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21st June 2024

Dear Michael Hall Community,

It's that time of the year when Midsummer approaches. I would say in a blaze of sunshine and warmth, but perhaps that's for another year!

Preparation for the pageant is under way in the Lower School for Classes 1-5 with their wonderful performance to take place on Saturday at 2.00 pm on the Valley field. Followed by traditional games on the south lawn, afternoon teas on the terrace and Mary Poppins in the evening. The final event of the night is the St John's Fire, as the Class 12 students process with their flaming torches to light the Midsummer fire. The Class 12 students will then sing songs from different cultures and times. Leaving before the end of term, to travel to Italy and sing these songs in basilicas and churches in exceptional settings full of Renaissance art.

Midsummer is a time that is often celebrated around the world with large fires, collecting flowers and dancing. It was believed that Midsummer was a magical time of good fortune and healing (A Midsummer Night's Dream) when bonfires were lit and loud behaviour encouraged to drive away evil spirits.

Some even jump over the flames to 'burn all your troubles away'!

Wishing you a healing, fire - cleansing, joyous Midsummer.

Jacqueline Courtenay

Assistant Principal 

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20 Jun 2024
Class 4b paintings of the Litling White Horse
Class 4b paintings of the Litling White Horse
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20 Jun 2024
Class 3 Building Project
On Tuesday, Class 3 were visited by professional bricklayer, Dan Ritchie - an old scholar - and his team who taught us how bricks are made and laid.  Together we all got our hands dirty with cement and took part in the actual bricklaying for a circular seating wall to mark the school...
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20 Jun 2024
Class 3 Shelters Return
After some glorious collaboration in the classroom, Class 3 worked hard on their shelters at home and brought the final creations in for display on Wednesday. Here are their stunning homes and shelters.
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20 Jun 2024
Class 4b Camping Trip
In support of their study of local geography and history, Class 4 went on a 3 day, 2 night walking and camping trip on the South Downs. During the trip they walked from Southese, along South Down Way, ending up in Birling Gap on their final day.
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20 Jun 2024
Class 8b Scotland Trip
We had a wonderful time in Scotland at the Ridgway Adventure School which was founded by John Ridgway, the first person to row across the Atlantic and now run by his daughter, Rebecca, the first woman to kayak around Cape Horn. Their intention with the school (set up in 1969) was for people to chall...
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19 Jun 2024
Sports News
Congratulations to the Upper School Volleyball teams for their strong performance throughout the season! This year we have had a full and committed club spanning classes 9-12 and have competed against several schools in different team configurations. This season they have played against Burg...
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18 Jun 2024
Class 4b Copper Coins
As part of Class 4b's Local Geography and History main lesson, the children created embossed copper coins referencing the style of the Regni and Atrebates, the Celtic tribes who inhabited the area that is now Sussex, as well as small parts of Hampshire, Surrey and Kent. The class were asked to d...
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22 Jun 2024
Midsummer Festival
We are delighted to invite you to our Midsummer Festival at Michael Hall on Saturday 22nd June from 11am-5pm. Please see poster below.This festival is one of the highlights of the year at Michael Hall and is an opportunity for families, friends and old scholars to come t...
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21 Jun 2024
Mary Poppins JR
Mary Poppins JR- buy your tickets whilst you still can. Spit-spot!Ask the friendly policeman where to find Cherry Tree Lane and come visit the Banks family who are in need of a Mary Poppins to bring some Practically Perfect order to their lives. On the way pop in at the Talking Shop for some Sup...
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Mary Poppins - tickets on the door.

Our Midsummer Musical is always a draw and this year certainly fits the bill! As I sit here looking over the score for Mary Poppins JR, reflecting on the two dress rehearsals we have just given I know that whoever has a ticket for the evening shows will leave our theatre of dreams with light hearts, singing the wonderful Mary Poppins melodies for days to come.

So, online tickets are sold out BUT, in anticipation that there will be a last-minute rush on both evenings, we have set aside 40 tickets for each performance. These can be purchased on the door in cash from half-an-hour before the curtain rises on Friday, and at the information stand tomorrow at the fair, for Saturday's performance. Please bring the correct change - any extra will be gratefully accepted as a donation.

We hope you enjoy the evening.

Julian Rolton and Zoe Crowder.

