Michaelhouse-Impact Report-2023 (for Jan-Dec 2022)

Under Construction: New home for Tatham

Tatham was founded in 1935. Named after the Honourable Justice Frederic Spence Tatham, Governor of Michaelhouse from its inception until 1931, and loyal and devoted supporter of Rectors since James Cameron Todd, Tatham House was the fifth House to be inaugurated at Michaelhouse. Tatham boys moved into the old West House dormitories, and from then on they have occupied their current space in the Main Quad for the past 88 years. In a good boarding school, the accommodation of pupils needs to be significantly upgraded every few decades to keep abreast of the best practices and standards internationally. Of the six houses due for major upgrades, a particular challenge for the planners was how to adjoin the housemaster’s home with Tatham. A number of options were looked at to keep Tatham where it is. This included a large apartment with a roof garden to accommodate a housemaster, likely with a young family. These were not practical and so having consulted with the current housemaster and the boys of Tatham, the decision was made to build a new House on the east side

of the Pennington Quad into which Tatham will move permanently. The question was asked of the boys, ‘ so how do you feel no longer being a Main Quad house? ’ Something that is important to those current and past boys of houses that occupy the Main Quad. While there was no doubt as to some feeling of loss; the layout, facilities and additional space that will come with Tatham’s new location returned feelings of positivity and excitement. The old Tatham will importantly provide a staging house for the renovations of the older houses to follow and will thereafter be available for accommodating tours, visiting conference attendees and other visitors to Michaelhouse. The new Tatham will have an adjoining Housemaster’s house opposite the San, span four floors, have day rooms, high quality single to six-person rooms, and will lead the way in terms of smart water and energy management. Construction began in January 2023 and is due to be completed by the end of 2023. Photo taken 14 Sept.

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