Senior School Link – Week 8, Term 4 2023 - 29 November 2023
Year 7 Olympic Stadium Model Exhibition
It has been a busy few weeks for the Year 7s in Visual Arts, as they prepare the final touches to their architectural models. Over the past term, students have investigated technical innovations in architecture to inspire a stadium design proposal for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. Students developed technical plan and elevation drawings which were translated into 3D models.
To celebrate the fantastic work, a selection of models will be exhibited on Wednesday 6 December, at lunch time on level 3 of the VCB in the Dinning Commons. We invite all Senior School staff and students to please come along to view these incredible works by our very talented students.
Katherine Young Assistant Head of Department (Visual Arts)
Daisy Turnbull, Director of Co-Education
This week Year 9 were hosted by Ascham for a Ceroc dance day. They started the day with Nathan from Colourbeat, and then being joined by the Ascham students to work in pairs and small groups to come up with creative choreography. A favourite of the day was one choreography that involved “bowling” over other students to ‘Uptown Funk’. They were able to spend time with the Ascham students both socially and while engaged in learning. Students learned Ceroc dancing, which gave them an opportunity to learn in pairs and while I don’t think they ar ethe dance moves Dua Lipa had envisioned for “Dance The Night”, it was definitely enjoyable to see the students having fun.
The Ceroc Dance Day was a really fantastic opportunity for our Year 9s to spend time learning in a coeducational environment and I hope they made friendships and can test out their new dance skills in the holidays.
I have also been holding coeducational ‘mythbusting’ sessions with Years 7 & 8 to discuss topics such as the House structure, what sports we will do, student leadership and the new uniform. It has been wonderful getting to know the students and answer their questions. So much of culture change is about conversations, and there have been wonderful conversations across the campus.
For 2024 we will be introducing a ‘long orientation’ for our Year 7 2026 cohort so they can engage in coeducational activities.
Finally the study centre will be running in term 1 and if you are interested in your child attending for homework help and supervision, please click this link here.
Daisy Turnbull Director of Co-Education
Bob Meakin, Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School
Dear Parents and Carers
Today, we farewelled Year 10 who are off to Kosciusko National Park for their CITF experience. I am sure it will be a wonderful and fulfilling experience for all of them.
As we approach the end of term, we are still busy with senior assessments, and I strongly encourage all students to remain focused and on task until the end of term.
I would like to promote the textbook buy back scheme that has been organised by the CSPA. For a gold coin, students can purchase a textbook for next year which will save families a huge amount of money. In order for this to happen can I please ask that any unwanted textbooks to be brought into your sons’ Housemaster’s office, ready for next week. The gold coin donations will go to our CETOP which is a superb and worthy cause.
Next Tuesday evening we will commence our festive season with our annual Carol Service at St Andrew’s Cathedral. Parents are most welcome to join us in the Cathedral at the following times:
5 December, 6.30pm SS Carol Service 1 – Northcott, Perkins, Strickland, Thomas, Wakehurst, Woodward
5 December, 8pm SS Carol Service 2 – Boarders, Chelmsford, Cutler, Davidson, Harvey, Hewan, Hone
For parents who intend to drive, Wilson carpark on the corner of Kent Street and Bathurst Street is a cheap and convenient option as it is a one-minute walk to the Cathedral.
A reminder that our annual Prize Giving is at the Hordern Pavilion on Tuesday 12 December, commencing at 6.30pm sharp. This is a compulsory event for Year 7 to Year 11 students. We have allocated plenty of seats for parents and other family members to attend. I look forward to concluding the year with this special event, which will include some short drama pieces.
Have a great week.
Bob Meakin Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School
Angelique Sanders, Director of Student Wellbeing
Year 8 took part in workshops presented by Courage to Care this week who are a charitable organisation led by volunteers with the aim to empower Australians to stand up against prejudice and discrimination. The programme aims to promote acceptance of diversity across society by creating awareness of the dangers of prejudice, racism and discrimination as well as educating our students to challenge attitudes and behaviours through transforming “bystander” behaviour to “upstander” action. They were left with the message that every individual can make a difference.
Angelique Sanders Director of Student Wellbeing
Matt Grice, Director of Sport K – 12
Dear Parents and Guardians
A huge congratulations to the Rowing community for another successful Mitchell Cup Regatta held last Saturday. It was a highly competitive day, with lots of tight racing on Sydney Harbour. A huge thank you to Mr Carrol and the rowing staff for putting on the day, and the parent community for running the BBQ.
In an amazing achievement Sam Konstas (Class of 23) made his first-class cricket debut for NSW on Tuesday at the SCG. Sam was presented his cap by ex-Australian cricketer Shane Watson. This is truly well-deserved, and we look forward to watching Sam’s progression over the coming years.
I’d also like to congratulate Max Moylan (Class of 24) who was victorious in winning the 2.4km Coogee Island Swim for the second time this year. The race commenced at the north end of Coogee Beach, swimming around Wedding Cake Island in a clockwise direction and finishing towards the south end of the beach. After a rollercoaster week of weather, Coogee turned on the sunshine – with great race conditions and 20-degree water temperature which bought a strong crowd of thousands of spectators to cheer on the competitors. There were over 1,000 competitors ranging from 13 to 70 years old. Max was a champion not only his own age group but he was the overall winner as well. He defeated his competition by almost a minute with his nearest rival being over 100m behind him. Max was supported by his brother Harry who recently passed his lifesaving to enable him to be part of the water safety team after competing in the 1km swim himself.
