Angelique Sanders, Director of Student Wellbeing/Acting Deputy Head of Senior School

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Our Student Wellbeing Programme has continued to foster growth, connection, and curiosity across the Senior School this week. Year 7 students continued to explore the theme of Identity through their “Virtual School Bag” activity, reflecting on what makes them unique while recognising the shared values that connect them as a mentor group. This terms focus has created a meaningful way to build connection early in their Cranbrook journey.

Year 8 engaged in an important session on Risk Taking, featuring guest presenter Tom Reynolds, who delivered an informative talk on the dangers associated with vaping, drugs, and alcohol. While our students are still young, equipping them with factual knowledge now ensures they are better prepared to make informed decisions when faced with peer pressure or risky situations. Tom also offered practical advice on how students can support one another if they find themselves or their friends in dangerous situations.  We strongly encourage all students to download the Emergency Plus App as a valuable safety resource.

In an inspiring showcase of student-led inquiry, Year 10 exhibited their Personal Projects this week, while Year 9 students had the opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of these projects to spark ideas for their own upcoming journey. Tuesday evening’s exhibition was a highlight, with students articulating their motivations, challenges, and key learnings. It was a pleasure to engage with them and witness the IB Learner Profile attributes in action—students demonstrated curiosity as inquirers, critical thinking as thinkers, respectful dialogue as communicators, open-mindedness, principled behaviour, and deep reflection on their learning journeys.

Year 11 students were divided into their respective academic pathways, with IBDP students attending a session with Mr Hanrahan and HSC students receiving a briefing on examination procedures in preparation for their Preliminary exams beginning Monday. This targeted support ensures each cohort is well-prepared and confident heading into this important phase. In addition, both groups heard from our school counsellors, who spoke about stress management. They reassured students that experiencing stress is a natural part of the learning journey and, when understood and channelled effectively, can serve as a powerful motivator. Students were encouraged to view stress not as something negative, but as a signal to pause, reflect, and apply strategies that support their wellbeing and performance.

Finally, Year 12 students are entering the “Last of Everything” stage of their Cranbrook journey—a time filled with reflection, celebration, and anticipation. This week, they had the opportunity to share honest and thoughtful insights about their experiences by completing the Leavers Survey. Their reflections are incredibly valuable and offer us a deeper understanding of their journey, helping us to continually improve and evolve our programmes to better support future cohorts.

Angelique Sanders
Director of Student Wellbeing/Acting Deputy Head of Senior School