St. Michael's Catholic Grammar School
History
The school was founded as St Michael's Convent in 1908 by the Sisters of the Poor Child Jesus and is now under their trusteeship. It was the first Roman Catholic school in Finchley since the Reformation. It was a small fee-paying school serving the parish.
Under the Education Act 1944, in 1958, St Michael's became a voluntary aided grammar school to complement the all-boys Finchley Catholic Grammar School (now Finchley Catholic High School). When the Barnet LEA abolished the tripartite system, St Michael's did not turn comprehensive and has remained a grammar school to this day.
Ofsted inspection reports
- St Michael's is a high achieving school where relationships are excellent. The pupils are happy and well cared for morally, socially and spiritually. The school's national reputation in the Catholic community is justifiably high. (Ofsted, 1995)
- St Michael's is an exceptional school; which is outstandingly effective because of its excellent leadership, management, teaching and learning (Ofsted, 2005)
St Michael's curriculum
Classess offered include Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, History, Geography, Science, Music, Art, Physical Education, Drama, Technology, ICT and Education for Living with Citizenship. Pupils have a choice of either Food/Graphics Technology as well as Physical Education.
St Michael's traditions
School uniform
The uniform consists of a pleated purple skirt, a lilac shirt, and a purple jumper. In addition, there is a purple blazer which must be worn when travelling to and from school. During winter months, the blazer is supplanted by a long black coat.
The color originates from St. Michael's flower, the Michaelmas Daisy. The royal purple symbolizes the status of St. Michael as the archangel who quelled the rebellion of Lucifer.
School motto
The School motto "Quis ut deus" is a Latin translation of the sarcastic rhetorical question uttered by Archangel Michael as he slew Lucifer: "Who is like God?"
School song
The school song Dux Michael, which is sung in Latin, is a praise of St. Michael the Archangel. It is always sung on St. Michael's Day and at various key stage certificate assemblies along with the school prayer.
Committees and clubs
In Year 12, a husting takes place to elect the Head Girl/Boy and the two Deputies at St. Michael's. As well as this, several committees and clubs are set up according to the interests of the girls, which vary each year.
School events
St Michael's Day is considered the most important day of the academic year at St Michael's. On this day the whole school, pupils and staff, join in the celebration of Mass in the school hall with a liturgy of music and drama. After Mass, free ice cream is given out to pupils and staff in celebration of St Michael the Archangel.
Mass is not only celebrated on St Michael's Day, but on the Holy Days of Obligation found in the Catholic Calendar. There are additionally Masses on every Friday at lunchtime as well as on the last days of academic terms. These practices form part of St Michael's Catholic ethos, along with daily prayer.
The staff assembly takes place on the last school assembly before the term breaks for Christmas. It is here that the staff organise an assembly for its pupils, either a talent show or a mini pantomime. Many events are organised throughout the year by the staff or various committees. An example includes the Cultural and Charity Committee which organise the traditional "Nigeria, Ireland & Montserrat v. The Rest of the World" netball match played by the staff on St Patrick's Day, with all proceeds donated to charity.
St Michael's celebrated their centenary on 28 September 2008, the day before St Michael's Day. The Duke of Gloucester was invited to the school to mark the centenary with the opening of the new sports hall.
Notable former pupils
- Jill Paton Walsh (1937-2020) - author
- Karen Harrison (1960-2011) - first woman in Britain to be appointed as a train driver, trade unionist and political campaigner
- Jessica Martin (b. 1962) - actress and comedienne
- Lisa Jewell (b. 1968) - author
- Natasha Collins (1976-2008) - children's TV presenter who died of drug overdose
- Lois Joel (b. 1999) - footballer for West Ham United
References
- ^ A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 6: Friern Barnet, Finchley, Hornsey with Highgate. Courtesy of British History Online. 1980. pp. 91–97.
- ^ "As seen by Jill Paton Walsh". Cambridge: The Fitzwilliam Museum. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ "About Lisa". Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ Hagestadt, Emma (21 September 2001). "Lisa Jewell: Inside the cappuccino conspiracy". The Independent. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ Leppard, David; Templeton, Sarah-Kate (6 January 2008). "The real face of cocaine culture?". The Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
