Stuart Meade, Acting Head of School
I wish all families a warm welcome to a new term; I hope you were able to enjoy some family time, be it travelling overseas, interstate or something as simple as a few unrushed meals together.
It is a pleasure to be back at Cranbrook, albeit it for a very short time as Acting Head of School while Michele Marquet enjoys some well-deserved leave. Having spent sixteen years here in two iterations, including six as Deputy Head from 1997-2002, I have great affection for the place and look forward to being part of the community for the next few weeks until Michele returns in Week 4.
As I attend staff meetings, chat with students and explore the campus, being reminded of the facilities that have not changed (the 1st XV changerooms…) and marvelling at those that have, I am being asked for my impressions of Cranbrook in 2024.
What stands out to me are the opportunities available to the students – they are endless in number, diverse in nature and exciting in prospect. One only has to read of the trips during the recent break – studying at the University of Oxford, being part of a cultural immersion trip to Arnhem land, representing the school on Rugby, Skiing or Sailing trips, or even the study and exam preparation sessions in the final week of the break to understand all that is on offer for the boys. We must not overlook the commitment of staff in organising and managing the tours that enables them to happen. My thanks to those who go above and beyond to provide these experiences to the students.
It is wonderful to have the students back on campus for a new term. Their willingness to engage with all that goes on here sustains the efforts of so many and I look forward to seeing all that unfolds in the weeks ahead.
With good wishes
Stuart Meade
Acting Head of School