Message from Michele Marquet

Dear Parents,

This week, we celebrated the learning that occurs throughout our School when we held our K-5 Student Led Conferences (SLC). It was fabulous to be able to welcome parents onto campus again after two years where SLCs had to be conducted very differently due to the pandemic. Parents of boys in K-5 were able to spend about two hours with their son while he shared his learning in all areas of the curriculum. Next term, our Year 6 parents will be able to come and hear their son present his independent inquiry. At that time, we will warmly invite K-5 parents to attend the Exhibition too, one of the highlights of the year.

Y12 Farewell Assembly
Earlier this week, we welcomed our current Year 12 students who started in Dickins House to say farewell. The occasion was a lovely opportunity for the Year 12 students to reminisce with some of their former Junior School teachers and for our younger students to honour these young men as they commence the next stage of their learning. Please click here to see some photos from the Assembly.

Holiday Camps
Parents who would like to see what holiday activities are on offer at Cranbrook over the forthcoming holidays, should look in the ‘Dates to remember’ section of this newsletter.

Staff News
We wish Y6 Case Manager, Ms Kerry Duncan, a relaxing and enjoyable long service leave next term. Replacing Kerry during this period is Ms Nichola Good, who has been teaching with us this term as a relief teacher. Nichola is an experienced, organised and caring primary school teacher from Ireland and she has already had the opportunity to get to know many of the Y6 students. Kerry and Nichola have had the opportunity for a handover this week about the Y6 students, so Nichola has important background information.

After a busy and productive term, the staff and I wish all our Cranbrook Junior School families a safe and relaxing holiday break.

Kind wishes,

Michele Marquet

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

• Friday, 16 September: last day of Term 3
• Monday, 10 October: first day of Term 4 (P-6 students)
• K-Y6 Swimming Programme: W1-W6 Term 4 during PE lessons
• Friday, 21 October: Summer Sports Photos (details to come)
• Y6-Y7 Immersion Day at Senior School – Thursday, 10 November
• K-5 Moving Up Morning – Thursday, 10 November
• Y3 2022 Parent Information Session – Thursday, 17 November
• Y2-Y6 Swimming Carnival – Friday, 25 November (all day)
• K-Y2 Carols Service – Wednesday, 30 November 5pm
• Y3-Y6 Christmas Lunch – Thursday, 1 December TBC
• K-Y2 Family Christmas Activities – Monday, 5 December
• Y6 Valedictory Service – Tuesday, 6 December – time TBC
• Y3-Y6 Carols Service – Tuesday, 6 December 5pm
• Last day of classes – Tuesday, 6 December
• P-6 JS Prize Giving – Wednesday, 7 December 10am

From the Deputies

End of Term Reminders
We remind parents that this term ends tomorrow at the normal time. Term 4 commences for all Junior School students on Monday, 10 October. All boys should return in full summer school uniform. Over the holidays, please check your son’s items to ensure he has not accidentally acquired something that belongs to another boy. The holidays are also a good time for the boys to have a haircut.

Pre-Schools’ News – Week 9

Last week, we celebrated Indigenous Literacy Day at the Pre-schools and we are pleased to announce that we have raised a total of $153 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation thus far. Thank you to our children and families for their support.

This week, is the final week of our unit of inquiry, ’Through exploration we uncover new ideas.’ Children have continued to ask questions and share their wonderings to help develop their understanding of the world around them. For more information on the learning experiences that have taken place this week, please access the Digital Day Book via Cranbrook Connect. St Mark’s, St Michael’s 5 Day Group, St Michael’s 3 Day Group, St Michael’s 2 Day Group.

Our September Newsletters are also available for viewing on Cranbrook Connect and can be accessed here – St Mark’s and St Michael’s.

Staff News

Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye to our wonderful St Mark’s Outdoor Educator, Tereza Sutherland. We thank her for her dedication and commitment to our children and we wish her all the very best in the Northern Territory!

We wish our Pre-school families a happy holiday and we look forward to seeing everyone on Monday, 10 October.

Calling all volunteers!

On October 15 the new Senior School campus facilities will be unveiled, giving the Cranbrook community a chance to explore these incredible, new world class facilities. There will be opportunities for families to participate in a range of exciting activities throughout the Senior School. The School will provide light refreshments and snacks, all free of charge. The CSPA will be providing a High Tea for families which will be partly professionally catered and partially contributed by parent bakers! 

We are looking for volunteers who can:

1) Bake slices, with all recipes, cake boxes and instructions provided. You can choose the slice that takes your fancy: vegan caramel slice, gluten free brownies, coconut ice and lemon slice. 

2) Assist in serving High Tea on the day, October 15. 

We have such a vibrant and enthusiastic community here at Cranbrook and are expecting a large number of attendees. All contributions, however small, are warmly welcome! Please register your interest in the Google spreadsheet below. 

