Stuart Meade, Acting Head of School

Stuart Meade, Acting Head of School

It has certainly been the case of ‘music to my ears’ in the past fortnight as Cranbrook students of all ages have performed on various stages with distinction. I was fortunate to attend the AMPED! contemporary music concert and the Junior School Gala Music Concert in recent days, noting the K-2 Concert took place on the same day as the Years 3-6 concert.

Marrickville was rocking as more than 35 bands made up of Senior School students took to the stage over a four-hour period at The Factory, a venue perfectly set up for such events for the annual AMPED concert. While the musicianship was outstanding, it was the confidence of the band members, particularly the singers, which impressed. The support from the students in the ‘mosh pit’, especially the senior boys, was equally noteworthy – loud, positive and sustained which gave extra affirmation to the boys on stage. It was indeed a memorable event, as was the Junior School Music Concert last week. Performance after performance showcased the talent of the Junior School boys. The choral pieces just kept getting better each time they took to the stage and the orchestra and band items were uplifting. I love seeing enthusiastic children mastering challenging pieces set by supportive teachers. The Junior School was a joy to watch just as I am sure it was to be a performer.

Decision fatigue

From my address at this week’s Senior School Assembly:

How many of you have a routine for what you eat for breakfast, especially on school days? That is, you eat the same thing each morning, meaning you do not have to make a decision about whether to have cereal, fruit, toast, eggs, smoothie, whatever.

I read an article recently in which the author said he has had the same breakfast for past 40 years – that is a bit extreme, I know, but the point he was making is that having to make a decision about what to have for breakfast drains what he calls our ‘cognitive tank’ and disrupts our ability to make good decisions, important decisions later in the day.

He refers to members of his family wandering aimlessly around the kitchen, contemplating what to eat. Some even open the fridge, have a look, close it, go to the cupboard then return to the fridge for another look, in case their standards may have slipped. (sound familiar?)

More importantly, he adds the practice of grabbing our phones as soon as we wake up, scrolling one way or the other making decisions whether to like a post, comment on a photo, delete that email, respond to that text, accept a request, etc. They all involve having to make a decision, some simple, some not so straight-forward.

He calls this decision fatigue, which can impact your stress levels as well as your ability to make clear rational decisions later in the day. To avoid this, he says, establish as many habits as possible such as what to have for breakfast. Having a school uniform, for example, negates the need to decide what to wear to school. And that is good.

So, apart from the breakfast decision, the advice is to stay off your phone for the first hour of the day, you will find your imagination comes alive with fresh ideas and the ability to make important decisions later in the day. Perhaps even what to buy at the Hive…try it for a few days.  

Enjoy the long weekend.

With good wishes

Stuart Meade
Acting Head of School

Bob Meakin, Head of Senior School / Deputy Headmaster

Bob Meakin, Head of Senior School / Deputy Headmaster

Dear Parents and Carers

At lunchtime today, our Year 12 AFL and Rugby players competed for the Clontarf Cup in AFL, with our Reconciliation Week guest, Uncle Richie presiding. Uncle Richie has previously joined our AFL players in the Northern Territory, and it was wonderful to welcome him to this lunchtime fun fixture. Sam Marjoribanks and Jack Tremain promoted this in yesterday’s Assembly, in order to raise money for the Indigenous Community where the School toured.

Yesterday’s Assembly was a tremendous mix of staff and student speakers, with special guests Uncle Richie presenting on Reconciliation Week and the Mayor of Woollahra, Ms Sarah Swan supporting our Push Up Challenge for Bondi Lifeline. Uncle Richie’s presentation was extremely personal and moving, especially with reference to his own family history; his message of moving forward and building bridges was incredibly well received by the students. Mayor Swan engaged in many push ups herself, with Mr Lloyd Owusu and Finn Scott-Brown, on the assembly stage. We are set to try and raise more money than last year for this incredibly important charity.

I would like to congratulate Matt Downes our Second Prefect, on his incredible speech. His message on celebrating of the individual and the acceptance of difference in the theme of Reconciliation was just brilliant.

A reminder that tomorrow is our Year 7 to 10 Parent/Teacher Day (online); attendance is not compulsory for Year 11 and 12 students, however, there will be optional workshops/lectures and the Year 11 and 12 Colleges will be open with Tutors available.

Best of luck to our Mooting team, made up entirely of our Boarders; Mickey Chen, Plai Garnjana-Goonchorn and, Rupert Tait who represent us in the Semi Finals of the National Mooting Competition on Saturday at Bond University, Gold Coast.

Finally, in the Pastoral theme of ‘Balance’, I would like to wish everyone a restful and enjoyable long weekend. I hope that this is an opportunity to catch up with family and friends and recharge our batteries ready for the final few weeks of term.

Best wishes,

Bob Meakin
Head of Senior School / Deputy Headmaster

Adrian Harrison, Acting Director of Academics

Adrian Harrison, Acting Director of Academics

IBDP Subject selection evening

As part of our suite of information sessions surrounding subject selection for Year 10 students, we held our first in person sessions on Tuesday evening. We were especially glad to welcome in those students and families that will be joining us in 2026, including a number of girls. The audience was treated to a deeper dive into the origins of the IB Diploma programme and then a flyover of the more than 30 subjects on offer to study here at Cranbrook. At the conclusion of the talk families were invited into the various subject domain where they had one-on-one conversations with staff and current students offering valuable insights into the particulars of each of the subjects.

My sincere thanks to all our Year 11 and 12 students who gave of their time on Tuesday evening along with all of the staff who presented and also those spoke to the individual subjects, your expertise was greatly appreciated. I would also like to acknowledge to considerable work of Mr Hanrahan and Ms Karp for their work in setting up the evening. The next stop on this journey will be Wednesday the 18 June where we have our final Subject Selection Fair in Vicars Centenary Hall with Year 8 into 9 at 4pm and Year 10 into 11 starting at 5.30pm.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Tomorrow marks the Parent Teacher Interviews for Years 7-10. A reminder that each of these are 5-minute interviews and they will be occurring online via Microsoft Teams from 8am. Should you have been unable to secure a booking for a particular subject tomorrow please reach out to the specific teacher who will arrange a suitable time to talk with you next week.

Years 11 and 12

There will be no formal lessons for Years 11 and 12 tomorrow. Both colleges will be open with external tutors available for student’s who wish to use them. In addition, there will be a range of workshops. Attendance on this day is optional for Years 11 and 12, however, Full school uniform is compulsory for those students choosing to come on site.

ICAS

We will be running ICAS competitions in Term 3 across a variety of subjects Digital Technologies, Writing, English, Mathematics and Science.

What is ICAS?  

ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies. Every student who participates is celebrated and recognised with a printed certificate in each subject area, and an online results report to track development each year. Top performers are eligible for one of the highly coveted ICAS medals.  

To learn more about this year’s exciting ICAS competition, click here.

How to participate in ICAS  

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please go to the Parent Portal to sign up to your chosen subject areas using the link and code below.  

Registration for all subject areas closes on Monday 28 July at 11:59pm.

Parent Code:

ZMP800

Parent Page Link:

Click here for the parent page link.

Best regards,

Adrian Harrison
Acting Director of Academics

Daisy Turnbull, Director of Coeducation

Daisy Turnbull, Director of Coeducation

Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we had a great event for some of our Year 7 2026 students. Run by Debating Prefects Marley Farrer and David Tabachnik under the wise counsel of Mr Adams, our incoming boys, girls, and current Junior School students worked together in small groups learning debating skills. From auctioning for the best debate topic, writing 1 minute speed speeches, and ‘ice cream conversations’ that build on the previous speakers’ ideas.

These events are designed to give students an opportunity to work together in coeducational contexts, as well as get to know Cranbrook and our amazing co-curricular opportunities. Some of our Year 11 IB Diploma students also assisted, running small groups and engaging in great leadership conversations with the younger students, as they will be the leaders in our first year of coeducation.

Next week we have an event for Year 7 2027 students, and will continue with this ‘long orientation’ until the formal immersion day in Term 4 of Year 6.

Daisy Turnbull
Director of Coeducation

Matt Grice, Director of Sport

Matt Grice, Director of Sport

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Cranbrook faced our Eastern Suburbs neighbours, Waverley, in a full round of fixtures on Saturday as we came together to mark Reconciliation Round. This important occasion provided an opportunity for both school communities to unite in recognising and respecting the culture, history, and ongoing contributions of the Indigenous peoples of our country. We are grateful to Waverley for hosting the day and helping to create a meaningful environment where students, staff, and families could reflect on the significance of reconciliation. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of education, understanding, and respect in strengthening connections across our communities.

Cranbrook recorded excellent wins in the 1sts Tennis and Volleyball. The 1sts Football match ended in a frustrating draw after a tightly contested game, while Waverley proved just too strong in a close and physical encounter on the rugby field. The 1st AFL team also had a narrow loss as Knox pipped them at the post by 8 points.

Mr Bray had his trademark smile back after the 2nds Football secured a fantastic win, and a special mention must go to the mighty 5th XV, who produced an emphatic victory on QP1 at 8am – a true display of commitment and early-morning energy.

Tennis enjoyed a brilliant day overall, winning 100% of their matches against Waverley. The 1sts claimed an impressive 7-1 win, while the 2nds dominated with a clean 8-0 result. The continued improvement, teamwork, and spirit within the Tennis community is something to be celebrated.

A reminder that this week sees no Saturday Sport for the Kings Birthday long weekend. Enjoy a well-deserved weekend off!

The Lewis Report, by Eddie Lewis

The first time this season, all scheduled fixtures went ahead! Across all grounds there was great energy as our students came together, with most games against our local rival, Waverley. 

On the Kimpton Tennis Courts at Dangar our 9A top doubles pair dominated Waverley 6-0 despite our opponent surviving 7 match points. The Year 9 A & B continued this trajectory for the rest of the morning, ultimately winning all matches, with the Bs losing only 1 game!

Across on Woollahra 3, our mighty 6th XV took on rugby powerhouse St Joseph’s. We capitalised on the spilt ball several times and used our speed through the wings to take out a strong 44-10 victory!

Up the road, our 16A Volleyball team took on Barker at our VCH Lewin Court. For much of our team, this is the first time they’ve played volleyball, and the development they’ve shown has been extremely impressive. The match featured many long rallies as well as much improved first-serve accuracy. The team went down in three very close sets, however if they continue with this week-on-week improvement, we look forward to versing Barker again next term.

Over to Pioneers Park, where our Intermediate B AFL team took on a very strong Waverley opposition. As AFL continues to grow at the school, it is a testament to our students’ commitment that we’re able to field 7 teams – the most in the school’s history. This is largely thanks to our students’ and families’ willingness to double up games. Whilst the team didn’t get the result, their effort cannot be faulted for all four quarters.

Back down Anzac Parade and off to Queens Park where our 7B footballers were set to take on Waverley. As the crowd built around them (thanks to the 1sts and 2nds Rugby on the neighbouring field), the team focused on the job at hand. Our skills and tactics were clearly a step above our opponents, with our team walking away with a 3-0 victory!

The long weekend ahead will see our sports teams take a week off; a good opportunity to rest, recover, and get ready for the final 2 fixtures remaining for this term.

To Note:

  • The T2 2025 Co-Curricular and Sport Schedule can be accessed here.
  • July Holiday Training & Camp Schedule can be found here.
  • Rugby Holiday Camp – please find more details and booking here.
  • Basketball Holiday Camp – please find more details and booking here.
  • Football Holiday Camp – please find more details and booking here.

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

Looking forward to seeing everyone around the grounds this weekend.       

