Bob Meakin, Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School

Dear Parents and Carers

Another busy week draws to a close with some notable highlights.

Last week the Junior production of Great Expectations was performed by our junior thespians together with some brilliant performers from Kambala and St Clare’s College in Waverley. It was hard to believe that the oldest performer on stage was in Year 9; such was the professionalism of this production. Huge thanks must go to Stephen Colyer and all the Drama staff for this entertaining adaptation of the play. Well done to all the cast and crew and thank you for the hours of preparation needed to put on such a brilliant show. Please click here to view the photos from the production.

NEU!… our modern musical performers were also busy on Tuesday evening performing their own creative work in front of a full house in the Packer Theatre. A special thanks to all and especially to David Russell for an entertaining evening. Click here to view photos from the evening.

In this week’s Assembly we celebrated many student achievements as well as the Teacher’s Guild Awards received by Mackenzie Pedersen and James Adams for their excellence in the classroom. Theo Walsh spoke about presentation and appearance, and his Prefect video was hilarious yet with a serious note about uniform, and how important it is for us to be rather than seem to be with the highest standards reinforced.

Today we welcome the new students of Cranbrook for 2024 for an orientation day that will hopefully ease any concerns they may have over the holidays prior to joining us next year.  The day is an example of an occasion driven by key members of staff but, more importantly, attended by students in the older year groups who are on hand to answer any questions our new Cranbrookians may have.

Next Monday, we gather as a school on the Chapel Lawn for Remembrance Day. The names of each Cranbrookian killed in conflict will be read out and a minute of silent respect will be observed. This is not to glorify war in any way but rather to give thanks for former members of our community who gave their lives so we may enjoy ours.

My final comment is that we have now reached the exact middle of the term. We have as much ahead of us as we do behind us, and there is time to address academic issues that may have arisen so far this term. Year 10 commence examinations and I wish them well for next week but for many it is a time to work hard in classes. Build upon what has already been done and to seek solutions to any problems in subjects. We have a slightly longer Term 4 than many schools and this is deliberate to ensure it is not a term that is tagged on the end of a busy year where not much is done.  On the contrary, it is a quarter of the academic year where much work can be done for all year groups.  Keep going please.

Have a great week.

Best wishes

Bob Meakin
Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School