Message from Michele Marquet, Acting Head of School

Dear Parents and Carers,

As Term 3 draws to a close at Cranbrook, we celebrate a vibrant array of accomplishments across multiple areas of school life. The Spring Festival was a standout event, where the creative spirit of our students was on full display. The HSC and IB Art Exhibition provided a platform for our senior artists to showcase their incredible talent and hard work, while Book Week at the Junior School brought the joy of reading to life with engaging activities and storytelling. Additionally, our Beehive initiative culminated in the much-anticipated Bee Day, raising awareness about sustainability and the importance of our environment.

Our winter sports teams also had an outstanding season, with impressive achievements across the board. From exhilarating victories to admirable displays of sportsmanship, our athletes made Cranbrook proud. Meanwhile, the Drama department delivered memorable performances, reflecting the depth of creativity and dedication of our students and staff. As we prepare for the final Term of the year, we extend our best wishes to the Year 12 students, who are heading into the final stretch of their HSC and IB exams. Your contributions to the academic, artistic, and co-curricular life of Cranbrook have been invaluable, and we are excited to see where your next journey takes you.

Across every campus, the staff and I thank all of our families for their unwavering support and motivation throughout the past Term. We wish everyone a relaxing and restful break and look forward to welcoming you back to Term 4.

Kind wishes,

Michele Marquet
Acting Head of School

Message from Genét Erickson Adam, Acting Head of Junior School

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week, we celebrated the learning that occurs throughout our School when we held our K-5 Student-led Conferences (SLC). Parents of boys in K-5 were able to spend a few beautiful hours with their son while he shared his learning in all areas of the curriculum. In Week 4 of next term, our Year 6 parents will be able to come and hear their son present his independent inquiry as part of the PYP Exhibition. At that time, we will warmly invite K-5 parents to attend the Exhibition too, one of the highlights of the year.

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 for your diary/Dates to remember’ section of this newsletter.

Staff News
We wish Y2 Class Teacher, Alissa Martire, and Y2 Case Manager, Vicky Yannakouros, a relaxing and enjoyable long service leave next term. Replacing Alissa during this period is Mr Phillip Scutts and replacing Vicky is Mr Keith Murphy. Both teachers have had the opportunity for a thorough handover this week.

AAS Assessments
During the holiday period, Y2, Y4 and Y6 parents will receive a letter outlining their son’s performance in the AAS literacy and numeracy assessments undertaken this term. These provide us with a measure (but not a conclusive statement) of each student’s performance compared with other students of the same year level in a national sample. Alongside a range of ongoing assessments, they help us to plan more effectively to meet the needs of the whole year group and the individuals within it.

It must be understood that while the results contain valuable information, it is a snapshot of a student’s achievement at a particular point. Achievement levels can change over time and are dependent on how a child performs on a given day. If you have any questions about these, you may contact your son’s class teacher next term.

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

Kind regards,

Genét Erickson Adam
Acting Head of Junior School

From the Deputies

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please take note of these important reminders for Term 4:

Summer uniform
From the start of next term, all students should be wearing their summer uniform. Please refer to page 7 in your son’s diary, if you have any questions about uniform expectations for the summer season. It is imperative that students wear a wide-brimmed hat on the playground and oval during recess and lunch, as we will start to experience sunnier days when UV levels are higher. If your son does not have a hat, the holidays are a good time to visit the uniform shop, as he will not be allowed to play outdoors without one.

PE swimming lessons
In Weeks 1 – 6 of Term 4, all PE classes will be held at the Senior School pool, as part of our ‘Learn to Swim’ program. Please ensure you have completed the permission form on Operoo and if you need a reminder of the schedule, please see the letter on the Cranbrook Connect Sports tab for each year level, linked here. Please note that most lessons are on your son’s normal PE lesson day, except for a small change for a few classes.

Happy holidays!

Pre-schools’ News – Week 9

Dear Families,

As we wrap up this term, we want to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued support and engagement. It has been truly remarkable to see the growth and development of your children over the past weeks.

We are excited to share more details about Term 4 in our upcoming termly newsletter, which will include important dates and information. Enjoy this well-deserved break, and we look forward to welcoming you back at the start of the new term.

Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable holiday!

Abigail McFarlane
Pre-schools’ Coordinator

Council Update

The School Council are pleased to provide you with a Term 3 update, to continue regular and transparent communication about ongoing progress and activities through Link and on Cranbrook Connect. Please click here to read more.

Message from the CSPA Committee

Dear Parents  

The Cranbrook School Parents Association (CSPA) is a not-for-profit association of all Cranbrook parents run by an elected committee of Year Representatives, General Committee Members and the Executive. 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. We are seeking nominations from parents across the whole school community for volunteer roles on the CSPA Committee. 

