Bob Meakin, Head of Senior School / Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Carers

A warm welcome back to an exciting Term 2. I trust everyone enjoyed the Easter break and the Anzac long weekend. We commenced the Term with an Anzac Remembrance Service on the Mackay Lawn. A special thanks to Rev. Rod Farraway for the service. The students were respectful and were engaged as the true meaning of Anzac Day was explained to them as we honoured the fallen. A special thanks to Nicholas Long of Year 10, who played the Last Post for the Service.

There were no less than five school tours over the holidays, which included a Football Tour to Europe, a Snowsports to Italy, an Indigenous and Cultural Tour Central Australia, an AFL Tour to the Northern Territory and a Rugby Tour to the Gold Coast. All tours were a huge success and the behaviour of all students as they represented our School was exemplary.

Rehearsals have begun in earnest for our annual Music Showcase – Sydney Town Hall Concert. Mr Anthony Pasquill can be seen here working with our Senior School choir.

A special thanks to our Year 10 parents who joined us for our Coeducational webinar last night. We hope that the information that was presented was useful to parents and students.

Parents are reminded that they are to use the internal Kiss & Drop at Senior School to drop off/pick up their children. Entry into and exit from the Kiss & Drop is to be a left in/left out movement to minimise disruption to traffic and improve traffic safety.  Parents are also reminded that their children are strongly discouraged from driving to school and parking in surrounding streets.

As you are aware, Mr Stuart Meade will be the Acting Head of School for this term, and it has been wonderful welcoming Mr Meade back to Cranbrook.

Tomorrow, our new Head of School, Dr Johnstone will be on campus to meet with both students and staff throughout the day. We look forward to her starting in Term 3.

This weekend is a full set of sporting fixtures, and we wish all teams and students well for this weekend.

Best wishes for the term ahead.

Have a great week.

Bob Meakin
Head of Senior School / Deputy Headmaster

Adrian Harrison, Acting Director of Academics

“The mission of schools is to develop a sense of truth, of what is good and beautiful.” — Pope Francis

The recent holiday period provided students with a welcome opportunity to renew and recharge. In line with the IB Learner Profile, this time allowed for the development of reflection—a vital skill in both learning and life.

This break also coincided with two significant events: Easter and ANZAC Day, as well as the culturally momentous passing of Pope Francis. Each offered a moment to pause and reflect on the values we hold dear. These moments of reflection are essential in shaping the kind of learners—and people—we hope our students will become.

As we begin this new term with both vigour and rigour, I encourage students to make the most of their learning: to engage actively in lessons, to build meaningful connections with teachers and peers, and to embrace every opportunity for growth.

A few dates of note for the term ahead for Years 7 – 11. More details will follow throughout the term regarding access and timings. Please note that webinars and parent teacher interviews happen via Microsoft Teams.

Best wishes for the term ahead.

Adrian Harrison
Acting Director of Academics

Angelique Sanders, Director of Student Wellbeing/Acting Deputy Head of Senior School

This term, our School’s wellbeing focus is on Balance—a fundamental principle in setting students up for success. A well-rounded approach to life enables young people to maintain their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. This can be through regular exercise, nutritious eating, and sufficient sleep which helps to keep their bodies strong and energised. A balanced approach to their academics, hobbies, and Co-Curricular activities can prevent burnout and ensure they can manage the busier times in the term. Finally, by maintaining healthy social connections and practicing self-care, our students can feel more in control of their emotions and less like to feel dysregulated or overwhelmed.

Our Student Wellbeing Programme will focus on the following themes for Term 2.

Year 7- Respectful Friendship

Year 8 – Connections

Year 9 – Respectful Relationships

Year 10 – Choices

Year 11 – Leadership

Year 12 – Looking to the Future

This week Year 7 explored different learning styles and the importance of respecting these differences within the classroom. Year 8 engaged in discussions about personal connections—people, places, and activities that contribute to their sense of belonging and school spirit. Year 9 attended a cohort meeting led by Mr. Pyle, Head of PDHPE, to assess their understanding of respectful relationships. They will participate in a full-day Respectful Relationships workshop in Week 5. Year 10 had a Personal Project session with Ms. Munn, our MYP Coordinator, focusing on individual growth and development. Year 11 dedicated time to preparing for their Week 3 leadership session, which they will facilitate for Year 9 students. Year 12 engaged in a reflective discussion on masculinity, reviewing findings from a Movember report in a safe and supportive space. This conversation allowed them to explore societal pressures around masculinity and their potential impacts on mental health and social inclusion, as teens report feeling pressured to conform to rigid stereotypes. You can read more about the research HERE.

