracious commitment to excellence has ensured the Pre-schools and Junior School have continued to run like clockwork. During the first term next year, Mr Grant Andrews will be Acting Head of Junior School. During Term 2, I will resume my role as the Head of Junior School and Mr Stuart Meade will be Acting Head of Cranbrook School and I look forward to working closely with Stuart to ensure a smooth transition for Anne.
Wishing everyone a busy and productive week,
Michele Marquet Acting Head of School
Message from Richard Baker, Acting Head of Junior School
Dear Junior and Pre-school Families,
Simon Sinek once said, “To be innovative, we can’t look to what others have done. The whole idea of blazing a path is that there was no path there before.” At Cranbrook, one of our core values is inspiring excellence and that’s exactly what our teachers and special guests aimed to cultivate this week as we chart our own path forward.
On Tuesday, our Year 5 students participated in a variety of leadership workshops, led by Ms Sophie Boniface, Ms Casey Zhang, Mr Mark De Brun and Mr Mat Power, as well as Cranbrook’s Head Prefect, Huon Groves. These sessions provided our students with opportunities to demonstrate character, engage in critical thinking and, most importantly, practise collaboration as part of their unit of inquiry.
We were especially fortunate to have Mr Lee Germon, CEO of Cricket NSW, as our keynote speaker. Mr Germon brings a wealth of leadership experience from both his sports career and his current executive role. Formerly the captain of the New Zealand national cricket team, he is well-known for his strategic thinking, resilience, and dedication to his team. Since transitioning into executive leadership, Mr Germon has focused on building a culture of excellence, collaboration, and integrity within Cricket NSW. During his talk, he shared personal insights on what it means to be a leader, being proactive and creating habits, emphasising qualities such as accountability, empathy and vision. His journey provided an inspiring example of how leadership skills can be developed and applied in diverse fields, leaving a lasting impression on our Year 5 students.
I also had the pleasure of taking a Philosophy workshop titled Building Reflective Leadership. Throughout the day’s activities, we encouraged students to explore the skills of leadership and teamwork in a way that allows for open-ended discussion and personal reflection. In Philosophy for children, our role isn’t to direct students toward a single viewpoint but to guide them in thinking critically and reflecting deeply. Experiential learning, followed by reflection, provides an honest space for students to form their own ideas about leadership.
To extend these important discussions, here are some questions you might enjoy exploring with your son this week (these are relevant for all Cranbrook students, from Kindergarten through to Year 6):
What is a leader?
Do leaders always need to be chosen?
When might it be best for someone to choose themselves as a leader?
Does every team need a leader?
How do you recognise someone as a leader?
What are the “must-have” qualities of a leader?
Please take note of some other significant events in the coming weeks:
2025 Y1-Y6 New Parent Information Session – Wednesday, 27 November, 8:30–9:30am
K–5 Moving Up Morning – Wednesday, 27 November, 8:15–10:30am
Y3–Y6 Christmas Lunch – Thursday, 28 November 11am
Y3–Y6 Swimming Carnival – Friday, 29 November (all day at AFC)
Kindergarten to Y2 Christmas Celebration – Wednesday, 4 December
Y6 Valedictory Service – Friday, 6 December, 1:15pm JS Gym
Friendship Fires Occasionally, children may encounter challenges with friends or peers at school. If this occurs, please inform your son’s Class Teacher and the School will investigate and support the students to resolve matters. We kindly request that parents refrain from contacting one another directly regarding issues between their children, as these matters are best handled through the School.
K-Y2 Arrival Time We welcome all parents in K-Y2 to arrive on campus from 7:45am via the pedestrian gates and to drop off bags and instruments, prior to their children going to play on the tennis courts. Cranbrook School will provide supervision for students from 7:45am. If your child has a morning co-curricular activity that commences at 7:30am, then they can arrive at the earlier time. If families arrive earlier than 7:45am, we suggest visiting Lyne Park playground and only coming to school to drop off your children from 7:45am.
Pre-schools’ News – Week 5
Dear Families,
As we reach the halfway point of Term 4, our Pre-schoolers have begun rehearsing for their End of Year Showcase. It is wonderful to see the children taking pride in learning their roles, drawing on their knowledge and experiences from recent incursions.
