Michele Marquet, Acting Head of School

Dear Families and Carers,

The end of the year approaches with speed, and it is a joy to be considering plans for the welcoming of young women into the Senior School in just over 12 months.

Our Student Coed Committee is now well established and having student voice contributing to our plans is both exciting and invigorating. There is a positive impetus and momentum to our discussions. Student perspective is always refreshing and so many of our 2025 Student Leadership group across the board are impressive humans with a heart for service. I look ahead to a year of promise and positive change with their input and contribution.

New Uniform
One change which has been in train for quite a while now is the roll out of a new academic uniform for our Pre-School – Year 12 students. Much of the Cranbrook uniform has not been changed in well over 40 years, so a refresh is definitely in order, while keeping those elements that we love and associate so closely with our school, such as our beloved blazer and tie. Developed with designer, Jonathan Ward, and refined through feedback from small groups of staff, students and parents, over the past 18 months, the uniform offers some flexible options with an emphasis on Cranbrook colours and clean lines. Our sports uniform, which was fully refreshed within the last ten years, will be remaining the same for our male students. New pieces for the female students and sports have been designed to complement the existing sports uniform.

The new academic uniform will come into effect in 2026 with a two-year transition period during which students can still wear the old uniform in its entirety, if needed, in 2026 and 2027. New uniform items will be available for sale from November 2025. We will be sharing images of the new pieces in Term 1 with the associated price lists available.

Our second-hand uniform shop, run by the CSPA, and open every Friday, has many current uniform items in multiple sizes for those wishing to manage in 2025 with some additional pieces of the old uniform until the new uniform becomes available in 2026.

As we begin a new era as a coeducational school, it will be wonderful to have a fresh and distinctive look to mark the start of an exciting new journey in Cranbrook’s history.

End of year events
There is always a flurry of events for us all at this time of the year, but we look forward to seeing many of our families at one of the Carol Services across the School or one of our two Prize Giving ceremonies.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week.

Kind wishes

Michele Marquet
Acting Head of School

Bob Meakin, Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School

Dear Parents and Carers

Last Thursday evening saw the hilarious Comedy Debate between our 1sts Debating team and the new School leaders. Fortunately, both teams had a very good sense of humour as they were individually ‘roasted’ by one another as well as debating the topic that President Trump should be President for life. Their wit and their humour won the evening, and the spoils went to the 1sts Debating team who were clearly prepared extremely thoroughly for the event.

A special thanks to D’Arcy Richardson for organising and coordinating the evening.

Congratulations to our Year 10 students who completed their examinations last week. These formal examinations will go towards their marks for the end of Stage 5. Our Year 10s approached the examinations with respect, and this was excellent practice before their studies in Stage 6.

Our Year 10 students left for their CITF programme this morning. This is the most challenging of our CITF courses and we hope that the weather is kind to them, and they meet these challenges with enthusiasm and teamwork.

Well done to our Year 11s who have completed their IBDP examinations for the year. Many of these papers were very demanding. I commend the students for their application to their study.

As we draw towards the end of Term, a reminder that our final day of classes is Wednesday 11 December, with our annual Prize Giving on Thursday 12 December at the ICC in Darling Harbour.

Finally, today we received the devastating news of the passing of Mr Paul Hallam, our Associate Director of Sport and Head of Athletic Development. Paul’s illness was severe and short lived and he passed away with his wife present last night. Paul has touched the lives of so many students and staff at Cranbrook but is also so widely respected and loved by many communities outside of school. His knowledge and expertise in strength and conditioning practices was quite simply superb, but he will be remembered for his kindness, his generosity of spirit and his willingness to assist every single student that was in front of him. We are all devastated at his passing and counselling has been arranged in the Senior School to support our students and staff through this difficult time. Please keep Paul’s family and close friends in your thoughts and prayers.

With every good wish

Bob Meakin
Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School

Adrian Harrison, Acting Director of Academics

Congratulations are to be offered to both Oliver Fletcher and Mitchell Coles for being nominated for ARTEXPRESS. Furthermore, the curators have selected Mitchell’s project – A Mosaic of Moments – to be included as part of the HSC Showcase Season and it will be displayed at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. This will be available to the public in 2025, a great honour. This follows on the back of Gus Heerey and his Music 1 Elective Composition, Altocumulus written for violin, viola, two cellos, double bass and piano which was nominated for the ENCORE showcase.

