St Michael’s Prep School looks to the future as it celebrates 150 years

In this landmark year, St Michael’s Prep School tell us how they have been celebrating and how they plan to build on the school’s success.

Community

2022 has been all about community at St Michael’s Prep as pupils, staff, parents and alumnae have gathered to celebrate the school’s special milestone. 

In January, St Michael’s marked the launch of its anniversary with a golden anniversary logo projected on the side of the prep building and each member of the community received a 150th anniversary golden badge. 

On Friday 8 July everyone joined together for a Family Fun Day event featuring music, food and entertainment. Past pupils, staff and parents, known as Old Michaelians, joined St Michael’s for this event following a special afternoon tea which was attended by over 60 of the school’s alumnae. 

This same community spirit was felt during another summer event, this time at St Michael’s Ellis Andrews memorial cricket match. Hundreds attended to support a team of St Michael’s staff vs family and friends of Ellis Andrews, a former and cherished pupil of the school, against a backdrop of food stalls, face paint and music. The event raised £1226.57 for the Emily Ash Trust, a charity supporting children with cancer. 

As St Michael’s 150th anniversary year nears to its close, the school has one more community event to look forward to: a glorious whole school carol service accompanied by a professional orchestra. 

Discovery

Whilst St Michael’s 150th anniversary has focused on celebrating the past, there have also been many opportunities for discovery and looking forward. 

At the start of the year, the Languages Department, together with Year 2, wrote to 30 St Michael’s schools across the globe and have enjoyed receiving personal replies from Headteachers in countries including Switzerland, France and Canada. 

The school’s ‘Challenge Passports’ are also playing a key part in its anniversary celebrations. Containing 150 unique challenges, pupils have been tasked with completing as many as they can throughout the year. The challenges ranged from ‘walk 150 miles over the year’, to ‘win a game of chess’, to ‘learn to say hello in 10 languages’. 

The Joy and Wonder of Learning is endorsed at St Michael’s – and this year has been no different. Experienced by children in seven of the school’s year groups, Victorian Days have transported pupils back in time to an era where chalkboards, chanting and mop hats were part of everyday school life. The perfect history lesson!

Inclusivity

As an inclusive school, St Michael’s welcomes and celebrates families from every faith, culture and country. The school’s International Club, a community of parents from countries including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Ukraine, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Russia, Australia, South Africa, India, Turkey, USA and New Zealand (to name a few!), is a wonderful celebration of this. 

St Michael’s is home to many different cultures which the school marked with a special anniversary video on European Day of Languages this year. Take a look at some of the many languages spoken by their community.

Growth

St Michael’s believes that in everything and everyone, there is always opportunity for growth. Its 100-acre site provides an amazing learning experience for its children, helping to develop enquiring minds and a love of the outdoors. 

St Michael’s grounds are constantly being developed to enrich the pupils’ education. The children enjoy the use of woodlands, sports and Astro turf pitches, a Wildlife Pond, outdoor library and Forest School. 

This year the school has focused on renovations with a historical purpose, starting with the restoration of its 1/2 tonne angelus bell (pictured above). Made in 1925, the bell has a long history of commencing and ending school days and playtimes with many Old Michaelians still remembering it fondly today. 

St Michael’s has also installed a new flagpole which has flown house flags, the union flag and a special 150th flag in this anniversary year. The pride of their house flag being flown has motivated the children and encouraged a sense of community, team work and pride. 

Legacy

With 150 years comes a strong legacy and this year has been about celebrating both the past and what is to come. 

In March, the St Michael’s community planted 150 trees to celebrate the anniversary. Equipped with wellies and spades, families planted the trees across two weekends next to beautiful family name plaques made by the Art Department. In the summer term, the Art Department also led the creation of a 150th Anniversary mural, with every pupil in Years 1 to 8 adding a piece to the final artwork.

Elsewhere in the creative arts curriculum, the Drama Department hosted a Rewind drama gala performed by Years 7 and 8 Drama Scholars, old and new, in July. The evening event, featuring excerpts from performances performed by St Michael’s over the past 72 years, was a spectacular celebration of the school’s impressive theatrical legacy. 

St Michael’s plans to end its 150th anniversary by burying a time capsule to be opened by the St Michael’s community of 2072. 

All these wonderful events and celebrations demonstrate so well the ethos of what St Michael’s school is all about.

M
Be the first to comment
Share this story: