Schism over Cranbrook future widens as petition in support of headmaster launches

A prominent Sydneysider pushing for cultural renewal at Cranbrook branded a ‘disaffected individual’ in a letter sent out.

Cranbrook renovation October 17 2022

A prominent Sydneysider pushing for cultural renewal inside Cranbrook School says she was disappointed after a letter attacking her and three others as “four disaffected individuals” was sent to the school community.

Macquarie Bank director Nicola Wakefield Evans, whose four sons attended the elite Bellevue Hills school, said concerns over governance were held by a large section of the school community.

“I’m very disappointed in the direction and tone of the correspondence to the school community, to the … stakeholders who have been trying to work with the council to resolve some fairly substantive issues,” said Ms Wakefield Evans. “Also it’s not just the four of us. To imply it’s only four people who are attacking the council is totally ­incorrect.”

The concerns centre on Nicholas Sampson’s future as headmaster while Jon North remains student council president, a position he has held for about 13 years. A petition accusing Mr North of trying to force out Mr Sampson garnered about 600 signatures on Sunday amid a widening schism exposed during the months-long battle to open the school to female students.

“Nicholas Sampson lodged a formal complaint about the treatment he has received from the council president more than four months ago and unfortunately this is still unresolved many months later,” said the petition.

“Parents are only now just realising what has been going on behind the scenes. Many parents have written or communicated to the school council to express their concerns and remarkably their letters and concerns go unacknowledged and ignored.”

Prominent signatories include former Wallabies player and Cranbrook Foundation director Anthony Abrahams and Lucas Pontifex, an executive director at global investment firm Morgan Stanley.

Cranbrook, which charges $40,000 a year, announced in July it would admit girls in years 7 and 11 from 2026 after a highly publicised push towards co-education at one point publicly championed by billionaire Atlassian founder Scott Farquhar.

The debate exposed concerns within the school community over governance, transparency and Mr North’s 13-year tenure.

The petition said the majority of students, staff, parents and donors were appalled at the school council’s treatment of Mr Sampson and wanted him to remain to oversee the boys school’s transition to co-education in 2026.

“Without a speedy resolution there is a real risk that Nicholas Sampson will leave Cranbrook and many key staff will follow – seriously impacting the stability of the school and the education of our boys,” said the petition.

The petition launched after a letter signed by Ms Wakefield Evans, billionaire fund manager Will Vicars, property investment trust Dexus chair Warwick Negus and McKinsey managing partner Angus Dawson warned the ongoing controversy would drive away donors.

A letter sent on Thursday, signed by Mr North and all but one council member, accused “four disaffected individuals” of challenging the reputation and governance of Cranbrook via an ongoing media campaign. “In September last year, the school council agreed to extend the tenure of the headmaster to the end of 2024 at his request,” it said.

“The school council has subsequently reassured the headmaster that it is supportive of him performing his contract.”

The Australian approached Cranbrook for comment.