Message from Michele Marquet, Acting Head of School
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week has seen a wonderful Easter Concert in the Senior School with superb performances from our Senior School musicians and ensembles, as well as a divine vocal item by the Junior School Voices. The poetry, readings and music told the Easter story in fresh ways while being faithful to an eternal message of hope, forgiveness and love that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ conveys. Thanks to our extraordinary Music staff, under the leadership of Phil Beverley, and to Rod Farraway, our School Chaplain, for the superb preparation of the students. It was a memorable concert and augurs well for the quality of the upcoming concert at the Town Hall.
This week, our Pre-schools and Junior School campuses welcomed our students’ grandparents to a morning of joyful sharing with their grandchildren: performances at Assemblies, sharing of work, morning tea and showing them where we learn. Thank you to the many staff and parent supporters across the campuses who spend enormous time planning these events to ensure they run smoothly and are a great success. The day was a fantastic celebration of a very special relationship. We know grandparents play such a significant role in the lives of their grandchildren, one that undoubtedly has mutual benefits. As we always share with our visitors on these days, grandparents are the link to the past for our grandchildren; just as grandchildren are the link to the future for grandparents. One of the most popular events held each year at our School, Grandparents Day is one way we can honour and treasure the relationship between grandparent and grandchild and the unique role grandparents play in their grandchildren’s lives.
We encourage our students to listen to the stories their grandparents tell – stories of when they were young and what they have learnt over the years about life. Cross generational connection can be a powerful way to help our students gain a broader perspective on the world and help them look beyond their own desires and wants. There is no doubt our grandparents have stories to tell, wisdom to pass on and love to give, all things from which our children can truly benefit.
The end of term is approaching rapidly and staff are actively working to keep our students focusing on their learning until the end. We look forward to some more celebratory community events, including Friday Night Lights at Easts tomorrow night.
Michele Marquet Acting Head of School
Message from Grant Andrews, Acting Head of Junior School
Dear Families,
“Dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney
Grandparents’ Day is a special opportunity to strengthen family bonds, celebrate intergenerational connections, and foster learning. It provides an opportunity for our students to share their classrooms and their learning with their grandparents, and exchange stories and special moments, while also engaging in social skills and demonstrating respect. Yesterday not only created lasting memories but also highlighted the importance of family ties. It was a delight to see our students be such eager and welcoming hosts. Thank you to all teaching, maintenance and admin staff for their thoughtful and generous support of this special occasion and to Jill McPherson and her amazing helpers who ensured that our visitors enjoyed a lovely morning tea.
A big thank you to Mr Fox and the spectacular Voices for a stunning Easter Concert performance at the Senior School on Monday evening. It was lovely to see so many Junior School parents in attendance.
Parent/teacher Dialogues Over the next two weeks, some grades will be engaging in parent/teacher dialogues. Other grades will be offered the same opportunity in early Term 2. These are incredibly valuable checkpoint conversations to hear how your child is settling into the year across all areas of learning. As shared by Mrs Heather Brodie, Acting Deputy Head and Educational Development Team Coordinator, at the Parent Information Evening, the following discussion points may be helpful:
What general strengths have you noticed in my child this term?
What specific areas has he made progress in?
What challenges is he experiencing currently?
What are his next steps or goals?
Are there any particular strategies that you are using or suggest?
Is there anything I can do at home to further support or encourage him?
How is my child tracking relative to expectations? (towards/within/beyond)
What goals has my child set for himself?
Who does my son enjoy interacting with in the playground?
Are there any areas that you would like to see my child focus on next term?
da Vinci House Day Next week, we look forward to our da Vinci House Day for Year 5 and Year 6 students. It promises to be an incredibly enriching day for our students as they will work together on various challenges. An enormous amount of time and preparation goes into these events and my thanks goes to all the staff involved – it is going to be an exciting, challenging and memorable day!
We look forward to another busy and productive week.
Warm regards,
Grant Andrews Acting Head of Junior School
From the Deputies
Dear Families,
Exciting News: da Vinci Y5/Y6 House Day approaches! We are thrilled to announce that our first academic House competition, da Vinci Y5/Y6 House Day, is just around the corner! This special event is designed to enrich and stimulate the minds of our students, promoting teamwork, creativity and healthy competition amongst their peers.
The da Vinci Y5/Y6 House Day will take place on: Thursday, 3 AprilTime: 8:00am – 2:30pm. Students will participate in a range of disciplines, including:
Engineering: where they will design and build innovative solutions
Mathematics & Code Breaking: where they will test their problem-solving skills
Art and Poetry: where they will express their creativity and imagination
Science: where they will conduct exciting experiments and investigations
English: where they will showcase their literary talents
Creative Producers: where they will bring their ideas to life through music, drama, or other forms of performance
Legacy: where they will reflect on their values and how they can make a positive impact
The day will commence with sport activities, followed by a series of engaging and enriching experiences centered around the theme of Light. Our students will have the opportunity to explore, learn, and have fun in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Important reminders for da Vinci Day:
Students are required to wear their sports uniform and House T-shirt.
