Michaelis Guild

ichaelis Guild was founded in 1896 on the completion of the first two year training course to provide an organisation through which ex-students of Froebel Educational Institute could keep in touch. The Michaelis Guild was formed with Madame Michaelis as President, Miss Lawrence as Vice-President, and Miss D. Bailey as Secretary. Its aims were to maintain the spirit of good fellowship amongst the old students and to give help and sympathy on the practical carrying out of Froebel's principles. A member's badge was chosen, designed by Mr. Ketle, a silver shield bearing the monogram of the Guild in the center and round it a border of lilies, Froebel's symbolic flower. Also it was decided to issue a paper called "Child Life." In 1903, the Guild issued "Guild Notes," a separate leaflet, which gave more detailed information about the doings of the members of the Institute. In 1910 it was decided to enlarge it so as to include papers on subjects of general interest. It was a link between past and present students by incorporating some accounts of the latter, so it was called The Link. In 1909, the Guild extended its social work to the transcription of books into Braille for the libraries for the blind.