Michele Marquet, Acting Head of School

Dear Parents and Carers,

Today, you should have received a very welcome communication from our School Council announcing the appointment of Cranbook’s next Head, Mrs Anne Johnstone. A new era will soon begin! Anne will be joining us at the start of Semester 2 next year, and I am very much looking forward to introducing her to our wonderful school, and along with other members of our Senior Executive and the broader staff, helping her to get to know what makes Cranbrook unique. There is much to plan and do as we prepare, and exciting times lie ahead as we get to know Anne and her vision for the next stage of Cranbrook’s journey. Great schools do not stand still, they adapt and change, and I am delighted that Anne will be leading us into this next era. An outstanding educator, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a Head, personal warmth and genuine care for students, staff and families.

It has been an honour to lead the School over the past nine months and as we wait for Anne’s commencement, I will continue in the role of Acting Head of School in Term 1 2025 before returning to the Junior School at the start of Term 2. During the first term next year, Mr Grant Andrews will be Acting Head of Junior School. I am very grateful to all the Deputy Heads who have so ably stepped into leading the Junior School in my absence. During Term 2, Mr Stuart Meade will be Acting Head of Cranbrook School and I look forward to working closely with Stuart once again. A highly experienced Head, Stuart’s wisdom, guidance and love of our School will stand us in good stead, ensuring daily school life for our students continues unabated whilst also enabling a smooth transition for Anne.

Wishing everyone a busy and productive week,

Michele Marquet
Acting Head of School

Bob Meakin, Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School

Dear Parents and Carers

A special thanks to our Year 10 volunteers for acting as guides in our final Open Day of the year. These students volunteered for this duty rather than being selected and the feedback from prospective families was incredibly impressive. They were honest and enthusiastic about the School, the opportunities that exist here and how friendly the students and staff are. These were their words and not mine nor indeed those of any other member of staff. Well done to these Year 10 volunteers.

On Monday we gathered for a Remembrance Service on the Mackay Lawn outside the Memorial Chapel. Each of the fallen Old Cranbrookians were named and a bell was rung for each and every one of them during a respectful and important service. A special thanks to Mr Farraway for the service and I commend the students for their reverence and respect on this important occasion.

Tonight, we look forward to NEU! In the Packer Theatre from 6pm, where our Senior School rock bands will entertain us, I am sure.

All of our Year 12 2024 examinations have now finished with HSC Geography last Friday and IB DP Economics on Monday. Our outgoing Year 12s will celebrate with a formal on Tuesday 19 November and I look forward to seeing them there briefly.

Next Thursday 21 November we will enjoy a comedy debate with our Debating staff competing against a select student team in the Packer Theatre from 5.30pm. A special thank you to D’Arcy Richardson for enabling this. All spectators are welcome.

Have a great week.

Best wishes

Bob Meakin
Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School

Adrian Harrison, Acting Director of Academics

Honours Curriculum

‘To what extent can capital punishment ever be an act of justice?’

This was one of 3 questions our students pondered as part of the culminating assessment of the Honours curriculum. On Friday over 85 students from across Years 8- 10 sat a 2-hour examination crafted on interdisciplinary learning. This programme is designed for intellectually curious learners and spends an entire term exploring a range of themes spanning, philosophy of language, legal systems and introduction to psychology. It involves guest lectures from academics, discursive workshops as well as high level readings. Well done to all who have participated throughout the year and to Mr Adams for his masterful stewardship of this programme.

Congratulations to Logan Hsiao (Year 8 Northcott) on being awarded a scholarship as commendation for his entry in the John Locke Institute global essay prize. The John Locke Institute is attached to Oxford and Princeton and seeks to nurture intellectual humility and the courage to think differently. Well done Logan.

Adrian Harrison
Acting Director of Academics

Hannah Thomas, Director of Professional Learning

I want to extend my thanks to Nick Tsoukatos for his insightful presentation on his Cranbrook School Teacher Inquiry Group project, ‘The Impacts of Culturally Responsive Teaching.’

Nick’s action research project aimed to build students’ capacity to appreciate cultural differences, validate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture, understand Aboriginal ways of being, knowing, and doing, and engage Aboriginal students with relevant learning. His research explored how culturally relevant teaching practices in a series of biology lessons could improve Year 8 students’ positions on an intercultural development curriculum, and measured the impact of these teaching strategies through comparing students’ pre and post-intervention reflections.

In one standout lesson, students learned how Aboriginal dance is a storytelling medium, used to pass down stories from generation to generation, through engaging with a dance depicting the external features of a kangaroo. Students then used dance to communicate information about the function of an organ within the digestive system, before completing a reflection to measure their level of cultural responsiveness.

