Michaelhouse
Generational Plan | 2046

The vision of our founder, an Anglican priest, Canon James Cameron Todd, was “to make, not accountants, not clerks, not clergymen, but men; men of understanding, thought and culture.”

Those words articulated at Speech Day in 1897 have endured for one and a quarter centuries. They have been the guiding words for Teachers, Rectors and Governors who have encouraged the 8,898 boys who have passed through the gates of our great school to live lives according to the Christian values of integrity, humility, compassion and courage (conveyed in the Michaelhouse Way) in service to our community and our country.

OUR GENERATIONAL PLAN

Why Have a Generational Plan?

As we move forward, following our 125th anniversary in 2021, we have reflected on how far we have come: the triumphs (and the mistakes). We remain proud of the idea and the institution that is Michaelhouse, but there is still much work to do to ensure we remain relevant in a changing world and that our good traditions endure.

The things towards which we are striving in the years ahead will take time. They include innovation in education, estate planning and management, transformation, community outreach, sustainability and more. There are parts of the generational plan that focus on things that Michaelhouse needs (capital projects, bursary endowments, etc); but our greater purpose is for Michaelhouse to create things that the world needs (innovation in education, problem solvers, contributors to the betterment of humanity, etc).

We are also very aware that our collective time as stewards of this school is finite and will end; but, in having a generational plan that will outlast all our tenures, we will provide continuity, lessons and a foundation on which our successors are able to build.

Who Owns It?
The Board of Governors

What Do We Want It To Do?

  • Make sure Michaelhouse is still here in a generation’s time.
  • Provide continuity as well as a handrail for the community.
  • Embrace change while preserving heritage & tradition.
  • Ensure Michaelhouse is the type of school that the boys of today will want to send their sons to.

While we have given much collective thought to the direction the school will take over the coming quarter of a century, we do not profess to have all the answers or to know exactly where we will be in 2046: our 150th anniversary. We do, however, believe that there are a handful of enduring characteristics and objectives that will be as relevant in a generation’s time as they are today.

How We Will Make Use of It?

This first iteration of our Generational Plan is high level and deliberately simple. It is a series of short statements defining who we are as mandates for detailed plans to be developed and delivered over time.

We will commit to review the Generational Plan annually and evolve it over time - particularly the detail of how each statement will be realised.

Who We are and How We Will Educate.

  • Michaelhouse will remain a globally recognised, termly boarding school for boys, preserving and living by Christian values and the Michaelhouse Way.
  • The Michaelhouse brand and educational experience will embody character development, global citizenship, community service and positive environmental socio-economic change.
  • Michaelhouse will offer a broadly rounded education that consistently embraces change, whilst preserving heritage and tradition. Strong academic, technological, cultural, sport and outdoor education programs, taught by exceptional and continuously improving educators, will be features of the curriculum and the multi-faceted learning experience at Michaelhouse.
  • Pastoral care will be consistently prioritised and developed to promote a rewarding, disciplined and fulfilling boarding experience for all boys, to support holistic well-being.
  • Service will be a cornerstone of Michaelhouse’s culture and broad educational experience. Michaelhouse boys will actively engage in community and environmental service projects to raise their awareness and empathy, together with a commitment to contributing to positive change.
  • Michaelhouse will remain accessible to a wide diversity of boys and communities. We will raise funds to grow the bursary endowment trust to provide financial aid for families requiring financial assistance to send their boys to Michaelhouse. It is envisaged that two thirds of boys attending Michaelhouse in 2046 may require financial aid.

Our Campus and Our Environment.

  • Michaelhouse will continue to offer a community focused campus in a beautiful rural context.
  • We will offer a wholesome lifestyle with competitive benefits to attract the most innovative and dynamic educators. These individuals must identify with the opportunity - and the challenge - to contribute to multi-dimensional educational excellence while continually adapting to a changing world and evolving career choices.
  • The Michaelhouse Campus will remain world class comprising the very best boarding, academic, cultural, sporting and administration facilities to support the needs of educators and learners, matched to a world renowned educational program. An estate plan up until 2046 (150th anniversary) will be established.
  • We will build environmentally sustainable practices into every aspect of how we manage the estate, maintain operations, and develop infrastructure. We're committed to a carbon negative future that includes achieving energy, water, and internet independence, not just for ourselves, but as a model for others.
  • The rural character and context of Michaelhouse will be maintained by retaining and acquiring land surrounding Michaelhouse’s boundary for conservation and agricultural purposes.

A Community for Life.

  • The Michaelhouse Old Boys’ Club will strive to be a force for good in the world. It will create the conditions for its alumni to ask for help, to offer help, to share knowledge, to share memories and to do good business - in service to community, country and to humanity. This includes but is not limited to facilitating mentoring, financial aid for old boys in need during their tertiary studies, work experience, employment and ambassador program opportunities.
  • The Saint Michael’s Club will strive to preserve deep and meaningful connections with past parents and past staff, harnessing their experience and expertise to serve as mentors, advisors, and advocates for the school community, and fostering a lifelong sense of belonging and shared purpose.
  • The Michaelhouse Community Partnership Trust will work to transform the educational landscape within our community schools’ ecosystem, aiming to create a brighter future for our community. This includes empowering learners and educators through collaborative efforts, leadership development, enhanced teaching capacity, and training opportunities. Additionally, we will focus on infrastructure maintenance and technology integration.

Financing our Future.

The Development Office will have the mandate and resources to raise the necessary funds to realise the Generational Plan. The focus areas for funding will be:

  • financial aid for boys attending Michaelhouse;
  • maintaining and developing the campus in line with the Estate Plan: 2046;
  • creating follow on infrastructure to bridge the gap between boys leaving Michaelhouse and becoming self-sustaining contributing members of society; and
  • supporting the local community through the Community Partnership Trust.