This exciting news continues the run of other nominations in Music and Drama announced earlier this term.

Well done to all students, and our extremely talented and dedicated Arts, Music and Drama staff.

Adrian Harrison
Acting Director of Academics

Hannah Thomas, Director of Professional Learning

Last week Cranbrook School teachers Jessica Li, James Adams and Ryan Taylor shared their learnings from AISNSW’s course ‘Courageously Navigating Hard Conversations’.

Their detailed and engaging presentation for Cranbrook Teachers Talking Teaching (CTTT) conveyed how this course had informed their own practice and included:
– an exploration of what hard conversations are and what makes them challenging
– an outline of the Open-to-Learning (OTL) model conversations, in which the goal is to emerge from the conversation knowing more about the person and the scenario
– an in-depth exploration of the OTL framework, with practical examples at each stage
– a discussion of The Feedback Fallacy and its implications for our practice.

Thanks to Ryan, James and Jess for sharing these valuable learnings with Cranbrook teachers!

Hannah Thomas
Director of Professional Learning

Senior School Prize Giving

The 2024 Senior School Prize Giving is on Thursday 12 December. The presentation will run from 6.30pm – 8.30pm at the Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC Sydney. Guests and students should be seated by 6.15pm.

Prize Giving is a wonderful and uplifting event, bringing our school community together to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and to reflect on the year.

Students in Years 7 to 11 are expected to attend, and we warmly invite our Year 12 prize recipients to join us as well. Please ensure students are dressed in full school uniform; seating will be arranged by House groups.

Please click here to secure guest tickets, with a limit of four tickets per family. Please follow this link for recommended parking around the ICC Sydney. 

Year 12 Science Extension

On Monday 25 November at the early time of 7.30am our Year 12 Science Extension cohort completed their first assessment task. They were tasked with presenting preliminary research on a topic of their choosing that they will spend the rest of the year conducting experiments and analysing data for which will culminate in a full-scale scientific report.

In addition to a 1000-word literature review and an A0 poster highlighting the timeframe of their project, the boys had to present their proposal to a panel of science teachers who were able to ask questions at the conclusion of their speech.

Speeches in front of peers are nerve-racking enough, let alone presenting in a board room to the entire Science faculty. The boys did an incredible job at showcasing their research and discussing the subsections of science they are passionate about.

Below are a list of the students and their research topics:

Rhys Briscoe-Hough
Science Teacher

IB Diploma Visits State Library

Recently, our IB Diploma students stepped beyond the classroom and into the grand halls of the State Library, beginning their Extended Essay journey in an inspiring and practical way. Accompanied by Nick Hanrahan (DP Coordinator), Tara Schmidtke (Director of Digital Learning & Research, and Extended Essay Coordinator), and Katherine Young (2IC of Art and DP Visual Arts teacher), the boys delved into the art of academic inquiry under the expert guidance of library professionals.

The day was packed with opportunities to master essential research skills. Students learned how to refine their searches, analyse sources critically, and navigate both digital resources and academic journals. They also practiced synthesising information into coherent written arguments, a vital skill for their 4,000-word Extended Essays.

Adding an interdisciplinary flair to the day, Miss Young led students through the library’s remarkable art collection, including an exhibition of works by the late Peter Kingston, a celebrated Old Cranbrookian (OCA). For Visual Arts students, this sparked rich discussions about artistic influence and the creative process, drawing inspiration from Kingston’s evocative depictions of Sydney Harbour. All students gained valuable insights for Theory of Knowledge conversations about the nature of art as a way of knowing.

This immersive experience demonstrated the academic rigour of the IB Diploma Programme while equipping students with practical tools and confidence for their upcoming holiday research. Transforming what could be an overwhelming task into an exciting intellectual journey, the day highlighted how our students are supported to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world inquiry.

Tara Schmidtke
Director of Digital Learning & Research, and Extended Essay Coordinator

The FUSE Cup

The FUSE Cup is an international school esports competition designed to promote safe, inclusive, and structured gaming environments. Focused on non-violent, age-appropriate games, the competition fosters teamwork, integrity, and digital well-being. It provides students with a unique opportunity to engage in collaborative challenges while building essential 21st-century skills such as communication, resilience, and problem-solving.