Angelique Sanders
Director of Student Wellbeing/Acting Deputy Head of Senior School

Matt Grice, Director of Sport

Dear Parents and Guardians,

A big welcome to a busy Term 2 for Cranbrook Sport.

A massive thank you to all who were involved in the numerous activities over the holiday break. It was a very busy and productive period for Cranbrook Sport, with a wide range of tours and training opportunities taking place both locally and internationally. Our Year 6 rugby team represented the School at the Armidale Rugby Carnival, while our 1st and 2nd XV Rugby teams travelled to the Gold Coast for a highly valuable pre-season tour. Our AFL squad ventured to the Northern Territory, gaining unique experience and exposure to different playing conditions. In an exciting first for the School, our Snowsports team attended its inaugural training camp in Italy, a significant step forward in our winter sports program. Meanwhile, our Year 9 and 10 footballers had the incredible opportunity to tour Portugal and Spain, immersing themselves in elite football environments and broadening their sporting and cultural horizons.

Back on campus, our School holiday camps, and the weights centre were well attended, with excellent energy and commitment shown across the board. Many of our top squads put in significant work to prepare for the upcoming winter season, setting a strong foundation for the term ahead.

It was fantastic to see so many students staying active, engaged, and representing Cranbrook so well during the break. Well done to everyone who got involved and thank you again to all the staff who supported these opportunities.

I personally was fortunate enough to attend the European football tour with Cranbrook’s year 9 and 10 Football players. The tour was available to all students, not just those playing in the A teams. The football tour was an unforgettable journey that combined high-level training, competitive matches, cultural experiences, and team bonding across Lisbon and Madrid. The trip began in Portugal, where the boys trained with Benfica coaches, toured iconic stadiums like Sporting Lisbon and Benfica, and played against strong local teams. Days were filled with training, matches, shopping, sightseeing, and team activities, including exploring Lisbon’s coastline and enjoying quality meals together. Upon arriving in Madrid, the group trained with Atlético and Real Madrid coaches, toured both clubs’ world-class stadiums and museums, and continued playing competitive matches. They also explored cultural landmarks, tried Spanish cuisine, spent a day at the Warner Bros. theme park, and wrapped up with a Real Madrid vs Getafe match, sitting pitchside and even interacting with stars like Jude Bellingham and Luka Modrić. The trip fostered growth both on and off the field, and the boys left with lasting memories, new skills, and a deeper appreciation for European football.

A big congratulations to the Cranbrook students who competed in the Australian Water Polo Youth Championships over the break.  A special mention to Tom L, Takuma Y and Alexander S for winning a gold medal in the under 14s division and Hugo M for winning a gold in the under 16s division. Hugo was also awarded MVP goalie of the tournament. Well done to all involved. If any parents or guardian would like any additional information on Water Polo at Cranbrook, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Gregory McFadden –GMcFadden@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.

This weekend sees our 1st CAS Winter Round against Barker for Football, AFL, Tennis and Volleyball while Rugby takes on Riverview. The weather is not looking fantastic, but as always, we will do our best to bet as many games on as possible.   I wish all students competing the best of luck.  Please download this weekend’s fixtures here.

Concussion Protocols 

Last year, Cranbrook and the other CAS schools adopted the “Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) new Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport, which were released on 1 February 2024.

The Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport have been designed to provide clear and consistent guidance on concussion for parents, teachers, coaches, sideline staff and others involved in youth and community sport.

These guidelines provide information on how to recognise and manage concussion from the time of injury through to a safe return to education, work and playing sport. This information is intended for the general public and for individuals participating in youth (those aged under 19 years) and community sports where healthcare practitioners are less likely to be available to diagnose and monitor symptom progression of individuals with concussion.

Please download the Cranbrook and AIS Concussion guidelines here.  If you have any questions around concussion, please don’t hesitate to email Cranbrook’s Acting Head of Athletic Performance. Amy-Leigh Williams – AWilliams@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.

To Note:

• The T2 2025 Co-Curricular and Sport Schedule can be accessed here.

