St Michael's House
St Michael’s Boarding House (affectionately known as Micks) is a home-from-home for our Year 11 boarders. We are centrally located, enjoying easy access to the beautiful Chapel and Dining Room, and the House benefits from spectacular views over the parkland and beyond.
In St Michael’s we put a family ethos at the heart of everything we do. We all work together to foster an environment in which each individual is confident of feeling valued, respected and cared for by the others in the House. Girls are encouraged to take on age appropriate levels of responsibility, and are supported as they develop their leadership skills and achieve their potential.
Mrs Hannah Robertson (Housemistress), Miss Stephanie Gilpin (Assistant Housemistress), and our Graduate Assistant, run the House with assistance from two Resident Tutors, who are in the House two evenings a week and some weekends. The girls have access to at least one member of staff sleeping in the House during the night if they are unwell.
During the week, our boarders benefit from following a full routine from the time they get up to the time they go to bed. After a busy day in lessons, they return to the House in time for supper, and each evening we all come together for a few minutes to share prayers and to catch up on news and events of the day. Supervised study is followed by relaxation time when the girls can call home before the bedtime routine begins.
The weekend is greatly anticipated by all and is generally a more leisurely experience for those remaining at School. Planned Saturday afternoon activities are a fun and social way for the girls to relax and wind down after a tiring week. The day closes with Movie Night, duvets, and ice cream in the Common Room. Sundays begin with a well-deserved lie in and a casual pyjama breakfast in House before the girls smarten up for Mass and formal Sunday roast lunch. The afternoons are often unplanned, giving the girls the opportunity to decide for themselves how to use their time, but they often involve jigsaws, board games, arts and crafts. Occasionally we close the House for an outing, such as a shopping trip to Tunbridge Wells, visit to London, ice skating or a trip to the cinema.
Birthdays are a very special time of celebration for our boarders and we try to make the day as enjoyable as possible, and a day that the House can share with them. There are cards, cake and a surprise gift, accompanied by enthusiastic singing and balloons.
"The House benefits from spectacular views over the parkland and beyond, and the original features combined with the warmth and enthusiasm of the House team make St Michael’s a real ‘home from home"