Matt Grice
Director of Sport

Running Lines: Volume 3 2025

Running Lines: Volume 3 2025

Brace yourself. A tough day at the office for our soldiers who took to Queen’s park or better known as Death Valley. While our egos may have taken a hit, our sportsmanship was well showcased compared to the conduct  of our opposition (players and supporters alike)

Our results were:

TeamOppositionResultWin/Loss
1stsWaverley22-29Loss
2ndsWaverley7-26Loss
3rdsWaverley12-25Loss
4thsWaverley10-24Loss
5thsWaverley24-12Win
6thsSt Josephs 13ths44-10Win
16AWaverley5-26Loss
16BWaverley0-20Loss
16CWaverley5-35Loss
15AWaverley0-43Loss
15BWaverley5-38Loss
15CWaverley12-65Loss
14AWaverley5-75Loss
14BWaverley5-50Loss
14CWaverley0-76Loss
13AWaverley0-50Loss
13BWaverley0-62Loss
  • Player of the Day: Junior Teams (13s, 14s & 15s) – Hugo Anderson (15A)
  • Player of the Day: Senior Teams (16s & Opens) – Oliver Minning
  • Rugby All Rounder of the Day (for effort/attitude on and off the field) – Milo & Max Serfontein
  • Team of the Day – 5th XV

When hearing of the name Death Valley in the build up to the fixture against Waverley, it took me back to some of my year 8 Geography and year 9 Global studies lessons. A rather dry, desert type landscape of which temperatures soar to a staggering 50°C. Not much can survive in these treacherous conditions to the East of California. What are we in for…

After an impressive win for the 13A side last weekend against Knox, it was back to reality for our young team. They really showcased their bravery on defence and attacking prowess against a team that were physically dominant. An outside center from Waverly wouldn’t be out of place in a 16 A back row. He was tall and fast. He scored tries every time he received the ball. Our boys are to be commended on their commitment and staying up for the fight for the entirety of the game.

The 6th team were given the opportunity to open the fixture up at 8am on Woollahra 3. A group of boys whose priority is enjoyment. They got right into it and scored some full length tries, that showed great continuity. The only other win from the fixture was that of the 5th XV. Well done to them as they were unequivocally chosen as the team of the week.

The 15A’s suffered a scoreless loss but young Hugo Anderson was thriving at the physicality that the game presented. He was flying into tackles and really showing no respect for his body. He really stood out in his teams performance. He just needed his team mates to give the same

The Cranbrook 1st XV travelled to Waverley for what is always one of the toughest fixtures on the schoolboy rugby calendar. Death Valley has long been a fortress for Waverley, and despite a determined lead-up, it sadly remains a ground where Cranbrook is yet to record a victory in recent memory.

From the outset, it was clear that Waverley came with intent, applying relentless pressure and playing with a physical edge. While the scoreboard ultimately reflected a challenging day for Cranbrook, it only tells part of the story.

What cannot be measured in numbers is the bravery and commitment shown by our players. The Cranbrook side never backed down, continuing to fight for every metre, every breakdown, and every moment of possession. Our boys played the game with heart and honour, maintaining their composure in moments when the spirit of the contest was tested by conduct not in keeping with the values we hold dear.

Tragically, the match was marred by a serious injury to Cranbrook player. Angus Messiter, a cornerstone of the 1st XV, suffered a broken leg during the first half—a devastating blow for both Angus and the team. We were leading 8-0 at this point.

Despite the adversity, the Cranbrook players continued to compete with immense spirit and resilience. Each one of them should be commended for their sportsmanship and loyalty to one another in difficult circumstances. A frustrating and somewhat careless to one of our players seemed a nail in the coffin at the time. Instead, it did quite the opposite. The boys rallied together and started to gather some phases together to create some try scoring opportunities. Two tries were scored. Waverly received two yellow cards for ill-discipline. The momentum had shifted. It was too little too late. As we scored our last try, it marked the end of the game. A fantastic comeback effort by our boys.

While the result was not in our favour, the integrity and unity displayed by the team is what truly defines them. We extend our thanks to the Cranbrook community who made the journey to support the side. A much-needed weekend off to look forward to as we then head to Barker.

Brent Crossley
Master in Charge of Rugby

Cranbrook Corner – Round 4 Football Report

Cranbrook Corner – Round 4 Football Report

The weekend’s fixtures saw Cranbrook take on Waverley College across various venues, with Queens Park once again hosting a number of matches.

The 10A’s kicked things off in style, recording back-to-back victories with a commanding 5-2 win, showing their attacking flair and continued growth as a team. On the neighbouring field, the 3rd XI appeared to be in full control with a 2-0 lead heading into the final ten minutes. However, a late resurgence from Waverley saw the game end in a 2-2 draw, with the equaliser coming in the final moments—a tough but valuable lesson in game management.