Sports Resources – contain essential information regarding sports events, schedules and important updates for the year ahead

• 2025 Sports Welcome Booklet
• 2025 Sports Calendar

Looking forward to seeing everyone around the grounds this weekend.       

Matt Grice
Director of Sport

NBA Basketball School Australia Camp 2025 

Click here for information regarding 2025 NBA Basketball School Camp.

Phil Beverley, Director of Music

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Term 2 is a feast for the ears, with musical events running in most weeks of the term beginning with Dr Elizabeth Scott who will present at Monday’s Performance Plus Masterclass. All Scholarship and elective Music students are required to attend but the event is open to all students as we delve into the art of preparation a key theme of this term’s work. The work done in this session will help ensure focus on preparation for many of the upcoming events, whether they be solo or ensemble performances.

Ensuring punctuality to lessons

With a change in the mobile phone policy, we have seen a decline in the punctuality in attending instrumental lessons. This makes sense given the schedules are only available online via Clipboard. I would ask that when you sign your child’s diary on a Sunday night that you help ensure they write their lesson time in for the coming week. The diary is required for every lesson at School and serves as the most effective piece of technology in communication between parents, teachers, and students.

AMPED Auditions

It is an exciting opportunity for all budding young contemporary musicians to showcase their wares at the iconic venue, The Factory Theatre, Marrickville Monday 26 May. The students have been working hard to prepare their items for the gig. They have all chosen repertoire exclusively performed by female artists over the past few decades as the students look toward the exciting future of a Co-ed experience from 2026. Ticketing info will be released imminently. I would encourage all students involved to ensure they are punctual to rehearsals in preparation for this exciting event in week 5.

St Pauls College Chapel Choir

In addition to the schedule of events below, we are excited to host the St Pauls College Chapel Choir Concert 17 May. More information about this event will be forthcoming including ticket sales which will be available at a discount to Cranbrook students and families. St Pauls College Choir, led by Director of Music, Mr Jack Stephens. More information about the group and musical life of St Paul’s is available here.

Student Spotlight

This Sunday night, viewers across the country will witness a new side of Fergus Jones as he steps into the spotlight on ABC’s new series “The Piano”. On the show, Fergus brings his unique voice to the piano bench, exploring a talent in front of one of his music idols Harry Connick Jnr.

In this episode, Fergus opens up about his journey with music, the role the piano has played in his life, and the personal stories behind the pieces he performs. Many of you may have already listened to his tracks on Fergus Jones | Spotify  From soulful improvisations to striking interpretations of modern classics, his performance promises to be captivating and inspiring. 

Photo Time

Finally. Music photos will be spread across 3 lunch times. See table below.

Schedule of Key Music Events

Warm Regards

Phil Beverley
Director of Music

Fergus Jones on ABC’s “Piano TV”

Year 11 Cranbrook student to Showcase Musical Talent on ABC’s “Piano TV” This Sunday Night

This Sunday night, viewers across the country will witness a new side of Fergus Jones as he steps into the spotlight on ABC’s new series “The Piano”. On the show, Fergus brings his unique voice to the piano bench, exploring a talent in front of one of his music idols Harry Connick Jnr. 

In this episode, Fergus opens up about his journey with music, the role the piano has played in his life, and the personal stories behind the pieces he performs. Many of you may have already listened to his tracks on Fergus Jones | Spotify  From soulful improvisations to striking interpretations of modern classics, his performance promises to be captivating and inspiring. 

Hosted by Amanda Keller, the heartwarming six-part arts series will explore how the piano has the power to transform the lives of everyday Australians, creating refuge, joy and friendship via the touch of a key. Each episode will take six ordinary Australians and ask them to perform in public spaces to explore the transformative power of music. Don’t miss Fergus Jones on “The Piano”, airing this Sunday 4 May at 7.30 pm on ABC.

Strengthening Inquiry and Student Engagement at Cranbrook Senior School

At Cranbrook’s recent Staff Development Day, we continued to build on our commitment to embedding Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS), with a particular focus on using inquiry-based teaching to enhance student engagement, especially during the crucial middle phase of lessons.

The session, led by Erin Munn, explored how teaching that is focused on inquiry (a core IB Approach to Teaching) fosters deep cognitive, emotional and behavioural engagement. 