Please find details of the holiday training schedule here.
We are delighted to be able to offer a number of Sports Camps and Training sessions over the upcoming holidays. A Holiday Schedule of sessions can be found here.
Please visit the links below to find out more information about the sessions on offer and book your son’s place.
Cranbrook Debating and Diplomacy is going on its first international tour ever in 2024! Over 12-days, students will explore the heart of American democracy in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, engaging in debates, visiting iconic landmarks, and honing communication skills. Experience history, politics, and unforgettable moments in the USA. Now calling for expressions of interest from students thinking of joining oratory programmes in 2024 for an immersive adventure shaping future leaders.
You can register your expression of interest here.
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.
SumoBot Robotics Competition Success
Cranbrook students from Years 8 and 9 have spent the last two months taking part in a SumBot Robotics Challenge which involved a combination of design, construction, and programming of autonomous robots. The school’s junior and senior teams competed against a number of schools including Kambala and Granville Boy’s High School, culminating in a final against St. Scholastica’s, with the junior team securing first place and the senior team following closely in second.
The competition tasked students with the creation of Sumo robots – autonomous machines designed to push opponents out of a circular arena, or dohyō, mirroring the principles of sumo wrestling. This contest not only tested the students’ technical skills but also their strategic planning and collaborative efforts.
The junior team of George McIntosh, Angus Baker-Wood, Nick Long, Tamati Firth, William Vavayis, Edgar Ford, Kenneth Mai and Thomas Boyd were victorious in the final against the Cranbrook senior team of Ted Boss, Mickey Chen, Oscar Peake, Hudson Woolford and Kevin Chu with a bot that performed flawlessly throughout the competition.
The teams encountered and surmounted several significant challenges throughout the competition. The design of the robot chassis was critical, necessitating a careful balance between robustness and flexibility. Students explored various materials and configurations to develop a chassis that could endure the competition’s demands while maintaining effective maneuverability.
Another complex aspect was the integration of sensors into the robots. These sensors were imperative for the robots to detect their opponents and the arena’s boundaries, necessitating the use of infrared and ultrasonic sensors. The precise calibration and alignment of these sensors were crucial for the robots’ performance under competitive conditions.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect was programming the robots for autonomous operation. This required the students to engage deeply with coding, developing algorithms to guide the robots’ movements and strategies. This aspect of the competition demanded technical proficiency and a sophisticated understanding of strategic principles.
This competition gave Cranbrook students the opportunity to explore robotics, electronics, materials science and coding and the excellent performance of our teams bodes well for future robotics competitions. Look out for further STEM opportunities next year if you are interested.
Ross Fryer Technology and Applied Studies Teacher
The 2024 Indonesian Elections
Talk given by Emeritus Professor Greg Fealy from the College of Asia and Pacific at the Australian National University
In an age where the allure of Bali’s beaches and Jakarta’s cuisine often overshadow Indonesia’s profound political significance, it takes a remarkable speaker to shift our gaze from the tourist brochures to the country’s political landscape. Professor Fealy’s lecture last week on the upcoming Indonesian election achieved precisely that, offering a captivating journey into the heart of Indonesian politics that left the audience both enlightened and inspired.
For the students and parents who attended, the lecture was nothing short of a revelation. It successfully shattered the stereotypical image of Indonesia as a tourist paradise, instead revealing it as a nation of deep political engagement and, at the same time, global importance. With a keen focus on the impending election, Professor Fealy’s insights unravelled the complexities of Indonesian politics, making it accessible to an audience whose prior knowledge might have been limited. The lecture marked a turning point for many attendees, as it not only educated but also ignited a newfound curiosity about Indonesia’s role in the region and on the world stage.
The upcoming Indonesian election, as portrayed by Professor Fealy, is more than just a political event; it is a critical juncture in the nation’s history. Joko Widodo’s decade-long presidency, discussed with depth and nuance in the lecture, has indelibly shaped Indonesia, and the lecture left us with a profound sense of both its significance but also the rifts it has opened on the domestic political scene. Professor Fealy’s ability to delve into the personal factors influencing voters’ decisions provided an enriching understanding of the election’s dynamics, underscoring the complexity of Indonesian society. As a result, the lecture not only bridged knowledge gaps but also encouraged attendees, us included, to engage more deeply with Indonesian politics in the months leading up to this pivotal event.
Professor Fealy’s lecture, with its illuminating content and passionate delivery, has not only expanded our horizons but also stirred a sense of responsibility among its audience. Indonesia’s destiny now resonates more prominently on our global radar, and we are determined to remain informed and engaged as this nation stands at a crossroads. Professor Fealy’s lecture was a transformative experience that has left an enduring mark, reminding us of the importance of understanding and appreciating the role of Indonesia in the broader regional and global context.
