Nicholas Sampson, Headmaster

Today, after listening to Reverend Farraway’s address, I should like to focus on three aspects of civilisation: law, grace and truth, and to unpack the magic of this triangle. Law of course is necessary and crucial, but it is grace and truth that are harder to comprehend and to live out … dare I say that they are more uplifting, more transformative.

Firstly, the idea of law. The law gives us a framework, it tells us what is acceptable, it sets boundaries. It can feel harsh or rather cold but what it gives us is a solid understanding of the structures in which we must operate. In this way, the law is an essential  thing …it’s vital. 

But what about grace? Grace is harder to define but it reflects the spark of the divine that is within us all. What does it mean? And where does it fit? Grace gives us a glimpse of a wider world, a wider universe that is more expansive. From grace we receive a sense of community, a sense of kindness and kin. We have to work to elevate grace. Grace is given to us, but we can ignore it, we could be grace-less. Yet grace is made available as an invitation to echo the teachings of Christ, of all the great religions, which call us to respect each other and to elevate society.

Thirdly, truth. The search for truth used to be a given; a resolution that bound all of society and almost everybody together. It was our duty as human beings to investigate the truth and to establish the truth as far as we could. Our understanding, our wisdom and our relationships were based upon the search for truth. Yet, in today’s world the search for truth is often distorted, or diminished by distraction. Rather than searching for truth we’re searching for a comfortable truth. A truth that fits with our own idea of truth, a truth that encapsulates our own beliefs. This is not healthy or progressive, nor is it wise.

Think about our use, or rather misuse, of technology. We are all encouraged to use technology to connect with those who are like-minded, whereas what we really need to do is to connect with those who have different opinions from ourselves. Truth builds on an understanding of the law. The law, without grace and truth, is merely writing on a page or a stone. As many wise people have observed, ‘the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life.’

In a world where light is dimming, where around the world the acts of humans are creating small hells, we must reject selfishness, and the self-obsession that demands an endorsement of our own views.

We must remember the law, pursue the truth, and search for and recognise the grace that is all around us.

Nicholas Sampson
Headmaster

Bob Meakin, Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School

Dear Parents and Carers

On Monday evening, we welcomed back Old Cranbrookian Joshua Yeldham to unveil his beautiful artwork which has been generously purchased by the graduating Class of 2023. Joshua spoke about his time at Cranbrook but also about his journey as an artist and the many lessons that he has learned through his work. The painting is entitled Owl of the Blue Waterhole, and with its striking colours it will sit beautifully in our Year 12 College.  Joshua has been a finalist in numerous prestigious awards, including the Wynne Prize (2009, 2011-2014, 2017-2019), Archibald Prize (2013) and the Sulman Prize (1998, 2006). His work will feature in the National Gallery of Victoria’s Triennial, together with international artists such as Yoko Ono, Tracy Emin, David Shirley, Azuma Makoto, and Hugh Hayden. His work is highly collectable and held within many major significant art collections across Australia and internationally. A special thanks to our Year 12 CSPA reps; Michaela Boland, Shanon Folden and Skye Bouvier for their efforts in arranging this wonderful evening.

Yesterday lunchtime saw the return of the Pitt Dash to the Senior School campus. This is an inter-House race, originally created by, and named after, Martin Pitt, former Deputy Headmaster of the School. The race around the campus incorporates many steps and small footpaths. Congratulations to the winning House, Cutler, with Henry Roberts (Junior runner) and Huon Groves (Senior runner) winning the race. This is an endurance run which was made more challenging by a very hot and humid day yesterday. Well done to all who competed.

Congratulations to our Year 7 students who completed their CITF last week. There is no doubt that this is a challenge for many students but their engagement and behaviour on camp was outstanding. I would also like to thank them (and their parents) for honouring their sporting commitments the following morning after such a demanding week.

Year 10 will depart for CITF next Thursday and we wish them well with their preparations for the most challenging but most rewarding programme that we offer.

Yesterday in assembly, I reminded students that there are still three solid weeks of work remaining. Our Term 4 is longer than that of many independent schools which is deliberate to ensure that Term 4 is not simply a wind down to the holidays, but a quarter of a year’s work. We are committed to ensuring that these last few weeks retain the rigour and as much as focus as the first term of the year.

