Senior School Link – Week 9, Term 1 2024 - 28 March 2024
Michele Marquet, Acting Head of School
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we approach the Easter long weekend, I would like to acknowledge the phenomenal effort and dedication shown by all our students, staff and families since the start of this term. The upcoming weekend is a thoroughly deserved opportunity for everyone to rest, recharge and spend some special time with loved ones.
This past week has been a creative powerhouse! Tuesday evening’s Easter Concert was a superb demonstration of talent and enthusiasm as our young musicians from Year 5 – Year 12 participated in a truly inspiring concert showcasing their hard work, talent and dedication, as well as highlighting the superb skills of all our music educators at Cranbrook. Last week, the truly impressive performances of the cast and crew in Cloudstreet were outstanding. The use of space, the way the characters commanded the stage and drew the audience into the storyline were a joy to behold. Again, all credit to the students who participated and the staff who helped prepare and guide the development of the show. The breadth of our students’ school experience was in evidence at these events, but also as we celebrated our sailors becoming State Champions at the NSW Schools Sailing Championships, an honour we have held more times than other participating schools.
Our Senior School is such a busy, lively campus and I have so enjoyed seeing our students totally engaged in classes, events, sports matches and activities first-hand. I have also continued to love meeting newer families and catching up with many familiar faces from the Junior School. Next term, the CSPA is hosting a Senior School Mothers and Carers’ Day Breakfast (Wednesday, 8 May) and I am very much looking forward to meeting many more of our families then.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment. The School Council will shortly be providing more information about the external process we are establishing for our community to report concerns and provide feedback. Further information should be available next week.
As we head into the Easter weekend, I hope our families and staff will be able to take time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends ahead of the final weeks of Term 1. It has been a challenging and busy term for us all.
Kind wishes,
Michele Marquet Acting Head of School
Bob Meakin, Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School
Dear Parents and Carers
In this week’s assembly we reminded students of the significance of Easter. Our Chaplain, Mr Farraway, led this Service with many students and staff contributing with readings and prayers.
At the end of the Service, I honoured the achievements of students whom were yet to be celebrated in assembly. This included our musicians who performed in the Easter Concert on Tuesday evening, as well as the cast and crew of Cloudstreet for their magnificent performances last week. We also celebrated our rowers who competed in the Nationals and our most successful swimming team since 1985, who came 3rd place in the CAS. And finally, we congratulated our sailors who won the NSW State Championships for the second year in a row. They presented their shield to Ms Marquet to thunderous applause from the students.
Can I please reinforce my message earlier in the year for parents who are dropping off their sons at school to use the “kiss and drop” (enter via Victoria Road gate). The traffic around the School is often heavy and unpredictable, and we have safety concerns for students who are being dropped off at bus stops, in between parked cars, across entrances of driveways, and even in double parked situations. I would like to thank the parents who are already using the “kiss and drop” facility and would encourage other parents to do the same – not only to ease congestion around the school – but also for the safety of the boys.
A reminder there is no sport this weekend as we head into the Easter break. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy and safe Easter long weekend.
With every good wish,
Bob Meakin Deputy Headmaster & Head of Senior School
Nick Jolly, Director of Academics / Deputy Head of Senior School
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am writing once again with a few reminders regarding School Reports and Parent Teacher discussions for 2024:
At the end of this term, parents can expect to receive the following:
Year 7-10: Progress Report (Attitude and effort only)
Year 11 HSC : Full Report
Year 11 IB Diploma : Progress Report
Year 12 HSC: Full Report (Start Term 2)
Year 12 IB Diploma: Full Report (Start Term 2)
Parents of students in Years 7-10 will receive a Progress Report. However, please note that our Progress Report was only ever designed to offer a quick ‘snap shot’ of a student’s progress. The most comprehensive feedback is on offer on full semester reports and on Canvas through our Continuous Report. The Progress Report will now therefore only offer a snapshot of student attitude and effort via ticks against the best descriptors. As usual, it is from these ticks that the school determines its termly Head’s List of Outstanding Academic Attitude and Effort. To log in to Canvas, remember to use your school registered email: https://cranbrookau.instructure.com/login/canvas . The first time you log in you will be required to select Forgot password. You will then be sent a link to your email to create your own password. Please note the parent ‘how to’ guides found here : https://cranbrookau.instructure.com/courses/3277 . I will soon write separately to Year 7 families with more information regarding the Continuous Report.
