Message from Michele Marquet

Dear Parents and Carers,

CETOP & CSPA Family Fun Day – Sunday, 17 March 10am – 2pm
We look forward to welcoming many Junior School families to this wonderful family event THIS Sunday, 17 March on Dangar Oval.  Please follow these links to view the schedule for the day and a map.

There will be lots of games (wacky hoops; mini golf; human whack a mole; duck pond dip); competitions and races (pet judging; art competition; soccer skills tester; egg & spoon races; potato sack races), as well as stalls for art & craft and food & drink. I have a sneaking suspicion the most popular stall will be ‘Dunk the Teacher’! Please follow this link to see the poster and to access the QR code to book a family ticket which gives access to most of the games and races. All proceeds are going towards CETOP and the work we do in Nepal and Ladakh. Many of our Year 6 boys will be heading over to Nepal with one parent in the upcoming holidays. They will participate in dental clinics, school visits and other service work, as well as enjoy trekking in the beautiful countryside.

IMPORTANT: END OF SUMMER SPORT SEASON/START OF WINTER SPORT
The summer sport season will draw to a close this weekend. The final round of summer fixtures will take place on Saturday, 16 March. There will be no Saturday sports games after 16 March, until the start of Term 2. There is NO summer sports team training before or after school next week. Please collect your son at the end of the school day.

On Friday, 22 March, Y3-Y6 students should wear their winter sports team training gear to school for their afternoon sports sessions. Before and after school winter sports team training will then commence the week after that, starting Monday, 25 March.

The importance of student wellbeing is to ensure children can learn to the best of their ability and it cannot be underestimated. In the Junior School, the next few weeks will be busy with some wellbeing initiatives, aimed at helping all of our students to build the resilience, knowledge base and skills needed to manage whatever life brings, and also to assist their families and teachers to understand how to best support the children in their care.

Shortly, across all K-Y6 year levels, we will welcome Life Education to conduct Healthy Harold wellbeing sessions with every class. Each year level focuses on different aspects of wellbeing, including strengthening friendship and relationship skills, developing healthy habits, staying safe online and in the real world, and understanding the human body. The focus of each session, no matter which year level, is to build our children’s capacity to make healthier and safer choices in their everyday life.

Grandparents’ Day – Wednesday, 3 April
Our families will have received an Operoo note to RSVP to attend our Grandparents’ Day planned for Wednesday, 3 April. The note is linked here along with a map. We are looking forward to welcoming these very special people in the lives of our students! 

We look forward to another week of learning and fun!

Kind wishes,

Michele Marquet

From the Deputies

Dear Parents and Carers,

We would like to make you aware that we have received notice of cases of whooping cough in the Year 7 cohort at the Senior School. Please be mindful of whooping cough symptoms (cold & flu-like symptoms, a “whooping” cough sound) in your children and seek medical attention if you do notice them.

Please click here for further information on whooping cough.

Please contact our JS Nurse, Jess, at JSNurse@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions or concerns.

Join Us for Walk to Cranbrook Thursdays!

This initiative aims to promote physical activity, increase independence, reduce traffic congestion around the school, and encourage alternative modes of transportation.

Here are some suggested ways for your son to get to school on Thursday:

1. Walk: Lace up those school shoes and enjoy a refreshing walk to school! (Maybe as a family or with a friend)
2. Take a bus: Use public transportation for a convenient and eco-friendly commute.
3. Take a ferry: If you live near the waterfront, consider taking advantage of the ferry services.
4. Ride a bike or scooter: We have bike racks available for secure storage outside the K-Y2 gate. 
5. Drop off at nearby locations and then walk: For those driving, consider dropping off your 3-6 student at one of the following locations:
   • Rose Bay Ferry (easy access with traffic lights for you and them)
   • Lyne Park Carpark

A reminder if you are driving, please try to carpool with other families where possible.

Safety is our top priority, so please remind your son of the following tips:

• Always use designated crosswalks and follow traffic signals.
• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially when walking or biking near roads.
• Helmets are a must for cyclists and scooter riders.
• Walk in groups or with a friend whenever possible.
• If walking alone, agree with your son their walking route and planned arrival time.

We encourage you to participate in this initiative and make Walk to Cranbrook Thursday a fun and healthy routine for our Cranbrook families. Together, we can create a safer and more active community.

Thank you for your support!

Family Fun Day for CETOP

FAMILY FUN DAY ART COMPETITION
We invite aspiring artists to channel their imagination and create an artwork to illustrate the differences or similarities between Nepal and Australia.

