Bob Meakin, Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School

Dear Parents and Carers

Last Thursday evening saw the hilarious Comedy Debate between our 1sts Debating team and the new School leaders. Fortunately, both teams had a very good sense of humour as they were individually ‘roasted’ by one another as well as debating the topic that President Trump should be President for life. Their wit and their humour won the evening, and the spoils went to the 1sts Debating team who were clearly prepared extremely thoroughly for the event.

A special thanks to D’Arcy Richardson for organising and coordinating the evening.

Congratulations to our Year 10 students who completed their examinations last week. These formal examinations will go towards their marks for the end of Stage 5. Our Year 10s approached the examinations with respect, and this was excellent practice before their studies in Stage 6.

Our Year 10 students left for their CITF programme this morning. This is the most challenging of our CITF courses and we hope that the weather is kind to them, and they meet these challenges with enthusiasm and teamwork.

Well done to our Year 11s who have completed their IBDP examinations for the year. Many of these papers were very demanding. I commend the students for their application to their study.

As we draw towards the end of Term, a reminder that our final day of classes is Wednesday 11 December, with our annual Prize Giving on Thursday 12 December at the ICC in Darling Harbour.

Finally, today we received the devastating news of the passing of Mr Paul Hallam, our Associate Director of Sport and Head of Athletic Development. Paul’s illness was severe and short lived and he passed away with his wife present last night. Paul has touched the lives of so many students and staff at Cranbrook but is also so widely respected and loved by many communities outside of school. His knowledge and expertise in strength and conditioning practices was quite simply superb, but he will be remembered for his kindness, his generosity of spirit and his willingness to assist every single student that was in front of him. We are all devastated at his passing and counselling has been arranged in the Senior School to support our students and staff through this difficult time. Please keep Paul’s family and close friends in your thoughts and prayers.

With every good wish

Bob Meakin
Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School