This week, we were excited to welcome Little Wing Puppets to both St Michael’s and St Mark’s, who performed the captivating Trinket the Robot puppet show. The children were thoroughly engaged and it was a memorable experience for all!
A gentle reminder to parents: if your child is unwell or showing signs of not feeling their best, please keep them at home until they have fully recovered. This helps ensure the health and wellbeing of all children, staff and families.
Upcoming Events:
Week 6 Tuesday, 19 November:
Kindy students visit St Mark’s and St Michael’s for Q&A
St Michael’s 3 and 5 Day Group Church Visit
Thursday, 21 November:
St Michael’s 2 Day Group Church Visit
Week 7 Wednesday, 27 November:
St Michael’s 3 Day Group – End of Year Showcase, 9:30am
Friday, 29 November:
St Michael’s 2 Day Group – End of Year Showcase and Art Gallery, 9:30am
St Mark’s End of Year Showcase and Art Gallery, 12:30pm
We look forward to celebrating this special time with you and your children.
Kind regards,
Abigail McFarlane Pre-schools’ Coordinator
Year 6 Leadership Day Photo Gallery
Our Year 5 students recently took part in a Leadership Day, designed to support their unit of inquiry and prepare them for their leadership roles in Year 6. The day featured a special guest speaker, Lee Germon, former New Zealand cricket captain and current CEO of Cricket NSW. Lee shared his story and experiences, offering valuable insights into the qualities of great leaders and the significance of cultivating good habits. In the afternoon, the students were joined by the Year 12 Prefects, who offered their reflections on their roles and the responsibilities of leading younger peers. Through a series of workshops, students explored the skills and attributes of effective leaders, reflected on the responsibilities of leadership, and examined the power of self-reflection.
Little Leagues Report – Round 10
As we head into the final two rounds of sport before the Christmas break, I want to commend all students on their efforts and remind everyone to keep training hard. Several teams are still unbeaten, which is a testament to the dedication and spirit shown each week. Let’s finish the season strong! Also, a reminder that the JS Swimming Carnival is approaching soon on Friday, 29 November. This is a highlight of the Junior School sporting calendar that we all look forward to. Good luck with the coming weekend of sport.
Yours in sport,
Mr. James Roughan Head of Sport and PDHPE
Cricket
The Year 6A team showcased their strength by chasing down 66 runs in just 7 overs, with Oliver R. leading the charge and scoring an unbeaten 36.
The Year 5A team had a fantastic game on their away trip to Tudor House, where they posted a massive total of 201. They then bowled the opposition out for a mere 24 runs, with Liam P taking an impressive 3 wickets. The 5B team also secured a victory, though the 5C team faced a loss.
In the Year 4 matches, the 4B team claimed a win, while the 4C team fell short. The Year 4A team had a break this weekend.
The Year 3 teams played three matches, winning two out of three, with the A team losing to Grammar by 42 runs.
Four students will be attending the CIS trials on Monday, representing the School at the next level. We wish them the best of luck.
Ben Staunton Head of Sport
Year 3
Year 4 Bs
Year 4 Cs
Basketball
In an exciting matchup between the 5/6 Es and the 5/6 Fs, both teams were determined to showcase the skills they had developed during the week’s training. Ethan D and Charlie D dominated in the paint, battling fiercely for every rebound and putting on a display of strength and determination. Ryan A and Lucas S kept the game at a relentless pace, constantly pushing the tempo with fast break opportunities. The Fs mounted a strong comeback, but the Es managed to withstand the pressure and edge out a hard-fought victory.
Stephen Whitehead Head of Basketball
Year 3 and 4 As
Year 3 and 4 Bs
Year 3 and 4 Cs
Year 3 and 4 Ds
Year 3 and 4 Blue 1 and 2
Year 3 Whites
Year 5 and 6 Es and Fs
Year 5 and 6 Gs and Hs
Tennis
A vs Scots Loss 1-11 (13-55)
In our Week 3 fixture, the students showcased their arsenal of tennis shots against a consistent Scots side. Jordan M notably took most games to deuce and showed his composure after lengthy rallies. Jack B and Alex Z were unfortunate in doubles, falling 1 game short in a comeback match, while Ricky C and Jordan M displayed their ability to turn defence into attack in their gruelling doubles match. The students were gritty in singles but were unable to capitalise on the final scorecard. A positive weekend of tennis overall with some key takeaways in consistency and net play for the students to consider in the future.