Please remind your child to only bring their sports bag, as all other materials will be provided.
Break times will remain the same as usual.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the da Vinci Committee and support team for their tireless efforts behind the scenes to create a truly wonderful learning experience for our students. We are confident that this event will be an unforgettable experience for all participants!
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the da Vinci Y5/6 House Day, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs Koika-Cellini (CCellini@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au). We look forward to sharing the excitement and achievements of our students with you.
Pre-schools’ News – Week 8
Dear Families,
What a fantastic and busy week it has been for our Pre-schoolers! We had the privilege of hosting Grandparents’ Morning across St Mark’s and St Michael’s Pre-schools. Our pre-schoolers were thrilled to welcome their grandparents and/or special people into their classrooms. They proudly showed them around, introduced them to their lockers, engaged in exciting activities and wrapped up the morning with some beautiful singing.
A big thank you to all of the grandparents and special people who joined us and took the time to be part of this celebration, especially those who travelled far and wide to be here.
This week was also a wonderful reminder of the importance of fostering independence from a young age. As our pre-schoolers guided their special guests through their day, it was clear how much they have grown in their ability to manage their personal space, interact confidently with others, and take ownership of their learning environment. These moments of independence are key in building the foundation for their future success and confidence.
We are also incredibly grateful for the relationship we share with the broader community. Our excursions to the churches this week, St Mark’s Church for the children at St Mark’s Pre-school and St Michael’s Church for the children at St Michael’s Pre-school, provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with the wider community. The children not only had the chance to explore these spaces but also enjoyed a special Easter story, further strengthening the bond between our pre-schools and the community we are all a part of. These connections enrich our children’s learning and help them to understand the world beyond the classroom, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit.
Kind regards
Abigail McFarlane Pre-schools’ Coordinator
From the Health Centre
Dear Families
Please be aware that NSW Health have released an alert for measles in Sydney with reported cases in Randwick, Maroubra and the International Airport.
Further information can be found by following the below links:
It is wonderful to see so many students and families making use of alternative methods of transport to school and enjoying some exercise and vitamin D in the process. Please remind your sons that if they are riding bikes, scooters or e-scooters on footpaths in the neighbourhood, to please be mindful of other pedestrians, travel at a safe speed and to be vigilant when crossing driveways, particularly on Kent Rd. All bikes and scooters should be dismounted on entry at Kent Road gates and walked into school, to be properly parked in the bike racks located near the turning circle. Similarly, no scooter or bike should be mounted until exiting the Kent Road gates.
Due to recent challenges with morning traffic, we understand that morning carline can sometimes be a slow process. A reminder that any parent dropping off on the K-2 side should wait until they reach the numbers 1-6 before letting a child out of the car. No child should be exiting their car and walking alongside the driveway unless accompanied by supervising carline staff. The safety of our students is paramount and we thank you for your understanding and compliance in this matter.
Prayer Morning
On Friday, 4 April 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 the first Friday of each month during term time.
French Assembly
In Week 7, the students in Years 5 and 6 sang number songs in French. The Year 5 demonstrated to the younger year levels how much fun it can be to learn French while singing and dancing. Year 6 students displayed great recall of numbers and mathematical skills when counting higher than 70!
Thank you also to our presenters: Harry P and Alexander P in Year 5 and Freddie F and Jerry W in Year 6 for introducing the songs.
Merci et bon travail !
Madame Garcia-Oria and Monsieur Chaveroux
Little Leagues Report – Round 6
Little League Report It was fantastic to see our students finish Term 1 Saturday sport on a high with some excellent performances over the weekend. There was great energy and excitement at Hordern Oval, where several of our cricket teams had the special opportunity to play on the Senior School ground.
A standout moment was the Year 6A team’s thrilling win over Shore, which turned into a real community event, supported by the Senior School and attended by special guests. One highlight was welcoming Sam Konstas, brother of our coach Bill Konstas. Sam became a sensation over summer for his courageous performance against India during the Boxing Day Test. His determination and resilience serve as a powerful example for our young athletes, and we are grateful to Sam for returning to Cranbrook to inspire and connect with our Year 6 cricketers.
On Friday afternoon we will move into the winter season and spend the rest of the term training and in trials. Let’s stay committed to our craft and our teammates as we prepare ourselves for Round 1 at the beginning of Term 2.
