Message from Michele Marquet, Acting Head of School
Dear Parents and Carers
This past week has seen our Year 4 and Year 6 students head off to their annual camps in the Shoalhaven and on the Colo River, respectively, and shortly, our Year 7 students will travel to Namadgi National Park, near Canberra, for their first CITF experience. Year 9 have their CITF before the end of this term.
Experiential education is one important way for our students to ‘discover and make the most of their talents.’ For all humans, embracing new environments, being slightly out of our comfort zone and testing our problem-solving skills in partnership with others are vital ways to come to understand ourselves and to foster genuine resilience – particularly, as we grow up.
Cranbrook has always had a significant focus on the needs of the individual, yet our Mission statement also finishes with the following: that our students will come to ‘lead adventurous, courageous and generous lives which contribute to the betterment of society.’
It is vital that as a school community, we appreciate the difference between celebrating individuality, and individualism that consistently promotes the wants and needs of a person over those of our society. At Cranbrook, we strongly advocate that we should be trying to instil in our children the idea of knowing who they are, but at the same time how they are going to contribute to the world and help create a better society, as a result of that. Humans have indeed been created for relationships with other people, and that brings an incontrovertible need to care for people with compassion. Our School strongly affirms that a love of the self and the love of neighbour need not be mutually exclusive.
Cranbrook’s focus on experiential education challenges students to look beyond the self. After experiencing a series of increasingly challenging camps as they move up the year levels in Junior School, our Senior School students take part in CITF – Cranbrook in The Field. Delivered by Outward Bound Australia, with the essential participation of members of our staff, it carries the flag for experiential education as a balance to some of the more enticing, but superficial and misleading elements of contemporary culture.
Like the International Baccalaureate, Outward Bound springs from the thinking of educationalist Kurt Hahn who, in a very different time, saw the value of searching within, in order to see beyond selfhood. Hahn’s own personal experiences led him to pioneer experiential education. He said, “I regard it as the foremost task of education to ensure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an indefatigable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial, and above all, compassion.”
Another particularly powerful way of understanding ourselves as well as others comes through our longstanding CETOP programme, which allows our students and community an authentic and practical experience of what it is to be globally minded. Past Headmaster, Jeremy Madin, believed that “The work of CETOP is one of the best things about Cranbrook School. It is quintessentially about valuing and serving others, without patronising and with tremendous generosity of spirit.”
Annually, some of our Year 6 students embark on a trip to Nepal to support the communities there and students in the Senior School have the option to travel to Ladakh to support the communities and our work in India. Students in the Senior School also can opt to travel to Central Australia or Arnhem Land to experience indigenous culture in these unique contexts. Students’ feedback on return from tours such as these consistently reveals the lifechanging impact of such experiences. They share how the trip helped them appreciate more fully what they have back at home, but also how it challenged them to wonder if contentedness in life is possibly not linked to the things we possess. Such lived experiences can powerfully breakdown pre-conceived notions of what other cultures and people are truly like, and what our purpose in life might be.
Our students’ opportunities to experience Junior School camps, CETOP and outback Australian tours, as well as CITF, help Cranbrook to offer a genuinely broad, balanced liberal education, which can truly help our students become adults who go on to ‘lead adventurous, courageous and generous lives which contribute to the betterment of society’. Thank you to the amazing staff across the Junior and Senior Schools who go above and beyond to organise, support and attend these experiences with their students, so as to ensure they take place and the young people attending grow in character as humans through the process. Away from their own families for extended periods of time, we are exceptionally grateful for their generosity and commitment to the power and impact of experiential education.
We look forward to another productive week ahead.
Michele Marquet Acting Head of School
Message from Grant Andrews, Acting Head of Junior School
Dear Families
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” Winston Churchill
It was my pleasure to visit both Year 4 and Year 6 on camp this week and to witness the incredible collaboration and connectedness that such experiences off-campus provide. Each year, the teaching teams and camp facilitators work hard to put together an enriching and challenging program for our students, and I could not be prouder of the courage and camaraderie shown by our boys. My deepest thanks goes to our dedicated Staff, who have given up time away from their own families and loved ones this week to ensure that your sons have been encouraged, cared for and have enjoyed a truly memorable experience. We hope you enjoy hearing about your son’s adventures!
