Message from Michele Marquet, Head of Junior School
Dear Parents and Carers,
We excitedly await this evening’s second performance of our JS Production, ‘James and the Giant Peach’. The first performance last night was so warmly received by attending K-6 students and their families.
Our Year 5 students, under expert guidance from our Drama Teacher, Miss Sophie Boniface, have put in many hours of dedicated preparation and we are thrilled to share the show with live audiences. A big thank you to Miss Beth Wilshire and Mrs Heather Brodie, who have unstintingly supported the play throughout the rehearsal period and through preparation of the cast, set, prop and costume creation. We also thank Junior School staff who assisted with backstage management and supervision and assisting the performance in a plethora of other ways.
It was terrific to see so many fathers, grandfathers and other special males in our students’ lives attend last week’s Father’s Day morning and we were fortunate with the weather, as the sun shower only arrived after the event! We were so happy to be joined by our new Head of School, Dr Anne Johnstone, who was delighted to meet many of our students and fathers. We all enjoyed a light breakfast together before taking part in a wide range of fun activities. A huge thank you to all the Junior School staff, overseen by Deputy Head – Curriculum, Genét Erickson Adam, who organised and ran the fun activities for our families to enjoy. Please click hereto view photos from the morning.
Year 12 Farewell Assembly– 12 September K-2 students should wear normal school uniform. Y3-Y6 students should wear their PE uniform as usual. Tomorrow morning, we will welcome to the Junior School our current Year 12 students who started their Cranbrook journey in the Junior School, along with their families, to say farewell. We look forward to wishing them the very best, as they take the next steps towards a new chapter in their lives. The occasion will also be a lovely opportunity for the students to reminisce with some of their former Junior School teachers.
Student-led Conferences & Exhibition Evening Next week, our K-5 Student-led Conferences (SLC) will be held. Parents are warmly invited to spend a couple of hours with their son who will be excited to explain his learning. Please see the ‘From the Deputies’ section in this newsletter for the specific information about these conferences.
On the last Thursday night of the term, we will welcome our Year 6 families to Exhibition Evening, where our students will share their learning linked to personal inquiries. They have been working all term to explore an issue of interest to them and they are eager to share their knowledge and understanding.
Kind wishes
Michele Marquet Head of Junior School
From the Deputies
Student-led Conferences and PYP Exhibition News In Week 9, we look forward to welcoming you into our classrooms for Student-led Conferences, a highlight of the year, that places your son at the centre of his own learning journey.
Tuesday, 16 September: Kindergarten (8:30am–10:30am) + Year 3 (11:00am–1:00pm)
Wednesday, 17 September: Year 1 (8:30am–10:30am) + Year 4 (11:00am–1:00pm)
Thursday, 18 September: Year 2 (8:30am–10:30am) + Year 5 (11:00am–1:00pm)
Unlike traditional parent–teacher interviews, SLCs give students the responsibility of leading the conversation. They reflect on their growth, share challenges they have worked through, and celebrate achievements across both classroom and specialist subjects. This process not only builds confidence and communication skills but also deepens their ability to think critically about their own learning.
For parents, this is a powerful chance to see how inquiry-based learning unfolds in action – how thinking, collaboration and perseverance come together in the PYP.
Your presence affirms the value of your child’s effort, offering encouragement that strengthens motivation and builds a love of learning. Families leave with not only a clear picture of what has been learned, but also a deeper appreciation for how their child is growing as a thinker, communicator and inquirer.
Earlier this week, you should have received a hard copy letter and schedule for your child’s SLC. Please be in touch if you have not received this information.
Please note that Year 6 students will present their PYP Exhibition during this same week, on 18 September, 5:30 – 7:00pm, in place of Student-led Conferences. The Exhibition is a culminating learning experience in the Primary Years Programme, showcasing students’ ability to inquire deeply, take action and share their passions with the community.
We warmly encourage every family to attend – whether to share in the Student-led Conferences or to witness the Exhibition. Together, we celebrate not only what has been achieved, but also the growth, reflection and joy that define the learning journey.
Genét Erickson Adam JS Deputy Head – Curriculum P-6
Pre-schools’ News – Week 8
Dear Pre-school Families,
In Week 9, all Pre-school classes will be attending Bush School at Centennial Park for the day.
As a reminder, please refer to Compass and the slip that was handed out for details of what your child will need to bring. On the day of your child’s excursion, please ensure they arrive promptly and that they are dressed for the weather, as Bush School will go ahead rain or shine.
We are looking forward to an exciting and adventurous day outdoors!
