Michele Marquet, Acting Head of School

Dear Parents and Carers

As we approach the final few weeks of Term 1, I would like to acknowledge the phenomenal effort and dedication shown by all our students, staff and families since the start of this term.

At our recent Open Days, in both the Junior School and Senior School, I mentioned to our guests that I am always reminded of how our students truly live out the ideal of a liberal education. In a world that increasingly encourages us to specialise early, our students model our School’s philosophy that a better preparation for whatever the future may hold involves genuine breadth of engagement across all areas of learning and life. That participation in a range of pursuits both in and out of the classroom is the surest pathway to becoming a well-balanced, well-rounded and interesting human being. There is increasing evidence that learning in one area can be helpful in another discipline.

The relationship between Music, Maths and comprehension, is a well-known example. The more we learn about the way our brain works and how we learn, the clearer it is that the impact of learning how to do one thing or about one thing, is not a discrete experience that has no impact on anything else. Breadth allows the development of those inter-personal skills so highly valued by our future work world and ensures an understanding beyond a narrow field of interest. Cranbrook will always advocate for breadth with depth; in other words, a liberal education – broadly educated humans have an appreciation and knowledge of many areas of learning and that is what our world still needs. The understanding of many disciplines is one of the best gifts we can give our children and the surest foundation for success in a future world we cannot fully predict. There is no doubt that our staff’s stupendous efforts above and beyond permit these experiences to take place and support our students in their explorations across so many domains.

This past week has been an example of our students living out this liberal ideal facilitated by talented and passionate staff: a veritable creative powerhouse of activity! Tuesday evening’s Scholars’ Concert was a superb demonstration of talent and enthusiasm, as our young and gifted musicians participated in a truly inspiring concert showcasing their hard work, talent and dedication, as well as highlighting the superb skills of all our music educators at Cranbrook. Last week, the performances of the cast and crew in The Visit were outstanding. The use of space, the way different characters commanded the stage and drew the audience into the storyline was so impressive. Again, all credit to the students who participated and the staff who helped prepare and guide the development of the show. The breadth of our students’ school experience was in evidence at these events, but also across a fine Summer Sport season, which has now come to a close. Outstanding engagement was there to see every week across a wide range of sports, including Rowing, Sailing, Basketball, Tennis, Water Polo, Cricket and more – and the commitment of the students to represent their School each weekend, whether in Year 3 or Year 12 was wonderful to observe. We look with eager anticipation to the CAS Swimming Carnival tonight. Over the past few weeks, with guidance and support from their talented coaches, we have seen our debaters from Junior and Senior Schools take on the challenge of shaping arguments to persuade and convince against a wide variety of schools, with some outstanding results. 

Our campuses are such busy, lively places and I so enjoy seeing our students totally engaged in classes, events, sports matches and activities first-hand. We look ahead this Sunday (16 March, 10am – 2pm) to a wonderful Family Fun Day at Dangar in support of CETOP and the Year 6 annual trip to Nepal where families, students and staff come together to support such a worthy cause.

Kind wishes

Michele Marquet
Acting Head of School