Our new Year 12s are still completing assessment tasks that count towards their final grades and I urge them to work hard on these and submit their best work possible.

This Saturday sees a much slimmer sporting programme; with just rowing and cricket taking place. I wish all our sportsmen well for the weekend.

Wishing you all a great week.

Bob Meakin
Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School

Nicholas Jolly, Director of Academics / Deputy Head of Senior School

The Young Scientist Awards celebrates the scientific investigations and technological innovation of school students across in NSW. Since 1992, the programme has been encouraging students to undertake innovative projects and investigations to find creative solutions to real-world problems. The programme aims to encourage and celebrate excellence in STEM through inquiry-based learning. This year, eight Cranbrookians have been recognised for their hard work and outstanding achievement in this prestigious competition.

In the junior category, for their Plant Projects:

Max Mills – Highly Commended

Simon Tesvic – Distinction

Brian Nguyen – Distinction

Henry Moore – Distinction

In the senior category for their Student Research Projects:

Louis Gordon – Highly Commended

River Kedzier-Hurst – Highly Commended

Finn Scott Brown – Distinction

In the senior category for his Depth Study:

Liam Wolfenden – Highly Commended

A huge congratulations to the Young Scientists!

Have a great week.

Nicholas Jolly
Director of Academics / Deputy Head of Senior School

Angelique Sanders, Director of Student Wellbeing

Year 7 completed their first CITF experience last week and I congratulate them on their achievement. The sense of independence they gained from the course is vital for their personal growth and while there were challenges, the opportunity to learn about their own strengths as well as working as a team is so important. These skills are built upon in subsequent courses. I would also like to thank the Year 10 students who volunteered to mentor the Year 7s. This is not an easy task, however the relationships they have formed are invaluable. Year 10 head out on their final CITF in Week 8 so I wish them all the best.

Next Monday Year 8 are taking part in workshops presented by Courage to Care. The programme aims to promote acceptance of diversity across society by:

• Creating awareness of the dangers of prejudice, racism and discrimination
• Educating to challenge attitudes and behaviours
• Demonstrating that every individual can make a difference
• Transforming “bystander” behaviour to “upstander” action

The workshop involves hearing from a Holocaust survivor, as well as a small group session on how to develop empathy, understand the power of being an upstander and being able to see the world from different perspectives. Now more than ever, we need our student to have these skills as we face such turmoil in the world.

Angelique Sanders
Director of Student Wellbeing

Matt Grice, Director of Sport K – 12

Dear Parents and Guardians

Saturday saw the majority of our summer season teams wind up for the year. It’s been another great year of Cranbrook Sport, filled with the highs and lows that only sport can provide. I know all the students have relished the opportunities given each week at training and on Saturdays and I thank them for their continued commitment.

Our 1sts Basketballs had a fantastic win on Saturday. It’s been a highly frustrating season so far for the students, coaching team, and spectators, but on Saturday they showed us what they could do with a dedicated and discipline victory over a strong Barker team. We are looking forward to holding this form now into the second half of the season.

The rowers were out at Penrith for the Independent Schools Championships finishing 2nd overall in the boys point score. Well done to Max Allchin and James Campbell for winning Gold in the Year 9 Final. The Cricket machine has built up some serious momentum over the last few weeks. The 1sts having an outright victory against Waverley which has catapulted them 10 points clear on the CAS table as they hunt for their fifth straight Archer Shield. This Friday we take on Barker at Woollahra 2/3 from 1:30pm to 6:30pm. Mr Staunton’s annual picnic in the park will take place during the game and we welcome all to come down and enjoy friendly company and support our teams. Congratulations to Sam Konstas, Riley Keen and Sam Weir for being selected in the Australian U19 Cricket Championships to be held next week.

Well done to our volleyball program who for the first time achieved a clean sweep round, winning all their games against Barker. It’s a fantastic way to finish the season!