Elsewhere in the Year 10 cohort, both the 10B and 10C teams also secured well-deserved victories, highlighting the depth across the year group.

It was a more challenging outing for our Year 7 teams,  who came up against strong Waverley sides and found the going tough. Only our 7B team came away with the win. Nonetheless, their effort and attitude is outstanding, and they will no doubt look to bounce back stronger next round. A standout in the junior age groups was the 8A’s, who continued their excellent form with a confident 4-1 win, further cementing their strong season.

Overall, it was a positive day for Cranbrook Football, Our program won the majority of our games, we had some encouraging performances and signs of growth across many teams. A huge thank you and well done to all players, coaches, and supporters involved.

We now look forward to a well-earned weekend off—an opportunity to rest, reset, and get ready for Round 6.

1st XI Match Report – Cranbrook 2 v Waverley College 2 

In a dramatic and emotionally charged contest, the Cranbrook 1st XI battled to a 2-2 draw with Waverley College, showing tremendous resilience to salvage a point in the dying seconds of the match.

Against the run of play, it was Zayah Askaro who opened the scoring midway through the first half, giving Cranbrook a 1-0 lead. Despite the goal, the boys struggled to find rhythm in possession, uncharacteristically misplacing passes and inviting Waverley into dangerous transition moments.

Defensively, however, Cranbrook held firm. Tom Miles, Hugo Bongardt, and Oscar Wilkins were outstanding in the heart of defence, dealing with Waverley’s threats calmly and effectively. Out wide, Lachie Zhang and Jeno Kerr did a terrific job containing their opposite numbers, limiting Waverley’s options down the flanks.

Just before the break, Tom Melhuish had a golden opportunity to double the lead, finding himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. A sharp save from the Waverley keeper denied Cranbrook what could have been a decisive goal heading into halftime.

After the break, Cranbrook turned the screws and began to dominate possession and territory, launching wave after wave of attack. Despite creating multiple chances, the combination of wayward finishing and an inspired performance from the Waverley goalkeeper kept the scoreline at 1-0.

Then, in a cruel twist, Waverley capitalised on their first corner of the second half, scoring directly to level the match at 1-1. Moments later, lightning struck twice—another Waverley corner found the net, and suddenly Cranbrook were trailing 1-2.

Refusing to give in, Cranbrook pushed everyone forward in the final moments of the game. In a thrilling finish, with literally the last kick of the match, it was Hugo Bongardt who rose to the occasion, hammering home the equaliser and rescuing a vital point. The referee’s whistle blew immediately after the restart—a great comeback and a testament to the team’s fighting spirit.

The draw keeps Cranbrook in the hunt as we head into the final rounds. A gutsy performance with plenty of lessons and positives to take forward. Well done to all involved.

Cranbrook 2nd XI 4 defeated Waverley College 2nd XI 2

I first saw it at the Avalon Cinema back when it was own by Mike Walsh. It’s looking a bit the worse for wear these days … Avalon Cinema not The Neverending Story.  The Neverending Story, or Die unendliche Geschichte for the German speakers among us, is timeless.  Now I know what you are thinking, I’m going to draw a parallel between Queens Park 2 and the Swamp of Sadness, but you are completely wrong. 

