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Friday Flyer - 2nd October 2026
Dear Michael Hall Community,
I hope that your week has been blessed with the same level of positivity and inspiration which I have experienced this week: 1 community event, 2 open days, 2 Michaelmas-es and a beautiful rainbow.
The community event was the renewal at Emerson College where the hard work and developments which have been underway since the College became part of the Ruskin Mill Group were unveiled and launched. It was inspiring to see, to feel and to hear from passionate people who will lead the four pillars at the College. There is something special when so many committed and intentional people fill a room; a real power in purpose. Thank you to all those at Emerson who made me feel welcome....and kept us all well fed with a wonderful lunch.
We held our open days for Lower, Middle and Early Childhood sections of the school. I love showing our school off and I love being able to talk about why I chose to come to work at Michael Hall. It is also fantastic to hear Colleagues speak with such eloquence, passion and depth of knowledge when they present and respond to questions from interested parents. The biggest inspiration and sense of pride that I feel is when our pupils respond to questions as part of a panel: confidence, articulation and pride in their school and their journey. Thank you to all who made the open days such a positive experience.
Michaelmas assembly was heartwarming with the mix of older and younger pupils taking to the stage and some whole school singing to wake us up, unite us and to lift our spirits before setting to the physical tasks ahead. This is the second Michaelmas day as our youngest pupils had a morning of snipping, cutting and planting on Monday. The will has been strong, and the impacts have been visible across the school site.
This morning we were greeted by a rainbow which was bright and beautiful. It felt like a portent for a positive day ahead. Rainbows and seeing the moon during the day are two of my favourite phenomena we see in the celestial world so, having seen both this week, I am lifted.
I hope that everyone has a restful weekend.
Warm wishes,
Stuart
Stuart McWilliams
Principal
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02 Oct 2026
As autumn begins to draw in, we gather each year to celebrate Michaelmas — a festival that has a special place in the Waldorf school year.
Michaelmas is a time to think about courage: finding the inner strength to meet challenges, to stand firmly in what is right, and to bring light and war...
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02 Oct 2026
As part of their Local Geography Main Lesson, the class spent two days camping on the school grounds last week, using the familiar landscape around them as a focus for closer observation and exploration.
The children set up camp at the Stone Circle where they collected firewood, filled water butt...
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02 Oct 2026
The basketball season is off to an excellent start for Michael Hall, with the U18 team securing an impressive victory against local rivals Ardingly.
The team worked hard as a unit, putting into practice much of what has been covered in early season training. Their commitment, teamwork and d...
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02 Oct 2026
On Tuesday we had a wonderful time celebrating Michaelmas in Kindergarten, welcoming parents to join us towards the end of the morning with courage, and for community and purposeful work.
In Waldorf schools, Michaelmas is a time to awaken our courage, stren...
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02 Oct 2026
As part of their Main Lesson block on Ancient India, Classes 5 created these beautiful mandalas with natural materials gathered from the school garden and woodland.
Abigail Holden and Vanessa King
Class 5 Teachers
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Class 8RG Play - Little Women
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Join 8RG for their production of Little Women in the Michael Hall Theatre. This charming adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic tale brings the story of the March sisters to life through music, drama and friendship.
Evening performances take place at 7.00pm on Thursday 8 October and Friday 9 October.
Donations welcome. We hope to see you there and support our talented young performers!
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Dear Parents/Carers,
Following our email last week regarding the new Parent Portal, this is a friendly reminder to please log in and complete the required forms, if you haven't already. If you experience any difficulties logging in, please contact Emily Worth at [email protected].
There are two important forms to complete and submit through the portal, including the Annual Medical Update. Both forms need to be completed by 15 October.
It is essential that we have accurate and up-to-date information for your child, including any medical conditions, allergies, medications, consent preferences and other relevant health information.
Please take a few moments to review the medical information we currently hold for your child(ren) on the portal and submit the forms as soon as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
Warmly,
Blanca Rey
School Nurse
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Would you like to work in a natural and holistic environment that will breathe life back in to teaching, learning and education?
Current positions available are:
- Chemistry Teacher A-Level
- Individual Needs Assistant
- German Teacher
For more information and to apply, please click here
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Kidbrook Park Music Festival
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Kidbrooke Park Music Festival 24th and 25th October 2026
Music Department News
Superb music in an exceptional location. Subsidised tickets, free parking, free programmes and local! In 3 weeks, this year's wonderful Kidbrooke Park Music Festival arrives at Michael Hall. Tickets are on sale at https://www.kpmusicfestival.org/
The Festival weekend opens on 24th October with a menu of violin and piano music performed by Tillett Trust artists, Basil Alter and Dafydd Chapman. The programme includes the bluesy Sonata by Maurice Ravel.
Following this, we welcome the astounding tenor, James Gilchrist to sing one of the most moving song cycles in existence: Franz Schubert's Winterreise. 24 songs that take the listener deep into our own inner worlds. Some might remember James Gilchrist's thrilling performance of On Wenlock Edge in Forest Row last year, in which case tickets for this will be a given. James is one the finest singers around recognised internationally for his incredible performances and recordings. He is also a wonderful wordsmith who has sung this incredible piece for many years such that he all but lives the incredible poetry. He will be accompanied by his long-term musical partner, Anna Tillbrook. James has kindly offered to tutor two young singers in an open masterclass earlier in the day.
Many of you will be celebrating the centenary of our local hero, Winnie the Pooh this year, so why not join us on Sunday 25th to hear a remarkable piece written by Richard Birchall that provides a musical collaboration to three of A. A. Milne's eternal stories of our favourite bear. These will be told by the wonderful Melody Grove. The composer will be present as a member of The Philharmonia Orchestra cellists who are playing for us that afternoon. The programme bookends the lively Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock which has been especially arranged for this occasion to create the opportunity for our own KP Festival Youth Orchestra to play alongside the Philharmonia Cellos.