This week also saw the return of the ever-popular Pitt Dash.  Junior and Senior student representatives from each House compete against one another on a short, but challenging dash around the School grounds.  Cutler House taking out the Pitt Dash Trophy for 2023

As we close out the sporting year, I’d like to thank all the staff and coaches for your hard work and dedication this year. It’s a huge effort to get 1,200 students all over Sydney each Saturday and it simply could not be done without your tremendous support. I’d like to thank the parents and carers for all the support this year. From the entire sports department we would like to say a huge thank you! Cranbrook Sport is looking forward to a bumper 2024, which I’m sure will once again prove to be very successful.

Please note we now move into drop-in sessions for the remainder of the year. Please see the updated timetable here.

Speed and Agility continues every Friday Morning 6.30am on Hordern. We would love to see as many students as possible at Mr Hallam’s amazing free sessions. The programme is designed for all skill sets and athletic abilities. We encourage everyone come down to get a little better each week for their chosen sport.

Matt Grice
Director of Sport

Basketball Report

Round 5

The Cranbrook 1sts & 2nds played against Barker on Saturday at the VCH, see report below. It was the fifth round of the CAS competition for the Brookie Ballers against Barker and the Brookie Ballers won 23 games, lost 13 and two exciting drawn game in the 10Es & 9Cs.

1sts

The Cranbrook 1sts again started slowly in the first quarter and were down 21 points with Barker basically making every shot including 3s and free throws, Cranbrook 1sts down 17-30. The tide slowly turned and in the second quarter Cranbrook got back on track with their full court 2-2-1 pressure defence. Cranbrook dominated in the third quarter and led Barker at three quarter time, 62-58. Cranbrook held on after a tussle in the fourth and won 82-77 in a monstrous win. Captain of Basketball controlled the tempo finishing with 12 points, Tom Schall had an important 11 points and played his smartest game to date. Justise Single and Finn Hayson knock some huge shots and finished with 27 & 23 points respectively.

2nds

The Cranbrook 2nds were low on teammates for a number of reasons. The Brookie Ballers played with intensity and belief and were in a tight game until half time. In the second half, Barker got on top and stayed there. Cranbrook 2nds 48; Barker 2nds 63.

View the results here.

Stephen Whitehead
Head of Basketball

Cranbrook Basketball 3×3 Competition

After school on Friday 24 November, the Lewin Courts in the VCH will turn into a battle royale, of 3-player teams, facing-off in half-court basketball.

The 3×3 tournament is open to all years – there will be three age divisions for YR7 & YR8, YR9 & Y10 and Y11 & Y12.

The competition is a fundraiser for our basketball program, organised by our parents Cranbrook Basketball Supporters group. 

Parents, friends and family are encouraged to come along to watch what should be an energetic night at Cranbrook.

Barbecue and refreshments will be available. 

Date: 24 November 2023 (after school)

Time: 3.40pm (first tip-off), with games running through to 8.40pm

Location: Lewin Courts, VCH, Cranbrook Senior School

Registration: $30 per player (Teams of 3 or 4 players)  

TO REGISTER: https://events.humanitix.com/cranbrook-annual-3×3-tournament-2023

Only 16 teams per age group- registration is on a first-in, best-dressed basis – so get your team together NOW! (Registration closes this week)

We hope to see you on the court!

Phillip Beverley,

Dear Parents and Caregivers

We are thrilled to reflect on an incredibly exciting year and are eager to conclude it in style. The remarkable performances at NEU! 2023 featured 26 original compositions, showcasing the talents of over 100 Cranbrookians. The creative spirit was embraced by a full audience, and students reveled in the excitement of the night. A final release of the studio recordings, currently in the finalization stage in our new studio, will be available on December 1.

Speaking of our new studio, the Perkins refurbishment has been a fantastic way to wrap up the year. More than just a fresh coat of paint and a shiny new roof, The Perkins building has become a daily source of inspiration for our Cranbrook musicians. With improved acoustics, flexible learning areas, dedicated zones for instruction and rehearsing, as well as technological upgrades throughout the building, we are immensely grateful to have a world-class space that inspires and educates our students. On behalf of the Music team, we would like to express our gratitude to the incredible work of our facilities team, led by Craig Nichols, for making the move as seamless as possible as well as hard work of Andrew Moore and his team for managing the project over the last several years and allowing us to have significant input into the design elements of this wonderful space. We see over 450 students take part in curriculum Music and facilitate over 350 instrumental lessons per week. These facilities are certainly being appreciated by many young Cranbrookians.

