Generational Connections

Each year, Cranbrook seeks to acknowledge those families who have a longstanding connection with the School at a special Handover Ceremony, to recognise and honour these generational links. Sadly, the School was unable to hold this ceremony this year. In readiness for 2022, we started to reach out to families to better understand their longstanding links with Cranbrook School.

Currently, there are close to 280 boys who are either the son or grandson of an Old Cranbrookian at the School.

Sarah Landman, current parent

Sons Paul (Year 1), Joseph (Year 3), Jack (Year 6), father, Paul (OC 1954) and cousin, Angus McNiven (OC 2015).

My Dad (Dr Paul Knight OC’54) attended Cranbrook from 4 years of age, 1 July 1944 until 12 December 1955. He always spoke so fondly of his education, completing the Leaving Certificate twice, as was common at the time, first in 1954 and then again in 1955. I recall Dad mentioning he repeated his final certificate and now I can rest easy that he wasn’t telling us any tales about his place in the first XV.

He remained best of friends with his Cranbrook classmates and four of them delivered his eulogy in 2015. He would be so proud to see his school honouring this connection.

I really enjoy reading about Dad’s time at Cranbrook and sharing it with my family; particularly my own boys. It’s incredible to see the resemblance between a young Paul Knight and some of his grandsons. He would be so proud to know they are attending ‘his school’. Dad’s school friendships remained strong until his death. I was speaking with a friend (an old Cranbrookian) and he credits his very large and solid friendship base to his school network. I think it’s very important to remain friends with those who knew you when you were young and it makes me so happy my boys may enjoy the same long-lasting relationships.

Picture L-R: Jack Landman (Year 6) Angus McNiven (OC 2015), Dr Paul Knight (OC ’54) and Jack McNiven