The Swamp of Sadness (also known as Queen’s Park 2) was no match for the 2nd XI, and unlike Atreyu, we did not lose our horse.  No, the Cranbrook 2nd XI,  began brightly with fierce tackling by Luke Brady, brilliant long balls by Josh Chidiac and determined heading by Lachie Read.  The first signs of real trouble for Waverley came from through balls by Gio Alafaci, first to the King of Monaco Ayrton Palmer, and then to Luke Brady who shot just over.  It should be noted, that in the second instance, it was an excellent tackle by Harry Sewell that created the transition for Gio. Sunshine arrived on the counter, when a great ball from Lachie Read found the King, who demonstrated great strength and speed to hold off a defender and drive towards the 18 yard box.  A sneaky little through ball to Gio (I’m styling it like this, G10, from now on), who weaved in and out of a couple defenders before cutting the ball back for the King, Ayrton Palmer, who finished off the move.  We almost scored a second when  Zac Yaffa, picked out the British sculptor Henry Moore with a superb diagonal ball, but the Waverley keeper made a smart save low to his right.  It happened again when Harry Wilcockson, from Anglo-Saxon origins meaning son of little William, showed a little bit of razzle dazzle, a Cryuff turn or two followed by a Maradona,  before shifting it to Jordi Singh, who found Zac Yaffa, and again another beautiful diagonal ball.  Don’t tell Barker, but we set up in a 3-5-2 this week for just this purpose.  Goal number two came from Luke Brady’s throughball to Ayrton Palmer, who took it to the byline before crossing for the 2nd XI’s favourite monumental bronze sculpter, Henry Moore who calmly sloted the ball home.  In the last five minutes of the first half we did get a bit tired, and they were raining in shots from the left.  One provoked the most outrageous save by goalkeeper Josh Chidiac. Full stretch, top corner, two hands, came down with the ball, no worries. It was a pivotal moment.  Had that gone in, 2-1 at half-time,  things might have turned out differently. 

At half-time,  Conor and I emphasised the repress.  As soon as you lose it, try to win it back.  And this is what led to goal number three.  The King of Monaco won the ball back, played it to G10, whose finish reminded me of Georghe Hagi’s goal against Colombia in the 1994 World Cup.  At 3-0, Conor suggested that we make the Swamp of Sadness our home ground.  But then sadness over took us for a minute and before you knew it, we were back to 3-2.  Artax was starting to sink again. Fortunately,  Kai Crotty and Renzo Balagna, making his debut for the 2nd XI,  came on and raised the intensity level. Kai made a number of critical tackles and important defensive headers which halted Waverley’s momentum. Similarly Renzo tacked hard, recovered agressively and looked dangerous on the ball.  With the game running in our favour, we delivered the knockout blow.  Josh Chidiac stepped up to take a free kick just inside our half.  We’d sent Jordi Singh up to win the ball, becuase he is a brilliant header of the ball.  Jordi’s header was contested by Harry Golovsky and the goalkeeper. Harry winded himself for the cause, and the ball fell for Renzo who finished in the corner.  We’d told the boys to treat free kicks in our half as set-pieces. We had told them Josh would take them. We’d told the boys that the game would come down to determination and the desire to compete. We’d told them that we might cop a goal or two on this field, but that we just needed to keep our chins and keep fighting.   They executed all of this.  We almost scored a fifth when Chids played another superb diagonal ball to Henry Moore who drew another great save from the keeper.  And in the last 10 minutes, Thomas Plasevic and Sun Yuan-Hare came on and helped make the victory secure.

As I said that the start the core literary device in this report was not a comparison between the 2nd XI’s victory at Queens Park 2 (also known as the Swamp of Sadness) and the Swamp of Sadness from The Neverending Story.  Although, if it was, we saved the Artax the horse. No, the real comparison was to the scene where Atreyu has to make it through the Sphinx Gate after watching the sphinxes disintegrate a knight in armour.  Having copped two defeats on the bounce,  it would have been easy for the boys to have lost faith in themselves, and therefore been annihilated.  But they didn’t and they weren’t.  We made it through, bum a bit singed by lasers beams, but we made it through. Something to be genuinely proud of.

Before I end, just a little shout out to Mr Grice, who gives the impression that he never had a childhood, but he knew that Atreyu’s horse’s name was Artax.  As a consequence, I’ve decided to start a Go Fund Me page to raise money to buy a white horse, called Artax, that Gricey can ride around on on Saturdays.

Ben Rollinson
Head of Football

AMPED! 2025 Photo Gallery

AMPED! 2025 Photo Gallery

Click here to view the photo gallery from AMPED! 2025.

Understanding Self as Leader

Understanding Self as Leader

At this week’s Cranbrook Teachers Talking Teaching session, Cranbrook’s Director of Service Aaron Nolan presented ‘Understanding Self as Leader’, sharing key insights from his participation in the AISNSW Aspiring and Early Leaders Programme.