For the first time this year, we will trial a Parent Teacher Interview Day for students in Years 7-11 (Year 12 students/families have two other separate opportunities for discussions). More information will follow in time, but please note for your diary that this day will occur on Friday June 7th from approximately 8am.
Please enjoy a restful Easter break with family.
Nick Jolly Director of Academics / Deputy Head of Senior School
Angelique Sanders, Director of Student Wellbeing
Dear parents and caregivers,
Our SWP sessions have covered a range of social and emotional learning over the term and the final session is next Wednesday.
Year 7 have focused on starting strong and building connections. They will have an opportunity to reflect on their first term next week and they should all feel a sense of achievement of how they have settled into Senior School.
Year 8 have focused on how to respect differences in their friends and what makes a good friend. This is the time in their adolescent years where friendships can be challenging and behaviour both in person and online can be hurtful. Explicitly teaching them the qualities we want to see in friendships and accepting and celebrating diversity helps them to navigate issues that may arise.
Year 9 have focused on identifying and using their inner strengths and will draw on this next week as they embark on CITF.
Year 10 have focused on finding their voice and how to have difficult conversations. This can be challenging for our young people and the time and space to practice this is important.
Year 11 have had time to explore the Careers Department website and this will be an ongoing resource for them to access.
Our HSC Year 12 cohort are focusing on the upcoming half yearly exams and took part in an HSC marker panel to help them understand the marking process. Our DP cohort had a session with Aaron Nolan on their CAS.
I wish you all a restful and enjoyable Easter weekend.
Regards,
Angelique Sanders Director of StudentWellbeing
Matt Grice, Director of Sport K – 12
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Cranbrook played a full round of Winter trial fixtures on the weekend. It was great to see the Winter season in full swing and all the students giving it their best during the trial period. We look forward to competitive games beginning in the coming weeks. You can find the Winter Training Schedule for the remainder of Term 1 here.
Well done to all our Rowers who competed at the Nationals at Penrith last week. In the pinnacle of Australian Schools rowing competitions Cranbrook had plenty of fantastic results and PBs. A fitting end to the rowing season. Congratulations to all involved.
Once again, we have been talking to our students about our weights room and its benefits. The Cranbrook weights room is an incredible resource that all students should enjoy, extending beyond just rugby players. Engaging in weightlifting exercises offers numerous advantages. Firstly, it helps individuals build overall strength and endurance, leading to improved performance in various sports and enhancing physical fitness. Additionally, weight training promotes proper posture and body mechanics by strengthening core muscles and supporting proper alignment. This is particularly valuable for students who spend long hours sitting or studying. Moreover, strengthening muscles through weightlifting aids in injury prevention both during physical activities and in everyday life, providing better joint support, balance, and stability. The focus and concentration gained from weightlifting can also translate into better academic performance. Lastly, engaging in weight training at a young age can foster a lifelong habit of physical activity, promoting a healthy lifestyle whilst at school and long after it. We encourage all Cranbrook students to please use this amazing space. If you have any questions about the weights room, please reach out to Mr Hallam. phallam@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au He is more than happy to answer any queries.
I hope everyone has a lovely Easter Break. A reminder we will have plenty of options for our students to keep busy with their sporting endeavours in the upcoming Holidays. We would love to see the students join a camp, training or simply get to the gym to keep active over the break. Please see our holiday training schedule for all available activities here. Holiday Camp details can be found under Dates for your Diary.
Kind regards
Matt Grice Director of Sport
Oratory Article
Competition Debating
In my more than a decade involved with Cranbrook Debating, I cannot recall a time where we experienced a second round of clean sweeps in a single season of the ISDA Competition! Friday night’s debates against Bellevue Hill rivals, Scots, were tremendous and secured for some teams the chance to debate in this year’s Octo (out round) finals: Year 8, Year 10, and Senior A. More teams could yet be added to this list, but we must wait for confirmation after Round 7 following Easter.