In order to analyse students’ reflections, Nick Using the Australian Institute for Teaching & School Leadership (AITSL) Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness Continuum, which describes levels of responsiveness to the knowledge, skills, and cultural identities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This scale ranges from Stage 1: Cultural Destructiveness through to Stage 6: Cultural Sustainability, and the shift in students’ cultural responsiveness from pre-intervention to post-intervention was impressive, with all students improving at least one stage in their cultural responsiveness. In their post-intervention reflections, 100% of students demonstrated Stage 3: Cultural Awareness or better, with 26.3% of students reaching Stage 4: Cultural Competence and 21.1% of students achieving Stage 5: Cultural Responsiveness.

Thank you, Nick, for your dedication to fostering an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment. Your work is truly inspiring!

Hannah Thomas
Director of Professional Learning

Daisy Turnbull, Director of Coeducation and Academy

Dear Parents and Carers 

Term 4 has been another busy term for coeducation. We have been interviewing prospective students for Year 7 2027, our second coeducational intake, as well as continuing to enrol girls for Year 7 and 11 2026. 

As part of our long orientation for Year 7 2026 we held a leadership afternoon tea on Tuesday, which gave the opportunity for our senior prefects to run workshops with the Year 5 students on various topics and activities from spaghetti and marshmallow towers to leadership conversations focusing on active listening and clear communication. 

We also held a welcome evening for our enrolled year 11 2026 girls and their parents, including some mixed netball, football, and touch with the Year 9 & 10 boarders. This gave the parents a chance to get to know each other and ask any questions about the coeducation transition. 

Next year we will continue with the long orientation for the Year 7 2026 cohort, as well as for the Year 7 2027 cohort, to give our first few cohorts time to get to know each other and the school. One parent mentioned that her son is coming from a very small Year 5 cohort, so the opportunity to get to know students before starting is making them a lot more confident about Year 7. 

For the first Year 11 cohort, they will be included in year multiple Year 10 activities around subject selection, as well as some Tomorrow Woman workshops. We will also be inviting the incoming girls’ parents to the Year 10 CSPA event in Term 2 so they can meet other parents. 

In week 7 Year 9 will have their ceroc dance day at Ascham, and we hope this will be a great opportunity for our students to work out of their comfort zone dancing, and to make new friends. 

It is becoming increasingly clear how important coeducation will be for preparing all our students for life outside of Cranbrook, and we are very excited that this journey is now a mere 14 months away!

Daisy Turnbull
Director of Coeducation and Academy

Middle School Ethics Olympiad

Congratulations to our Middle School Ethics Olympiad team who performed in their first Olympiad last week. Charlie Clark, Grayson Gerber, Felix Evans, Aaryan Mahtani, Weston Rose, and Archer Wong achieved an Honourable Mention for their excellent ethical arguments on topics ranging from fast fashion to inter-racial adoption to justification of lying. Utilising their knowledge of different ethical frameworks including the Golden Rule, deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics and relativism, the students performed very well in 5 heats of discussions throughout the day.

If you or your son is interested in being part of the ethics club next year, please contact Ms Turnbull dturnbull@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.

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

Dear Parents and Caregivers

In Week 5, we conduct our termly survey of students. This survey covers various aspects such as their current feelings, the effort they believe they are putting into their studies, their worries, and their average nightly sleep hours. The data collected enables our Heads of House and Mentors to engage in meaningful conversations with the students.

Key issues like sleep, acceptable screen time, and stress management were highlighted in the SWP sessions for Year 9 and Year 12. Year 9 students participated in the “Screens and Teens” presentation by the Black Dog Institute, while Year 12 students attended a session on stress management delivered by the Kidman Institute from UTS.

As our Year 8 students are preparing for CITF, with this week’s SWP focus was on recognising and working with diversity within their year group. Although many may feel nervous about going out in the field, it presents a valuable opportunity for them to make new connections and challenge themselves, contributing to their overall growth.

Year 7 students watched an episode of Australian Story featuring Gus Taylor, a climber who has overcome adversity twice, demonstrating to our students the importance of harnessing their inner strengths.

Lastly, our Year 10 students are about to begin their Yearly exams, marking the end of their academic year before they head out to CITF in Week 7. Please encourage them to practice their study and revision techniques so they are aware of what works for them as they enter their senior studies. 

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

Peter Young, Director of Students

Year 7 2025 Immersion Day
Last Thursday we welcomed all students who will be joining the Year 7 2025 cohort. The boys were well supported by a selected group of Year 10 students. During the day our visitors met with their Head of House as well as student House leaders. They also participated in Music, Art and Drama lessons as well as having a tour of the senior campus. After lunch the Year 6 students were able to get a feel for the summer sport they have chosen for Term 1,2025. The students left the school in good spirits and looking forward to commencing in late January next year.

