Senior School Link – Week 5, Term 1 2024 - 28 February 2024
Cloudstreet Drama Production
“Cloudstreet,” penned by Australian author Tim Winton, is a literary masterpiece that transcends generations with its poignant exploration of family, identity, and the Australian experience. Set in post-World War II Perth, the novel-turned-play follows the lives of two disparate families – the Pickles and the Lambs – who find themselves sharing a large, ramshackle house on Cloud Street.
At its core, “Cloudstreet” is a saga of resilience and redemption, weaving together the stories of its colorful characters against the backdrop of a rapidly changing nation. From the affable yet flawed Sam Pickles to the stoic and resilient Oriel Lamb, each member of the two families grapples with their own trials and tribulations, ultimately finding solace and strength in their shared struggles.
Cranbrook Drama is excited to present this senior production in the round as an immersive production for the audience to experience in the Packer Theatre.
Andrew Benson Head of Drama (Acting)
University Information Sessions
As students consider the various pathways they may want to take after school, those in Years 11 and 12 have positively engaged in the vast array of offerings available to help them on this exciting journey. Hosted on a weekly basis by undergraduate ambassadors from a range of universities, students are invited to bring their lunch and a friend to hear more about uni life, the huge range of courses on offer and pathways for entry. This term has already included presentations from UNSW, UTS, Macquarie and Old Cranbrookian, Dominic Symon, speaking on behalf of the University of Sydney.
For those interested in a Gap Year, earlier this week, students joined a webinar with Letz Live. They gained an insight into school, hospitality and outdoor education programs on offer, with placements available in 900 organisations overseas. As we move through the year, students will hear more about the residential colleges of the University of Melbourne, life as a medical student, careers in the Australian Defence Force and the fantastic opportunity to apply for a Cadetship through Professional Cadetships Australia. There will also be information sessions on how to apply to Australian universities, overseas universities and details of relevant early entry schemes. Students are strongly encouraged to grasp these opportunities as they continue to arise.
Further information is available from Elizabeth Fletcher (Head of Year 11 College) or Alastair Metcalf (Director of Year 12 College).
Bob Meakin, Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School
Dear Parents and Carers
Yesterday’s assembly was largely student led with so many areas of the School being celebrated. I commend the 350 boys who have volunteered for Clean Up Australia Day giving up their Sunday to serve their community. The promotion of the celebrations for International Women’s Day are in full swing, tying in our Service trip to Ladakh and their efforts to raise funds for sanitary products in this area. This shows an incredible and maturity a service driven mentality towards assisting women with the most basic needs, who are unable to access these products themselves.
Other presentations included the Student Investment Club and there was a comprehensive and humorous review of the school music tour which definitely added some spice to the Senior School assembly. I praised our students in Year 12 for their ongoing care and attention to our younger boys in the School. This distributed strategy of care for our younger boys is working tremendously well and I thank Year 12s for their keen attention to this excellent focus. We also congratulated Hone House on winning the House Swimming Carnival, narrowly seeing off Harvey for the trophy.
We look forward to welcoming Waverley this Friday for our final home game of Basketball; Mr Grice encouraged as many students to support our boys for our final home game as possible.
Year 7 Vaccination Clinic: the Public Health School Vaccination Programme for Year 7 students is being held on Wednesday 6 March. Year 7 parents have been emailed by the Health Centre with information on how to provide parental consent online or via a paper copy. For parents who are yet to provide consent, completion at your early convenience would be appreciated to assist Public Health staff in determining staffing and stock levels for next week. If there are any queries, please email HealthCentre@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.
We look forward to the Year 12 Parent/Teacher Interviews (online) on Wednesday 6 March.
Finally, the Headmaster did advise the School of some disappointing potential media coverage and he reminded the students that they are the culture of the School, and that this should not be distracting from the core business of teaching, learning and engagement with one another in this community.
