Spiritual Life
- School Chaplain and Head of Religious Studies
Rev David Hayman
P: (02) 9327 9482 - Assistant School Chaplain
Mr Rod Farraway
P: (02) 9327 9543
Cranbrook School thrives as a school based on the principles of our Anglican (Christian) heritage. This permeates our desire to be a caring community and to allow individual students to develop as a whole person, including spiritually.
The School is committed to the Christian faith in a way that encourages a focus on Jesus Christ, the Bible and our Anglican tradition but is also respectful and welcoming of people of other faiths.
Religious origins
Cranbrook School has its origins in the Anglican Parish of St Mark's Darling Point. The St Mark's Parish Council was instrumental in bringing to fruition the vision for establishing an Anglican school for boys in the Eastern suburbs. In the early days the students worshipped at St Mark's. Since 1934 the current School Chapel has been used as the focal point of corporate worship and today, in the Senior School, all students worship there in Houses once a fortnight.
Religious Studies classes
Students from Years 7 - 10 attend regular Religious Studies classes. In the Senior School the Religious Studies classes take on a broader focus, and include biblical studies and personal development based on the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Syllabus. There is an average or three periods a fortnightly cycle.
Chaplaincy
The designated position of Chaplain has been part of the life of Cranbrook since 1933, when Rev Geoffrey Perkins assumed this task. Today the School continues to employ an ordained Anglican clergyman as chaplain. He leads the team of Assistant Chaplain, staff, students and Old Boys who work to minister to the whole School community.
The chaplains are involved in all facets of School life from K - Year 12 as well as in the wider School community. Chaplains are involved in teaching Religious Studies, leading worship, supporting voluntary Christian groups and pastoral care.
As an Anglican school the spiritual dimension of life together is appreciated. All faiths are respected and in this context the examination of the claims of Christ as Saviour, bringing his grace into our broken world, is encouraged.
Pastoral services, such as baptisms, confirmation, weddings, funerals and memorial services are conducted in the Chapel for members of the Cranbrook community.
The Chaplains help to create or keep a positive community life. They are available to the Cranbrook community for spiritual and pastoral care. Current students, Old Boys, and members of staff and their families all access the Chaplains from time to time. Members of staff are very welcome to come and chat in confidence to the Chaplains. They may also refer students to them.
Students come to talk to them about a wide range of issues including those relating to bullying and harassment. While this is not specifically counselling, listening carefully to students may result in a referral to the School Counsellor.
To promote spiritual development the chaplains encourage staff and students to become involved in various voluntary groups organised to study the Bible and to have fellowship together.