Plain Clothes Day
All students were encouraged to wear plain clothes to school on Thursday 13 November. Money raised through donations as well as sales collected from a Sausage Sizzle organised by the SRC during lunch was donated to Surf Aid charity

Peter Young
Director of Students

Matt Grice, Director of Sport

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Last Thursday we welcomed the 2025 Year 7 cohort for their Immersion Day. It was great to see next year’s students enjoying their sports and getting to know each other and the staff. They experienced their first Cranbrook Brookie Booster Cheer, led by the Year 10 and 12s. We look forward to seeing them in Term 1 next year as they begin their SS Cranbrook journey.

Friday night saw our first home Friday night lights game of Basketball for the season in the VCH. Firstly, a big thank you to all the students that came and made the night a success. They were in full voice and extremely well behaved. Unfortunately, Trinity was too strong in the 1sts and 2nds with the Brookie Ballers trying hard all night.

As Cranbrook Basketball did their best to stay in the fight on court,  Cranbrook Water Polo was attempting to create a slice of history against perennial powerhouses Trinity. For the first time in the last 12 years Cranbrook beat Trinity in the 2nds and went mighty close to knocking off the CAS favourites in the 1sts. Overall, we played 8 games on the weekend winning 4, drawing 2 and losing only 2 games. It was only a few years ago Cranbrook was playing in the 2^nd division for CAS Water Polo. A huge congratulations to everybody in the Water Polo program. We are looking forward to seeing what the next few years brings!

This week sees us travel to Knox for Round 4 of the CAS Summer season. The swimmers compete in the South Harbour meet against Trinity and Waverley –  we wish them all the best as the swimming season starts to heat up. We look forward to a great week of sport.  The full round of fixtures can be found here. 

Speed and Agility saw 130 students turn up at 6:30am on Friday morning. Once again, a big thank you to all those who facilitate this amazing program. Looking forward to seeing 160 this Friday on Hordern!

The Term 4 Co-Curricular & Sport Timetable is here.

A reminder that All Sport Team Photos and Co-Curricular Group Photos are available from our School Photographer – Melba Studios. 

To access your photos – please visit www.melbastudios.com.au

The images can be located under the School section and the Password is DANGAR

The Lewis Report: Sailing Inter Schools Competition 

The sun was out with a gentle breeze, making it perfect conditions for our students competing on fields, courts, ovals, and the stunning Sydney Harbour. I had prime real estate, aboard the start boat of the newly formed Inter Schools Sailing Competition. 

The brainchild of our very own Head of Sailing, Tom Brewer, the competition sees the top teams from Cranbrook, Ascham, Scots, and Sydney Boys High compete in a 6-round draw. They race ‘teams’ style, in which 3 boats from each team compete for the best finishing score overall. Division 1 is made up of 8 teams, with Cranbrook holding 3 of those places – a testament to our program’s strength and depth.

On Saturday, our 1sts were up against the 2nds, whilst our 3rds battled local rivals, Scots. All our teams competed well, demonstrating skilful boat handling and tactical moves. Results from the day had our 1sts and 3rds victorious. Well done to all involved on a great day of racing, and good luck on the sailing ahead.

Matt Grice
Director of Sport

Basketball Report – Round 3

Cranbrook Basketball were scheduled against Trinity in Round 3 of the CAS season. Cranbrook Basketball finished the Round with 17 wins, 23 losses and 2 draws.

1sts
It was the first Friday Night Lights game of the season last Friday in The Factory (VCH); and the Brookie Boasters and basketball enthusiasts came out in droves to support the Cranbrook 1sts. Cranbrook started the game well and for the first 5 minutes were holding their own against a very talented Trinity team. Trinity started to put pressure on Cranbrook, the trickle turned into a flood and scoreline blew out quickly. Cranbrook fought and scrapped and worked and every player that participated gave every ounce of energy while on court but lost 48-108. Cruz MacTavish, at times looked unstoppable, easily evading defenders and finished with 13-points. The hard-working ball of energy, Xavier Spinola is starting to get a little loosey goosey scoring 8 points. Captain of Basketball, John Dulhunty and rocket guard Benny ‘The Chief’ Olschewski both contributed at both end of the floor. The most impressive aspect of the lop-sided game was the intensity of the entire Cranbrook 1sts team and the support of the Cranbrook community. It bodes well for the future, including Term 1 when the next home Friday Night Lights game is scheduled.