Year 4 Camp
Year 6 Camp
Thank you to all our Kindergarten families who attended the Reading Presentation in Kindergarten last night. Learning to read is a fascinating process. Instilling a love of reading early provides children with a head start on vocabulary expansion and skills of engagement and curiosity. As children progress from learning to read, to reading to learn, reading unlocks the door to:
Build concentration
Improve memory function
Learn about the world
Develop empathy
Increase vocabulary
Boost critical thinking
Encourage visualisation & imagination
Improve school performance
We look forward to working in partnership with you as you encourage your child’s early reading development and foster a life-long love of reading.
It is always lovely to see parents and carers on campus at Open Music Rehearsals and Music Morning concerts. It is our absolute delight to provide a small glimpse from behind the scenes and, most importantly, it is an opportunity for our young musicians to experience performing to an audience. Many thanks to our Music Department for their passion, expertise and dedication to excellence, ensuring that our Music programs are consistently of the highest calibre. What a joy it is to see our students explore, make and appreciate music.
Next week, the Deputies and I are looking forward to spending some time with our new students at a sausage sizzle lunch and hearing all about their first few weeks at Cranbrook.
As we draw to an end of another busy week, I wish everyone a restful and happy weekend.
Kind regards
Grant Andrews Acting Head of Junior School
From the Deputies
Dear Families
Parents and carers are strongly encouraged to contact their child’s classroom teacher in the first instance if any concerns or issues arise, whether related to academic matters or incidents occurring in the playground.
The classroom teacher is the most directly involved with the students on a daily basis and is best positioned to address and resolve any issues that may come up. By initiating communication with the teacher, parents can ensure that concerns are promptly and effectively addressed at the appropriate level.
A gentle reminder that parents are advised not to contact other parents regarding these matters, as this can lead to misunderstandings or unnecessary escalation. Should any matter require further attention, the classroom teacher will guide parents on the next steps, which may involve additional school staff or resources.
This approach helps to maintain a constructive and collaborative relationship between home and school, and we thank you for working in partnership with us to ensure the best possible support for your son.
Kind regards
Mrs Erickson Adam, Mr Baker and Mrs Brodie
Pre-schools’ News – Week 6
Dear Families,
Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, 2 March, was a huge success! More than 20 Pre-school families from St Mark’s and St Michael’s came together to make a difference, working hard to collect as much rubbish as possible.
A heartfelt thank you to all the families who took the time to join us, enjoying a story, cleaning up, and having fun at Steyne Park. A special thank you to Anita Giusti for her support in organising the event and to Melanie Fleming, Denise Soh and Catherine Workman for their help along the way. Your efforts made this day even more impactful!
Collaborating with teachers, families and the wider community is a core value of our Pre-schools, setting a wonderful example for our children as they learn and grow into positive, engaged members of society. At Pre-school, we believe in leading by example, and acting through service is a powerful way to teach our children about responsibility, kindness and community spirit. By working together, we show them the importance of caring for our environment and giving back to the world around us.
Upcoming Events:
Week 7:
Monday, 10 March: St Mark’s Speech Screeners
Wednesday, 12 March: St Michael’s Speech Screeners (5 day and 3 day group)
Week 8:
Tuesday, 18 March: St Michael’s 5 and 3 Day Group Photo Day
Wednesday, 19 March: St Mark’s Photo Day
Thursday, 20 March: St Michael’s 2 Day Group Photo Day
Week 9:
Monday, 24 March: St Michael’s 5 Day Group Grandparents Morning (8:45 am – 9:15 am)
Tuesday, 25 March: St Mark’s Grandparents Morning (8:45 am – 9:15 am) St. Michael’s 5 and 3 Day Group Church Visit
Wednesday, 26 March: St Michael’s 3 Day Group Grandparents Morning (8:45 am – 9:15 am) St Mark’s Church Visit
Thursday, 27 March: St Michael’s 2 Day Group Church Visit
Friday, 28 March: St Michael’s 2 Day Group Grandparents Morning (8:15 am – 9:15 am)
Kind regards
Abigail McFarlane Pre-schools’ Coordinator
Community Prayer Morning
Tomorrow (7 March), there will be a community prayer morning with Mr Noble for any parents, carers or staff in our JS community. It will be held from 7:45am in Meeting Room 1 (near Junior School reception). It is an opportunity 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.
