Alumni Voices

Claire Sullivan nee Girdwood class of '69- Michael Hall gave me the confidence to tackle anything I set out to achieve and not get bogged down in the need for perfection. I am grateful to have had the chance to have had such a broad education

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Jesse Darrell left me with a love of poetry and William Mann a love of literature. What more can I say?!

Class of 1958

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I value the great teachers I had, the grounds, music, friends made and living in Kidbrooke, just above the entrance door.

Edward West

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Best memory: watching a class play and gliding in pitchole.

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I fondly remember our Class XII Italy Trip in 2010. While staying in Florence, on a warm summer’s evening, our card (drinking) game escalated to a full-blown water fight!

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I remember a school outing to Cuckmere Haven & then walking along the Seven Sisters with Margaret Russell.

Alex Hetherington

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I remember learning ballroom dancing in the long room.
Learning to swim in the lake.
Stella — Mr Lewen the best class teacher! — Bitterton

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I remember very clearly seeing a ghost in the Mansion House. She stood by my bed, turned, crossed the floor and walked straight through the window. My bed faced the outside! Peter Stubbs saw nothing!
Being responsible for lighting room fire places. I filled the log box. Hugh, the chimney…

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I loved the class trips, especially one to Iona (7B) — we travelled by train + boat and camped, we all had chores to do — I seem to remember mine was the toilet!

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I love the theatre. Alister Smith was the best teacher —

Kophul (2016)

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I was so in love with John Edward, our Latin teacher, who was lovely. Sadly I said to myself — “if you would ask me to marry you I would say YES!” I was 16 years old.

Angela Lockton (Edmunds)

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Boarding at Kidbrooke! I remember especially the board-attic (Favourite valley field). In the evenings (summer) we sat there and chatted, there were bikes. Canoe in chest too.

Roxanne, Class 12. Left in 1965.

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My name Susan Beadle. My story is an inspiring one. I came to MH as a 12-year-old from a strict boarding school. My years here changed my life. I have become a magistrate, an international dressage judge. Married for 54 years, breeding horses. I would be so honoured if I could help in some way.

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Four kids at this school brought us so many friends; we still live in the village.
Good memories: starting logging it to get her on a bike and walking to school.
I was for 11 years the lollipop lady on the A22, fundraising and finally the lights.
Organising Class 4 Christmas Fair and running the waffle stand for 14 years. Other markets. Thanks.

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Performing “The Taming of the Shrew” on the stage.
The Italy trip.
Being highly inspired by John Bryan — ignited my love of the long weekend in Hacketstown.
I still retain friends from Class X, XI & XII. Best teacher: Norman Davidson.

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Camping trip at Newhaven.

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Too many to mention! Just wonderful. Loved every minute. Made me smile even today.
Lorraine Tilling (Palmer).
Michael Hall – going under the (Haha) in the tunnel then trying to cry off for assembly.

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I love all our land and the iron spring, and the climbing trees that got chopped up.

Lina Piotti

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Too many! Making algae in handwork; performing The Taming of the Shrew on the old dear stage; the Italy trip! — far too many to recall…
Hearing The Four Seasons in Assisi; the youth hostel in Foligno; making friends I still have 45 years later. Performing everything. PARZIVAL main lesson.

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Class 10 & 11 — 2 years of complete happiness & eye-opening experiences — loved every minute.
One of many treasured memories: singing the Monteverdi Vespers in 8 parts with Tom Scratchley in long room & in cathedrals in Italy.
And singing Allegri’s Miserere at Worth Abbey! Our class were amazing singers and Tim Scratchley inspired me & all of us so much — so much gratitude!

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Walking up the Valley’s Field with my class, all in white with flame torches. Lighting the fire then leaping over into my future.
I had the best education to prepare me for life.

Melanie Lacey

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Once, when I was in Class 5a, it was our last day with our teacher so she took us to the forest and we played in the mud. We had so much fun! We had so messy and it was a lasting memory I will keep in my heart ♥

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Michael Hall taught me how to value and appreciate other people, regardless of colour, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age or gender. I became a Waldorf teacher myself, teaching in the UK (including Michael Hall), Germany, Namibia and Kenya.

Anonymous (Class of 1967)

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The unique dedication of the teachers and the unparalleled personal attention. Only positive emotions, although I was a naughty boy.

Nicolas Iljine (1955–1962)

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The three years I spent at MH were the best of my childhood. In some ways, they were also the most difficult: far from my home country, with a new language to learn and new friends to make. Yet they left such a deep impression on me that even today, despite the passing of many years, not only do I remember everything with great vividness and affection, but that little girl who returned to Italy with a strong English accent still feels a deep sense of belonging and nostalgia.

