Stuart Meade, Acting Head of School

At the end of this week I conclude my short stay at Cranbrook and I wish to thank the staff, students and parents who have made me feel welcome over the past five weeks. As I have noted on numerous occasions, I have a great deal of affection for Cranbrook, and it has been a pleasure catching up with former students who are now fathers of boys here. We have kept the unwritten rule of  “if you don’t tell them stories about me, I won’t tell them stories about you…” although that mantra may be at risk when I meet some of the ‘boarding dads’ this weekend.

I have enjoyed the many different activities and events I have been able to attend during my time here. In the past seven days, these have included Honefest, the Student-Directed Drama productions, the Senior Debating team in action, Old Boy reunions, and a day of sport v Barker last weekend. The enthusiasm to be part of ‘something bigger than yourself’ has been obvious and adds to the positive culture evident in the Cranbrook community.

In that vein, at the Senior School Assembly this week, I recounted a story involving Old Cranbrookian and former Test cricketer, Ed Cowan. A few years ago, he wrote a book about his time as a State cricketer trying to make the national team. He wrote about Ricky Ponting as they both played for Tasmania. He described a situation when Ponting played one of his very rare games for Tasmania and then organised for the entire team and their partners to attend a BBQ at his home. He organised and paid for the taxis for everyone to get there and home again and provided all food and drinks. Cowan writes “There is no reason for him to put on such an event, bar the fact that he loved playing for Tasmania; there was no need for him to be so generous and enthusiastic either.  We experienced a measure of the man from what he has done that wasn’t necessary.”

With the final week of winter sport upon us, I urged the boys in the room to support their mates this weekend by turning up to at least one game or event other than their own to support their friends or other students. It is an act that is not necessary but will contribute to something bigger than themselves and will add further to all that is good in this place.

Schools are relational environments, more than most other organisations. The key to meaningful relationships is respect. I see this in so many areas of the School, with interactions between staff, students and parents consistently displaying mutual respect. It is a vital element, indeed, a core value, of a successful school – long may it continue at Cranbrook.

My best wishes to all in the Cranbrook community.

Stuart Meade
Acting Head of School