Best wishes,
Bob Meakin Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School
Matt Grice, Director of Sport K – 12
Dear Parents and Guardians
Well done to our new Year 7s who have settled in very nicely to the Cranbrook sporting life.
7s Basketball had some enthralling games against Knox over the weekend. With the 7As, led by Mr Davis and Mr Papandreas, recording a thrilling 2-point win.
The 13s Water Polo have been very successful this season, securing some very strong results, including a 17-5 win over St Josephs on Saturday.
Year 7 have also been very well represented in the Weights Room and at Speed and Agility sessions. We look forward to watching their continued development and success.
The Cranbrook Aquatic Swim Club competed at the Metropolitan Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park over the weekend. Despite facing challenges of battling for parking spots with the Swifty fans, our team remained undeterred, ultimately delivering some outstanding performances. This event brought together over 100 clubs from across Sydney, providing our swimmers with a final opportunity to test their skills at Olympic Park before the highly anticipated CAS Championships (Thursday 14th March). The competition was also the final chance to race against swimming powerhouses of Trinity and Knox.
Despite being a midsize contingent, the Cranbrook Swim Club punched above its weight, clinching an impressive haul of medals. Notable standout performances include: Noah Kemp, Year 8: Gold in the 50m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke; Silver in the 100m Freestyle & 50m Butterfly Tate Sirianni, Year 11: Gold in the 50m Backstroke & 100m Backstroke Marcus Da Silva, Year 12: Gold in the 50m & 100m Freestyle; Silver in the 100m Butterfly & 400m Freestyle Aidan Park, Year 8: Silver in the 50m & 100m Breaststroke We also had top 10 places from Hugo Mertens YR8, Preston Irawan YR8, Axel Robinson YR12, Max Moylan YR12.
1sts Cricketers went 16 in a row on Saturday with a solid win against Knox. Oscar Wright scored a fantastic maiden century to guide Cranbrook to a competitive 171 in a rain reduced game, with the ever-reliable Sam Wier taking 6 crucial wickets to bowl Knox out for 80. Well done to Sam Weir, Julian Bagget, Riley keen and Tom Marchant (Captain) for being selected in the CAS 1st XI team to play ISA and GPS. Today, Sam produced a master class scoring 118* to help CAS win by 8 wickets against ISA.
Our footballers have started the season off in a winning fashion as our 1st squad secured a 3-0 victory over St Lukes in round one of the CIS Cup.
Well done to Rohan O’Donnel, Tom Malcolm, Huon Groves who came 2nd in the NSW All Schools Senior Triathlon Relay!
On Thursday afternoon, Cranbrook’s Senior Tennis squad had an internal match against Kambala. It was a great experience for both schools, with the sharing of knowledge and coaching across the board. Thank you to Mr Higgins for organising this opportunity.
Looking forward to seeing everyone around the grounds this weekend. The full fixture list can be found here.
Please note that Winter Sport Selection has now closed – we will be sending out details of Winter Training Programs and schedules in the coming week.
As we near the conclusion of Summer Sport, we would like to inform all students and families about the Summer Sport Photo sessions.
Students should be at the photo session with :
Full Summer Sport Playing Uniform
Student ID cards
For dates, times and details please see the table below:
Photo session
Term Date
Time
Notes
Location
Summer Sport
Term 1 , Week 7 Monday 11th March
Lunchtime 12:50 – 1:30pm
YR 7 – 9 Swimming, Water Polo, Sailing (all ages)
VCH
Monday 11th March
After school 3:30 – 5pm
YR 7 – 9 Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, Rowing
Chapel Lawn/ VCH/SS Gym
Tuesday 12th March
Lunchtime 12:50 – 1:30pm
Y10 Water Polo Opens Volleyball Y10 – 12 Rowing Y10 – Y12 Swimming
Congratulations to all ISDA competition teams who debates for another clean sweep of wins on Friday, this time against St Catherine’s in Round 2!