Stefania Laura (1978–1981)

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My time at Michael Hall set me on the path to finding my creative calling in life as an artist, craftsperson and teacher. I joined in class seven, following five previous changes of school, and I stayed to class twelve. For the first time, I began to enjoy school and to find my motivation to learn. I went on to do a BA hons degree in 3D design followed by a PGCE. Since then I have taught art, ceramics, crafts and handwork in a variety of settings, including a Steiner school.

Fiona Anderson Cullen (1968–1974)

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Michael Hall was the most fantastic school and I consider myself so lucky to have been a pupil. The sense of community, focus on creative and diverse learning experiences have definitely supported my approach in adult life. I hold my memories of school life very dear to my heart and still feel connected to life at Michael Hall.

Richard Fowler (Class of 1983)

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Michael Hall gave me an opportunity to be creative and quirky and generally just accepted for being myself. I am so grateful for being able to learn as much as I did about so maybe different things during my time there.

Anonymous (Class of 2005)

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Michael Hall welcomed me with open arms, gave me the opportunity to learn with joy and purpose and grow friendships for a lifetime.

Emilia Brandt (Class of 2021)

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56 years after leaving Michael Hall, and despite having lived overseas for most of my adult life, I still count half a dozen of my classmates as my closest friends. Neither the passage of time nor the tyranny of distance has weakened the bonds of friendship forged all those years ago.

Neil Fearis (1958–1969)

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Faith in Humanity.

Christo Brett (1947–1954)

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From Kindergarten to Class 12, my time at school was stimulating, rewarding, enlightening and memorable. Music and unbreakable friendships are a lasting legacy that I treasure every day.

Lynnet Williams (Class of 1977)

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I enjoyed the practical skills, the artistic expression and the love of beauty so much that I have sent my 3 children to Michael Hall, despite the financial sacrifices. I couldn't envisage a more idyllic early childhood environment than the wholesome routines and outdoor play of a Steiner kindergarten.

Tamara Baxter (1982–1994)

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Beautiful school with Steiner-inspired architectural design, implementing his pedagogy, anthroposophical medicine, facets of Steiner's practical philosophy, eurythmy, languages, art, music, plays, surveying, woodworking, bookbinding, iron forge, copper shaping, soldering, enamel decorating, planishing, sports, and of course required O and A level exams; while i lived on the grounds in an old mansion boarding school, complete with landscaped sculptured fields and lake. Very enriching soul and mind experience to broaden horizons of life's possibilities.

Alicia Previn (1971–1974)

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The older I get, the more I understand how formative my education at Michael Hall was. The ritual rhythm, in particular, has given me an enduring sense of being at home in the world. For all of its quirks and characters, I am deeply grateful to have had my first years of school be at Michael Hall.

Casper ter Kuile (1992–1997)

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The best rich experience and encouragement in the arts in a fantastic school environment. Really, really valued the trip to Italy.

Mary Rawson ne Marcus (1969–1970)

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I became an orphan aged 12 and boarded at Broadstone then Kidbrooke. This school was a life saver in that despite my many strange nervous ticks and habits, I was never teased. My peers just accepted me as I was, very energetic and alternative. What a great school I attended and was able to call my home. Thank you

David Mathews (1971–1979)

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My education at Michael Hall instilled a sense of creativity in me that is still there. Even in the darkest times it helps me see the beauty around me and inspires me everyday. I’d be lost without it.

Hannah Exley-Myers (1985–1995)

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I wanted the focus on the arts and handwork in high school that I saw in the newly formed Toronto Waldorf School that my younger sibs went to. Woodwork, metalwork, spinning, weaving and bookbinding - working with my hands and with natural materials - continued in art college and still inform my love of archaeology.

Eve Richardson (1971–1974)

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International contacts when it was a bording school

Prof. Dr. Hans-Ulrich Langemdorff (1957–59)

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A heart warming place to learn and grow into a grounded and well rounded human being.

Anonymous (Class of 1997)

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I was not a good pupil, I am partially dyslexic, which was not known of then, but my overall experience was very good & I enjoyed it apart from Eurythmy where I gave Mrs Jan Bailey a hard time. I learnt a lot & appreciated the class exchange in Freiburg & the History of Art Tour with Mooky Mann. The others in my class were great friends & I enjoyed meeting some of them again during our class reunion in 1991.

David John Barnsley (Class of 1952-Bob Lewers)

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In many ways, Michael Hall was a lifesaver for me. Having come from a State Primary where I would most likely have failed my Eleven plus, I found somewhere that encouraged art in all its forms. I wouldn’t have found that at Secondary school.

Anonymous (1963–1972)

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Huge gratitude to my parents for giving me the opportunity to experience such a varied and engaging educational experience. And to my many teachers and friends. I sense a deep joy when returning for festivals and feel the community spirit that there is all these years later!

Elisabeth Gibson nee Holman (1974–1986)