School Council Visit to Civic Hall 

Posted: 13th November 2023

On Monday, School Council were invited by The Mayor of Bromley to host their half termly meeting in the Bromley Council Chambers at The Civic Centre. On arrival, we were greeted by Peter,
The Mayor’s Assistant who accompanied us to The Chambers. In the corridor to The Chambers are photographs of all the Mayors who have
held office since Bromley Council was established
in 1965.

We conducted our School Council meeting with louder voices than usual and discussed our items on the agenda:
our class sponsored events and what we can do to support sustainability, particularly recycling.

At the end of our meeting, Peter brought the Mayor to join us: he knocked on the door and asked us to all stand as they formally processed towards The Mayor’s seat at the Head of The Council Chamber. The Mayor was wearing his traditional ‘civic regalia’ of his red robe and his chain of office and Peter was carrying the official Mayoral mace. The Mayor requested permission to address our School Council and then welcomed all members to his Chambers. We asked him a host of interesting questions which included:

What is the most enjoyable thing you do as Mayor? “(Tilly)

“Meeting all the different people in Bromley.”

Do you need to have any heritage to be The Mayor?”(Adnan) 

“No, but before you become The Mayor you have to be a councillor and then the councillors have to nominate you and elect you democratically.”

How long are you Mayor for?” (Zoe) 

“A year, from May to May the following year, so I’m half way through my year now.” 

We also found out that The Mayor’s wife has been Mayor twice before him and that she finds it difficult to let him be the boss!

After our School Council meeting had ended, The Mayor and Peter processed out. We were then invited to Rochester Palace where the Mayor’s office is located. The Bishop of Rochester would stay here when he was travelling to London as it was too far to travel all in one day. The wooden entrance hall reminded us of our school as it had a grand staircase just like ours.

In The Mayor’s Drawing Room, which used to be a bedroom, Peter showed us the 5 different chains of offices that belong to the 5 different areas that make up The Council of Bromley : Orpington, Beckenham, Penge, Chislehurst and Bromley and Polina and Knight had the opportunity to dress up as The Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Following this, we were allowed to visit The Mayor’s Office (which also used to be a bedroom) where he works everyday. He has a visitor’s book which is signed by The Queen and Prince Philip and we asked him more questions about things that he had in his office.

To conclude our visit, we were taken to The Mayor’s Function Room which backs onto a beautiful garden and were given juice and biscuits before returning to school.

 

Categories: Uncategorised
Open Mornings

Our next open event:

Wednesday 16th October 10:30-12:00

Tuesday 12th November 10:30-12:00

Wednesday 27th November 10:30-12:00

Please book in for one of our Open Mornings. There will be a talk from the Head, a tour by current pupils and a chance to chat over coffee with governors, staff and other parents.

Find out more

The Reception and 7+ Assessment

We are now taking applications for places in our Reception classes and Year 3 classes for September 2025,

For further details please contact our Admissions Registrar via admissions@stchristophersthehall

Dates for your diary :

Preschool Stay and Play afternoon – Friday 18th October 2024 (1.30pm – 2.30pm).

Reception 2025 Assessments – Friday 29th November (1.30pm – 2.45pm)

If you are interested in your child attending any of these events, please contact the Registrar, Mrs Janet Jeffery via admissions@stchristophersthehall.org.uk or call on 0208 650 2200.