See below the ISDA topics, for which Cranbrook was affirmative in all debates:
Division
Topic Area Round 2 ISDA: Politics
7
Debate postponed
8
Debate postponed
9
That broken election promises should automatically trigger an election.
10
That we prefer multi-party systems of government to the two party system.
Senior B
That we prefer multi-party systems of government to the two party system.
Senior A
That we prefer multi-party systems of government to the two party system.
See below the updated tally:
ISDA Division
Round 1 vs SACS
Round 2 vs St Caths
7
WIN
TBC
8
WIN
TBC
9
WIN
WIN
10
WIN
WIN
Senior B
WIN
WIN
Senior A
WIN
WIN
We also saw a terrific set of Eastside results in our pre-season ‘friendly’ round against Reddam, with Years 7, 8, 10 and 12 winning their debates.
See below the Eastside pre-season round topics:
Division
Topic Area Pre-Season Eastside: Science
7
That we oppose the privatisation of space exploration
8
That we oppose the privatisation of space exploration
9
That attempts to further extend human life through science should be abandoned
10
That attempts to further extend human life through science should be abandoned
11
That we should actively halt the development of AI
11
That we should actively halt the development of AI
See below the results for Cranbrook:
Eastside Division
Pre-Season vs Reddam
7
WIN
8
WIN
9
Loss
10
WIN
11
Loss
12
WIN
This Friday 1st March sees the following debates take place:
Details
ISDA
Eastside
Round
Round 3
Round 1
Venue
Cranbrook
Sydney Grammar
Address
5 Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill
68/70 Edgecliff Rd, Woollahra NSW 2025
Entry via
Enter via the Rose Bay Avenue pedestrian gate and follow the signs down to Level 4 of the Vicars Centenary Building.
Debating is held on the first-floor level of the Palladium Building, accessible via the Stanley or Young Street entrances.
Years 7-9 debate / finish
Debates start 6.30pm / Debates finish 7.30pm
Debates start 6.15pm / Debates finish 7.15pm
Years 10-12 debate / finish
Debates start 7.30pm / Debates finish 9.00pm
Debates start 7.15pm / Debates finish 8.45pm
Topic area
None advertised
Ethical Issues
Spectator policy
Spectators welcome
Spectators welcome
No bus is provided since all debates are within the Eastern Suburbs this week. Students are required to make their own way to venues after school.
A reminder that all Years 7-9 debaters must be collected by a parent or guardian at the end of the night.
Social and Legal Debating
Last Thursday, Social Debating students developed their understanding of ‘ban’ topics. These require that students consider the outright end or removal of something, prompted by a major concern or problem. Identifying this and explaining why such a drastic action like a ban is needed (or is counterproductive on the negative) is something the students grappled with thoughtfully. Students then had the opportunity to put training into practice with a ban debate on a fresh topic.
Social Debating continues 3.30pm this Thursday 29th February for students already enrolled. Students train with their coach, prep and then debate, finishing at 5.30pm. Social Debating is closed to spectators, and parents collecting their son at the end can do so from the Rose Bay Avenue pedestrian gate.
Mooting students met last Thursday to continue their preparations for the Bond University Competition and were engrossed in hefty case prep work when I said hello to the group. Mock Trial students have their next training at 3.30pm this Thursday 29th February (with Mooting occurring on alternating Thursdays), ahead of the first round of the 2024 NSW Law Society Competition. Students will learn more about the competition structure and requirements and begin to settle into defined roles. Mock Trial students are coached by an expert in this field, Conna, who is also one of our senior debate coaches on a Friday evening. We look forward to seeing who will be our first opposition school in the next few days!
