4th October 2024

Dear Michael Hall Community,

It is with great excitement that we introduce the entire school community to a project that has been five months in the making, brought to life with immense love and support from our community. Last academic year, Jenny Robertson (Kindergarten Teacher), Ian Howard (Estates Manager), and I stood before a bramble-filled patch of land at the back of the Early Childhood site. What began as a shared vision has now blossomed into the Oak Tree Forest Kindergarten. 

One of the most inspiring aspects of this transformation is the sense of purpose and care that greets you the moment you walk through the hand-carved gate—beautifully crafted by parent and old scholar, Ben Crawshaw from an ash tree that once stood on the site. It radiates the same thoughtful energy that defines Michael Hall’s Early Childhood spaces. 

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible site team—Ian, Matt, Pete, Mark, Seb, Cliff, and Jake—who have worked, and continue to work, tirelessly to create safe and beautiful spaces for our children and staff. To our business team (Rowan, Tatiana, Colin and Maria) who helped make the dream a reality. A special thanks to Juhana and his team at Saimaa Construction for designing the stunning shelter that sits at the heart of the Oak Tree Kindergarten, and to Zu from Truroots for providing the woodchip, benches, and tree care, ensuring the space remains both beautiful and safe for children's play. 

We look forward to sharing this wonderful new addition to our school in the coming year. 

With care,

Rachel Ford Blanchard 
Head of Early Childhood 

Below are the before and after photos- to view the whole gallery please click here

Toy Donations Needed
The Advent Fair Team is now welcoming second-hand toy donations made from natural materials. Examples include wooden toys, musical instruments, stationary such as wax crayons and colouring pencils, wool or cotton dolls and teddies, steel kitchenware, card packs, puzzles and more. 
Please ensure that toys are in good, usable condition. 
Donations can be placed in the collection box at reception. 
__________________________________________________________

Advent Fair Crafting Workshops
Open to all Early Childhood parents, including Parent & Child, Saplings and Kindergarten groups. 
Mondays after drop off, starting next week! Join us on the following dates: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Oct, 11th, 18th Nov. For location details please email: [email protected] or check your WhatsApp groups.
Alternatively, join us in the canteen on Thursdays after drop off, until 9:45 am. Dates are: 10th, 17th, 24th Oct & 7th, 17th and 21st Nov.
Learn to make beautiful window stars, star lanterns and more for the Advent Fair.

Shana Tova to all our Jewish families at Michael Hall

We're hard at work behind the scenes preparing a special collection of centenary merchandise, soon to be available in the online school shop! We are hoping to offer hoodies and bags, mugs, cards, and of course, our beautiful centenary badges for purchase. Watch this space!

Danoush Lachman - Handwork Teacher

Hello Michael Hall community, I'm Danoush, a handwork teacher, a textile artist and the proud mother of three young adults. I have been a craft and handwork teacher in the Waldorf education for the past 12 years, recently working at the Brighton Waldorf School, until its closure in March.
I'm truly excited about the opportunity to be part of this community, and I look forward to sharing my passion of the creative world with my students and colleagues.

Kidbrooke Park Music Festival News:

November 2nd, 7.30, Long Room - the spectacular recorder group Palisander will treat us to an unforgettable evening of recorder playing. They bring a range of recorders from 6 inches small to 6 feet tall, and every other size in between! Virtuosic, inventive, beautiful and hugely enjoyable, this will be a recorder concert like you have never heard before. Don't miss!

Do check the website kpmusicfestival.org for information and tickets for all the events during our festival. There is a wonderful piano recital in the Long Room on Saturday morning November 2nd. In the afternoon the artist James Mayhew will give a painting workshop inspired by musical fairytales - book soon, spaces for this are limited. And finally on Sunday November 3rd, the Festival Chamber Orchestra will perform a delightful programme of French music, joined by our own KP Festival Youth Orchestra.