As we approach the end of the year, there are several final performances to look forward to:

1. Ensemble Soiree this Thursday will be held in the Chapel at 6:30 pm.
2. The Carol Service on December 5th will feature the Choir and Orchestra in a Festival of Lessons and Carols. Please refer to Reverend Farraway’s message here for details on which House is participating in each service. Parents of the Orchestra are encouraged to attend the final service at 8 pm at St Andrew’s Cathedral.
3. Prize Giving on December 12 will showcase the Concert Band under the direction of Ms. Kate Stewart. Members of the Concert Band who are not on the European Music Tour should check their emails for rehearsal details. We eagerly anticipate celebrating this night of excellence.

The Pursuit of Excellence

In the spirit of excellence, we would like to acknowledge the achievement of Kevin Chu, who recently completed his Licentiate Diploma in Piano Performance (LMusA). This outstanding accomplishment reflects his individual skill, dedication to his instrument, and deep understanding of the music he performs. Kevin’s exceptional work as a musician, along with his commitment to developing musical skills within the ensemble program as a percussionist, earned him recognition in term 3 with Colours. Kevin embodies the School’s moto in all that he does, to be rather than to seem. In addition to this exceptional achievement, he was nominated in two separate categories for the finals of the Spring Festiva; Piano and Percussion; he has also graciously accepted the task of accompanying the Choir for the European Music Tour. Congratulations Kevin.

Speaking of European Music Tours, on December 7th and 8th, 70 students from Cranbrook will join 40 girls from S Catherine’s on a 14-day tour of Eastern Europe. They will perform in some of the most significant music venues on the continent, including St Nicholas Cathedral in Prague, St Lawrence Church in Southern Movaria, and Lizinski Hall in Zagreb. We eagerly anticipate sharing stories of our journey with you.

Wishing you a wonderful conclusion to the year, filled with music, celebration, and inspiration.

Warm regards,

Phillip Beverley
Director of Music (P-12)

Curating Cranbrook 2023

On Friday evening, mesmerising music emanated from Oliver Smith’s guitar and filled the sultry summer air. A crowd of Cranbrook art supporters and the aesthetically inclined (plus boarders in search of a pre-dinner canape) gathered on the forecourt of the Governor’s Ballroom. A heavy vintage school bell was vigorously rung by Jeremy Kim, a Kindergarten student. Loud peals sounded out, signaling all to enter the splendid Governor’s Ballroom for the opening of Curating Cranbrook, a biannual K-12 art exhibition. Selected artworks in a variety of expressive forms were featured, produced by Visual Arts students in the Primary, Middle School and Diploma Programme / Senior years.

The Headmaster, Nicholas Sampson opened proceedings, articulating the centrality of the arts to Cranbrook in both historical and contemporary contexts. He emphasised the skill development, practice, thought, and tenacity required to produce a resolved artwork in a school context. Caspar Nicholson, student Head of Visual Arts, and Mitchell Coles, student Head of Photography, presented the perspective of senior students. Caspar spoke with passion about his own positive experience of artmaking and acknowledged the role of Cranbrook’s specialist art educators K-12, who daily design and deliver exciting art experiences in studios across the school campuses. Guest artist Paul Davies inspired us by outlining his own fascinating creative journey, including cross-cultural opportunities and exhibition experiences in his career as a successful practicing artist. Poised, Year 6 Jamie Petsoglou explained how Visual Arts lessons in the Junior School balance and enrich his school day, giving him space to think, imagine, experiment, be calm, create, and reflect. Jamie’s first-hand perspective is supported by evidence from the Australian Council for Educational Research. Through the arts, students make coherent meaning and order for themselves out of the welter of impressions and sensations bombarding them, from inside and out.

Art making often involves internal, individual, and unseen intellectual effort. An exhibition like Curating Cranbrook provides the crucial function of bringing artwork out into the world to engage and communicate ideas to an audience. When students first see their artwork on display, the experience can be revelatory. Observing audience reactions, listening to how an artwork is understood and experienced by others provides immediate, unfiltered feedback, sometimes of the most unexpected kind. Exhibitions offer student artists a valuable chance to gain immediate insights into how their artwork is ‘read’ and understood. The immediacy of the feedback loop created when audience and artwork meet naturally leads students to reflect on how their work is perceived. This leads students to explore new ways to communicate with clarity and consider materials and techniques to complement and amplify their ideas.