Public Speaking
On Monday, public speakers worked with our new coach, Luisa, on demonstrating empathy, ethics and critical reasoning in speech, commencing with an exercise called ‘hot air balloon’. In this activity, students must decide who (from a pre-set list of individuals) to save from the falling hot air balloon and who to leave behind. It’s a tough call, though compels students to also express themselves in an impromptu setting and be creative with their justifications. There were some interesting calls made! Our next public speaking session takes place 3.30pm this Monday 4th March, with students enrolled putting into verbal practice the research and critical thinking skills from this week’s session.
We will shortly be announcing an additional public speaking opportunity for Years 7 and 8 students who would like to build their confidence and skill and be credited through formal external assessment. More details coming soon!
Model United Nations
This week, students involved with our Model UN lunchtime sessions commenced with their second resolution for the term, this one of the Question of the High Seas. This resolution requires students to research and debate the protection of international sea lanes vital for global trade and security, drawing on recent flashpoints in the South China and Red Seas. All resolutions this year are designed to compel students to explore current events, broadening the scope of their knowledge and appreciation for the world in which they live.
In the wake of the State Conference, students have received notice via our TEAMS channel of the following opportunities:
Rotary MUNA Competition, to be held at State Parliament in June, and
Evatt Competition, to be held during the month of May
Students already enrolled in the programme and who are interested in small group coaching for Model UN so they may develop confidence and skill to compete in external events are invited to attend our weekly Thursday morning sessions. Coach Jack will lead these sessions from 7.15-8.15am, with room details published in the dedicated TEAMS channel for students.
Oratory programmes are fully subscribed for Semester 1
There has been a lot of recent interest in participating in one or more of our oratory programmes. However, close date for sign-ups have long passed and we are presently fully subscribed across all debating, public speaking, and Model UN. We are therefore unable to accept new enrolments. However, students keen to gain access to our resources and prepare themselves for Semester 2 sign-up are welcome to reach out to me (note, we only accept expressions of interest from students directly). Sign-up for Semester 2 offerings will circulate via student email in mid-June.
Upcoming oratory events
ISDA Competition Debating R4 vs Kambala (away) next Friday 8th March
Eastside Competition Debating R2 vs Scots (away) also next Friday 8th March
Contact
Should you or your son have any further questions about any of Cranbrook’s oratory programmes, you are welcome to reach out to the Head of Oratory and Student Journalism, Mr Benjamin Smith, at bsmith@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au. In the first instance, students should be making contact about getting involved.
Essential information and highlights for parents will be posted here on Cranbrook Connect as part of the Thursday Link. Students involved in oratory programmes will receive updates via their respective Canvas or TEAMS channels.
Benjamin Smith Head of Oratory and Student Journalism
Clean up Australia Day
Clean up Australia Day is one of the major events in Cranbook’s calendar. This year, it is taking place on Sunday 3rd of March, and we would love to see any many of the students as possible participating in what is the first major service activity of the school year.
Recently, the students set themselves service goals for the semester in their SWP sessions with mentors so here is their first opportunity to make those goals a reality! This is a perfect chance for them to provide an important service to our local community and the environment as a whole by removing rubbish from our local bushland, parks, and waterways.
Key details are as follows:
Date: Sunday 3rd March Time: 8:30 – approx. 10:30am Location: Meet and return to the Vicars Centenary Hall – working in House groups going to the various collection locations assigned in our local area. What to bring: Heavy duty thick gloves, a water bottle and sunscreen. Rubbish collection implements may also be brought and used. Bring food for the morning and medication, if needed. What to wear: Cranbrook sports uniform, hat, raincoat if required and enclosed footwear such as sneakers. No open footwear. Sign in: All students will be required to sign in at 8:30 in the gym and sign out before returning home.
Parents and carers should have received the permission forms today via Operoo. These need to be returned by 29 February.
I look forward to seeing as many of the boys as possible on the day!
Mr Nolan
“The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for.”
—Ernest Hemingway
Resonate
Resonate celebrates Cranbrook’s innovative and inspiring teachers. Each article takes a deep dive into a topic that a teacher has investigated, researched and developed to ultimately enhance the classroom learning experience.