Term 1 Events Overview
The Term 1 Events Overview can be found on Cranbrook Connect and here.
CETOP/NEPAL Family Fun Day
The Cranbrook CETOP Family Fun Day is back on Sunday, 16 March 2025! This exciting day promises a blend of delicious food, exhilarating fun, pet judging AND a chance to DUNK your TEACHERS. Bring your family and friends for a day filled with joy, laughter, and community spirit as we come together to raise funds for CETOP’s initiatives in Nepal and Ladakh. Mark your calendars for this unforgettable Cranbrook event!
Click hereto view the flyer. Click here to buy tickets.
NAPLAN 2025
Year 3 and Year 5 Parent and Carer Information Each year, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is undertaken by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
At Cranbrook Junior School, NAPLAN 2025 will take place from Wednesday, 12March – 24 March.
NAPLAN is just one part of our school learning assessment program. The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills your child is already learning at school.
In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will undertake activities to help students become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.
If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs Koika-Cellini.
Year 2 Incursion and Year 3 Excursion
Year 2 Incursion: Dr Thomas’ visit Dr. Thomas generously shared his expertise on Cranbrook’s history with Year 2, delivering an invaluable learning experience. By showcasing a collection of artefacts and photographs, he offered a tangible connection to the past, enabling students to critically reflect on Cranbrook’s evolution and appreciate our shared history.
Year 3 Excursion to Lyne Park Our Year 3 students have been exploring how communities operate and what contributes to their success. As part of their inquiry, they visited Lyne Park to investigate how individuals can drive positive change within a community. During the visit, students observed, sketched, and reflected on the ways people engage with their surroundings. They also discussed the importance of fostering communities where individuals are informed, responsible and actively involved.
Sport Reminder
Please remember that your son’s Sports team and fixture information (including times and venues) is sent out via the Cranbrook Parent App.
Please ensure you have downloaded the App onto your mobile phone.
Little Leagues Report – Round 3
As we reach the midway point of Term 1, it has been great to see players settling into the season. The early weeks were about finding rhythm, learning structures and adjusting to new teams and competition. Now is the time to double down on our focus at training, both individually and as a team. If we continue to work hard, take on feedback from coaches and apply the skills being taught, we will keep improving and demonstrating growth in our performance.
A special mention goes to Will W, Jimmy C and Sebastian R, who represented CIS at the State Cricket Championships over the past week. All three students did Cranbrook incredibly proud, performing with both bat and ball in a highly competitive tournament. Congratulations to Will W and Jimmy C on their selection for the NSWPSSA team, an outstanding achievement that will see them represent NSW later in the year.
We also wish Frank T the best of luck as he heads to the CIS Basketball trials this Friday. Being one of only 12 players selected from IPSHA schools to trial at CIS is a remarkable feat, and we are excited to see him take on this opportunity.
Best of luck to all teams and players for the week ahead and let’s keep working hard and striving to be our best.
Yours in Sport,
James Roughan Head of Sport & PDHPE
CISCricket
Tennis
Cranbrook Junior School As – A Narrow Defeat (1/3/25) Sport is often decided by the smallest of margins, and Cranbrook’s recent clash with Sydney Grammar was no exception. Although the team finished with a 5-7 loss in matches, the final game tally tells a different story—Cranbrook outscored the opposition 38–30 in games. Each match was closely contested, reflecting the skill, determination, and fighting spirit of our young players.
Jayden B & George Y faced an early test in doubles, narrowly losing 3–4 after several tense deuce points. In singles, both were met with determined opponents and fell 1–4 apiece, despite showing flashes of strong baseline play and returns.
In their debut as a doubles partnership, Santiago D and Josh L showcased an exceptional performance in a match defined by extended rallies, narrowly conceding 3–4. Santiago then battled hard in singles before yielding 2–3 in a match decided by the slimmest margins. Josh likewise fell 1–4 in singles, showcasing solid rallies.
Josh M & Hugo B turned the tide with a brilliant 6–1 doubles victory, demonstrating effective teamwork and confident serves, putting Cranbrook on the scoreboard. Josh’s singles match ended in a narrow 2–3 setback, but Hugo seized the momentum, dominating his singles encounter 5–0 and highlighting the power and consistency of his groundstrokes.