Yours in Sport,
James Roughan Head of PDHPE & Sport
Tennis A fantastic win on Saturday against Trinity, with the As finishing 8-4 in sets. It was a very close match for the 1st doubles pair, resulting in a narrow 3-4 loss, while all other doubles pairs secured wins, giving Cranbrook a 3-1 lead heading into the singles. Special mention to Santiago and Josh L, who showed great professionalism in their doubles match to win 5-2. Hugo B played a spectacular singles match to win 5-0, while teammates Ricky and Toby dominated their matches. Josh M and Josh L both fought hard to secure tight 3-2 victories, sealing the overall win for the As.
Summer Tennis Junior B’s Loss: 2-10 (20-48) In our fixture against Trinity, the Junior B team faced a variety of playing styles, from powerful groundstrokes to aggressive net play. Henry R and Jonathan started strongly, combining clever cross-court angles and solid baseline shots. Nathaniel and Henry W showed great communication and movement to secure vital games against tough opposition.
Despite determined efforts, Leo S, Leo M, Harvey, and William were unable to clinch their doubles matches. However, Leo S and Harvey showed fantastic resilience and tactical awareness to secure 3-2 wins in their singles. Leo M and Nathaniel also worked hard to gain valuable games for the team.
It was a challenging day for the B’s, but they gained key takeaways in patterns of play, self-belief, and communication to carry forward into future matches and the new season.
Ben Higgins Head of Tennis
Basketball The Year 3/4 Blue 1 team played some exceptional basketball on Saturday against Scots, with a thrilling finish resulting in a 17-16 win for Cranbrook. Jake M, Avery T, and Austin Y contributed key moments to secure the victory
The Year 3/4 Blue 2 team continues to improve. In their match against Scots, they showed flashes of great composure at both ends of the court in a competitive 14-23 loss. Isaac I worked tirelessly on defense, Baxter O-M was consistently involved, and George G showed great improvement as the game progressed.
Basketball Year 3 and 4 Blues
Basketball Cs and Ds
The 5/6E team took control early and finished with a solid win against Trinity, with Marcus C and Rafferty L playing standout roles. The 5/6F team played with great spirit in their match against Trinity, eventually going down 15-30. Cohen S, Teddy A, and Wisdom X demonstrated committed team basketball throughout.
Basketball Year 5 and 6
Water Polo
Junior B vs Scots B
The Cranbrook B team have come to the end of their Term 1 water polo season with their last game against rival school Scots. They started with a close first quarter, tied at 2–2, with the Cranbrook students mounting multiple promising attacks while defending well in a press defence. Scots were able to create a lead in the second quarter, going into halftime up 5–3.
In the second half, the Scots students ran away with it, scoring 7 unanswered goals and leaving the final score at 12–3. The Cranbrook players put together an impressive first half by using smart passes and showing strong defensive awareness. However, they were unable to hold out the Scots students in the second half.
Overall, Cranbrook demonstrated significant improvement in their water polo skills and game knowledge throughout the match, and have set themselves up with a solid foundation to build upon in Term 4.
Waterpolo Bs
Junior A vs Scots A
Scots took an early lead in the first quarter, going up 3–1 over the Cranbrook students. Cranbrook responded with two more goals in the second quarter, but Scots extended their lead with another three, taking the score to 6–3 at halftime.
The students created a few strong chances in the half that they weren’t able to capitalise on, but will look to take advantage of these opportunities in the second half of the season. Scots closed out the game with another 6 goals, while Cranbrook managed to add two more, resulting in a final score of 12–5 in Scots’ favour.
Cranbrook’s showed considerable improvement throughout the season but will need to focus on making quicker decisions both offensively and defensively in Term 4.
Greg McFadden Head of Water Polo
Cricket As the Junior School cricket season came to a close, Hordern Oval was buzzing as we hosted several matches. The energy was fantastic, especially among our Year 3 and 4 teams, who played a series of tightly contested games. The smiling faces of students and the strong support from parents and grandparents were real highlights.
The Year 4A fought hard in a classic derby but narrowly lost to Scots, while the Year 5A finished their season on a high with an impressive win over Kings, a great reflection of their development this term. The Year 6B team also picked up a well-deserved win against Shore at Woollahra 2/3.
The Year 6A side capped off their season in dramatic fashion on Hordern Oval. After setting a competitive total of 98, they had Shore struggling early at 4 for 5. Shore mounted a determined fightback, reaching 66 for 5, but a key wicket from Jasper M and a brilliant run-out sealed a thrilling victory, with Shore falling just 10 runs short.
Thank you to all players, coaches and supporters for a fantastic summer season. Enjoy the winter break, and we look forward to seeing many of you in the second half of the season
Ben Staunton Head of Cricket
CricketYear 3As
CricketYear 3Bs
CricketYear 3Cs
CricketYear 4Bs
CricketYear 4Cs
Cricket Year 6
Sailing Under cloudy skies and a strong sou’wester, the students were excited to spend their final sailing session on Rose Bay. Working together, they quickly rigged their boats, completed their briefings, and launched into the challenging conditions. It was fantastic to see how much their sailing skills had improved in heavier winds over the term, especially the Year 4 students who confidently skippered their boats. We look forward to continuing their sailing journey when we return in Term 4.