Last weekend the exhibition was buzzing with interested visitors, including proud student artists and their families. Thank you to the Cranbrook community for forming a genuinely interested and appreciative audience, for initiating conversations with students about their work, and for expressing enthusiastic support for the creative endeavours of Visual Arts students from K – 12.

Fiona Crawford
Head of Department, Visual Arts

Term 4 Debating Update

This term saw Cranbrook enter its final competition for 2023, the International Debating Championships (IDC). This competition draws debate teams mostly from Australasia, though we have also debated schools from the Middle East and Africa in past seasons. Somewhat ironically, our draw this season saw us only engage with one overseas school from Hong Kong, though this did not dampen the enthusiasm of students who simply cannot get enough of debating!

We fielded three junior teams and one senior team, with some outstanding results achieved. The debate topics were tougher than ever before, with teams tackling motions like “That we prefer a world where no one could hide their current true emotional state from others,” “That governments should lift patent protections on technologies that help (or will help, in the future) humans fight climate change,” and “That we should allow prisoners to volunteer for socially utile but undesirable activities in exchange for a lighter sentence (e.g. experimental drug trials, military service, hard labour).”

Cranbrook was represented by the following students:

• Cranbrook Team 1 – Ethan Goldberg, Marco Febo, Finn Dusseldorp, Peter Wang and Rahul Loomba
• Cranbrook Team 2 – Ishaan Jeena, William Dai, Joseph Moller and Thomas Stillone
• Cranbrook Team 3 – Henry Roberts, Henry Moore, Eric Mallam and Nathan Aspres
• Cranbrook Team 4 – Ty Imtarnasan, Cruz Mactavish, and Plai Garnjana-Goonchorn.

At the end of the four round preliminaries, Cranbrook had achieved an admirable scoreboard, especially Cranbrook Team 1. Although they sadly lost to Pymble (we often jest on Fridays that the journey to the north shore in traffic is passport worthy in its length) in the finals last week, Ethan, Marco, Finn, Peter and Rahul succeeded in ranking as ‘minor premiers’ in the preliminaries – the furthest we have gotten in this competition since its inception in 2020.

At the end of the four round preliminaries, Cranbrook had achieved an admirable scoreboard, especially Cranbrook Team 1. Although they sadly lost to Pymble (we often jest on Fridays that the journey to the north shore in traffic is passport worthy in its length) in the finals last week, Ethan, Marco, Finn, Peter and Rahul succeeded in ranking as ‘minor premiers’ in the preliminaries – the furthest we have gotten in this competition since its inception in 2020.

Well done to all students who participated.

On Wednesday’s Whole School Assembly, the student leaders of the oratory triumvirate – Debating, Public Speaking, and Model UN – presented a tongue-in-cheek video promoting sign up for the coming season. The team is keen to capitalise on building momentum these past few seasons and the call to ‘join the cause’ so their future selves will thank them was put out to every Cranbrookian.

The benefits to getting involved with oratory programmes are numerous, though these can be condensed into six core areas that have been promoted to students this week:

• Amplify Your Voice – Develop the art of public speaking and effective communication that will set you apart in any field.
• Sharpen Critical Thinking – Engage in lively debates, where every argument refines your ability to think critically and express your ideas persuasively.
• Global Perspective – Model United Nations provides a unique opportunity to explore and understand complex international issues, fostering a global mindset.
• Forge Lifelong Connections – Build lasting friendships with like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm for thoughtful discourse and global awareness.
• Strengthens your co-curricular credentials – Many oratory programmes can count towards your Duke of Edinburgh and towards your IBDP CAS commitment.
• University and Career Readiness – The skills you acquire will not only impress universities here and overseas, but also prepare you for success in any future career path.

Students have since received the above and links to signing up to or expressing interest in a range of co-curricular offerings via email. You can see details of each one in the table below:

Please note that it is the responsibility of students to sign up for these exciting opportunities via the links provided in this week’s email. Sign up and expressions of interest close Wednesday 6^th December.