Ricky C & Toby W continued Cranbrook’s surge with a 5–2 doubles triumph, controlling the net and dictating play from the baseline. They both translated this into their singles matches, where Ricky cruised to a 5–0 victory and Toby impressed with a well-earned 4–1 result, both displaying aggressive serves, returns and a keen sense of exploiting open court space.
Despite ultimately falling by one win, the team’s 38–30 advantage in total games reflects how closely contested every match was.
Cranbrook Junior Tennis B Team vs St Patrick’s (1/3/25) The Cranbrook Junior Tennis B Team put up a commendable effort in their recent match against St Patrick’s, demonstrating strong determination and sportsmanship. Despite facing a challenging opponent, the team showcased resilience and excellent individual and team performances.
Jonathan K and Henry R fought hard but faced strong opponents. They showed good patience and had some strong rallies to build the point, but their opponents managed to hold firm. Jonathan had a tough singles match, showing great composure with strong baseline gameplay and point control, but his opponent capitalised on key moments. Henry also faced a formidable opponent, but his strategic play and tennis discipline made him a notable performer.
Nathaniel S-W & Eric R displayed their skill by hitting fantastic shots against a well-coordinated opposition. Despite the final scoreline, their teamwork was commendable, with moments of brilliance on the court. Nathaniel was impressive with his powerful shot-making ability, proving his potential as a strong competitor, which the score did not reflect. Eric’s singles match was a tight contest, and although he narrowly lost 2-3, his consistent effort and impressive shot-making stood out.
Henry W and Leo S played an extremely close match but narrowly lost 3-4. Their chemistry on the court was evident, and they put up a strong fight in every game. Henry played an excellent match, securing a convincing 4-1 win. His movement and determination to keep the ball in play were spectacular. Leo S encountered a formidable opponent and lost 1-4, but his resilience and focus were evident as he fought to control every point.
Leo M and Harvey C delivered an outstanding performance, winning 6-1. They dominated their opponents with excellent shot placement and aggressive play. Their win was a highlight for the team. Leo delivered a fantastic 4-1 victory, playing with confidence and precision as his aggressive playstyle paid off. Harvey won his singles match 3-2 in a close battle, showing great composure under pressure and playing smart to edge out his opponent.
The team should be proud of their efforts and use this match as a learning experience to keep improving. Well done to all the players.
Ben Higgins Head of Tennis
Cricket
Year 3 The Year 3 teams had a strong showing, winning two out of their three matches. The A and C teams delivered convincing victories, showcasing impressive skills and teamwork. The B team put in a solid effort but fell short on the day.
Year 4 The Year 4 teams experienced a similar weekend, with two wins and one defeat. The A team fought hard but couldn’t overcome a strong Grammar side, while the B and C teams demonstrated great discipline and came away with well-earned victories.
Year 5 The Year 5 students took on a talented Barker team that proved to be a formidable opponent. The A team had moments of brilliance, showing their potential with some excellent passages of play. However, inconsistency at key moments proved costly, highlighting areas to work on as they continue to develop their game. This is all part of their journey, and the experience will only make them stronger.
Year 6 The standout performances of the weekend came from the Year 6 teams, who completely dominated their matches. They secured commanding victories, with one team winning by an incredible 100 runs and another claiming a 10-wicket win. Their ability to control the game in all facets – batting, bowling, and fielding, was outstanding and a testament to their hard work and preparation.
Ben Staunton Head of Cricket
Cricket 3As
Cricket 3Bs
Cricket 3Cs
Cricket 4As
Cricket 4Bs
Cricket 6As
Cricket 6Bs
Basketball
The 3/4C team started well against Redlands, but the opposition came back strong and tied up the game. Cranbrook steadied and took control, winning 23-8. Noah A, Harry W, and Gabriel G all had solid games and scored baskets.
The 3/4D team was in a battle against Redlands and managed to secure a hard-fought 18-14 victory. Rhys G, Jasper S, and Jack T were effective at both ends of the court.
The 5/6E team played solid basketball against Scots, winning 40-2. Sasha A enjoyed his basketball, and it showed in his performance on the court.
The 5/6F game was very close, but Cranbrook managed to edge out a 14-12 win. Sreenivas M was influential throughout the game.