To find out more information about the CSPA, what we do, the Constitution and lots more, please go to Cranbrook Connect Parents Association – Cranbrook Connect 

If you are interested in joining our Committee, either as a Year Representative or on the Executive Committee please fill out a nomination form attached and send it to the CSPA secretary (cranbrookspasecretary@gmail.com). Nominations for positions close on Friday, 18 October 2024 ahead of the CSPA AGM on Monday, 18 November 2024 at which the 2025 Committee will be elected. 

If you would like more information about any of the roles and what opportunities are available, please get in touch with Angelique Haritos cspavpjuniorschool@gmail.com, Meg Tudehope cspavpseniorschool@gmail.com or me, Sam cranbrookspapresident@gmail.com. 

Please see below two upcoming CSPA events.

1. Notice of CSPA Meeting

The CSPA AGM will be held on Monday, 18 November 2024 at 7:00 pm in the Nugent Boardroom, Senior School, followed immediately by the CSPA Term 4 Meeting.

2. Second Hand Uniform Sale

The Second Hand Uniform Sale will be held on Monday, 14 October 2024 from 12pm – 2pm in the Senior School Gym.

Many thanks

Sam Roberts
CSPA President

Year 12 Farewell Assembly Photo Gallery

Key Events Overview – Term 4

The full Term 4 Overview can be found here.

JS Music News – Week 9

A reflection on our last three weeks…

Friday, 6 September: Music Morning Concert
Music Room 1 and 2 were buzzing with 31 students performing in front of their families and friends. I’ve been inundated with positive feedback about these events. Thank you to our young musicians for presenting and performing with such poise.

Tuesday, 10 September: Opera Petites workshop
K-6 enjoyed a live performance with a group of singers from the Australian Opera, ‘Opera Petites’. A soprano, mezzo soprano and baritone performed well-known arias and engaged our students with an interactive workshop, giving them the opportunity to ask their own questions. Our students asked pertinent questions about vocal range, required training, voice control, the creative elements of opera and participated enthusiastically. It was a wonderful occasion and our performers were very impressed with the inquisitive nature of our boys!

Thursday, 12 and 13 September: AMEB exams
Congratulations to the 60 Junior School students who sat for an exam with the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB). It has been a huge exercise ensuring every student has rehearsals with their accompanist, has their original music for the exam and feels as ready as possible to perform for an external examiner. Events such as our Music Morning Concerts, Soirees and Eisteddfod have been great platforms for students to prepare and polish their works.

Friday, 13 September: Year 12 Farewell Assembly
Well done to the Cranbrook Voices for their sensitive performance of ‘You Raise Me Up’ at the Year 12 Farewell Assembly. There were many tears of joy from the Year 12 families and Mrs Marquet! What a privilege to impart this gift to the Class of 2024.

Wednesday, 18 September: Performers at the Finals of the Spring Festival
Congratulations to the following Year 6 students for their guest performance at the Spring Festival Solo Instrumental and Vocal Competition Finals held in the Orchestra Room of the Senior School on Wednesday night. They did the Junior School proud.

Mason P
cello
Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007
I. Prélude
Johann Sebastian Bach

Alexander P
violin
Two Mazurkas, op. 12, no. 2
II. Chanson Polonaise
Henri Wieniawski

George F
flute
Air de ballet
Cécile Chaminade

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.

Warm regards,

Peter Fox
Head of Music, Junior School

Little Shop of Horrors

Click here to book your tickets.

iCentre News – Week 9

Are you staying in Sydney these holidays? Why not take the family along to the stage and screen adaptations of these beloved and award-winning books.

An immersive theatrical production with live music from the ACO based on the classic picture book, ‘There’s a sea in my bedroom’ by Margaret Wild and Jane Tanner. Recommended Ages 2-8.

Presented by the Sydney Opera House and Monkey Baa Theatre Company, ‘Edward the Emu’ is based on the books by Sheena Knowles and Rod Clement. 4+.

The bestselling illustrated middle-grade novel, ‘The Wild Robot’ by Peter Brown brought to the screen by Dreamworks, is a gloriously animated film now showing in cinemas. Highly loved and anticipated across the Junior School. Rated PG.

‘Runt’, based on Craig Silvey’s acclaimed novel, is a heart-warming and humorous Australian family film set in the charming town of Upson Downs. Also showing in cinemas. Rated PG.

Happy holiday reading!

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge Certificates
Certificates, including Gold (4 years participation), will arrive in November. Platinum certificates (7 years participation) will be presented at our end of year prizegiving event. We look forward to sharing these with students next term.

Kind regards

Ms Light