See below the ISDA topics, for which Cranbrook was negative in all debates:
Division
Topic Area Round 6 ISDA: International Issues
7
That developed countries should pay developing countries to preserve their rainforests.
8
That developed countries should pay developing countries to preserve their rainforests.
9
That Australia should prioritise relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
10
That the International Community should jointly manage vital shipping channels & sea lanes (e.g. the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal).
Senior B
That the International Community should jointly manage vital shipping channels & sea lanes (e.g. the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal).
Senior A
That the International Community should jointly manage vital shipping channels & sea lanes (e.g. the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal).
See below the updated tally:
ISDA Division
Round 1 vs SACS
Round 2 vs St Caths
Round 3 vs Kincoppal
Round 4 vs Kambala
Round 5 vs Shore
Round 6 vs Scots
7
WIN
Loss
WIN
Loss
Loss
WIN
8
WIN
TBC
WIN
WIN
WIN
WIN
9
WIN
WIN
WIN
Loss
Loss
WIN
10
WIN
WIN
WIN
WIN
Loss
WIN
Senior B
WIN
WIN
WIN
Loss
Loss
WIN
Senior A
WIN
WIN
Loss
WIN
WIN
WIN
Eastside debaters went up against one of the strongest schools in their competition, and pleasingly came away with a solid win rate, with triumphs for Years 7, 8 and 10. Currently, the 7s and 12s sit top of their respective ladders, and the 8s and 11s are tracking a respectable second place so far.
See below the Eastside round topics:
Division
Topic Area Round 4 Eastside: Economics
7
That the government should limit the prices of groceries.
8
That the government should limit the prices of groceries.
9
That Australia should implement the “old rent law”.
10
That the government should offer interest free loans to young people, that are repaid off future income like tax.
11
That the government should offer interest free loans to young people, that are repaid off future income like tax.
11
That the government should offer interest free loans to young people, that are repaid off future income like tax.
See below the results for Cranbrook:
Eastside Division
Round 1 vs Sydney Grammar
Round 2 vs Scots
Round 3 vs Reddam
Round 4 vs Sydney Boys
7
Loss
Loss
WIN
WIN
8
Loss
WIN
Loss
WIN
9
WIN
WIN
Loss
Loss
10
Loss
Loss
WIN
WIN
11
Loss
WIN
WIN
Loss
12
WIN
WIN
WIN
Loss
Due to the Easter long weekend, there are no competition debates this Friday 29th March. The next debates are scheduled for Friday 5th April – see below for details.
Cranbrook success in Rostrum Public Speaking heats
Last Thursday afternoon, Year 9 student Kernel He and Year 12 student Owen Woolford ventured to Ascham for the preliminary heat of the 2024 Rostrum Competition. Rostrum, celebrating its 50th year, is a national competition that provides secondary school students with the opportunity to express themselves on important issues and convey a message.
Kernel spoke about hostile public architecture in the junior division and Owen spoke about hyperpop in the senior division. Both gave outstanding speeches, which were noted for their originality, engaging voice, and, at the senior level, for not relying on any notes whatsoever. The ability to speak with clarity and authenticity were highly valued by the judging panels, and Kernel subsequently won his heat while Owen came a close runner-up in his heat. Kernel will therefore progress to the Regional Final (Semi-Final) in May and should the winner of the senior heat be unable to attend, Owen will be called upon to attend the same Regional Final.
This is a terrific achievement for both students and a credit to the work of the Public Speaking coaches and teachers in recent years.
Mock Trial Round 1 result
On Wednesday morning, Cranbrook took on its Bellevue Hill rivals, Scots, in Round 1 of the 2024 Mock Trial Competition. Run by the NSW Law Society and presided over by actual lawyers and magistrates, the Mock Trial Competition introduces students in Years 10 and 11 to the NSW judicial system through simulated criminal and civil cases.
In this first round, Cranbrook held the plaintiff side in a civil case in which a company was being sued for negligence under Section 5B of the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW). The Cranbrook side was represented by the following students:
1st barrister – Hudson Woolford
2nd barrister – Gus Robinson
Solicitor – Plai Garnjara-Goonchorn
1st witness – Jax Taylor
2nd witness – Cameron Li
Magistrate’s Clerk – Oscar Xing
The trial – particularly its formalities and protocols – was a learning curve for the students in their first ever competitive event, who did an admirable job with their case. Perhaps my favourite – certainly humorous – part of the trial was the question of whether horses can, in fact, ‘sense trouble’ in relation to the incident at the heart of the matter!