B vs Waverley College Win 12-10 (58-10)
The B team’s hard work throughout the season truly paid off in this performance against Waverley College, leading to a final score of 58-10 as they won all their games. Ben C stood out as a key player, delivering consistently strong serves and powerful forehands. Tom D and George Y also made fantastic contributions, showing excellent teamwork and volleying, an area that we have been working on in training sessions. It was a memorable victory for Cranbrook, with every player contributing to this impressive win. Congratulations to the B team on their fantastic performance!
Ben Higgins Head of Tennis
Water Polo
Cranbrook’s Junior water polo team have been able to put together three consecutive wins with the intention of extending the streak to four against their neighbouring rival Scots.
The game was played as two 7-minute quarters against Scots then two 7-minute quarters against Reddam.
Heading into the game the students were looking to work on making meaningful passes and capitalising on counterattack opportunities. The students got off to a quick 4 to 1 lead with Sam S, and Marcas K scoring a goal each, and Joseph L scoring two. Sam S and Joseph L both added to their goal tallies in the second quarter with Felix C and Rylan H joining the goal-scoring list.
Cranbrook saw out the game with an 8 – 2 victory over Scots.
This was the students’ best defensive game yet, as they successfully applied pressure to the Scots students with an effective press-style defence, creating numerous steals.
The students are still looking to improve upon their ability to capitalise on these steals and create counterattack opportunities.
Overall, a good effort from all the students to extend their win streak to 4.
Gregory McFadden Head of Water Polo
Sailing
It was another excellent week of sailing. Each training session focused on a specific skill, and it was exciting to see some Year 4 students trying out for next year’s sailing program. On Saturday, under sunny skies and favourable winds, the students took to the water. The Year 6 students again crewed on the Pacers with the Senior School students, while some of them took the opportunity to skipper. Their enthusiasm for sailing is clear as they look forward to continuing. Year 5 students and some Year 4 students competed against Scots and performed admirably. The rest of the sailing squad continued to improve their racing starts and upwind tacking.
Tom Brewer Head of Sailing
Multi-Sport
In Round 10, the students played Defend the Towers, a modified game designed to strengthen their throwing, rolling, and interception/defending skills. Throughout the week, we discussed strategies for managing conflict in games and finding effective ways to resolve them. The session featured a competitive Blue vs Red matchup, with each team securing a win and a final game ending in a draw, marked by some close throws that nearly decided the outcome. Overall, it was a strong effort from everyone involved, showcasing both skill development and sportsmanship.
Tommy Taylor Multi-Sport Coach and JS PDHPE Teacher
Y3 – Y6 Swimming Carnival Information
We are looking forward to the upcoming swimming carnival on Friday, 29 November, at the AFC (Senior School). Please take a moment to review the meet programme and student entries carefully here. If any adjustments are needed, kindly email James Roughan JRoughan@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au by the end of the day on Monday, 19 November, to allow sufficient time for updates.
As with last year, only the top 8 swimmers in each age group will participate in the 200 IM and 100 Freestyle events.
Yours in sport,
Mr. James Roughan Head of Sport and PDHPE
JS Music News – Week 5
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
As we draw closer towards Christmas and reflect on the tremendous efforts of all our musicians who performed this year, it is important to reinforce the power of practice and ensemble commitment.
Instrumental lessons and ensemble participation are an essential part of developing the instrumental skills to play music with other people, providing a wonderful opportunity to perform in a safe environment with like-minded peers. In a world that has us attracted to the latest shiny toy, it is important that your child’s participation in Music ensembles is prioritised ahead of other external activities which your child may wish to take part in. Beyond the musical skills that are being developed, we would like to ensure that students are demonstrating a commitment to the music programme of which they are an integral part.
Regarding your child’s instrumental lessons next year, I have no doubt that you may be starting to have a conversation with them about their instrumental lessons and plans for the year to come. Each year, enrolments rollover from the previous year unless a discontinuation form is completed by no later than Thursday, 5 December. This form is now available in Operoo. You may also be considering enrolling your child in the instrumental tuition group. Completing an enrolment form as soon as possible assistsus to manage rooms and staffing for the coming year. Please reach out to our Music Administrator @Sandra Trew, or your child’s instrumental tutor, or Head of Instrumental Dept., if you have any questions.