Cranbrook students Aidan Livesey & Lachlan Mattner (Rocket League years 9&10), Joe Hinchliffe & Owen Barkway-Jones (Rocket League years 7&8), and Nick Katheklakis (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) all qualified for the NSW State Championships held in the Gold Coast 15 and 16 November.

We are proud to celebrate Nick Katheklakis, who represented our School with dedication and sportsmanship at the FUSE Cup. Nick showcased exceptional skill and resilience, winning his first battle to become the champion of New South Wales! Although he narrowly missed advancing to the finals after a tough semifinal match the following day, his achievements reflected his determination and commitment.

Congratulations to Nick for embodying our school values and excelling in this innovative competition!

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

Dear Parents and Care givers

On Tuesday, our Year 8 students participated in impactful workshops presented by Courage to Care, a charitable organisation led by volunteers dedicated to empowering Australians to stand up against prejudice, bullying, and discrimination. The programme promotes the acceptance and celebration of diversity within our society by educating students to challenge negative attitudes and behaviours. During the presentation, students heard from a Holocaust survivor who shared how the actions of “upstanders” changed the course of his life. The powerful message conveyed was that every individual has the potential to make a difference.

On Wednesday, Year 10 participate in the first workshop facilitated by Tomorrow Man. This module, Breaking the Man Code, created a safe space for our students to really question what a good man is and how powerful it is to be vulnerable and show emotions to your friends. Many students were courageous and shared personal struggles they had kept to themselves. As Year 10 embark on their final CITF, they will have the opportunity to feel a sense of connection to their peers and hopefully realise that you never know what someone else is going through, so kindness and empathy are key.

I would like to thank the CSPA for their ongoing support of the Tomorrow Man programme, which runs from Year 10 to Year 12.

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

Matt Grice, Director of Sport

Dear Parents and Guardians

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Mr. Paul Hallam. Paul was a remarkable colleague, but more than that, he was my friend. He cared deeply about everyone around him, often far more than he cared about himself. Every student was important to Paul, and he would go out of his way to ensure they were supported, always having their best interests at heart. Whether it was staying back in the gym so a few students could finish their workouts, spending lunches with rehab students, or offering Maths tuition to eager students waiting outside the gym for his help, Paul was always there. He would often be seen standing in the pouring rain coaching the boys. When asked if he wanted an umbrella, Paul would reply, “The boys don’t have an umbrella! If they’re getting wet, I’m getting wet.” Paul was determined to leave Cranbrook a better place than he found it, and he certainly achieved that through his unwavering work ethic and dedication. Cranbrook will forever be indebted to him for this.

Paul was Cranbrook’s true north and moral compass when it came to sport. His uncompromising integrity helped to guide and shape who we are today. Dearly loved in our Strength and Conditioning and Sports departments, Paul always made sure that all our staff were looked after and cared for. He was constantly checking in on everyone, offering a helping hand whenever needed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, at this very difficult time.

Paul, my friend… I stood with you through both hardships and moments of joy—through countless rugby matches, CAS invitationals, 6.00am speed and agility sessions, and hours of discussions on how to make Cranbrook sport better. Through it all, you taught me to be a kinder human, more resilient, and more patient. You taught me to become a better person, and you taught me how to be a better father. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for helping me become the person I am today. You will never be forgotten. I will miss you every day.

Please note for the majority of students Saturday Sport has now finished, with only 2-day Cricket matches and the Rowing Mitchell Cup being held this weekend.

The Co-Curricular & Sport Timetable for the final weeks of Term 4 is here.

Please find the Holiday Training Schedule here.  Please note due to Maintenance works – the campus grounds are unavailable in early January.

Booking links for our Holiday Camps can be found under the Dates section or below:

• Pro-Performance Cricket: https://events.humanitix.com/16th-20th-dec-2024-east-sydney-youth-aged-12
• Water Polo Camp: https://events.humanitix.com/cranbrook-water-polo-holiday-camp-january-2025
• Basketball Camp: https://events.humanitix.com/cranbrook-senior-school-basketball-camp-jan-2025
• Tennis Camp: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1326961

Matt Grice
Director of Sport

Basketball Report – Round 5

Cranbrook Basketball were scheduled against Waverley in Round 5 of the CAS season. The traditionally rivalry is as strong as ever. Cranbrook Basketball finished the Round with 15 wins and 27 losses. CAS basketball now goes on hold until Term 1. The keenest players will use this time to work on their game and prepare the second half of the season.

