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

The bedrock of Michaelhouse boys remains the age-old qualities of integrity, humility, courage, compassion and service Nobody could claim that the past few years have been either predictable or easy in the broad South African context: Covid-19, floods, sharply rising prices, political turmoil and, more recently, load-shedding are just a few of the factors which have created a challenging environment. Indeed, during the pandemic, the school had to give consideration to the prospect of a huge decline in enrolment at Michaelhouse, but most families held out, a number with financial support, and ironically the demand for places at our school has increased dramatically as the importance of the exceptional all-round education at Michaelhouse has been accentuated. The corollary of the rise of the enrolment to 630 has been the increasing application for financial assistance through the Bursary Endowment Trust from families whose sons, if admitted, have the capacity to make a difference to the nature and character of the school; the other factor resulting from the increase in enrolment has been the requirement for the development of accommodation and facilities. Michaelhouse has been bold in developing its infrastructure in line with the strategic direction of the school: new boarding houses in Ralfe, McCormick and a new Tatham have been the result of the generosity of Old Boys and careful financial planning, whilst similar support from Michaelhouse families has sparked the Makan Centre , a driver of academic innovation and future-fit education. Other priorities include the need for an extended Chapel as the school has grown and modernized but continues to prize the development of outstanding young men who are spiritually alive and have the capacity to impact positively on the wider community in this country and beyond it. The bedrock of Michaelhouse boys remains the age-old qualities of integrity, humility, courage , compassion and a desire to serve (the Michaelhouse Way ). These are fundamental to and contextualise everything that the boys achieve as they strive to be the best version of themselves in a complex world. Such qualities can never be taken for granted. They are precious and allow us to move into the future with confidence that Michaelhouse boys are worthy of support.

Antony Clark , Rector

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