Project 1 - Dick Chester Roundabout

To launch our Centenary projects, we transformed the Dick Chester planting bed into a raised planter with seating, as part of Class 3’s building project last year. We are now commemorating our connections with other Waldorf schools by adding fingerpost signs pointing towards them. These signs, crafted from sacred wood sourced from the Goetheanum, will display each school’s name and its distance from Michael Hall. The surrounding planting scheme is inspired by Steiner’s Pillars of Education, symbolising the values that continue to guide our work.

Project 2 - Playground Rejuvenation & Creation

We plan to restore the play area behind the Library for our older Lower School children, transforming it into a sensory play space centred around balance and music. The aim is to support learning through active, sensory stimulation during break times. In response to the children’s growing interest in parkour and climbing, we hope to create a play environment that is both safe and stimulating, offering challenge and reward in equal measure.

Project 3 - Tree Planting & Willow Maze

To support our younger children, we aim to create more areas of natural shade within the Lower School playground. On the lawn in front of Butler’s Gate, we also plan to offer a calm, restorative space for those who may feel overwhelmed, by introducing a natural willow structure — forming tunnels and sheltered areas for play and quiet retreat.

Project 4 - Woodyard & Wintergarden Rejuvenation

Many will remember the Woodyard, once home to the Blue Pool, and hold fond memories of their time there. In the long term, we hope to explore the possibility of reinstating the pool. In the meantime, our focus is on restoring the existing outdoor structure in the Woodyard, transforming it into a safe and functional outdoor learning space. Over the coming years, we also plan to dedicate part of our outdoor lessons to caring for the Water Gardens -through clearing, pruning, and planting. This ongoing work will enable the school to host open garden days and community events throughout the year.

Project 5 - Centenary Garden

As part of their Garden Creation lessons last year, Class 8 designed and began developing a new tiered garden behind the Clockhouse, intended as a calm and tranquil space for everyone to enjoy. Generous contributions from the Mansion Market have already helped bring the project to its current stage. With further support, we hope to ensure the natural pond continues to thrive and to introduce a variety of plants that can be used in lessons exploring their properties for cooking, dyeing, and healing.

Project 6 - Outdoor stage

Following the successful fundraising campaign to support the re-laying of the Mansion’s Upper Terrace - kindly initiated by parents - we hope to continue this project through to completion. With further donations, we plan to rebuild the outdoor stage and replace the cracked, sunken concrete and capstones with Heritage York stone. This will restore the stage to its former glory, ensuring it is safe and accessible once again, and allowing classes to make full use of it for performances throughout the year.

Project donations

Every contribution, big or small, helps us bring these Centenary projects to life and ensure Michael Hall continues to thrive for generations to come.