Michael Hall Parent Portal - 9th October 2026

Friday Flyer - 9th October 2026

Dear Michael Hall Community,

Another week has flown by and we edge another week closer to our first break, with half term only a week and a half away. I cannot believe how quickly the time is passing as it only feels like moments ago I was welcoming everyone back to school. Time and our perception of it is fascinating, as is what we do with it and how we measure or mark what we have done.

With my time this week I have been lucky enough to add to my Michael Hall and Waldorf education experiences as I accompanied the Class 11’s on their Social Practical trip. It was a fantastic 3 day (they did 5 days) experience to be working with the group I was with. We were tasked with clearing, cleaning and redecorating a bandstand on a farm which works with teens and adults with learning difficulties. On the journey back I was reflecting on the importance of a week such as this, and why we include it in our education.

The trip provides our pupils with an opportunity to step beyond the familiar environment of school and encounter people, communities and experiences that may be very different from their own. Through practical engagement with others, pupils begin to understand more deeply the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities that shape our shared human experience.

There is a real difference between learning about society and actively engaging with it. Discussing inequality, vulnerability, care or community responsibility in a classroom has value, but experiencing these realities first-hand can bring an entirely different depth of understanding.

Whether supporting people with additional needs, contributing to community projects or working alongside those whose lives differ from their own, pupils have the opportunity to develop genuine empathy and appreciation for the dignity of every individual. They discover that meaningful contribution is not measured by status or recognition, but by the willingness to act with kindness, commitment and respect.

Importantly, this is not about pupils arriving as rescuers or experts. It is about listening, learning and recognising the knowledge, strengths and experiences that every person brings. Adolescence is a crucial period in the development of personal identity, independent judgement and an understanding of one's place in the world. Our Social Practical Trip offers a valuable opportunity for these capacities to grow.

At a time when education can sometimes feel dominated by examinations, grades and individual achievement, the Social Practical Trip offers an important reminder of the wider purpose of learning. Success is not simply about what we achieve for ourselves, but also about how we relate to others and what we contribute to the communities of which we are a part.

Ultimately, the Social Practical Trip to me, embodies an important aspiration of Waldorf education: to help young people become thoughtful, compassionate and capable individuals who can exercise independent judgement and make a positive contribution to society. We will see the impact on the Class 11 when they return through reflective sessions and observations, but I can share that I saw our pupils give their best to the project and the place.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend

Warm wishes,

Stuart

Stuart McWilliams
Principal