Senior School Opening Ceremony Volunteers – Google Sheets

You will need the Google Sheets app if using your phone. If you have any problems, please email Sam cspavpseniorschool@gmail.com or Nonie cspavpjuniorschool@gmail.com

Great Book Swap Fundraiser

The Community Service Committee would like to thank our Cranbrook families, students and friends who donated books to the ‘Great Book Swap’ fundraiser. The idea was to swap a favourite book for a gold coin donation. Over 600 books were donated – many of them new. The library swung its doors open for three days, and we sold all our books, raising an impressive $1,480. The money is donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, which supplies culturally relevant books to remote Communities across Australia. Over 40% of books feature Indigenous authors and illustrators. This is important as it allows children to see themselves and their culture reflected in the stories, helping to build a sense of connection, belonging and pride.

CSPA Committee 2023

The CSPA is advertising to parents across the whole School community for volunteers to support their Year Groups as parent representatives on the CSPA Committee.

We would like to hear from any parents who are interested in helping out with all years but specifically we need parents of boys going into Years 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10 and 11 for 2023. Some of our wonderful parents are staying on as year reps but we encourage parents to share these roles to better support parents. 

The primary role of the CSPA is to support Cranbrook School, particularly the parent community, fostering goodwill and creating a community that is inclusive and welcoming to all. 

More information about what the CSPA does can be found on Cranbrook Connect here:

https://cranbrookconnect.cranbrook.nsw.edu.au/parents-association/introduction-and-rep-list.aspx

and you can read about the Year Group representative role here:

https://www.cranbrook.nsw.edu.au/content/pdf/CPA_YearGroup_ParentRep_OCT13.pdf

If you are interested in joining our Committee, please fill out a nomination form and send it to the CSPA secretary. Nominations for positions close on 12 October 2022 ahead of the CSPA AGM on 16 November at which the 2023 Committee will be elected. 

https://www.cranbrook.nsw.edu.au/content/pdf/220221%20CPA_Nomination%20to%20Representative_Feb-2022.pdf

I will be stepping down at the end of this year after three years as President of the CSPA. In accordance with the School  and CSPA Constitutions, nominations for the role of President are considered in consultation with the School Council. 

If you would like more information about any of the roles and what is involved, please get in touch with either Sam, Nonie or myself. Our details are on the CSPA page of Cranbrookconnect. 

Many thanks

Susie Fuller

CSPA President

Reuse and Recycle Uniform Sale

The CSPA is excited to announce that we will be holding another Reuse and Recycle Uniform Sale at the Cranbrook Boat Shed on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 October. All funds raised will be donated to a charity chosen by Senior School Leaders. 

Please bring all your pre-loved uniforms in good condition to:

Junior School –  Junior School Reception

Senior School – by students in bins located in Houses

The sale in Term 1 was a huge success, with $5792 raised and donated to the Red Cross. The Year 6 Leaders selected the Red Cross due to the wonderful flood relief work they do. We hope to see as many of you there as possible!

All funds raised will be donated to a registered ACNC charity chosen by Senior School Leaders. 

Click here for more information

Changes to COVID-19 Isolation Period

From 9 September, the isolation period for positive cases has been reduced from 7 days to 5 days. For our staff and students at school, this means they must:

• complete 5 days of isolation from the date they tested positive
• be symptom free before returning to school, if symptoms remain after Day 5 they must continue following NSW Health guidelines to self-isolate and undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT)
• complete a RAT and return a negative result before attending school on Days 6 and 7 after testing positive to COVID-19, and
• wear a mask on Days 6 and 7 when attending school.

All staff, students and visitors who test positive to COVID-19 should continue to follow the NSW Health guidelines.

There are no changes to NSW Health requirements for household and close contacts. Any staff member, student or visitor who is identified as a household or close contact should follow the NSW Health advice.

IMPORTANT: UPDATING FAMILIES ON COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS IN EACH COHORT
We update the number of positive Covid-19 cases reported for each cohort regularly on the homepage of Cranbrook Connect, click here to view.

Y12 Dickins House Farewell Assembly – Photo Gallery

Term 4 – Bus Services

Cranbrook School offers the following subsidised private bus services to students from Monday to Friday during the School term.

Eastern Suburbs – Junior School Students only – https://www.trybooking.com/BWVJC

Inner West – https://www.trybooking.com/BWVIY

North Shore – https://www.trybooking.com/BWVJD

Please use the Trybooking links above to purchase a Term 4 2022 Bus Pass, the price is $415 for the term.

Click here for the 2022 Bus Schedules.

Our bus services have been extremely popular this year, please ensure you book your Term 4, 2022 bus pass as soon as possible to guarantee a seat on the bus.

Should the tickets sell out, please add your name to the waitlist and we will be in touch when a seat becomes available.

For public transport information please refer to the Transport Information website.  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us by emailing bus@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au

Term 4 Swimming Programme

Last week, via Operoo, you should have received a note about our annual swimming program which commences from the first day of Term 4 and runs until the end of Week 6.

Next term, please make sure your son has the right uniform for his swimming lessons which take place during normal PE lessons. The term commences with Week A, so please check carefully the class timetable in the note.

Australian Interschools Championships – Cranbrook Snowsports on FIRE!

Last week and into the weekend, 20 students represented Cranbrook at the Australian Interschools Snowsports Champions in Perisher. After a long absence from Interschools competition, due to the pandemic, Cranbrook has come back stronger than ever! This National event was perhaps one of the best we’ve seen, in terms of podium finishes.