2nds
It was a competitive game for the Cranbrook 2nds against Trinity. After the first three quarters Trinty were in the lead 24-40, but Cranbrook was always threatening. Trinity took control in the last quarter winning, 61-33. Max Lluka and Hugo Bongardt scored 9-points and 8-points respectively and the whole team contributed throughout the game.

In the Spotlight – 8A
On centre court at The Factory (VCH1) the 8As were up against Trinity Grammar. Trinity always is competitive and are always difficult to beat. The Brook Ballers were ready to play and put together a smart and composed game. Jamie Petsoglou controlled the boards with Sam Pickett-Heaps and both looked like Bill Russell (Celtics great) cleaning the glass. Ned Lord showed his all-round game and Cooper ‘Loop’ Rosen sliced and dice on offence. It was a total team effort and a great win by the Cranbrook 8As.

Phil Beverley, Director of Music

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We have had over 120 students complete AMEB exams this year with many more completing them externally from Cranbrook. It is impressive to note that many students are now sitting grades 6 and above. This is a wonderful individual achievement. In order to receive their certificate, they are also required to complete a Musicianship/Theory of Music examination in addition to the performance requirements set out by the Board. If your child requires any further information regarding this, they are encouraged to contact us at music@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au so we can help support them on this journey.

I would like to recognise Marcus Chun who joins a very select group of students to achieve his Licentiate Diploma in Guitar Performance (LMusA). This award requires the candidate to complete a 45min recital of repertoire that is of the highest standard, and often compared to that of a 3^rd graduate studying music at a tertiary level. Congratulations Marcus.

The Concert Band recently accompanied the Cranbrook Remembrance Day Service, performing a reflective piece titled, An Australian Sea Ballad. As is the tradition in remembering the fallen, we were grateful that Nick Long and Archer Wong were able to perform the Last Post and Rouse during this service. Well done to you both and thank you for your contribution to this special event.

Congratulations to the musicians of NEU! It is a proud moment when we are able to support over 30 bands performing their own music. I’d like to thank Dave Russell and his team for the extraordinary work in this space.

Regarding instrumental lessons next year, I have no doubt you are having the conversation with your child regarding their plans for the year to come. Each year, enrolments rollover from the previous year unless a discontinuation form is completed no later than Thursday 5 December. This form is now available in Operoo. You may also be considering enrolling your child into instrumental lessons. Completing and enrolment form now, helps us manage rooming and staffing for the coming year. Please reach out to our Music Administrator music@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au, your child’s instrumental tutor, or head of instrumental area if you have any questions.

Christopher Hayles –  Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion

Martyn Hentschel – Strings, and Guitar

Anthony Pasquill – Piano and Voice

Warm Regards

Phil Beverley
Director of Music

Neu! – SOLD OUT

Join us tonight, Thursday 14 November at 6pm, for an unforgettable evening of original contemporary rock performed live by our talented Cranbrook students! This isn’t your ordinary school concert—our awesome contemporary musicians have been working tirelessly to bring you a professional, high-energy showcase of fresh sounds and innovative new music.

OnStage Selection: Snowglobe

The group performance “Snowglobe” has been invited to perform at the Seymour Centre in February 2025. Snowglobe uses physical theatre to explore the inter-generational struggle of a family dealing with the decline of a grandfather from Alzheimer’s disease. A tender and nuanced piece of theatre it showcases the creativity and talent of Matthew Radvin, Joel Droga, Mitchell Coles and Lex Baldwin. This is a wonderful achievement, to have the entire cohort nominated in the group performance category and then to have a group go on and be selected to perform as ‘exemplary’ work at a State level.

Andrew Benson
Head of Drama

Year 12 Drama Incursion – Norm and Ahmed

On Friday 8 November, Year 12 HSC Drama students were given the amazing opportunity to watch a live staged performance of HSC Drama text, Norm and Ahmed (written by Alex Buzo) performed by Laurence Coy and Rajan Velu in the Cranbrook Packer Theatre. Laurence and Rajan very generously stayed after the performance to run our students through key character moments and workshops from the play as well as answering a detailed Q & A session. We look forward to seeing our students bring the important issues from this text to life within their HSC Drama studies.

Articles of Interest

A round up of articles to read curated by the boarding staff;

Wiring children for resilience

Grades for behaviour?

Social Media Ban

Most Teens Think AI Won’t Hurt Their Mental Health. Teachers Disagree

Why It’s Never Too Early to Teach Your Child Good Social Media Habits

Teens’ latest social media trend? Self-diagnosing their mental health issues

How Social Media Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health: A Parent’s Guide

All best,

Matt Banes

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Click here to view details.

Second Hand Textbook Sale

Click here to see map for location. Click here for more information on CETOP.

2025 French Trip to Tahiti

View flyer here.

Contact Anne Gregory and Mario Phaesie for more information.