Friday Flyer - 16th January 2026
Dear Michael Hall Community,
I hope that everyone now has a fully functioning water supply, with clean water coming out of the taps; It is interesting to see how South East Water interpreted dry January!
I am sure that the disruption and discomfort was acutely felt in your homes, I was pleased however that we were only limited to one day of closure. Other schools in the area were certainly worse affected than us which created that odd sense of good fortune in an unfortunate situation.
Reflecting on the loss of water, it made me think about the importance of having ‘the basics’ in place in our school setting. We have a wonderfully rich curriculum that spirals upwards, building on previous experiences, learning and development. But, the continued growth can only happen if the basics and grounding underneath is solid.
In Waldorf education, we often speak of growth as something that unfolds naturally as children grow, mature and develop. In this there is a great deal of truth as if we removed a child from formal education, they would undoubtedly grow, learn and develop. The difference is the structure and expertly guided teaching and mentoring that we provide at Michael Hall, through which we enhance this growth and development; we support and create opportunities for life.
At the heart of healthy learning are simple, reliable rhythms. Regular sleep, wholesome food, time outdoors, and moments of quiet which all support the developing child in profound ways. To add layers of complexity to learning, and I would argue a layers of need, is the ability to read, comprehend language, work with numbers and use knowledge to creatively solve problems using all of these skills; and to do all of these within behavioural structures which begin to reflect the society in which we want to collectively live.
In Waldorf education we take a child development centred approach to introducing the formal or academic side of learning from around the age of seven onwards. This pedagogical approach allows our children to learn to read and write when their bodies and minds are developmentally ready. We begin with ‘the basics’, our solid foundations upon which all other successes will come.
As pupils move through the school, the basics never disappear. Reading, writing, comprehension, recall and application of fact and use of number remain and are vital for academic success There is undoubtedly increasing complexity with critical thought and justification of opinions required with underpinning fact, but the core remains; in essence the basics get mastered.
As parents and educators, we have a heavy responsibility in constantly supplying ‘the basics’ to our children, whilst also demanding that theses basics are also shown back to us by them. We should all have a healthy expectation of progress from our children and pupils and as the team working around the children, collectively sharing these expectations instil ambition, create drive and promote healthy discussions on careers, study future life plans.
Stuart McWilliams
Principal
Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ performed by Class 8MR
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