1sts
The Cranbrook 1sts were competitive for the first quarter and held a 3-point lead at quarter-time. Waverley got going in the second and third quarters and Cranbrook was unable to score which put significant pressure on their defence. Waverley went on a run and Cranbrook lost 61-103. Cruz Mactavish again looked loose and confident finishing with 19-points and Xavier Spinola continues to find his feet with 11 points.

2nds
Cranbrook and Waverley, both stated slowly offensively with a 2-8 quarter time score in Waverley’s favour. Cranbrook got moving in the second quarter with but still down at half-time 16-21. Cranbrook third quarter was close and in the fourth quarter, both teams opened up offensively. The game went down to the wire and with only seconds left, Waverley where able to make a deep 3-point shot to put them up by 2-points. Cranbrook had a timeout, draw up a play, got a good shot at the buzzer but were unable to knock it down, Cranbrook 49 – Waverley 51. Axel Mukalula was doing work with his 7 points and Hugo Bongardt finished with 6 points. In a show of entire team contributions, everyone on the Cranbrook roster scored.

 In the Spotlight – 10A & 10B
Both the 10As & 10Bs had impressive wins on Saturday. Under the guidance of 4-time Manager of the Year, Mr Wrigley, and Coach Will Ferster the team played organised and physical basketball against Waverley. The As and Bs in this age group have struggled to record wins but with dedication and consistent improvement the this was the first time Cranbrook has beaten Waverley.

10A WIN 34-20
10Bs WIN 51-35

1sts Xavier Spinola at the Free Line for the 1sts.

Oliver Wayne prepares to go left against Waverley 1sts.

The Milo ‘Bomber-Left’ Serfontein shoots a 3-pointer for the 2nds.

In the Spotlight – 10A

In the Spotlight – 10B

The Open 9ths enjoyed their win Old School style in the Old Gym.

After Year 8 CITF the 9Bs competed well against Waverley.

Adam Lee enjoys 1sts & 2nds basketball and is a ‘knock-down shooter’ for the 8Cs.

Rumoured to be former Irish National Point-Guard, Mr Canning knows good basketball when he sees it.

Cranbrook Rowing

Dear Friends of Cranbrook Boat Club

It has been another fabulous week on the Harbour for Cranbrook Rowing. Last Saturday I had the pleasure of going out and watching all 12 Cranbrook Quads ply their trade. The Seniors had the best of the conditions making a grand tour of the outer harbour, from the enormous swells of the Heads to the placid waters of Mosman Bay. Very few oarsmen and coxswains get to see Sydney from this perspective! The Year 9’s also took advantage of a windless Saturday morning as they too made their way to Mosman Bay before chasing each other home across the shipping lanes. Well done to the 4^th Year 9 Quad of; Noah Elski, Rupert Savage, Felix Leesha and Nick Long who held off the chasing pack, it was a privilege to be onboard. The Year 7’s copped a hammering as the wind finally arrived in Rose Bay but they gallantly took to the waves, executing their pieces in truly uncomfortable conditions. Plenty of ‘character building’ took place! Highlights of the week include watching the Year 10 1^st Quad row through a pod of Dolphins in Watsons Bay on Tuesday at dawn and steering the Old Boys Crew in training on Thursday as they prepare for this Saturday’s Mitchell Cup!

Saturday 30 November
Sees the running of the ‘time-honoured’ Mitchell Cup Regatta in Rose Bay. The regatta has been conducted since 1957 and honours John Turner Mitchell, Cranbrook’s first Captain of Boats. All boys except Year 10 (CITF) will be involved and will race multiple times over the ‘out and back’ course. The best vantage point is the eastern end of Rose Bay Beach. Parents, siblings and puppy dogs are most welcome and there will be a Coffee Cart located in the Rose Bay Boathouse for all Cranbrook Families (free of charge). Racing starts at 7:00AM and should conclude by 9:30AM followed by formalities and a barbecue back at the Boathouse. Acting Head of School, Ms Marquet will be attending to hand over the Micthell Cup to the victorious crew. We expect to be finished by 10:30AM. Details of racing can be found in the spreadsheet here.