We encourage you to explore these two diverse nations. Whether it’s the intricacies of architecture, the vibrancy of wildlife, or the rich tapestry of cultural traditions.

You will need to conduct some research on CETOP and the School’s connection to Nepal. This may be through conversations with family members who may have personal experiences to share, information you may find online; try here or for more personal inspiration, reach out to Mr. Bonett, Miss Boniface, Mrs Cellini, Ms. Light or Miss Hewett who have lived experiences of Nepal and are ready to share their insights.

Unleash your creativity, embrace the challenge and let your artistic expression tell a visual story that transcends boundaries. Join us in celebrating the kaleidoscope of Nepal through the lens of your unique artistic vision.

Free to enter with purchase of a ticket for the CETOP/CSPA family fun day. Competition is open to all mediums. Age (Year level) categories: K-2 / 3-4 / 5-6

Winners announced at the event – Great prizes to be won!

Entries to be submitted by 16 March – please take entries (with your name and class on the back) to the JS Drama Room by this date.

FAMILY FUN DAY PET COMPETITION
We are looking forward to meeting your pets at the Family Fun Day. For the safety and enjoyment of everyone, we ask you to please follow the rules for pets: 

• All dogs must remain on-leash, be cleaned up after and not to be left unattended.  There will be various water stations set up for your dog at the Fun Day. 

• Cats must be kept on a leash or in a pet carrier. All other animals with completed registration may be left at their Judging Area (Music Room 1). 

• Parents are responsible for their children’s supervision, behaviour, and safety. Please note that Cranbrook will not accept liability for your animal’s safety while on school grounds. 

Registering your pet
We encourage you to register your pet here to participate in the below categories. There are two tabs to select from: judging and/or obstacle course. Your pet may be registered in one or multiple categories. If you are registering your pet for judging on the day registration will open promptly at 10am. Please proceed to the desk in the undercroft to register your pet on arrival at the event. Registration will close promptly at 10.30am with judging to occur at 11am by Aggy Ager from Take the Lead with the announcement of winners at 11.30am. 

• Biggest Pet
• Smallest Pet
• Most Like Owner
• Waggiest Tail
• Best Dressed
• Most Obedient

Geoff Golovsky from Vet HQ will be running a fun-filled dog obstacle course. We encourage you to register your pet here for the obstacle course before the Fun Day. The obstacle course will run from 10.15am-11am. The pet with the fastest time through the obstacle course will be announced at 11.30am.

We thank Geoff Golovsky from Vet HQ and Aggy Ager from Take a Lead for supporting this event. 

2024 Student Residential Address Collection

Please view the 2024 Student Residential Address Collection from the Department of Education here.

Pre-Schools’ News – Week 7

Dear Families,

As we celebrated International Women’s Day over the past week, we particularly focused on recognising and appreciating the contributions of the women in our community. We are truly in awe of their expertise, creativity, and passion. Their tireless efforts have a profound impact on the lives of our students, and we are immensely grateful for all they do.

Looking ahead to the coming weeks, we have some exciting events planned. In Week 8, we will be having school photos, a wonderful opportunity to capture precious memories of our students’ academic journey. Additionally, we will be celebrating Harmony Day, a time to embrace diversity and promote inclusivity within our school community. 

Please be reminded of the following important dates and events taking place:

School Photos:

• Tuesday, 19 March: St Michael’s 3 and 5 Day
• Wednesday, 20 March: St Mark’s 
• Thursday, 21 March: St Michael’s 2 Day

Harmony Day Celebrations:

• Wednesday, 20 March: St Michael’s 3 and 5 Day
• Friday, 22 March: St Mark’s and St Michael’s 2 Day

We kindly ask all parents to ensure they check the information displayed at your child’s class sign-in area for any additional details.

Kind regards,

Abigail McFarlane

Y3-Y6 2024 ICAS

Some Y3-Y6 families may be interested in their sons sitting ICAS assessments. These assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. ICAS papers are competitions, not standardised assessments. Please take the time to consider seriously your son’s suitability to participate in such challenging competitions. If you would like to learn more about ICAS, please follow this link.

Families can enrol their sons to sit for these competitions which will be held at an external venue. The closest venue for most families is Janison Exam Management Testing Centre which is located in Ultimo. This centre usually runs the assessments on Saturdays during mid to late August. Bookings should open shortly. To book into the external venue, please click on this link.

Year 4 Waterslea Camp Photo Gallery

Art Biennale Excursion Photo Gallery

Mr Bonett and the Year 4 teachers and students explored the 23^rd Biennale of Sydney at the recently opened White Bay Power Station in Balmain. 

Little League Summer Sport Reports Round 5

I am delighted to share with you the highlights of another exciting week in sports at Cranbrook Junior School. This past week has been particularly strong for our sporting teams, with many victories achieved across various disciplines. However, beyond the scores, I am proud to report that our teams displayed outstanding sportsmanship, embodying the true spirit of athleticism and camaraderie. Our basketball teams have demonstrated steady improvement throughout the first half of the season. Their games were marked by excellent passing and teamwork, showcasing the dedication and effort they have put into their training sessions. In tennis, our C’s team exhibited continued growth with a notable victory over Newington. Their performance reflects the hard work and commitment they have shown on the court. Water polo continued to impress with their teamwork and skill, securing a commendable win against Saint Ignatius College with a score of 8-5.

During the development session, our sailing enthusiasts encountered unfavorable conditions for honing their skills. Despite the challenging circumstances, they remained focused on maneuvering their boats towards the buoys and practiced the essential skill of righting a capsized boat. In the race squad session, the boys capitalized on the improved breeze to refine their race starts, tacking, and sailing techniques. Our multisport program saw excellent engagement and focus as students diligently worked on their skills in target games. Their exemplary teamwork and communication skills were on full display throughout the session.

I would like to extend my congratulations to all students who participated in the IPSHA football trials. We are thrilled to announce that Kaspar Buck and Leonardo Buchanan have been selected for the IPSHA team and will represent Cranbrook at the upcoming CIS trials. AS we approach the final weekend of summer sport for Term 1, I encourage all students to remain focused during training and games to ensure a strong finish to the season. Please note that there will be no sports training on Monday and Tuesday (March 18/19) next week. Winter sports training will commence on Friday, March 22.

Parents and Carers, thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement of our students as they continue to grow through their experiences in sport.

Yours in Sport,

James Roughan
Head of Sport & PDHPE

Basketball

Basketball Year 5/6 Es

Basketball Year 5/6 Fs

Basketball Year 5/6 Gs

Basketball Year 5/6 Hs

Basketball Year 3/4 As

Basketball Year 3/4 Bs

Basketball Year 3/4 Cs

Basketball Year 3/4 Ds

Basketball Year 3/4 Blue 1

Cricket

Cricket Year 5

Cricket Year 3 As

Cricket Year 3 Bs

Cricket Year 3 Cs

Multi Sports

Multi Sports Year 3-6

Water Polo

Water Polo Year 5/6

Sport Reminder

A reminder that the last round of fixtures for this part of the summer season will be held on Saturday, 16 March (the end of THIS week). There is NO before or after school sports training for Y3-Y6 teams during Week 8 (March 18 – 22). Winter sports training commences in Week 9, Monday 25 March 2024.

A reminder to all parents and carers that there is no sports training next week on Monday, 18 March and Tuesday, 19 March. Winter sports training will begin on Friday, 22 March. Students can wear their training gear to school that day.

Junior School Music News

Music events in the Junior School are in full swing! We have twelve music events scheduled between now and the end of Term 1 where every student in the Junior School will be involved in one or more performances. What a dynamic programme we offer!

JS Music events – Term 1
Please click here to see the comprehensive list of JS music events for Term 1. More information will be provided regarding these specific events as the term progresses.

Our Music Morning Concerts are now full, and we look forward to hearing our solo instrumentalists and vocalists over the next few weeks.

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.

AMEB Instrumental Music Examinations 2024
Cranbrook School will host examiners for in-person AMEB examinations at the Senior School Music Department in September this year. As preparation for these examinations takes multiple terms of work, those wishing to enrol must advise their Instrumental Music Tutor of their interest in the next fortnight. The Music Department will follow up expressions of interests with a confirmation of enrolment via Operoo later in Term 1. Candidates for AMEB are expected to use Morning Concerts, Soirées and the Spring Festival (JS Eisteddfod) as performance practice.

We look forward to seeing you soon at one of our many music events!

Warmest wishes,

Peter Fox
Head of Music, Junior School

Optional Co-curricular

Optional co-curricular groups are now underway for Term 1. Students may bring a small healthy afternoon snack to eat at the start of their co-curricular activity, if needed.