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Cranbrook School, Sydney

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Cranbrook School
File:Cranbrook crest.jpg
Location
Map
Bellevue Hill
,
NSW

Australia
Information
TypeIndependent all-male secondary
MottoEsse Quam Videri
'to be, rather than seem to be'
Established1918
HeadmasterMr Jeremy Madin
GradesK–12
Enrolment1000
Campus19 acres
Colour(s)Red, White and Blue
AffiliationsAnglican, CAS
Websitewww.cranbrook.nsw.edu.au

Cranbrook School is a private school located in Bellevue Hill in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1918 by the Reverend Frederick Thomas Perkins, Cranbrook has about 1000 students from pre-school to high school. It is a single-sex school with the boys spread across 11 houses, with both full-time boarders and day boys. It is a member of the six-school Combined Associated Schools.

History

On 1 December 1917, the former private home and vice-regal residence, Cranbrook, was purchased at auction by an agent for Mr (later Sir) Samuel Hordern. He was the main financial benefactor of a group of businessmen and churchmen aiming to establish a Church of England boys' school in the Eastern Suburbs. From December 1917 to June 1918, a provisional committee of 12, comprising the founders and six additional men, prepared for the opening of the new school. They held meetings, ensured building renovations were completed, drew up the first articles of association and appointed the first headmaster, Rev. F T Perkins. On 6 June 1918, the provisional committee reformed itself as the first council of Cranbrook School and organised the official opening of the school for 22 July, 1918.

From the time of its foundation in 1918, Cranbrook School established a tradition of high teaching standards, a comprehensive curriculum and an acknowledgement of the importance of boys' physical and spiritual development and giving individual attention to every boy. As well, boys were expected to contribute their public spirit toward the community. Cranbrook also has a strong history of sporting success.

Cranbrook has been in a long-running rivalry with The Scots College, a lesser private boys' school (who wear skirts) just up the road. Scots has been traditionally stronger in rugby (meatheads), whilst Cranbrook has tended to dominate soccer.

Many of Cranbrook's alumni are notable for their participation and success in the business world, such as the current richest man in Australia, James Packer.

Also, Sam Fay is gay.

The house system

Cranbrook has a system of houses from year seven to twelve. This system was created in order for boys to communicate better between different year groups, where senior boys would be acting as juniors' mentors within the house. There are currently nine day houses, with about 80 boys each. There are also two boarding houses with around 40 boys each:

Boarding houses

The boarding houses are Rawson and Street.

Rawson House (Red) was founded in 1931. It was named after Admiral Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson, KCB, who resided at Cranbrook as the 21st Governor of New South Wales from 1902 to 1909. Current housemaster is Mr A T Jenkinson.

Street House (Green) was founded in 1957. It was named after The Honourable Sir Kenneth Whistler Street, KCMG, BA, LLB, HonLLD, KStJ, 10th Chief Justice of NSW from 1950 to 1960, Lieutenant Governor of NSW 1950-1972, a school councillor 1935-1966, and school council president 1939-1966. Current housemaster is Mr S J Ross.

Day boy houses

The school also has nine day boy houses - Chelmsford, Cutler, Davidson, Hone, Northcott, Perkins, Strickland, Wakehurst and Woodward.

Chelmsford House (White) was founded in 1931. It was named after The Right Honourable Frederick John Napier Thesiger, Baron Chelmsford, GCMC, who resided at Cranbrook as the 22nd Governor of NSW 1909-1913. Current housemaster is Mr R Lock.

Cutler House (Black) was founded in 1980. It was named after Sir Arthur Roden Cutler, VC, KCMG, CBE, KStJ, 32nd Governor of NSW from 1966 to 1981, who was the longest serving Governor of NSW. The colour of the house was previously brown, from 1980 to 1993, but was changed to black. Current housemaster is Ms C L McCann.

Davidson House (Light Blue) was founded in 1941. It was named after Sir Walter Edward Davidson, KCMG, 24th Governor of NSW from 1918 to 1923, at the time of the foundation of Cranbrook. Current housemaster is Mrs E M Parsons.

Hone House (Purple) was founded in 1970. It was named after Sir Brian Hone, MA, FACE, OBE, third Cranbrook headmaster from 1940 to 1950. Sir Brian restructured the house system in 1941 to incorporate academic, pastoral and administrative matters. Current housemaster is Mr D A Thomas.