Holiday Camps
Please see here the Glebe Summer Camp flyer for opportunities to row over the Summer Holidays. Many Cranbrook oarsmen and coxswains have attended over the years and apart from being very enjoyable, it has had a remarkable effect on their development and love of the sport. School is still exploring its options to run internal camps toward the end of the holidays and will release the details as soon as possible.

Regards

Mr Carroll
Head of Rowing

NBA Holiday Camps

Please find the flyer for upcoming December Holiday Camps here.

To register, click here.

Year 8 CITF Photo Gallery

Last week, our Year 8 students challenged themselves, worked together to set goals, and built respectful and positive relationships on CITF at Tharwa. The theme of Teamwork was woven through all the activities, ranging from bushwalking, navigation, abseiling, cooking, rafting as well as a service activity with National Parks. Whilst boarding the buses for home, many students commented on how great the week had been.

Tim Lilley
CITF Coordinator

Get behind the teachers supporting Movember!

For the last six years Cranbrook staff have successfully joined forces to raise money for Movember.

Last year we had our largest team thus far and raised $6,288. This year, we’ve raised an incredible $4,030, and there’s still time to contribute.

To find out more about this important cause please visit: https://au.movember.com/?home

If you would like to support the Cranbrook team please visit: https://au.movember.com/team/2327569

Thank you for your support.

Kind regards

Stephen Driscoll and the Movember Staff

Mr Paul Hallam

Dear Parents and Carers

Earlier today, we received some incredibly sad news, and it is with a heavy heart that I share that Paul Hallam, Associate Director of Sport P-12, Maths Teacher and Head of Athletic Performance, passed away last night after a period of illness.

Many of you will know Paul from his warm presence on the sports fields and through his exemplary oversight of the Strength and Conditioning Centre.

Having worked at Cranbrook since 2016, Paul made an enormous contribution to strengthening all our sports programmes and will be dearly missed for his passionate efforts to foster improvement in the fitness of all our students.

He made a lasting and positive impact on so many students through all of his roles.

Paul was generous, kind and softly spoken by nature. He always had time for everyone, and nothing was ever too much trouble for him in helping others. Paul worked wholeheartedly in everything he did and was a vital part of our Sports Team.

He was a highly valued member of our Cranbrook staff, and we will miss him enormously.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, whom he loved dearly.

We extend our full support to them, and we will keep the community informed regarding funeral details once that information is available.

Our Senior School students were told this news this morning and Counsellors were made available for them today and will be available again tomorrow should they need support. Please reach out to your son’s Head of House if you need assistance for your son.

For resources to help your child deal with grief, please click here and here.

Kind wishes

Michele Marquet
Acting Head of School

Articles of Interest – Week 7

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

The ‘your body, my choice’ movement is sweeping the world. What can parents do to raise healthy, thriving boys?

‘One of the best investments’: why going to uni is still worth it.

The beach is an amazing place to teach kids about science.

Psychologist group issues guidance for parents on teen online video use

Strength training early in life can set up kids and adolescents for a lifetime of health and well-being

How to be a good listener

All best,

Matt Banes

Photo credit ABC News: Lindsay Dunbar

Second Hand Uniform Shop

The Second Hand Uniform Shop remains open every Friday. See below for further details.

Second Hand Textbook Sale

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

CSPA Announcement

Last week the CSPA held their AGM. It is with great pleasure I announce the new CSPA Executive for 2025:

• President: Angelique Haritos
• Vice President Senior School: Adriana Litver
• Vice President Junior School: Rebecca Cowan
• Treasurer: Sophie Orphanides / Krystiana Fermanis
• Secretary: Elizabeth Mangan

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing CSPA Senior School Vice President Meg Tudehope and CSPA Secretary Natalie Samuelson. They truly embody our motto Esse Quam Videri. It has been a joy to work so closely with these incredible women and I know they will continue their contribution to Cranbrook in other ways.

Thank you also to the wonderful CSPA Committee for their tremendous support and hard work. It has certainly been a year that has brought us closer together.

It has been an absolute privilege and honour to have led the CSPA for the past two years. I am looking forward to my new role on the Cranbrook Foundation. I wish Angelique and the incoming Committee the very best in their new roles for 2025.

Warm regards

Sam Roberts
CSPA President