With less than perfect conditions of rain and slushy snow, the boys brought their A-game and landed a record number of spots on the podium against a very competitive field of over 1500 athletes from 291 primary & secondary schools from across Australia. Competing in 17 events over 6 days, the whole Cranbrook team brought in a total of 5 SILVER and 2 BRONZE medals in Team events and personal bests spanning the field. It is worth mentioning that the Cross-Country competitors had incredible results, bringing home the hardware in every Relay they competed in, across 3 Divisions! Individually, a huge shout out goes to Charlie Roberts for his individual BRONZE result in Division 5 Alpine.

For the most impressive individual results, we must honour an extraordinary achievement by Laidley Dowling, Year 12. Laidley took a place on the podium in 4 separate disciplines at this National event. Against specialist athletes, he demonstrated his diversity across Moguls, Ski Cross, Alpine and Cross-Country Relay, earning him 1 BRONZE and 2 SILVER in team events, and a remarkable 2 individual medals. Laidley set an unbeatable time, earning himself a GOLD in Ski Cross, as well as a SILVER medal in Moguls, just a mere .18 points off first place. What a crowning achievement to his 13-year Interschools career at Cranbrook. There has never been an athlete in Cranbrook Snowsports who has achieved such consistent podium finishes over all five disciplines in Interschools. What an incredible finish. Congratulations, Laidley.

Please join me in acknowledging the entire 2022 National Cranbrook Snowsports Team: Laidley Dowling, Charlie Punch, William Hupfau, Oscar-Louis Antflick, James Stodart, Samuel Gipson, Joel Droga, William Roberts, Charlie Mann, Dash Bouvier, Jai Rastogi, Sam O’Neil, Bo Campion, Ziggy Edwards, Oscar Parsons, Charlie Roberts, Rhys Au, Hugo Croft, James Cowan and our youngest competitor, Xavier Fern. We are all so proud of your effort, stamina, perseverance and generosity of spirit on the mountain.

Final Medal Tally from the Australian Interschools Championships:

Thank you from Tom Hart

After 15 long weeks, early morning rises and late nights, the challenge of 5 x marathons is now over. It was an amazing experience, filled with so much support from the BeFit and Cranbrook Communities.

I am so overwhelmed by the love and support I have received throughout this entire experience, which played a huge factor in getting me across the line.  

Thank you to all the parents and students who popped into the gym on Friday evening and Saturday morning to say hello and wish me well. A huge shout out to Andrew Davie and Harry Davie (Year 8) who joined me on the rower late on Friday evening. Thank you to Felix Malcolm (Year 9) who joined me for the beginning of the marathon run leg. Thank you to Thomas Altundag (Year 5) who joined me on the marathon run and managed to complete a staggering 18kms. Thank you to Harry Davie (Year 8) who joined me on the final 10km of the marathon run.     

I managed to finish all 5 marathons in 15 hours 30 minutes. As I have mentioned in a number of my posts, my Dad has been a huge driver and has been with me every step of the way.

Reflecting on the last few months, I have loved hearing stories and people talking so fondly of loved ones they have lost. Such beautiful stories and lovely memories which I felt privileged that you were able to share with me. Sudden loss is something people don’t tend to talk about, so I have really appreciated people opening up, which has also allowed me to raise awareness.

‘Hope’ is a great charity and your extremely generous donations will go an exceptionally long way in helping others in need. ‘Hope’ will be creating an infographic to show what these funds will do for those experiencing the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one. I will make sure this is included in our weekly Link once it is finalised. That being said, I will be leaving the link open for anyone who would like to donate or knows anyone that would like to donate to such a great cause.

The link is: www.givenow.com.au/cr/hartforhope

I really hope you enjoyed following my journey and thank you once again for all the love and support over the last few weeks.

Cheers,

Tom

Music – Term 3 Week 9

What a fantastically musical term! The boys have done so well with K-2 Lunchtime Concerts, 3-6 Eisteddfods, AMEB exams, performances in Assembly, Cranbrook Voices singing at the Year 12 Farewell, Chamber Choir singing at the Founders’ Day Service and preparations for Oz Opera’s Cinderella and Student Led Conferences.

Holiday Practice:

As we have so many boys enrolled and working hard in individual instrumental lessons, a few tips for maintaining some low stress practice over the holidays may come in handy so the boys keep momentum.

• Ask your son to nominate 3 x 10 minute time slots over the week, preferably at the same time e.g. after breakfast, before bath, and write them down.
• Set up music and instrument so he is totally ready to play (this is the hardest part)
• Set alarm for 10 minutes and practise in a focused way until the alarm sounds.
• Stop immediately (even in the middle of a piece or if you are having fun) and pack away.
• A chart on the fridge with stickers often helps!

Happy practising and have a wonderful holiday!

Woollahra Libraries Holiday Programs

Woollahra Libraries Holiday Programs – Click here to read more

Libraries in the Park – Click here to read more

Term 4 Co-curricular

Term 4 Co-curricular confirmations will be emailed to all parents shortly. Please send any queries to Annabel Boyd via jscocurricular@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.