This week, students presently involved in Debating, Public Speaking and Model UN (and their parents) received an email with information about an exciting international tour to the USA in the 2024 September-October school holidays.

The tour will be our first international journey and there are many highlights included, like visiting the UN Headquarters in New York, participating in immersive simulations on global crises at the International Spy Museum in Washington DC, and engaging with knowledgeable speakers on a range of significant political matters. Opportunities to debate on US soil will further connect Cranbrookians to the world at large.

The parent version of the email contains a link for expressing interest in their child going on this tour. The link closes 6pm this Sunday 26^th November. If there are sufficient numbers to make this tour viable, we will reach out to those who expressed interest to invite them to an online information evening before the end of term.

Should you or your child have any further questions about Cranbrook Debating, Public Speaking, or Model UN in 2024, you are welcome to reach out to me as Debating Coordinator at bsmith@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au. In the first instance, I encourage students to be the ones to make contact.

Articles of Interest

Please find articles of interest below; 

Helping children focus in the classroom

Is Social Media hurting your mental health?

Breaking Social Media addiction

Guide to Gen Alpha slang

One Talk at a Time

Holiday things to do

All best,

Matt Banes

Rod Farraway, Chaplain

Our school hymn, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”, reflects on the journey of the Hebrew people from Egypt to the Promised Land and uses that Exodus experience to explain our own walk through life.

One aspect of the Hebrew Exodus was the amazing privilege of the God of the universe accompanying them for the journey. This was articulated through the Tabernacle, the large tent-like structure that was to be built by the priests in the middle of their campsite, wherever they stayed, and over which hovered the “fiery cloudy pillar” of God’s presence.

Imagine having God’s company for your journey through life. I expect for most of us that is at least a partly disconcerting thought. But at times would be incredibly comforting.

God, tabernacling or pitching his tent amongst his people, was a powerful demonstration of his personal connection to them and their responsibility to live accordingly.

It was an act of great humility on God’s part, to live in the midst of his people; to put His people’s needs first.

All of you have been the recipients of the same sort of humility, from your teachers!

Every time a teacher chooses to go on CITF and literally pitch their tent in your midst, they have made a choice to humble themselves for your benefit. When a teacher chooses to go on a tour with you, often during their own holidays and without their own family, they have made a choice to humble themselves for your benefit.

Just being a teacher itself, is a choice to spend time with people not of your own generation to invest in their future.

It is natural to think of a school as a community of students, but it is also accurate to think of a school as a community of adults (many of whom will be there for more years than any student) who are committed to preparing the next generation. Students join this community of their elders for a few years, to get ready for life ahead.

Imagine a school without adults, and I think you will have a better idea of the value of your teachers.

Have you expressed your appreciation for what they have done for you this year? I was fortunate to receive an appreciative note on World Teacher’s Day. I can assure you it makes a difference to know that you are appreciated for the choice you have made to invest in others. You might like to take the time before the end of the year to express your own appreciation for those who have worked with and for you this year.

Tabernacling, or dwelling amongst us, was also mentioned in our Bible reading from John 1, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” God again chose to dwell with his people, but this time not in a tent, but by becoming one of us; “just a slob like one of us, just a stranger on a bus, trying to make his way home?” (to quote Joan Osborne’s 1995 song lyric).

But why do this? Out of love. To make himself known so that we might believe and have eternal life. So that we too might reach our Promised Land, living with God and his people. In the lead up to his death, resurrection and ascension Jesus taught his disciples, “…I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3)

And so we sing… 

“When I tread the verge of Jordan

Bid my anxious fears subside;

Death of death, and hell’s destruction,

Land me safe on Canaan’s side:”

Our response to this comforting news? Gratitude:

“Songs and praises, songs and praises

I will ever give to thee

I will ever give to thee.”

We are all the objects of “grace upon grace” (John 1:16) and so ought to be grateful and gracious to others. The exchange of gifts at Christmas time reflects this, while we remember the One whose gift was to make His dwelling among us (1 John 1:14) even though heaven was His home.

Be gracious. Be grateful. Be great!

Rod Farraway
Chaplain