Based on the evidence presented over 3 hours, the magistrate awarded the win to Cranbrook as the plaintiff. However, in Mock Trial, winning the case doesn’t necessarily mean you win the round (around 50% of wins do not equate to a round victory). In what was an extraordinarily close scoring of individual performances by a handful of points, Cranbrook unfortunately didn’t win the round, with that honour going to our neighbours up the hill.
The team was fortunate to receive detailed feedback from a generous magistrate, which will help shape responses in the second round. For next time, the team will be working on their formalities, protecting their witnesses, and cross-examination skills.
AMEB Voice and Communication sign up now open
Starting after the Easter break, Cranbrook will be introducing the AMEB Voice and Communication syllabus to students in Years 7 and 8 who find speaking publicly a challenging experience and who are eager to develop the confidence and skill to express themselves with purpose, clarity and flair. The AMEB course may be familiar to those whose children work through grades of Music for their chosen instrument. For Voice and Communication, it will involve engaging with a range of text types like prose and poetry, speaking in a range of contexts (some favourites include performing a magic trick to an audience or presenting a verbal media report) as well as learning good vocal exercises and posture techniques to communicate well.
Students involved will be led by a public speaking coach and teacher with experience in this field, receiving small group tuition and support so they can prepare for the formal external assessment component of the AMEB. This involves speaking in small groups and individually to a panel of assessors, who will provide marks and feedback. Involvement in Voice and Communication is designed to be long term, with students moving up grades (levels) each year, eventually having the opportunity in senior years to try their hand at the Voice and Communication Certificate course. It is anticipated – based on advice from AMEB – that Years 7 and 8 students will likely start on either grade 4 or grade 5 (level 2) of the syllabus. More details can be found on pages 71-92 of the syllabus guide.
Key details for sign up:
VAC will run Fridays 3.30-5.00pm and one weekday lunchtime (TBC) as a drop in session with the teacher/coach
Students involved will be coached during Terms 2 and 3, with exams happening at the latter end of Term 3/beginning of the September school holidays
To maintain the small group environment conducive to coaching and keep costs reasonable, VAC will initially be open to a total of 10 students from across Years 7 and 8
The cost for participating will be $140, which covers the cost of the final external grade exam
Students in Years 7 and 8 have received an email inviting them to sign up to VAC via an online form, with a close date of 8.15am Tuesday 2nd April. Parents of students who sign up will then be sent an Operoo form to sign should they wish their child to participate, which will also contain details about payment.
The first 10 student names received will be given preference. We look forward to launching this opportunity, which will offer a formal avenue for students interested in becoming better public speakers.
Upcoming oratory events
Inter-School Model UN Day with Shore, Sydney Boys High, Rose Bay Secondary, and St Catherine’s this Thursday 28th March
No after school oratory events Thursday 28th March or Friday 29th March, owing to the Easter long weekend
Final Mock Trial, Mooting, and Social Debating for Term 1 next Thursday 4th April
ISDA Competition Debating R7 vs Ascham (home) and Eastside Competition Debating R5 vs SCEGGS (home) next Friday 5th April
Final Public Speaking for Term 1 is Monday 8th April from 3.30-5.30pm
Oratory programmes above are fully subscribed for Semester 1
There has been a lot of recent interest in participating in one or more of our oratory programmes listed above. However, close date for sign-ups have long passed and we are presently fully subscribed across all debating, public speaking, and Model UN. We are therefore unable to accept new enrolments. However, students keen to gain access to our resources and prepare themselves for Semester 2 sign-up are welcome to reach out to me (note, we only accept expressions of interest from students directly). Sign-up for Semester 2 offerings will circulate via student email in mid-June.
Contact
Should you or your son have any further questions about any of Cranbrook’s oratory programmes, you are welcome to reach out to the Head of Oratory and Student Journalism, Mr Benjamin Smith, at bsmith@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au. In the first instance, students should be making contact about getting involved.
