Mayor of Southwark visits St Michael’s and Talks to the People of the Future

On Wednesday 7th February 2024, The Worshipful Mayor of Southwark, Cllr Michael Situ, marked our inaugural Diversity Week by visiting St Michael’s for a special ceremony to bury a student time-capsule, which will next be opened in 2064. This project was inspired by the 70th anniversary of the Windrush Migration and challenged students to research their family histories and express their hopes for the future. Students presented their ideas in the style of a West Indian front room, where families traditionally curate a careful presentation of their values and stories to the outside world. Students were then filmed discussing their projects, explaining what their models expressed about their identities and familial journeys, as well as their messages and hopes for the people of the future. The winning entries were selected by a panel from the National Migration Museum, who are working in partnership with St Michael’s on a long-term collaborative curriculum project. Adrian N, 12DA, claimed first place with an innovative submission that not only explored the legacies of the West Indian plantations and rum industries but also linked to a further time-capsule buried under the home he was born in Barbados.

Mayor Situ told the students

"This is a wonderful project that reflects your truths and your identities. It gives me great hope that our future is in the hands of young people like you. I don’t think I’ll make it to when this time-capsule is uncovered, but I hope that you all come back and can reflect on your life journeys and the brilliant opportunities you were given here at St Michael’s."

Congratulations to all those who entered!