Class 5 Olympics  Saturday 29th June

Dear Michael Hall community,

The Class 5 Greek Olympics are almost upon us.  We will be welcoming 17 class 5’s from across the UK to the school on Wednesday in preparation for their Olympic training and games. The children will unite under their city banner to compete and celebrate this golden age.  They will get the opportunity to stretch themselves over the three days and share the fruits of their training on Saturday 29th June.

All are welcome to come and celebrate this wonderful display of beauty, grace and strength.  Many thanks to the class 6 parents and students who will be serving refreshments throughout the day.

The day starts with the lighting of the Olympic flame and the opening ceremony at 7. 45am after which we will run through the full order of events.

We hope to see many of you there!

The Gym Department

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Remembering David Smith

It is with great sadness that I must share the news that David Smith passed away this morning.

David was a Class Teacher and cherished colleague at Michael Hall for 14 years including Class Teacher to our current Class 8A until 2022. David had a great depth of knowledge and expertise in Waldorf pedagogy which he shared passionately with all who came into contact with him. He will be missed by many in the Steiner Waldorf community.

Should we receive any details of a memorial service, we will keep you informed.

With warm regards,

Emmeline Hawker,Director of Studies

Celebrating Simon’s life

We shared the sad news last week that our dear and much-loved friend, Simon Rogers had passed on at a local hospital on Wednesday 29th May.  

Our hearts and thoughts are with Simon and his family, Ami, Ziggy and Frankie. The family are deeply grateful for the support, love and help so many of you have given them in so many ways during Simon’s illness. 

A service to celebrate Simon’s life will be held at Michael Hall School on Monday 24th June, 2024, from 4.30pm.  

Ami, Ziggy and Frankie would love you to join them for this service. Please gather before 4.30pm outside the Mansion building, as the celebration will begin at 4.30pm with a procession up to the Eurythmy Studio. The service will end with the planting of three trees.  

Please come dressed in whatever makes you happy. 

Please bring your memories of Simon to share as we gather to celebrate him and what his friendship meant to so many of us.  

Park any vehicles in either the old tennis court car park (Teacher’s car park past the Mansion) or the lower car park. Please do not park near the bus shelter area behind the theatre or near the reception area as those need to be kept clear during the service. 

Following the service there will be a small reception for family and a few close friends.  

As many of you know, a fundraiser was started in October to help the family in meeting the treatment costs, some of which still need to be paid. It would be wonderful if together we can help to reduce this burden, the fundraising website is: https://gofund.me/6b599c23  

If you have any questions, please contact Tanya on 07790 993823. 

Thank you 

Sachiko, Tanya and Itai 

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Musical - Mary Poppins
7:30pm – 9:30pm
21
June
Midsummer Festival
11:00am – 5:00pm
22
June
Musical - Mary Poppins JR
8:00pm – 10:00pm
22
June
Class 11 Business Visits
All Day
From 24 Jun until 28 Jun
24
June
Class 9 History Trip
All Day
25
June
Classes 7 Project Information Evening
7:00pm – 9:00pm
25
June
Classes 5 Olympics Training Camp
All Day
From 26 Jun until 28 Jun
26
June
Classes 5 Olympics
7:00am – 3:00pm
29
June

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Cultivating Curiosity
Nature Connection and Bushcraft Holiday Programmes for independent 4-6yr olds and 7-11yr olds at Plawhatch Farm. 
Develop existing skills, learn new ones and have fun. Activities on offer will likely include:
Wild cooking, Shelter building, Fire lighting, Story telling, Wood craft,  Tracking, Woodland games, Survival skills and much fun!  
www.cultivatingcuriosity.co.uk 

Housesitters wanted!
Would you enjoy a break in our farmhouse 5 miles from Forest Row? Surrounded by farmland and wild gardens, 3 lovely dogs, chickens and cat need minimal input leaving you free to enjoy pottering.  Four bedrooms plus self-contained two bedroom barn. 19th to 29th July and 24th to 31st August
Contact Amelia on 07772653380


Room required
We seek accommodation for eurythmists attending the eurythmy therapy training at Emerson College, September 1st -28th. Please let me know if you have a room you can rent for that period as soon as possible. 
Thank you, Katherine Beaven 
[email protected]

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04 Jul 2024
Love, and be silent - Eurythmy performance
Tickets available here 
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27 Aug 2024
Happy Me Dance
Inspire Dance and Creative Arts Summer School here at Michael Hall -Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th August. Happy Me Dance is a dance and wellness company founded in 2019 by Michelle Clark and is based in the South East. Michelle has a wealth of experience in both education and dance having taug...
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