Message from Michele Marquet, Acting Head of School

Dear Families and Carers

With Prize Giving only a week away, the end of term is nigh! Junior School has enjoyed their Carols and the Pre-Schools their end of year concerts. We have Senior School Carols Services next Tuesday evening and our Prize Giving events on Wednesday (Junior School) and Thursday (Senior School) respectively. We hope you can join us in celebrating the milestone of the conclusion of another academic year at one of the end of year gatherings.

Last Saturday, the Rowing Community gathered for an end of season regatta and the Old Cranbrookians vs Students races. This year, for the first time in quite a long time, the Old Cranbrookians took out the Mitchell Cup. Despite the gloomy weather, the support for the event and the enthusiasm of the rowers made for an excellent morning of celebrating dedication to training, passion and commitment in one of the toughest sports. The Cranbrook community spirit was alive and well and fully on show, with parents there to cheer on the students and Old Cranbrookians and thank the hardworking coaches under the expert leadership of Mr Carroll. The strength of that generous spirit is one of the joys of our School and helps bond us in good times and sustains us through more difficult periods.

Important: Updated Mobile Device Usage Policy in 2025
Thank you to the many Y6-Y11 families who participated recently in the survey about mobile devices. We have reviewed all the feedback from staff, families and students, and in line with recent research have adjusted our Senior School policy in this area. The new Senior School policy will come into effect at the start of 2025. Please read more here.

The last week has been an emotional rollercoaster for so many with the sad passing of Paul Hallam. It has been such an encouragement to speak of the amazing impact Paul has had on so many of our community and beyond. One thought has kept recurring for me as I listened to what others would share, and that is the power of individual educators to impact young people in positive ways. Paul was not a loud personality, but someone who got alongside students and worked to stretch and build them. He was a Trojan workhorse who to the very end worried about the School and its students and what they needed. He gave above and beyond. Paul’s positive influence on young people is really immeasurable and will be ongoing, and we are so grateful for all he did for the benefit of our students and for his friendships with so many of our staff. We continue to have his family in our thoughts and prayers.

As we head into the school holidays, all the staff and I wish our Cranbrook students and their families a safe and relaxing holiday and a very Merry Christmas. We thank you for your warmth and support during what has been a challenging year. May 2025 bring us all joy, peace and optimism for the future.

Please enjoy this short video reflection of Term 4, 2024.

Kind wishes

Michele Marquet
Acting Head of School

Message from Richard Baker, Acting Head of Junior School

Dear Junior and Pre-School families

The Christmas spirit was alive and well on Tuesday evening as our Year 3 to Year 6 students filled Cranbrook’s VCH with their beautiful voices for their annual Carol Service. Through carols, hymns and readings, the students delivered a heartfelt celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Special thanks to Rev. Rod Farraway, Matthew Noble, Peter Fox, Jane Homes à Court, Karen Harricks and Fiona Chan for their dedication in preparing the students for this joyful occasion. Year 6 students impressed us all with their thoughtful Bible readings, adding a reflective touch to the evening.

Last week, our Y3-Y6 students and staff had a fabulous time at the Y3-Y6 Christmas Lunch. Once again, we extend enormous thanks to the CSPA volunteers who helped to arrange this momentous event. Please view the gallery here.

Year 6 2024 Valedictory Service
Tomorrow, Friday 6 December, we will bid farewell to our current Year 6 graduates at the Year 6 Valedictory Service. We look forward to a special gathering of students, staff and families to celebrate our Year 6 students and to wish them well as they prepare for the next chapter of their academic journey. The service will be held at 1:15pm in the Junior School Gymnasium. We kindly ask all guests to arrive and be seated by 1:00pm.

Junior School Prize Giving Ceremony
We warmly invite parents and carers to our 2024 Prize Giving Ceremony on Wednesday, 11 December, 10.00am – 12.00pm at the Junior School Gymnasium. If you do wish to attend, please remember to book your tickets.

This formal event celebrates the academic, artistic and personal achievements of our Y3- Y6 students. The ceremony will feature inspiring reflections, Drama and Music performances, and addresses from students and President of Council, Mr Geoff Lovell, Acting Head of School, Mrs Michele Marquet and Matthew Radvin (Y12 student).

Please ensure students arrive with polished shoes and neatly groomed hair to ensure we uphold the traditions of this important occasion.

Note on Bus Services for Wednesday, 11 December:
The school day will conclude at 12.00pm following the Prize Giving Ceremony. Morning bus services will run as normal; however, there will be no afternoon bus services. Please use the carline for student pick-up.

