Headmasters

Originally from the UK, Mr Nicholas Sampson was Principal of Geelong Grammar in Victoria from 2000 to 2004. He then returned to the UK where for eight years was head of the prestigious Marlborough College. Mr Sampson became Headmaster of Cranbrook in 2012.

Having long admired the unique culture of Cranbrook and its philosophy of integrity, balance and the rigorous pursuit of excellence, Mr Sampson has an ambitious vision for 2013 building on these strengths and values to create a blueprint for the future.

Mr Sampson holds a Master of Arts Degree in English Literature from the University of Cambridge. His career in schools has been built on a firm belief in the value of a balanced and expansive education which enable students not only to discover and polish their own talents, but also to admire the gifts of others and to embrace the value of service.

An avid reader of literature and with a strong interest in the arts, Mr Sampson also played hockey at representative level, and is the father of twin daughters.

Born in Geelong, Jeremy Madin completed his schooling at Geelong Grammar School, and then graduated from the Australian National University and the Canberra College of Advanced Education. He taught English and History at Canberra Grammar School, moving to Sydney to lead the Social Education Materials Project for the Headmasters’ Conference of NSW for two years. After lecturing in the Diploma of Education Program at the University of Sydney, he returned to Canberra Grammar School as Head of the History Department and one of the boarding Housemasters. He was appointed Head of Timbertop, the co-educational boarding campus of Geelong Grammar School. He then moved to Perth as Headmaster of Christ Church Grammar School. Madin served as the President of the Association of Independent Schools in Western Australia, the editor of Independence, the journal of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia and a member of the Western Australian Curriculum Council. In 2001, there were 1399 boys, of whom 1301 were day boys and 98 were boarders.

Born in Sydney, Bruce Carter attended Knox Grammar School, representing the school in rugby and tennis. He graduated in English from the University of Sydney. He gained his Masters from Harvard University, Boston, USA and a Doctorate from the University of Toronto, Canada. He taught at Newington College and The King's School, Sydney. In 1970, he was invited to Knox Grammar School to be responsible for the creation and development of a new Boarding House for senior boys. From 1971 to 1973 he served as Senior English Master, Knox Grammar School and Deputy Headmaster from 1971 to 1978. From 1978 to 1985, Bruce Carter served as Headmaster, Scotch College, Launceston, Tasmania, which subsequently amalgamated with Oakburn College, to become Scotch Oakburn College. In 1983, there were 1318 boys, of whom 1166 were day boys and 152 were boarders. In 1994, he was awarded a Fellowship with the Australian College of Education for his contribution to educational leadership and administration in independent schools. From 2001 to 2009, Bruce Carter served as Principal of Emanuel School, Randwick.

Born in Sydney, Mark Bishop attended Parramatta High School and Sydney University, graduating in Organic Chemistry. In 1946, Hone appointed him to teach Chemistry and as a Tutor in Rawson House. In 1950, he and his wife participated in a teacher exchange for two years to Marlborough College, England, returning to Cranbrook for the 1953 school year. He was appointed Master-in-Charge of Science and a Tutor in Strickland House. In 1954, he became the Housemaster for Davidson House and in 1957, the first Housemaster in the newly created Street House. Bishop was Master-in-Charge of Science until 1963. In 1959, Bishop was a founder of the Australian College of Education and was involved in setting up the new NSW Science Syllabus following the implementation of the Wyndham Report in the early 1960s and in founding the Science Teachers' Association of NSW. In 1963, there were 884 boys, of whom 712 were day boys and 172 were boarders. In 1977 Mark Bishop was awarded the Order of the British Empire. He was a devoted sportsman and coached athletics, cricket and rugby. Bishop retired at the end of 1985 and died in Sydney in 1988. In 2001, the Australian College of Education honoured him by naming The Mark Bishop Award for Achievement in Education after him.

Born in England, Gethyn Hewan was educated at Marlborough College, Wiltshire, and was taught by Brian Hone, Cranbrook's third Headmaster. He attended to Cambridge University, graduating in Mathematics and gaining blues in hockey and cricket. He was awarded the Andrew Mellon Fellowship at Yale University, USA. In 1939, Hewan joined the Royal Horse Artillery as an officer, serving at Tobruk in North Africa. In 1945, he was appointed as a Mathematics Master and House Tutor at Wellington College, Berkshire, England. Hewan was offered the position of Headmaster at Cranbrook in November 1950, arriving in Australia in April 1951. In 1951, there were 737 boys, of whom 552 were day boys and 185 were boarders. He was a founder member of the Australian College of Education and strongly supported the Outward Bound movement. He was an outstanding golfer, a trout fisherman of great skill and a skier of ability.

Born in Adelaide and educated at Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, Hone played representative cricket and tennis. He graduated from the University of Adelaide, then taught at Prince Alfred College and was granted a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. He served as Head of the English Department at Marlborough College, Wiltshire. Brian Hone commenced as Headmaster at Cranbrook in August 1940 and in 1948, he founded the English Teachers' Group, which revised the English syllabus in New South Wales. He was responsible for the revision of the School crest in 1940 and the development of the modern House system. He established St Mark’s and St Michael’s Kindergartens as feeder schools in 1944. In 1940, due to the war years, there were 190 boys, of whom 140 were day boys and 50 were boarders. In August 1950, Brian Hone resigned his position of Headmaster at Cranbrook to become Headmaster of Melbourne Grammar School, a position he held until his retirement in 1970. In recognition of his services to education, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire and knighted. Following his retirement, Hone was Deputy Chancellor of Monash University. In 1970, Cranbrook School honoured Brian Hone by naming a new day boy House after him.

Born in Grafton, NSW, Iven Mackay attended Newington College, Sydney. He graduated in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Sydney and then became a Demonstrator in Physics. He taught at Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore) and then returned to the University of Sydney. In 1913 Mackay was commissioned in the Citizen Military Forces and in 1915 he served with the AIF in Egypt, Gallipoli and the Western Front, becoming Brigadier-General. In 1922 he resumed teaching Physics at the University of Sydney and in 1925 he became the first Student Adviser and Faculty Secretary. In 1933, there were 212 boys, of whom 186 were day boys and 26 were boarders. Brigadier Mackay was knighted in March 1941 and was awarded his Honorary Doctorate of Laws in 1952.

Born in England, Frederick Perkins attended Townsville Grammar School in Queensland, where he was Head Boy and Senior Prefect. He was a graduate of the University of Sydney with a Masters in Latin. He taught at The King's School, Parramatta and was ordained at Newcastle Cathedral. He became Headmaster of Monaro Grammar School, Cooma and The Armidale School. He was appointed as Cranbrook's first Headmaster in February 1918, five months before the School's commencement. In 1918, there were 64 boys, of whom 26 were boarders. After retirement in 1932, he became Chaplain (1933 and 1940-1946). In 1940, he was Acting Headmaster between the appointments of Mackay and Hone. Perkins House, formerly known as the Classroom Block, was named after him in 1946. In 1994, a new School House based in the Perkins Building was created and named after him.