Stephen Whitehead Head of Basketball
Basketball Whites
Basketball Cs
Basketball Ds
Basketball Blues
Water Polo
Reddam Bs (5 – 19) Cranbrook’s Junior B team faced their second game of the season against Reddam, who got off to a quick start, leading the first quarter 5-0. The students had a significantly stronger second quarter, scoring their first two goals, but still conceded four.
In the second half, the team focused on safe passing and maintaining defensive positioning. Despite glimpses of impressive attacking and defensive play, consistency remained an issue. Reddam continued their momentum, scoring another 10 goals, while Cranbrook managed 3 more, resulting in a 5-19 loss. Moving forward, the team will work on defending players closest to the goal and maintaining defensive positioning.
Knox As (9 – 11) Cranbrook’s Junior A team also faced their second game of the season against Knox. Both teams played a counter-attacking style, with Knox leading 4-3 after the first quarter. Cranbrook responded well and took a 7-6 lead into halftime.
In the second half, the team focused on defensive positioning and ball security. However, Knox’s heavy press defense and quick counter-attacks proved challenging. Knox outscored Cranbrook 5-2 in the second half, securing an 11-9 victory. The team will now focus on improving offensive decision-making and defensive positioning in transition.
Gregory McFadden Head of Water Polo
Water Polo As and Bs
Sailing
Once again, the weather for sailing was unpredictable. Saturday saw glassy water with very little wind, making conditions challenging. However, the students remained enthusiastic about getting out on the water and working on their sailing skills.
During these light-wind conditions, the focus was on technique and making the most of minimal movement. It has been encouraging to see all students improving, and particularly exciting to watch Year 4 students who haven’t skippered before learning to take control of their boats. Hopefully, next weekend will bring more favourable winds.
Tom Brewer Head of Sailing
Multi-Sport
In Round 2, the students continued developing their throwing and catching skills through modified games of Doctor Doctor and Defend the Towers. They focused on accuracy, teamwork, and quick decision-making within fast-paced gameplay. All players showed great enthusiasm and effort, making for a highly engaging and competitive session.
Tommy Taylor PDHPE Teacher & Multi-Sport Coach
Cranbrook Snowsports 2025
Details about the upcoming Snowsports Information Night can be found here.
JS Music News – Week 6
Our Music Department continues to flourish with a number of exciting events lined up over the course of this term. Please read below, to find out more about our upcoming Music events.
How do I enrol my son for private instrumental lessons? To enrol, please go to the Operoo App and complete the ‘Learning an Instrument’ form found in the ‘Form Library.’ Further questions can be directed to our Music Administrator, Sandra Trew, who rosters and coordinates these lessons: strew@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au
Auditions for Chamber Choir and Cranbrook Voices Congratulations to the students who have been offered a place in the Chamber Choir (Y3-6) and Cranbrook Voices (Y5-6). It was an extremely competitive process with most students keen to be offered a place. How wonderful to see we had a 100% ‘take-up’ for both Chamber Choir and Voices. I understand there are some disappointed students who were not offered a place at this stage, so I encourage you to please continue to work with your sons in managing their disappointment. All boys at Cranbrook are involved in a rich choral programme through their Year Level Choir and we keep a keen eye on students who could qualify for one of the auditioned choirs at a later stage.
K-6 Music Morning Concerts This year, in place of Lunchtime Concerts, we will hold Music Morning Concerts on certain Fridays from 8:00am to 8:30am in Music Room 1. These concerts are open to boys in K to 6 who have a piece at performance standard, regardless of level, to perform. It’s always wonderful to hear their great work and witness our students’ progress in an encouraging environment. Instrumental teachers sign up their students, as appropriate, and you will receive an email from me with an invitation to attend should you like to hear your son perform. Please click here for more information.
Junior School Music Soireé On Thursday, 21 March there will be a Junior School Music Soireé held in Music Room 1 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. This event is for more accomplished instrumentalists and vocalists in Years 3-6 who are well prepared and can perform with polish and regard to the musical style. Your son’s instrumental teacher (or Mr Fox) will send home a Soireé form should they feel this event is suitable for your son. Please note: this event is also open to students who have private instrumental lessons outside of the School. Please click here for more information.
JS Music events – Term 1 Please see the updated list of JS music events for Term 1 here. More information will be provided regarding these specific events as the term progresses.