Essential information and highlights for parents will be posted here on Cranbrook Connect as part of the Thursday Link. Students involved in oratory programmes will receive updates via their respective Canvas or TEAMS channels.
Benjamin Smith Head of Oratory & Student Journalism
Mother’s and Carer’s Day Breakfast
Dear Cranbrook Mothers and Carers
The Cranbrook School Parents’ Association (CSPA) is pleased to invite you and your son/s to a breakfast at the Senior School, honouring mothers, and carers of our Year 7 to Year 12 students.
Join us on Wednesday 8 May 2024 from 7.15am until 8.20am (Year 7 and Year 12 parents are invited to stay longer if time permits) on the Mackay Lawn and surrounding terraces (atop the Vicars Centenary Building).
Parking is available in surrounding streets. Please contact us directly if you require special parking.
Should you wish to attend and for catering purposes, click here to RSVP.
For all enquiries, please contact the Development & Community Office on (02) 9327 9409 or via email Foundation@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au
We very much look forward to seeing you there.
Samantha Roberts President Cranbrook School Parents’ Association
Articles of Interest
Please find articles of interest below compiled each week by members of the boarding staff team.
On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, we took the opportunity as a community to reflect on Easter in our concert and services in the Junior and Senior School. Thank you to all who contributed and to the guests who attended. I hope you found them edifying.
Today is Maundy Thursday. The name comes from the Latin mandatum, the first word in the Latin rendering of John 13:34, “A new commandment (mandatum novum) I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This commandment was given by Jesus on the Thursday before his crucifixion. So Maundy Thursday is the “Thursday of the Commandment.”
Jesus did not replace or change the commandment, “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” He filled it out and gave it clear illustration. He is saying,
Here is what I mean by “as yourself.” Watch me. I mean, that is how I am now loving you. My suffering and death is what I mean by ‘as yourself.’ You want life. Live to give others life.
Later his disciple John wrote, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16). In the horrors of his suffering, Christ was sustained “by the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). And that joy was the everlasting gladness of his redeemed people, satisfied in the presence of the risen king.
Therefore, let us be open to seeing the greatest love in action on Maundy Thursday and tomorrow on Good Friday. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1). Let us be so moved by this love that it becomes our own. “He laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” This is the commandment, not just for this Thursday, but for every day.
I hope you all get the chance to enjoy the long weekend that Easter provides. May it give us all the rejuvenation we need to finish the term well. I look forward to joining our year 9s on CITF next week, so, enjoy the holidays when they come and see you in Term 2.
Rev. Rod Farraway Chaplain
CRU Camp
Don’t miss out on a CRU Camps for K-Y12! Choose from residential activity camps, HSC & IB study camps or daytime-only camps, all with fantastic activities like sailing, horse riding, rock climbing, archery, canoeing, abseiling, cooking, Year 12 study, plus new friends, engaging Bible talks & more! For more info or to register, visit crucamps.com.au ‘CRU Camps’ is a division of the Crusader Union of Australia which has 90 years’ experience running safe, Christian camps for kids.
Cranbrook School is a public company limited by guarantee which was established to provide students with a well-rounded, liberal education based on Christian beliefs.
It is governed by the School Council in accordance with its Constitution and has a membership comprised of eligible persons who have made significant contributions to Cranbrook or who are key stakeholders in its mission.
Parent of students in Kindergarten to Year 12 attending Cranbrook are eligible to become a Member of Cranbrook School for so long as they have a child attending the School.
The Members of Cranbrook School play an important role in the governance of Cranbrook. Being a Member entitles you to attend and vote at general meetings of Cranbrook School. This includes attending and voting at the Annual General Meeting, where the matters considered include receiving the statutory financial reports and electing members of the School Council.
If you are not already a Member of Cranbrook School, and wish to become one, please indicate your willingness to do so by completing and returning the application form which can be found on Cranbrook Connect here.
Applications are subject to approval by the School Council, and will be considered at the next possible School Council meeting after receipt of your completed application.
If you have any questions regarding membership of Cranbrook School, please contact Sarah Deveson, Company Secretary, by email on councilsecretary@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au.
