Dear Michael Hall Community,

It is a privilege and a pleasure to be in the enviable position of reflecting on a fantastic term at Michael Hall. The energy, commitment, creativity and love that have pervaded all of our activities and learning experiences for your young people have remained incredibly high and I must thank each and every colleague for what they bring to their role each day. 

As parents, you have supported your children, their class teachers, Guardians and subject teachers with equal care and compassion and I thank you for this too. 

Class 9 performed a fantastic version of The Paradise Play on Wednesday in school, which was appreciated by us all. Their use of shadow puppetry was inspiring and really brought the beauty of the text alive in a new and exciting way. As I write this, I am looking forward turning my attention to our final assembly of the year and the staff production of The Shepherds Play, although I feel I should warn my colleagues now that Class 9 have set an extremely high bar for performance expectation! I have no doubt that they will more than rise to the occasion.

Finally, my warmest and most heartfelt wishes go out to all of you and your families for the weeks ahead: the remaining period of Advent, then Christmas itself and the start of the Holy Nights. May this time provide you with many opportunities for joy, reflection and peace. I look forward to welcoming all of our students back in 2024, on Monday 8^th January, in readiness for the continuation of our learning journey together.

Best wishes,

Sarah Stokes
Principal

Michael Hall families and the wider community gathered together to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Class 11 student Solel Moschetti shared his thoughts, “Tonight, at Michael Hall, I felt a warm connection between everyone gathered in the Long Room. Hanukkah is something special and especially at a time like this, being united is the best thing to do. But what is Hanukkah? Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Jewish people and the miracle of oil lasting eight days in the Temple's lamp. It's marked by lighting a special menorah, enjoying traditional foods, playing games, and exchanging gifts over eight days. I hope that many other events like this will happen again at Michael Hall.