Early Life and Career
Michael Alexander Stern was born on 13 January 1922 in Egypt, the son of a civil engineer. He attended Ravenswood Preparatory School in Devon and Gresham's School in Holt, Norfolk.
Stern went to Downing College, Cambridge for a year before his studies were interrupted by World War II. Stern served in the Royal Signals in the British Army in North Africa, Italy, and Greece, rising to the rank of captain. He graduated from Downing College in 1947.
Stern taught school in England, later serving at head teaching posts at approved schools from 1952 to 1955. In 1955, Stern read an article by Rev. Trevor Huddleston and, at Huddleston's invitation, Stern went to South Africa and became the headmaster of St Peter's, a school for African children in Johannesburg. However, educational policies under the apartheid government in South Africa forced the school to close. Stern was then appointed as the headmaster of the new (white) school which took its place, St. Martins, by the bishop of Johannesburg, Ambrose Reeves. He stayed for five years.
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