Erin emphasised that inquiry empowers students to ask questions, investigate problems and construct their own understanding, making learning active and meaningful. She reminded us that true engagement is not just about participation, but about students feeling connected to their learning, which strengthens positive behaviour in the classroom.

Building on this, Mackenzie Pedersen shared findings from her Teacher Inquiry Group action research project, which investigated the nature of student questioning at Cranbrook.
Her research revealed important insights:

• Many student questions were closed and primarily sought validation rather than exploration.
• Students often struggled to identify gaps in their knowledge, limiting deeper inquiry.
• Fear of peer judgement was a significant barrier to asking questions, despite students recognising the importance of questioning for learning.

Encouragingly, Mackenzie’s research also showed that targeted intervention made a real difference:

• Explicitly teaching questioning techniques improved the quality of student inquiry.
• Small-group interventions built confidence in asking questions
• Positive teacher-student and peer relationships helped create safe classroom environments where students felt comfortable to be curious and take intellectual risks.

In the second half of the session, teachers participated in cross-departmental workshops, where facilitators modelled three strategies for sustaining engagement through inquiry:
1. See Think Wonder –  encouraging careful observation, reflection and curiosity

2. Question Formulation Technique –  guiding students to generate, refine and prioritise their own questions

3. The Socratic Method – promoting deeper understanding through critical discussion and student-led dialogue

After exploring these strategies, teachers selected one approach and embedded it into the planning of a lesson they will teach this term, ensuring the immediate application of the day’s learning.

This practical, collaborative work directly supports our broader PBIS goal of strengthening student engagement in the middle of lessons, helping to sustain attention, effort and positive behaviours when it matters most.

Thank you to Erin, Mackenzie, our workshop facilitators Caroline Usasz, Nick Hanrahan, Josie Johnson, Eva Zhang, Katherine Young, Adrian Harrison, Rhys Briscoe-Hough and all teachers for their thoughtful contributions to a rich and energising professional learning experience.

Hannah Thomas
Director of Professional Learning

Term 2 Staff Development Day

To Be Balanced

Our Term 2 Staff Development Day at Cranbrook School opened with reflections from Head of Senior School Bob Meakin, who celebrated the success of the tours that took place over the holiday break. His reminder about the importance of balancing activities during both term time and holidays set a fitting tone for the day ahead.

Following this, Acting Head of School Stuart Meade challenged us to find balance and joy in our teaching, highlighting that balance is essential not only for our students’ growth, but also for sustaining our own passion, creativity, and wellbeing as educators.

Building on this theme, Matt Banes explored what it truly means for our students and community to live with balance – balancing academics and wellbeing, structure and flexibility, ambition and care.

He also unveiled a suite of new resources that mentors will use to actively promote balance in students’ daily routines, study habits, and personal development.

As part of our PBIS (Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports) focus, Elizabeth Fletcher reinforced the importance of connection before correction, encouraging staff to use thoughtful conversations to support students in developing greater self-regulation and engagement.

Adrian Harrison and Angelique Sanders reminded us that differentiation is fundamental to both academic success and wellbeing. Their insights highlighted that academic achievement and student wellbeing are deeply connected: when we meet students where they are, we create the conditions for both to thrive.

It’s inspiring to work in a school where wellbeing and academic excellence are developed hand-in-hand.

Hannah Thomas
Director of Professional Learning

Articles of Interest – Week 1

Please find the articles of interest below.

How to Help Teens Develop Healthy Habits

Dealing with Homesickness

The Hyper-Masculine Media, and a Healthier Movement

Keeping Young Athletes Healthy and Strong

Mackenzie Pedersen
Science Teacher, Resident Tutor and Assistant Head of Science

Run (or walk) to save a baby’s life – in the CITY2SURF – 10 August

CITY2SURF – RUN TO SAVE A BABY’S LIFE!

Calling all students, parents, siblings, friends, staff to join the Cranbrook team in the City2Surf in support of charity Running for Premature Babies on 10 August.

To join click HERE.

Select the pink JOIN TEAM button and then register, ignoring the message about contacting the Team Captain.

(If you’re not sure which Start Wave to choose, consider joining the YELLOW group which is for joggers or walkers wanting to have a good time!)

All participants receive a free shirt. Fundraising is OPTIONAL. Raise $300 to have your race entry REFUNDED.

The event is selling out fast. Register now to avoid missing out!

Click here to learn more about Running for Premature Babies.