Multi-Sport Round 6 marked the conclusion of a terrific Term 1 Multi-Sport program with the much-anticipated Students vs. Parents showdown. In a series of intense Rollerball matches, the first game ended in a nail-biting draw. The parents, playing the role of the “big kids”, went full throttle to take out the next two games, though some students may have noticed a few creative interpretations of the rules! Thank you to all students and parents for an outstanding season!
Sport Holiday Camps 2025
Click Here for information regarding 2025 Soccer Holiday Camp.
Click here for information regarding 2025 Rugby Holiday Camp.
Click herefor information regarding 2025 Cricket Holiday Camp.
Cranbrook Swimming Success
Cranbrook has received some outstanding results at IPSHA; Ollie McG excelled in the pool for the 2025 rendition of the CIS Primary Swimming Championships on Wednesday 26 March 2025. First up on the events list was 50m Freestyle with Ollie storming down the pool to claim GOLD in the 12-13yrs 50m Freestyle. He then followed this up with 3rd in the 50m Breaststroke, 5th in the 50 Backstroke and 2nd in the 50 Fly before again bravely taking out first lap of the 100m Freestyle to finish with the Bronze! Ollie’s amazing results see him book his ticket to PSSA Swimming Championship on the 10-11th April where he will be sure to shine again!! Ollie also took out NSWCIS Swimmer of the meet for the 2nd year in a row!
Exceptional swimming was also on display in the past week with 5 Cranbrook swimmers representing CASC at the NSW Junior State Age Championships. Outstanding swims from Ollie McG led to medals in the 100m Butterfly and 200m Freestyle, while Luca S rounded out the Top 10 in the 50m Breaststroke. Notable swims from Mason P who swam personal bests in 50m Butterfly and Breaststroke and contributions from Joshua L and Thomas C in the Boys 9-10 relays lead them to 6th in 4x50m Medley and 10th in the 4x50m Freestyle. All up, the CASC team came 11th in the point score up a mighty 27 places from 2024 and 54 places higher than in 2023. The exceptionally hard work from all of our Cranbrook Junior School swimmers has seen the Junior programs grow from strength to strength and the results are now on show for all to see.
Thomas Hargreaves, Assistant Head Coach – Swimming: Junior Program
JS Music News – Week 9
Term 1 has been flying, and it’s been wonderful to have witnessed so many performances so early in the year. Junior School String Orchestra (JSSO) gave a very energetic, tight and polished performance at Assembly in Week 5 with Sword Dance, a traditional folk song. Well done to Mr Hentschel and the ensemble members for getting this to performance standard so early on!
In Week 6, our open classes for the Year 2 String and Year 3 Instrumental Programs were very well attended and we thank you for supporting your sons and staff by attending these sessions. We look forward to you seeing how much they will have improved when we invite you back for their instrumental concert in Term 4.
Over 50 students have played or sung solos in our Music Morning Concert series held over the last two Fridays. These have been a great success and have proven to be a very pleasant start to the day.
AMEB music examinations 2025 Cranbrook Music Department will be hosting AMEB music examinations in Term 3, on September 11, 12 and 13. Should you wish to sign up your son for a music examination, this needs to be done through your Cranbrook instrumental tutor as soon as possible. If you have an external teacher and would still like to sit an examination at school, please email Mr Hentschel at MHentschel@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au by the end of next week (Week 9), including details of the instrument, grade number and examination type.
Looking ahead to the final week of term:
WEEK 11 Wednesday, 9 April: 9:15amThanksgiving Assembly in recognition of Mrs Marquet’s time as Acting Head of School – Vicars Centenary Hall, SS. Cranbrook Voices perform. Rehearsal before school at SS. An Operoo note will be sent.
Wednesday, 9 April: 12-noon K to Y6 Easter Service – Chamber Choir & Cranbrook Voices sing items – JS Gym.
Looking a little further ahead…
In Term 2 we will be in for a musical extravaganza with our Junior School Showcase taking place in Week 5. Every student in the Junior School performs at this event! Please mark this date in your diary. It is known as a true highlight of the year as each Year Level Choir, auditioned choir and instrumental ensemble takes part. Thursday, 29 May K-2 Showcase Event 1:30pm – JS Gym and Y3-6 Showcase Event 6:30pm – JS Gym.
Best wishes,
Peter Fox Head of Music, Junior School
Term 2, 2025 Co-Curricular
Next week, the Term 2 Optional Co-Curricular Activity Selection will be opening via the Cranbrook App.
We will be sending out an email to confirm the date and time of this shortly.