Kind wishes,
Abigail McFarlane Pre-schools Coordinator
Daisy Turnbull, Director of Coeducation
This week was the culminating event for the Year 7 2026 Long Orientation Programme. Over 120 of our incoming Year 7s and current Cranbrook Year 6s teamed up for a night of trivia and other games. Whether it was expert knowledge in emoji movie titles, cricket batting averages, Minecraft, Taylor Swift, or Cranbrook, the Year 7 cohort of 2026 definitely knows their stuff!
This dinner would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the Year 10 and 11 Student Coeducation Committee members who came up with the questions, engaged with the students, broke the ice, cleared tables, sang songs and participated in Cranbrook based game of True/False! Thank you to Max, Edward, Tate, Noah, Simon, Ned, Ed, Ashton, Finnigan, Henry, George, and Oscar. Thank you also to Ms Stone, Ms Medniuk, Ms Probst, Ms Munn and Mr Beverley for volunteering and supervising. We are also grateful to have some Year 11 representation from Max, despite a huge assessment workload.
he Trivia Dinner was the final event for the Year 7 2026 long orientation, which began in Term 1 last year. This has included Bin Ball, dance workshops, public speaking, leadership sessions, and Music and Drama workshops. By participating in these events students have gotten to know each other, Cranbrook, and ease into coeducation as our first cohort.
We are so excited to start coeducation next year, and know that our Year 7s and 11s will be beacons for the School.
Daisy Turnbull Director of Coeducation and Academy
Cranbrook Gala – Save The Date
Dear Parents,
As we embark on our exciting new chapter in Cranbrook’s history, we are delighted to bring together the Cranbrook Community to mark the beginning of co-education and to warmly welcome Dr Anne Johnstone, our new Head of School. We will be hosting a Gala Evening on Saturday 6 December 2025 6pm at Cranbrook School. Please mark the date in your calendar. Further details will be announced over the next few weeks. The event is open to all parents from Pre-school to Year 12. Tickets will go on sale in September.
We look forward to celebrating this exciting new era together!
Kind regards,
Angelique Haritos CSPA President
Visit from Gus Worland
This week, we were fortunate to have Gus Worland, Mental Fitness Advocate, Australian of the Year Nominee and Founder of Gotcha4Life Foundation visit our students.
He spoke with the Year 6 boys about their upcoming exhibition and then read his book, “Boys Do Cry” to the Kindergarten cohort.
Gus is a storyteller who knows how to get people thinking and talking about the things we often find hard to talk about. As a proud dad of three grown-up kids, Gus keeps it real and he has a magical way of turning tricky topics into honest, heartfelt conversations that everyone can understand and relate to. More information about Mental Fitness Gym can be found here.
Term 3 Events Overview
Please follow this link to view the Term 3 Events Overview for Junior School Families.
Prayer Morning Update
There will be a prayer morning with Mr Noble for any parents, carers or staff in our JS community tomorrow (Friday, 12 September). It will be held from 7:50am in Meeting Room 1 (near Junior School reception). It will be an opportunity to spend time in prayer for each other and the school. Usually, prayer meetings are on the first Friday of each month during term time.
NBA Basketball School Australia Camps
Upcoming September/October Holiday Camps and Term 4 Programme in Sydney at Cranbrook School:
Holiday Camps
Week 1: 22–26 September | Ages 6–18
Week 2: 29 September–3 October | Ages 6–18
Term 4 Programme
Dates: 14 October – 12 December | Ages 6–18
Special Sessions: Reps Only Fridays & Girls Only Fridays
You can find all the details and registration on our website.
Cranbrook at the 2025 Australian Interschools Championships – Mt Buller
The 2025 Australian Interschools Championships at Mt Buller proved to be one of the most challenging and memorable weeks our Snowsports team has ever faced. Over six days, our athletes competed with grit and determination through conditions that spanned sunshine, fog, wind, hail and even lightning. What remained constant was their resilience, camaraderie and Cranbrook spirit, on proud display across every slope.
In our upper divisions, special congratulations go out to our Senior teams who achieved podium finishes in:
Division 2 Snowboard Cross
Team (Ziggy E, Milo G, Oscar C)
🥈 Silver
Division 2 Snowboard GS
Team (Ziggy E, Milo G, Oscar C)
🥈 Silver
Division 2 Snowboard GS
Individual (Ziggy E)
🥉 Bronze
Division 3 Snowboard GS
Team (Seb T, Charlie R, Sam S)
🥉 Bronze
Division 3 Snowboard GS
Individual (Seb T)
🥉 Bronze
Division 3 Cross Country Classic
Individual (Charlie R)
🥇 Gold
Division 3 Cross Country Classic
Team (Charlie R, Seb T, Sam S)
🥉 Bronze
In our lower divisions, our Junior teams also achieved podium finishes in:
Division 4 Moguls
Team (Imanol P, Hugo C, Seb S)
🥉 Bronze
Division 4 Cross Country Classic
Team (Xavier F, Imanol P, Hugo C)
🥉 Bronze
Division 4 Cross Country Relay
Team (Xavier F, Imanol P, Hugo C)
🥉 Bronze
Throughout the event, we witnessed many standout performances. In addition to those above, other individual top 20 results included:
Division 2 Moguls – Oscar Parsons – 4th
Division 2 Cross Country Classic – Oliver Southwell-Keely – 9th, James Walker 16th
Division 4 Moguls – Sebastian Salter – 6 th, Imanol Plante 18th, Hugo Croft 19th
Division 4 Cross Country Class – Imanol Plante 14th, Xavier Fern 15th, Hugo Croft 17th
Division 5 Alpine – Hunter Whittle – 10th
Division 5 Cross Country Classic – Hunter Whittle 11th, Ryan Shi 17th
By week’s end, Cranbrook stood proudly 6th overall among Champion Secondary Boys Schools in Australia and 3rd overall in Champion Primary Boys Schools – a reputable result on both fronts. Beyond the medals and placings, what shone brightest was the sportsmanship, resilience and unity of our team. Whether in sun or storm, Cranbrook athletes supported one another, cheered loudly from the sidelines, and wore their jackets with pride. Congratulations to every competitor and family involved in the final competition of this remarkable season.
Snowsports Captains: Elliot Roberts and Sach Edwards
There were some outstanding achievements from our Junior School students at the recent CIS Primary Athletics Championships. Reaching this level of competition is an exceptional accomplishment, and all six students who represented Cranbrook Junior School are to be congratulated: Sebastian C, Bertie M, Aidan P, Aryan S, Jet S and Will W.
Particular highlights from the event were the performances of Bertie M (1st 100m & Long Jump) and Aryan S (1st in High Jump & 3rd in Long Jump), who have both qualified for the NSW PSSA Athletics Championships to be held in Term 4. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Our thanks and congratulations must also be given to Mr Fryer who has overseen the preparation of the students for the Championships, as well as discipline coaches Michael Dooley – Sprints, Tay Clark – High Jump and Long Jump and Alec Diamond – Discus.
IPSHA Athletics Championships
The Cranbrook Junior School Athletics Team proudly represented the School at the IPSHA Athletics Carnival held at Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday 27 August. IPSHA continues to be a highly competitive event, and our students rose to the occasion.
All students prepared thoroughly and performed to the best of their ability across a range of events. Their efforts were a credit to themselves and the School community.
Key Results:
Sebastian C – 5th in Long Jump
Jimmy C – 9th in High Jump
Eddie C – 9th in 800m
Hugo C – 7th in 1500m
Freddie F – 7th in 1500m
Bertie M – 2nd in 100m & 1st in Long Jump
Aidan P – 6th in Shot Put & 4th in Discus
Aryan S – 1st in High Jump & 3rd in Long Jump
Jet S – 5th in 800m & 3rd in 200m
Will W – 3rd in Discus
Junior Relay Team (Jet S, Aryan S, Aidan Pyne and Xander N) – 6th place
A special mention must go to the Senior Relay Team (William S, Tully S, Jasper M and Bertie M), who ran a very strong race and displayed exceptional sportsmanship despite a disappointing result. Their resilience and team spirit were commendable, and we look forward to seeing what all Year 6 students can achieve as they continue their Athletics journey in the Senior School.
Music News – Week 8 Update
Term 3 Reflection… As I reflect on the term thus far, it is hard to believe what has already been accomplished in seven weeks. I am always delighted at how our students work towards music events with genuine enthusiasm, intrigue and with a desire to do their absolute best.
Term 3 started with our Chamber Choir and all of Year 2 to 6 singing I Vow to Thee, My Country at our Founder’s Day Service. Congratulations to our soloist, Kai Jindrich (Y5) for opening this work with such sensitivity and purity of sound, setting the tone for this rousing massed item.
Music Morning Concerts Our Music Morning Concert series, held in both Week 4 and 6, gave 50 of our young performers across K to 6 the perfect platform to showcase what they have been working on. Both Music Rooms 1 and 2 were buzzing as our supportive audience of family and friends listened with admiration and enthusiasm. I have been inundated with positive feedback about these events. There is nothing like the goal of a concert to motivate our young performers. Thank you to our young musicians for presenting and performing with such poise!
