Friday Flyer - 22nd October 2025
Dear Michael Hall Families,
As the days grow shorter, I am starting to feel the loss of sunlit hours in my commute to and from school. The loss or lack of something in our lives is often felt strongly; you don’t know what you have ‘til you lose it. The festival of Diwali which was celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs around the world has perhaps brought this more into my consciousness this week. A festival of light as the hours of darkness set in for winter. Warmest wishes for those who are marking Divali at this time. May you and family be blessed with a good fortunes and brightness in the year ahead.
Across cultures and in our own curriculum there is a deep symbolism of light. In many traditions and cultures, light is seen as a symbol of hope, resilience, renewal, and wisdom. It guides us through darkness, helps us see clearly, and invites us to recognise the spark of goodness that resides in every human being. We look for the light within each of our children in every lesson and in every day. In Michael Hall, this approach is at the heart of all we do. We nurture the light of curiosity, wonder, and imagination in each child, trusting that these are the flames that will grow into lifelong love of learning and compassionate engagement with the world. We strive not only to teach, but to illuminate to help children perceive the world in its fullness: intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. I would add to this that we work to create the leaders of the future who will move forward and build a better world as adults than the one we have built for them to grow up in in their childhood years.
In our classrooms, light also plays a tangible role. The soft glow of natural light through windows, the gentle warmth of candle flames the golden tones of beeswax crayons. All these elements support a sense of calm and reverence for beauty. They help create an environment where learning feels alive and connected to the rhythms of nature.
Away from natural cycles and rhythms, the concept and use of light in the arts is also fascinating. The contrast of light and the absence of it playing different roles through different artists. The most common theme is light overcoming dark, battling our inner dragons and demons. But there is another thought which is deeply human. Whenever we stand in light we cast a shadow. It is us, or part of us. It cannot be snipped away from us - despite a famous fantasy novel suggesting otherwise. Rather than seeing the darkness of a shadow, perhaps this is more a hidden part of us – a talent unshared, a dream unspoken, a journey not yet taken. As the we move round the sun, different shadows are cast as different parts of our individual stories and connections are revealed to different audiences. Some will see us with long shadows, but those closest to us will see us in the midday sun with nothing but a spot of shade beneath us.
In our curriculum we shine many lights from all angles across the weeks and years. Each subject or lesson will hold a piece of the jigsaw which makes the Complete. What we hope for is that by the end of their educational journey in Class 12 our pupils can stand in the spotlight, confidently revealing who they are to the invited audience.
As we observe this seasonal change, we might each take a moment to notice the ways light manifests in our daily lives in the kindness of a friend, the enthusiasm of a child, the patience of a teacher, or the gratitude we feel as a community. These are the lights that sustain us and bring warmth to our shared journey.
Warmly,
Stuart McWilliams
Principal
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Ways to Contribute
Message from Jessika Hulbert
Kidbrooke Park Music Festival 1st & 2nd November 2025
As the garden move towards the winter solstice, there is lots we can do to improve our soils and get them ready for an abundant 2026. 
Large wooden chalet set in its own meadows beside an Alpine lake in beautiful mountain scenery for let. Very peaceful surroundings, 15 minutes walk from the local village of Lenzerheide.