The session opened with the foundational question, “What is leadership, and why do we want it?” – a prompt that framed the discussion around the four pillars of leadership: curiosity, competence, capacity and confidence. Aaron emphasised the importance of seeking feedback from trusted friends and family to better understand what drives us, and how this self-knowledge can shape leadership identity.

Participants were encouraged to reflect on their personal purpose, drawing on the idea that “it is impossible to have a great life unless it is meaningful. And it is very difficult to have a meaningful life without meaningful work.” This connected to the course’s broader focus on intrinsic motivation and the value of aligning leadership practice with personal values and strengths.

Aaron outlined several leadership models explored in the program, including transactional, transformational, servant, agile, instructional, distributed and authentic leadership, each offering a different lens through which to consider effective leadership in educational settings.

A key message from the session was captured in the quote “leaders bring the weather” (Helen Lee), which served as a reminder of the influence leaders have in shaping the emotional tone and culture of a school.

The session concluded with a reflection on the process of constructing a personal leadership statement, grounded in four elements: purpose, intent, strengths and articulation, encouraging all staff to think deeply about their own approach to leadership.

Hannah Thomas
Director of Professional Learning

Chaplain’s Note

Chaplain’s Note

As we think about ‘Bridging Now to Next’ as part of Reconciliation Week, I thank God for the courage and faith and survival of the first Australians, who offer to us an invitation to walk together in humility and hope, forgiveness and reconciliation.

In the first few pages of the Bible, Genesis chapter 4 tells the story of the first murder. Eve’s first-born son, Cain murders his brother, Abel. The Lord inquires of Cain as to Abel’s whereabouts, to which Cain replies – notoriously – ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ Of course, Cain condemns himself since God indeed intends that we should honour one another as fellow creatures made in God’s image. The Lord responds in these rather startling words in Genesis 4:10 ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.’

Rob and Leanna Haynes were serving with the Church Missionary Society at Nungyalingya Bible College in Darwin, when their students read this verse and couldn’t go on with the class. They had to stop. Because it spoke to them so powerfully of their own experience and history. They felt that God knew all about them because he hears the voice of blood shed in violence and betrayal.

Captain Cook recorded in his own journal on 29 April 1770, that when preparing to land at what is now Kurnell in Botany Bay, they first sighted people on the shore and he opened fire to scare them off. But this only provoked them, so that he subsequently fired two more shots, injuring one of the men before they withdrew. The very first contact between the British settlers and the original inhabitants of this land, even before Cook and his party had landed on shore, was one of violence.

When Arthur Phillip returned to Sydney in 1788, he had explicit instructions to care for the original inhabitants, a strict injunction included in the commission issued to those who came to people Australia that the original occupants their heirs and successors, should be adequately cared for.

In fact, as early as 1790, Governor Phillip’s convict gamekeeper shot some Aboriginal men, and was speared in retaliation for the shooting. Governor Philip then ordered a retaliation demanding the detention of two Aboriginal men and the execution of ten men. The retaliation party, including Lieutenants Watkin Tench and William Dawes, were issued with axes and sacks to bring back the heads of those they killed.

Dawes and Tench were both Christians and expressed their reluctance to comply. For this insubordination, Dawes was sacked by Governor Phillip and sent back to England. Tench argued with Phillip and the mission was reduced to killing two men rather than ten. Tench returned empty-handed saying he had not been able to find anyone. But Governor Philip’s decision to retaliate established a principle of violence and killing.

I mention these realities of our history not because no good came from British settlement. On the contrary, we all continue to benefit from the courage and enterprise of the first settlers. I mention these facts first because they are so little known, and second, because they relate to events within a few months of British Settlement in Sydney, the part of the city we live, work and learn in. The least we owe them is being informed.

It is right for us to be committed to what is sometimes called truth telling – by which is meant, I take it, that we learn the Aboriginal history of Australia as well as the other two great strands of Australian history, as Noel Pearson has described them – the history of British settlement, and the history of migration. As the song goes, ‘I am, you are, we are Australian’, but we have not always heard with courage and compassion all the stories Australia has to tell.

That class at Nungyalingya Bible College heard that the blood of Abel called out from the ground for justice, for the Lord’s vengeance on murder and bloodshed; but they also knew that the blood of Jesus speaks a better word. The final place that we find a reference in Scripture to the blood of Abel is in the Letter to the Hebrews:

You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12:23b-24)

The blood of Jesus speaks a word of forgiveness, of the penalty paid, of sins washed away, of reconciliation between people and God and between people and people, through the blood of Jesus. Because the death of Jesus reconciles us to God, those who have faith in Christ are reconciled to each other. Our relationship with one another is not under the shadow of guilt, but in the freedom of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation.

In his book The Queen is Dead, Stan Grant reflects extensively on the connection between Christianity and colonialism. He wonders how Jesus who “stood against tyranny and empire, who spoke only of love, became allied to the service of conquest?” His answer: through the White Jesus of Christendom, the Jesus whose image was placed at the head of European armies and European empires. 

But he also speaks of the little wooden church in Wiradjuri country in which his own Christian faith was nurtured. He says that he knew nothing but love in that church. But it was love as experienced by the afflicted and the forsaken. His pastor-uncle taught him quite specifically to be a Wiradjuri Christian, not a European Christian. The Christ he learned to follow was the “crucified Christ” — the one who was himself afflicted and forsaken. He spells this out by describing his faith as an Easter Saturday faith, a faith that doesn’t rush to a triumphant resurrection, but waits for the resurrection as the manifestation of love. (I commend his latest book Murriyang to interested readers).

As Jack Jacobs describes, “Aboriginal Christianity has little to do with the church, with its kingdoms and cathedrals, and more to do with the strange figure of Jesus Christ himself, the “man of sorrows”. Christ on the cross is a natural ancestor for Aboriginal people: a “tribal man”, as I once heard him described by a Wiradjuri Elder. His is the brown, battered, body hanging on his final tree, who calls us all, by way of his own brokenness, to love each other in our shared lament. In an age obsessed with politics and its power to define every aspect of our lives, this body, a symbol for the lament of Aboriginal people, calls us to embrace a deeper, more rooted humanity: to do away with the spells that hold us captive to our own poor imaginings and sit silently with sadness”.

Stan himself says that the Wiradjuri expression, “Yindyamarra Winanghana means to live with respect in a world worth living in.” To create that world, we need to start with the respect to quietly listen and learn. Then we can hope to look forward to that

‘…country I’ve heard of long ago,
it speaks of grace and heaven, a place that all may know;
we may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
her emblem on a hilltop, the Cross of suffering,
and soul by soul and silently, her citizens increase,
her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.’
Sir Cecil Spring-Rice (1859-1918) revised and expanded Richard Bewes.

I’d like to close with the Reconciliation prayer that was written by Wontulp-Bi-Buya Indigenous Theology Working Group in 1997:

Let us pray.

Holy Father, God of Love,

You are the Creator of this land and of all good things.

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history

and the suffering of our peoples,

and we ask your forgiveness.

We thank you for the survival of indigenous cultures.

Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus

to reconcile the world to you.

We pray for your strength and grace to forgive,

accept and love one another,

as you love us and forgive and accept us

in the sacrifice of your Son.

Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history

so that we may build a better future for our nation.

Teach us to respect all cultures.

Teach us to care for our land and waters.

Help us to share justly the resources of this land.

Help us to bring about spiritual and social change

to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities,

especially the disadvantaged.

Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.

May your power and love be the foundations

on which we build our families, our communities and our nation,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Rod Farraway
Chaplain

Articles of Interest – Term 2 Week 6

Articles of Interest – Term 2 Week 6

Please find the articles of interest below.

A shift of priorities for teen boys in high school – Maggie Dent

The Brain Expert: How To Raise Mentally Resilient Children (According To Science) | Dr. Daniel Amen

Extract from Dr Daniel Amen’s book: Raising Mentally Strong Kids

Youth screen media habits and sleep: sleep-friendly screen-behaviour recommendations for clinicians, educators, and parents

Adulthood is chock-full of disappointment. Our kids need to face the truth

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

Non-Government School Census – Privacy Collection Notice

Non-Government School Census – Privacy Collection Notice

Please click here to view the non-government schools census collection notice 2025.

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

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.