Northcott House (Maroon) was founded in 1957. It was named after Lieutenant-General Sir John Northcott, KCMG, KCVO, CB, STSTJ, 30th Governor of NSW from 1946 to 1957, in the year of his retirement as Governor. Current housemaster is Ms D Marsh. The current year 9 coordinator for 2006 is Michael Wong

Perkins House (Silver/Grey) was founded in 1994. It was named after the Reverend Frederick Perkins, first Cranbrook headmaster 1918-1932, and acting headmaster during Terms 1 and 2, 1940.He was first president of the Old Cranbrookians' Association 1921-1932, chaplain in 1933 and 1940-1946, and Strickland housemaster 1941-1945. Current housemaster is Mr I S Johnston

Strickland House (Dark Blue) was founded in 1931. It was named after Sir Gerald Strickland, 1st Baron Strickland, 6th Count of Catena, KCMG, who resided at Cranbrook as the 23rd Governor of NSW from 1913-1917. Current housemaster is Mr M A Cox(ucker).

Wakehurst House (Yellow) was founded in 1960. It was named after Captain the Rt.Hon. John de Vere Loder, Baron Wakehurst, KCMG, 29th Governor of NSW from 1937-1946. Current housemaster is Ms K E Kyriacou but Mr R J Messiter is temporary housemaster in 2006 while Ms Kyriacou is on leave.

Woodward House (Orange) was founded in 1969. It was named after Lieutenant-General Sir Eric Winslow Woodward, KCMG, CB, CBE, DSO, 31st Governor of NSW from 1957-1965. Current housemaster is Mr W R Braddock.

Prefects

Every year, the school community elects prefects from boys in Year 12 to serve the school. There are prefects, head of house prefects, a second prefect and a head prefect.

School song, motto and crest

The school's motto is 'esse quam videri' (Latin: "to be, rather than seem to be"), which was adopted by the Cranbrook School Council on 6 June, 1918.

The school song is called SCHOLA NOSTRA meaning our school. It sung to the tune of "Gaudeamus" and the lyricks were written by Mr. F Gale. During school sport matches or when farewelling the year 12 boys, Schola Nostra is it turned into a school cheer.

The school crest (see above) incorporates 4 symbols that are important to Cranbrook. The first is the cross that runs through the crest. It is the red cross or St George from the first crusaders and it represents Christianity. The second symbol are the five 5 pointed stars that lie within the cross. These represent the Southern Cross. The third symbol is the open book situated in the top left section of the cross. This open book represents knowledge. The last symbol is the Roman lamp which is seen in the top right corner. The lamp represents truth.

Daily life

Each day has 6 periods. Each period is 50 minutes in length. The weeks are split up into week A and week B. There is a ten day cycle for subjects. This means that Monday of week A will be different from Monday of week B.

All boys are expected at school by 8:15 am. This is when the warning bell rings. House period starts at 8:20 and goes until 8:40. House period is a 20 minute period before lessons start. In this time you may do homework or talk to your housemates unless there is something scheduled in your house. Each year has a house room but most years have to share. At 8:44, first period begins. The 4 minute interval between the end of house period and the beginning of period one is so that you can get to calls. This 4 minute interval does, however, create problems with the time table. Period one ends at 9:34. Break is 20 minutes long and goes from 10:28 to 10:48. Lunch is 50 minutes long and goes from 12:36 to 1:26. During lunch, boys may go to the weights room, use the oval or just the indoor basket ball court. Many boys choose to "chill out" outside. The tuck shop is also open at Break and Lunch.

On Wednesdays, because of Assembly or PCP (Pastoral Care Program) the timetable is different.

Neighbouring schools

Nearby schools include The Scots College, Kambala Girls School, Kincoppal and Ascham.

Other facilities

Hordern Oval, located outside the Carter Centre on the main campus, is used by boys during PDHPE classes, sport training sessions and rugby and cricket fixtures.

Dangar Oval is located off the main senior school campus, at the rear of the prep school in Kent Road. Car access is through Iluka Street, opposite Lyne Park.

The Cranbrook gym is used for basketball training and matches and PDHPE classes. It is also used as the venue for fortnightly assemblies and other official school occasions such as "Year 12 Farewell Assembly", "Scholars' Assembly" and "Prefect Induction".

Notable alumni

Politics and law

Business

Media, entertainment and arts

Sport

See also

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