Staffing Update – Term 4, 2024
As we near the end of the School year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to several staff members who will be leaving us:

• Rosie Heckes, Year 1 & 2 Educational Development Teacher, will be relocating to Melbourne with her family to take on a Year 6 classroom teacher role at Kingwood College.
• Clementine Mockett, Year 4 Teacher, will be returning to the UK with her partner in early 2025. She will continue to support Cranbrook Junior School through Term 1.
• Amelia Laumberg, Year 6 Team Leader, is taking a year away from Cranbrook to travel and will return in 2026. We thank her for her dedication and commitment to our Junior School over the last two years.
• Kerry Duncan, Year 6 Case Manager, has accepted a promotion as Junior School ILC Coordinator at Barker College.
• Karen Harricks, Year 3 Team Leader, has been appointed Deputy Head of Junior School at PLC Croydon.

These new appointments for Kerry and Karen reflect the strength and high calibre of our Cranbrook teaching staff, highlighting the dedication, professionalism and expertise that our educators bring to the classroom and beyond. We thank these staff members for their dedication and contributions to Cranbrook Junior School and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming special events, as we celebrate the achievements, milestones and spirit of our Junior School community.

I would like to wish our Cranbrook students and families a happy and peaceful festive season. 

Kind regards

Richard Baker
Acting Head of Junior School

From the Deputies

A message for our families with older students, or students who will be moving to Senior School soon.

Worryingly, we are seeing a rise in vaping amongst our young people. Students are accessing vapes as early as primary school and the growing risk of addiction, at a young age, is becoming a frightening prospect.

For our students entering Senior School next year, the School will regularly seek to build awareness around the risks and harms of vaping. However, the power of having this reinforced at home cannot be underestimated.

Below we have linked a report by The Daily Aus which addresses some of the FAQs on vaping, including a “How to Quit” section. You may like to share this with your older children and use it as a conversation starter in your households. The Daily Aus is an Australian social media-based news outlet which posts news stories and explainer articles on their Instagram account, which has over 500,000 followers. In total, they reach almost two million Australians per month and claim to offer young Australians a digestible and engaging way to access the news.

LINK: Your Questions About Vaping Answered

We hope this information proves useful. If you would like to have a further conversation on this issue, please contact Grant Andrews.

Pre-Schools’ News – Week 8

Dear Families

As we wrap up another wonderful school year, we want to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks for your ongoing support and dedication throughout the year. It has truly been a pleasure working together to make this year a memorable one for our students.

Our End of Year Showcases were a huge success and it was delightful to see so many parents, grandparents, and special people in our school community. The joy and pride on the children’s faces as they shared their hard work with you were truly heartwarming. We are so grateful for your involvement and for making these events even more special.

A special thank you to our dedicated Pre-School teachers and educators for their hard work, passion and commitment throughout the year. Your care and effort have made a lasting impact on the children and we are incredibly grateful for everything you do.

As we head into the holiday season, we want to wish all our families a happy, safe, and relaxing break. To the children who are moving to Kindergarten, we wish you all the best of luck on your next adventure – we know you will do amazing things in Kindergarten!

For our returning families, we can’t wait to welcome you back at the start of Term 1. We are already looking forward to another year of learning, growth and fun together.

Thank you once again for being a part of this incredible school year. Enjoy the holidays and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Kind regards

Abigail McFarlane
Pre-Schools’ Coordinator

Daisy Turnbull, Director of Coeducation and Academy

A Truly Coeducational Uniform Suite
I want to update families on the coeducational uniform suite and allow time for preparation for purchasing uniforms for the next 12 – 18 months. 

We are pleased to finalise the coeducational uniform suite for Cranbrook for 2026. As shown online and in the Reception over the past few months, students will have a choice with trousers, shorts, a skirt, as well as a short-sleeved dress available for purchase. We have updated the design of the dress based on consultation with incoming girls to be navy with a white collar, which can be worn throughout the year. 

From Term 4 2025, the Cranbrook Uniform Shop will be selling the new coeducational uniform for students in Pre-School – Year 12. This means that for current students, they will have two years (2026 and 2027) to phase out of the current uniform.

If you are buying uniforms for your children before Term 4 2025, especially for new Year 7 students, it may be worth looking at the Second Hand Uniform Sale run by the CSPA every Friday at the building next to the Victoria Road gates. 

If your son is starting Year 11 in 2026, they will need to wear white shirts as part of the new uniform. We will strongly encourage Year 12 students to wear white shirts as well. We understand this is another purchase; however, we often find that students need to buy new shirts as they start Year 12. 

What will the new coeducational uniform mean for my son?  

• While the new uniform designed by Jonathan Ward appears a subtle change, there are differences in the fabrics and design. This means that for current students, as they grow out of their current uniforms they can start wearing the new uniforms.  
• The new uniform offers choice between relaxed and tailored fits for all students.   

What will happen with the CSPA secondhand sale if there are no old uniforms?  

• As we phase in the new uniform and phase out the current one, we will look at solutions for what to do with the existing Cranbrook uniforms.  
• However, with Year 11 & 12 wearing the new uniforms in 2026 and 2027, we believe that by 2028 there should be some new uniforms in circulation at the secondhand sale.  
• The CSPA is looking at ways any excess current uniforms can be donated to communities in need.  