Junior School Soirée: Thursday, 21 August Congratulations to our 30 Soirée performers. The music staff were delighted with how these musicians performed with real regard for the musical style and how they engaged with their audience: from the way they announced their items, through to their final bow. It was also wonderful to witness our students listening to each other’s performances so respectfully and to hear a spectrum of instruments from drums to voice.
Spring Festival – Junior School Eisteddfod: Thursday, 28 August Our Junior School Eisteddfod was a triumph! 140 entrants participated in this event, and we are so proud of how the students carried themselves throughout this competition. Having external adjudicators provide verbal and written feedback to each performer is such a valuable part of their learning journey.
Well done to all our entrants, and special congratulations to the following 1st place winners of each section:
Piano – Year 3-4: Hugo Brady & Rex Yim
Piano – Year 5-6: Kai Jindrich & Marcus Simunovic
Voice – Year 3-6: Aidan Pyne & Toby Wang
Strings – Year 3: James Conomos
Strings – Year 4: Ryan Shi
Strings – Year 5: Kai Jindrich & Marcus Simunovic
Strings – Year 6: Sung Him Huang & Mason Pun
Guitar – Year 3-4: Sandy Dusseldorp
Guitar – Year 5-6: Alex Frabotta
Woodwind – Year 3-4: James Conomos
Woodwind – Year 5-6: Liam Esplin
Brass – Year 3-4: Freddie Colman
Brass – Year 5-6: Leo Murphy & Leo Spinak
Percussion – Year 3-6: Sacha Alexander
Cranbrook Voices sang at the Induction Ceremony for Dr Anne Johnstone as Head of School, Wednesday, 3 September.
As the years pass, I hope Cranbrook Voices look back and remember their fine contribution to this Service as they sang Anna Page’s Cantate Domino, in 2 parts. What an honour and a privilege to be the only vocal group invited to perform on this special occasion and to share their gift of music with our new Head of School, Dr Anne Johnstone.
Opera Performance by Mrs Phoebe Humphrey’s: Wednesday, 3 September As part of our Opera UOI, Mrs Phoebe Humphreys, our singing teacher and seasoned performer with Opera Australia, gave a stunning performance of Puccini’s O mio babbino caro, which was the perfect provocation to prompt further inquiry from our Junior School students about the artistic elements of opera. They got to experience, firsthand, how opera singers train like athletes to be able to support and project their voice without any amplification.
Musica Viva workshop – ‘Lost Histories’: Tuesday, 9 September Our Junior School students have been on a self-discovery through music as they have engaged with history and place through the songs of Troy Russell, a Birpai and Gamillaroi musician and composer, in preparation for this live performance workshop.
‘Who am I? Where did I come from? How would I like to be remembered?’ These are some of the questions explored in the songs of Troy Russell, whose work reflects his rich personal connection to history and place.
By experiencing these songs performed by Troy, violinist Susie Bishop, and vocalist Leila Hamilton, students were given the opportunity to reflect on and engage with their own sense of history and place. Sparking creativity and encouraging curious investigation, students have been inspired to take a journey of self-discovery.
Students prepared for this workshop connecting with previously unheard music through performing dance sequences from graphic notation, responding to sound through movement and drawing their own graphic notations. They particularly enjoyed creating narrated, instrumental and electronic soundscapes inspired by the story of the unsung heroine, Mary Ann Bugg, a Worimi bushranger of the mid-19th century. She was an expert horse rider and bush navigator who travelled with her bush-ranging husband, “Captain Thunderbolt”. Our boys loved learning about the fact that Mary Ann Bugg was the mastermind behind many of the bushranger pursuits! Our Musica Viva artists were extremely impressed with how our boys sang and participated with great interest, knowledge and enthusiasm.
Looking ahead…
WEEK 8
Thursday, 11 & Friday, 12 September
Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Exams – JS & SS locations
Friday, 12 September: Cranbrook Voices will sing at Year 12 Farewell Assembly as a parting gift – another great privilege for these fine singers to be invited to perform at this formal occasion.
WEEK 9:
Student Led Conferences
Each term I am always amazed at the quality and quantity of achievements in Music. I wish you all a restful holiday break and thank you for your support in all things music, after what has been an extremely busy and fulfilling term.
Best wishes,
Peter Fox Head of Music, Junior School
Term 4, 2025
The Term 4 Optional Co-Curricular Activity Selection will be opening through the Cranbrook App today, Thursday, 11 September at 6pm.