In our next Resonate article, Mathematics teacher Dearbhla Cooper discusses the out-of-box approach she developed to help lower ability students overcome maths anxiety, with extraordinary results.
The Old Cranbrookians’ Association is proudly supporting the Three Islands Classic (3IC), to be conducted as usual on Sydney Harbour. It’s open to all who are owners or skippers and can beg, borrow or by other means produce a keelboat for the day! The event will be held on Sunday 24 March 2024 and will commence at 11am with most yachts sailing for approximately one and a half hours. Arrival at Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association (RANSA) will then be around 1pm for an award ceremony at about 2pm. Old Cranbrookians and Cranbrook families are all welcome to come along!
Cost: $70 to cover the cost of running the 3IC, the use of the venue at RANSA for the post-race raft, TryBooking fees and trophy regeneration.
For all enquiries or if you’re just keen to be part of a crew, please contact Rebecca Curran in the Development Office on +61 2 9327 9409 or email alumni@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au
Articles of Interest
Please find articles of interest below compiled each week by members of the boarding staff team.
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2024 on Friday 8 March, we are proudly profiling our female leaders at Cranbrook as part of our commitment to championing diversity and fostering inclusion in education. This year’s theme, Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress, underscores the importance of celebrating the invaluable contributions of women in the teaching profession. By spotlighting female educators, we are sharing their inspiring stories, and showcasing the diverse perspectives they bring to the classroom, whilst instilling a sense of belonging and empowerment for us all.
Don’t miss out on a CRU Camps for K-Y12! Choose from residential activity camps, HSC & IB study camps or daytime-only camps, all with fantastic activities like sailing, horse riding, rock climbing, archery, canoeing, abseiling, cooking, Year 12 study, plus new friends, engaging Bible talks & more! For more info or to register, visit crucamps.com.au ‘CRU Camps’ is a division of the Crusader Union of Australia which has 90 years’ experience running safe, Christian camps for kids.
There is a wonderful hum in the air where making music is an integral part of the day in the lives of many Cranbrookians. From our Year 3 students who are discovering a wind instrument for the first time, to our Choirs, Bands and Orchestras. In Week 2, our Performance Plus Keynote speaker, Dr. Sarah Marshall, unpacked the topic of performance anxiety, providing practical insights into managing feelings of anxiety both as a musician and in life.
All ensembles are well and truly underway. We have deployed the attendance email system which will communicate the timing of your son’s arrival to ensembles. This is an important measure that helps encourage timely arrival for setup to ensembles, many of which commence at 7am. It also provides us with an effective way to log and maintain accurate data when reviewing applications for things like EQV and Colours awards. Attendance and punctuality are a crucial part of this award but most importantly, we hope to build good habits without punitive punishments. Music is an optional activity, and we want to make it as positive an experience as possible for every student. We will be extending this measure to instrumental lessons so that we can work together to ensure attendance is punctual to lessons that rotate through the day. Your son’s schedule is available for you to view through the Cranbrook App.
With over 320 lessons a week at Cranbrook, Music is an integral part of the learning experience for many, and we want to ensure we can keep you in the loop of your son’s attendance and progress as much as possible. The product of all of these experiences are best shared We do this in preparation to share these musical experiences with you and I would like to draw your attention to the following events.
Term 1 Soirée
This event provides an opportunity for solo performance in a recital setting and will feature and range of musicians from Years 7-12
When: Wednesday 6 March, 6:30 pm
Where: Orchestra Room – No RSVP required
Scholars’ Recital
Please join our music team as we celebrate in concert the pursuit of excellence and celebrate the significant contribution these musicians make to our community.
This year’s Easter Concert will be featuring a select number of chamber and choral works that pay trip to the Christian ethos of our school and celebrate this holy time through music. We look forward to welcoming the singers from the Junior School who will join with our Senior Choir for this special occasion.