Please do support this incredible festival. It exists to promote exceptional concerts in our area that actively include our budding young musicians. With your continued support it will continue to flourish.
Tickets can be purchased through the website https://www.kpmusicfestival.org/
The Music Department
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24 Oct 2026
This October, the Kidbrooke Park Music Festival will once again bring outstanding international musicians to the beautiful setting of Kidbrooke Park in Forest Row, East Sussex. Taking place over the weekend of 24 and 25 October 2026, the festival offers audiences of all ages an inspiring programme o...
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I'm running a new workshop on November 21st for fruit tree care.
If you have some old trees that need some enlivening, need guidance for managing young trees, or want to understand the fundamentals of planting fruit trees then this workshop can help.
https://www.rekindling-abundance.com/shop/p/cosmic-ecology-fruit-tree-care
Please click on the link for more info and booking
To join in the harvest, click on the invitation link to our Garden shop WhatsApp group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EuLICYvKY431Vmp6KZdmjp?mode=ems_copy_t
We also have a recipe group where we share ideas for preparing our produce. Join the group through this invitation link
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hc5eX9UAtesCG2BWB50mkr?mode=ac_t
Please consider donating to help with garden infrastructure projects
https://www.michaelhall.co.uk/news-and-events/fundraising/the-school-garden
Darshan Robson
School Market Gardener
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Darshan offers regular courses and workshops.
To find out more, click here or email: [email protected]
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25 Sep 2026
Costume designer Vin Burnham (class of 1968) is publishing a book, Get Into Costume: Design, Make and Manage for the Stage and Screen, out with Bloomsbury Visual Arts on 29 October 2026 — aimed at helping newcomers bridge the gap from education into their first job in design, making, styling...
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If you have anything you would like to share or would like to be added to the mailing list, do get in touch: [email protected]
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Join us in the Canteen every Friday after drop-off, until 9am, for a hot drink and a chance to chat and meet other parents.
Bring a mug and come and say hello!
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Kates’ Chorus fundraising concert
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A lovely Sunday afternoon was had by all who sang and all who came to support us.
We hosted a programme of beautiful, warm harmonious songs to lift the spirits.
Singing together regularly is such a tonic and always lovely to share with an appreciative audience.
Students Hei-Yan and Ella contributed beautiful cello and singing pieces to add to the mix and they performed beautifully - well done!
Together we raised £354 for the Music department to support the fantastic music making in the school.
Three members of the audience have since joined our choir and came along and really enjoyed it.
Anyone can join, once you’ve left school and we’d be delighted to have more singers, especially tenors…
Contact [email protected] if you’d like more information.
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 Ways to Contribute
If you feel you can help support the Blossom Fund, there are several ways you can give:
- One-off donations
- Standing orders
- Online contributions via our website
- Legacy gifts
- We are also exploring how charitable donations!
Donate Here
Every gift, large or small, will directly help open the doors of a Waldorf education to more children. To put some context, if we had 10 people donating £20 per month, that equates to 10% of a child's fees that we could support.
If you would like to find out more on how to donate, please email [email protected] or contact me directly.
For more info on the Blossom Fund, please click here.
Colin Fullbrook
Head of Finance
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Advertisements featured in this newsletter are not affiliated with or endorsed by Michael Hall School
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Room for rent
Large, ground floor room available to rent in a family home. Located in Forest Row, 15 minutes walk from Michael Hall. Available 1 October. Contact [email protected].
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 Following the success of the ceilidh-dance workshop with the string players towards the end of last year and the Forest Row Fiddle Summer School we will be running an intensive, three-day fiddle workshop during the October half-term.
The sessions will run 10am-noon and 1-3pm each day from 28th - 30th October.
The location will be dependent on the number of participants but will be in Forest Row.
The workshop is intended for intermediate level and above and costs £100 per participant.
And any participants who are willing will be invited to join the TARTAN CUSTARD CEILIDH BAND at the Forest Row Ceilidh Club 1st Birthday Ceilidh on the evening of 30th October.
To find out more or book a place call or email Aly Macrae on 07769730269 or [email protected]
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UNIQUE 4 BEDROOM DETACHED FAMILY HOUSE
Walking distance from Michael Hall school.
In the heart of the village, backing onto fields.
Forest garden, bordered by stream.
Rayburn. Woodburning stove.
Garden office.
Enormous potential. £595,000.
Contact: [email protected]
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CHOIR CLUBS WITH KATE SMITH
Take place on Wednesdays for Class 5.
I will start a Class 4 club on Tuesdays if we get enough interest…
For information and booking please visit the school portal for activities https://michael-hall-school.rafyo.com/activities
Choir club is held in our Eurythmy Studio and is for those children who love singing and want to sing with others who also love singing. We learn lots of lovely songs, and have great fun along the way.
So, I look forward to meeting new children to these clubs, as well as some familiar faces of course!
With warm wishes,
Kate
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10 Oct 2026
Pregnancy, birth and the transition into parenthood can be some of life's most profound experiences. Yet while much attention is often given to preparing for birth, the postpartum period can sometimes feel less explored and supported.
Together at the Threshold is a nurturing five-week worksho...
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03 Oct 2026
Come and discover Sussex Dance Company at Michael Hall School on Saturday 26th September 2026!
New families are warmly invited to come and meet the SDC team, discover our classes and performance opportunities, and experience our friendly and supportive dance community.
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12 Sep 2026
Your child’s dance journey starts here with Sussex Dance Company!
Our Saturday classes are held at Michael Hall School, with even more recreational classes available throughout the week in Forest Row.
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