Friday Flyer - 5th December 2025
Dear Michael Hall Community,
I have been between two thoughts for this weeks Friday Flyer, with two strong ideas which have dominated the past week or so. One is being thankful, which is unsurprising as we are at that time of year where there are festivals and celebrations which are light, positive and points of positive reflection. The other is motivation specifically the intrinsic urges we have to be kind, be helpful, be respectful and to be and do good.
These are not mutually exclusive ideas or themes as I think there is an over-arching theme of fuelling the inner light or ‘feeding the soul’ as my grandmother would have phrased it. In our staff meeting I raised the question of how we recognise positive contributions and progress from our pupils. What do we do as the adults surrounding the children to foster the positive acts and energy that they bring to the school, how do we share that amongst ourselves as colleagues, and how do we share that with parents? If it takes a village to raise a child, how do we keep all the village elders aware of the successes of the child so that each of us fuels that inner light and encourages that brightness to shine. How do we keep the intrinsic motivation high without implementing extrinsic rewards is a challenge for a school setting.
At Michael Hall I can see daily that we hold a deep trust in the child’s innate desire to be and to do good. This intrinsic motivation, rooted not in external reward, but in the child’s own developing moral compass is strengthened when we offer them experiences that create or emphasise gratitude. When children learn to see the gifts in their daily lives, they begin to see themselves in the weaving of goodness in the world.
Gratitude and goodness are not separate practices; they feed one another. Thankfulness opens the heart, helping children notice the kindness around them: classmates who support one another, teachers who guide gently, families who care deeply, and the beauty of nature showing its quiet resilience in the winter months. When a child is thankful, they are more inclined to act with kindness. And when they act with kindness, they experience the inner warmth that comes from contributing to the wellbeing of others. This cycle strengthens their inner compass.
The season of Advent offers a particularly meaningful way for this inner work to unfold. Advent is approached not simply as a countdown to a holiday (although this will be welcomed!), but as a quiet, reverent journey toward light and a celebration. The weekly themes of stones, plants, animals, and human beings gently guide the children through a widening sense of connection, with the earth, with life, and with each other. Activities such as the Advent Spiral or lighting the Advent candles in assembly provide moments of stillness in which children can sense the strengthening glow within. Through these events, gratitude becomes almost tangible, and the children learn that their own inner light grows brighter when they act with care, patience, and kindness; fostered and supported by the adults around them.
The festivals we celebrate together throughout this season create space for this cycle to come alive. The warm, soft glow of candles, the singing of seasonal songs, the sharing of food (my favourite), and the simple joy of gathering as a community; all of these offer children a sense of belonging and an experience of light that is both outer and inner. Through these traditions, children learn that light is something we cultivate through our actions: helping another pupil, caring for handmade objects, or offering a heartfelt “thank you.”
We emphasise the inner experience rather than outward accomplishment (though this should not be ignored) in our lovely school, we support children in developing true motivation to do good, not just because they are praised, but because it feels right and meaningful. In this way, the festivals become more than moments of celebration; they become mirrors that reflect our shared values and models of how to bring warmth into the world.
As we move through this season, I hope we all find joy in doing good, acting with kindness in all situations, and feeling genuine gratitude for what we have.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events, sharing moments of positivity and seasonal warmth.
Best wishes,
Stuart McWilliams
Principal
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Lanterns and Wreath Kits
In the lead up to the final part 2025, our centenary year, we would love to hear from 100 past pupils of Michael Hall!
Ways to Contribute
Dickens’ 
On the 17th, 18th, and 19th of December 2025 Forest Row's Peter Griffiths hall will once again be filled with mulled pies, mince wine and expectant crowds singing along to seasonal hits and watching as a pair of lovesick but highly visible public servants strive to find true love in the cold winter snow.