What about the sports uniform?  
There are minimal changes to the sports uniform for boys. The girls’ sports uniforms will be available from Term 4, 2025 and have been designed to complement the existing sports gear. 

Daisy Turnbull
Director of Coeducation and Academy

Prayer Morning

Tomorrow (Friday, 6 December) 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 Music Room 2 on the Junior School campus. It is an opportunity to spend time in prayer for each other and the School. This will be our last prayer meeting for the year as we head into the Christmas break.

Thanks to everyone who has come throughout the year.

Toys ‘n Tucker Photo Gallery

School bus changes and information for 2025

Please find below useful information to assist those students who board Transdev John Holland Bus services. 

• The 2025 school bus information letter for parents

This provides answers to FAQs, it also emphasises the importance of encouraging ‘tapping on and off’ these services and how to seek assistance. View here.

• Instruction Guide on ‘How to plan your school bus trip’

This provides instructions on how to plan a school bus trip and find route maps and timetables on transportnsw.info

In addition, the following change for our school community for those students who board these services, this will be effective from first day back in Term 1, 2025. View here.

• 722e – This school service is being discontinued. However, students will be able to join Route 326 that departs Edgecliff Interchange 3 mins after the current 722e departure time.

CETOP/NEPAL FAMILY FUN DAY – SAVE THE DATE

The Cranbrook CETOP Family Fun Day is back! Please save the date for this Cranbrook event being held 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 here to view the flyer.

Y3-Y6 Christmas Lunch Photo Gallery

Swimming Carnival Report and Photo Gallery

The Junior School Swimming Carnival was held for the second consecutive year at the Cranbrook Murray Rose Aquatic and Fitness Centre, marking another outstanding success. With 296 students competing for House points and a place on the IPSHA swim squad, the event showcased the impact of our state-of-the-art aquatic facility and the Term 4 swimming intensives, which have clearly delivered excellent results.

Congratulations to every student who participated. Every point earned was vital in the race to crown our 2024 House Champions, Moyes. It was an intensely close competition, with only two points separating the top two teams midway through the meet. However, Moyes surged ahead in the final stages, finishing with 914 points, followed by Potter in second place with 875 points, and Ingram in third.

Outstanding Performances
This year’s carnival was particularly memorable, with 9 records shattered, accounting for 40% of all races. One of the standout moments came in the very first race of the day, the 200m Individual Medley, where three swimmers broke the previous school record. Ollie M set a blistering new benchmark, breaking the old record by over 20 seconds. Both Charlie R (2nd place) and Ziggy R (3rd place) also swam under the previous record, an extraordinary achievement that reflects the depth of talent within our school swim team.

The same trio delivered another incredible performance in the Open 100m Freestyle, again finishing in record-breaking form and in the same order. Seeing one record broken is always thrilling but having three swimmers surpass the previous mark in multiple events is a truly remarkable feat.

Record-Breaking Athletes
Special congratulations to Ollie M, who set new records in every race he competed in:

• 11 Years 50m Freestyle
• 11 Years 50m Backstroke
• 11 Years 50m Breaststroke
• 11 Years 50m Butterfly
• Open 200m Individual Medley
• Open 100m Freestyle

Charlie Roberts set a new record in the 12 Years 50m Butterfly, while Ziggy D established a new mark in the 12 Years 50m Backstroke. Congratulations to these outstanding swimmers!

The relays also showcased the school’s incredible depth. Both the Junior and Senior 4x50m Freestyle Relay records were broken:

• The Junior Moyes team of Thomas C, Joshua L, Charles H, and Eddie C smashed the previous record (set in 2017 by current Year 12 – 2025 students) by an impressive 12 seconds.
• The Senior Relay team of Ollie M, Charlie R, Felix C, and Hugo C bettered the 2019 set by the same 4 Year 12 – 2025 students record by 2 seconds.

Age Champions
Congratulations to our 2024 Age Champions:

• 8 Years – Derrick Z
• 9 Years – Paulie L
• 10 Years – Joshua L
• 11 Years – Ollie M
• 12 Years – Charlie R

A huge congratulations to all students who participated in the carnival. Your efforts, team spirit, and sportsmanship made this event truly special. A special acknowledgment to Moyes House for their well-earned victory.

Thank you to the parents who attended and supported the day. Your enthusiasm created a vibrant atmosphere that inspired our students to excel and give it their best efforts.

Finally, the IPSHA swim squad will be announced before the end of the year, and we look forward to seeing our swimmers continue to shine.

NBA Holiday Camps

Please find the flyer for upcoming December Holiday Camps here.

To register, click here.

JS Music News – Week 8

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 program 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 assists us 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 Deptartment, if you have any questions.

Christopher Hayles – Woodwind, Brass and Percussion

Martyn Hentschel – Strings and Guitar

Anthony Pasquill – Piano and Voice

Kind regards

Mr Phillip Beverley
Director of Music (P-12)

Please see below, our upcoming Music activities and events for the final days of Term 4: