E-weekly Issue 209 - 14 October 2022

Message from Miss Beary

Today has been an amazing and entertaining celebration of the first 150 years of Mayfield! Over the course of the day over 400 acorns were planted - one for every girl in the school - as we look ahead to the next 150 years…

We began with the unveiling of not simply a ‘tasteful’ but frankly awe-inspiring gingerbread model of the Old Palace, surrounded by a crowd of very smartly dressed gingerbread Mayfield girls. It was an appropriate allusion to the picnic on the first visit to Mayfield and a lovely reflection of an important part of school life! The project was the idea of the Head Girl Elizabeth and the model painstakingly created by our amazing pastry chef Megan. The gingerbread girls were painted by girls in tutor time this week and the best- or most interesting - versions put forward for display (the rest were eaten of course!). It also marked the beginning of a day punctuated by excellent food.

We welcomed Fr Richard Finn OP for mass and his homily illustrated a real understanding of Cornelia’s message. We have much to be grateful for and it was good for us to be able to come together to begin the day with Cornelia in the Chapel.

Today has been filled with fun and laughter and inter-house competitions. Both the General Knowledge competition and the hockey produced impressive and inspiring performances, as well as some entertaining howlers! We ended the day with inter-house music. This was impressive for me on a number of levels. There were outstanding musical performances, in a variety of genres and different instruments, from girls throughout the school. All house competitions are keenly fought, but I was most impressed, once again, by the way in which each performance was celebrated and cheered by everyone, not just the girls in that house.

To be able to perform in public, especially to sing or play in front of an audience, is a great life skill but by no means easy, so I commend all those who represented their house today. I think Cornelia would be very proud!

Sixth Formers take part in Wealden Schools Partnerships Council Meeting

On Tuesday morning Mrs Fletcher escorted eight of our prefect team to Bede's Senior School for the first Annual Wealden Schools Partnerships Council Meeting. The Year 13 girls were joined by pupils from: Uckfield School; Skippers Hill Prep School; St Mary’s School; Bede’s School; Heathfield Community College; and Polegate School. They worked in groups to discuss ideas for partnership events in schools. The Partnership has been set up to increase the educational benefits for children, based on a core belief that children in the Wealden area will be better served through cooperation between schools. By linking our resources, expertise, enthusiasm and commitment, we aim to develop projects and ideas that inspire, excite and offer creative opportunities for children and young people. 

‘We really enjoyed integrating with other schools from our local community, and having the opportunity to collaborate on different ideas.’ Alex, Marketing Prefect

‘It was nice to have the chance to meet and discuss our ideas with year groups and schools we wouldn’t usually. I was impressed by how chatty the primary school pupils were.’ Grace, Lower School Prefect.

‘We are excited to get started with some of the ideas, there are going to be competitions and events over the year that we really want to get Mayfield involved in.’ Sissy, Charities and Communities Prefect. 

The first initiative is a competition across the schools involved to design a crest which represents the partnership. This is open to all Mayfield pupils – look out for Mrs Fletcher’s email with more details. The winner receives a £100 voucher!

Mrs Fletcher, Director of Partnerships and Outreach

Model United Nations Conference in Poland

Last week Cosima, Lizzie and Esme from Year 12 along with Rosie, Iulia and Sophie from Year 11 attended the 7^th annual Model United Nations Conference at 1^st Liceum, Torun, Poland, along with pupils from across Europe including Belgium, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and Spain. The girls attended as delegates for Russia, Iran, Canada, the USA, DPRK and Nigeria, sitting on committees for Human Rights, UN Women, and the Future Security Council – the latter set in 2050 amidst concerns about overpopulation. The girls stayed with host families and had a great time experiencing Polish culture in their downtime following heated debate about global issues during the day.  Torun is a UNESCO world heritage site and the girls had an opportunity to find out more about the town and the school itself, including a culinary exploration of Torun’s legendary gingerbread.  Cosima finished the conference as Best Delegate on the Human Rights Committee, while Rosie was Best Delegate in the General Assembly, which involved all the delegates from all countries debating together in one cohort on the final day of the conference. She also managed a star turn on TV Torun! This is what the girls had to say:

Sophie: “I thoroughly enjoyed going on the ToMUN trip to Poland, the level of debating was fantastic, and the topics discussed were so interesting. Getting to be on the UN Women committee was amazing since it gave me the chance to research and debate topics that I didn't know that much about beforehand, as well as giving me more confidence in my own debating skills.”

Iulia: “ToMUN was an experience of culture in a beautiful city, hard work and a great chance for public speaking. The conference had some serious debating but so many funny moments with new people I'm glad to have met.”

Cosima: “ToMUN was an amazing opportunity to meet people from all over Europe and to debate truly interesting issues. I’m really grateful to the school for offering me this opportunity.”

Rosie: “It was the people that made ToMUN 2022 so memorable. Words fail to describe the exhilaration I felt being surrounded by so many enthusiastic and intellectual people who share my passions for politics, international relations, and debate. The beautiful city of Torun was packed with culture and gingerbread which made for idyllic evenings with my friends after a long day of debate.”  

Mrs Kasia Kilvington

Equation Bee Competition

Yesterday we welcomed Tonbridge School and St Gregory's School to Mayfield for our first ever Equation bee competition. 50 Year 10 and 11 students participated in the individual round and then in the team relay. They worked very hard in both rounds, but the room really buzzed during the team round. Katrina came second in individual round while Tonbridge boys took the top prize.

Do have a go yourselves at one of the questions this weekend (answer at the bottom of the e-weekly): 

Mrs Jana Carpinato, Teacher of Mathematics

P.S. To boost your algebra skills why not join Algebradabra club on Mondays during A1 

Sports Update

National Cup
Yesterday, the 1XI played Kent College Canterbury in the Tier 3 National Cup. The standard of hockey was high from both teams and it was brilliant to see our girls rise to the occasion. The whole team played incredibly well, working for each other off and on the ball, creating fantastic opportunities in front of goal. Amelie H and Rachel S were the standout performers. Sadly it was not the end result the girls wanted, with the final score 3 -2 to KC Canterbury. However Mrs Nixon and Mrs Fletcher were so proud of the way the girls played and battled to end of the match. Well done Ladies! 

U12 Hockey Tournament  
Last Friday we welcomed Cumnor House, Dulwich Prep and Skippers Hill for an afternoon workshop and tournament. The girls participated in a variety of skills based sessions focusing on defending, long corners and accuracy. The 7-a-side tournament followed and was closely contested; Cumnor House took the victory with Dulwich Prep coming second followed by Mayfield then Skippers Hill. The standard of play was high across all the matches and the girls were able to demonstrate their new skills well.  A big thanks goes to our Sports Leaders who were fantastic all afternoon, assisting in running the sessions and helping the schools. 

U12 & U13 Hockey v Lingfield  
On Wednesday the Lower School teams were out in force. Mayfield hosted the U12 Hockey fixture, whilst the U13s travelled away to East Grinstead. Highlight of the day was the U12A team, who had a convincing 3-0 win with goals from Amelia M and Brianna R. Unfortunately, the U12B team and U12C team both lost their games (3-0 and 2-0); however, it is great to see that progression is being made and they are demonstrating a better understanding of the game.  

Despite losing 5-2, the U13A team are continuously raising their physicality, and improving the speed at which they react to the changing nature of the game. A special mention to Lola T, who made some outstanding saves and Erin B for her tenacity. The U13Bs and U13Cs both drew their games 1-1, with a special mention to Jess B and Isabella L who both had fantastic games. The U13Ds lost 1-0 but made great progress in their teamwork and the skills they have been working on, such as passing into space.  

Swimming Gala v Benenden
It was exciting to get our competitive swimming season underway with a gala at Benenden on Monday. We took a large squad of Juniors along with smaller Inter and Senior teams. The races were close in all age groups and our Junior Squad were rewarded with a well-deserved win. The Juniors this year are Captained by Kitty, who also swims with Beacon Swim Club, and I am sure she was pleased to start the season off with a win for the team, as well as win both of her individual butterfly events. It is also important to mention some of our newer members of the squad; Valentina and Emilia, both in Year 7, who swam up for the Inters in a race each, recording competitive times against much older girls.  

National Schools Netball Tournament
Last Saturday saw Mayfield attend the National Schools Netball Tournament. This is always highly competitive and this year was no different. The U19s won five matches against Roedean, Bedes, Sackville, Seaford and Cardinal Newman and narrowly lost four closely contested games against Eastbourne College, Lancing College, BHASVIC and Worthing College.  The U16s had a tough yet promising day, playing 8 matches against very strong opposition - winning two, drawing one and losing five. The team has great potential, and I hope this experience will give them greater confidence and the opportunity to improve on these results at SISNA next term. 

For the full Tournament review please use the following link:  
Match Report | SchoolsSports.com (socscms.com) 

#LetGirlsPlay – A Trip to the Amex  
Have you heard about the campaign ‘Let Girls Play’? The aim of the campaign is to give all girls equal access to football and this is something that we support at Mayfield. The introduction of Football to the curriculum has been met with great enthusiasm and last week we gave the girls the opportunity to travel to the AMEX to watch our inspirational European Champions - The Lionesses - take on the Czech Republic.  

A fantastic evening was had by all 34 girls, despite the 0-0 score, and who knows, we could have a future Lioness amongst our school community. 

Staff v Parents Football
Following the success of the Cricket fixture in the summer, where the staff took a narrow victory, the parents arrived keen to turn the tables in the inaugural Staff V Parents Football match.  The first half was largely dominated by the parents with Christopher making some great saves in the staff goal to keep the scoreline to 2-0 after a couple of well worked parent goals. A strong response from the staff allowed us to pull a goal back just after half time, but  the parents put their foot down and ended the game with a comfortable 5-2 victory.  

We are hoping this becomes an annual event. Next in the pipeline is Staff v Parents Netball - keep an eye out for an email with further details.

Phoebe’s 100 mile challenge

Sixth Former, Phoebe, tells us about her 100 mile challenge: “I have decided to undertake a challenge which is organised by Cancer Research UK to walk 100 miles during the month of October in honour and memory of Lily.”

Donate now 

Suggestions Box in the Library

The pupil librarians who help in the Lower School library have been working on creating a Suggestions Box. Thanks to Isabelle in Year 7, who came up with the idea, we now have a colourful box for girls to post suggestions of titles they would like to have in the library. Isabelle and other librarians helped to decorate it with eye-catching designs and colours! The Year 7 and 8 pupil librarians have embraced their roles with enthusiasm and got the new year off to a great start.

Gingerbread Old Palace

Head Girl Elizabeth tells the story behind Mayfield's latest culinary creation:
To celebrate the 150th foundation of our beautiful school on these grounds, we decided to revisit where it all began - with gingerbread. 

The restoration of the Old Palace, which later became Mayfield School, all began on the 26 May 1863, during St Leonard’s annual picnic. That year they chose the ruins of the Old Palace as the site of their picnic and it was whilst the girls and nuns snacked on gingerbread that hope was inspired in Cornelia Connelly that the Old Palace may one day house their school.

This week during form time, every girl (and some teachers!) recreated themselves in gingerbread and the best few were selected to create our Mayfield gingerbread scene. Our amazing pastry chef Megan worked tirelessly to create a gingerbread Old Palace, and I think you’ll agree that the result could almost rival the beauty of the real thing.

Message from Ronan

As we celebrate 150 years of our school being sited here in Mayfield, I thought I wouldn’t offer a reflection today, but a bit of history instead. We all know the story of how Cornelia Connelly fell in love with the site on a day trip from St Leonard’s, and bought the school with the help of the Duchess of Leeds. But there’s a bit more to the story than that- it’s a tale of patronising men, humble obedience, patience, guile and risk-taking- a quintessentially Mayfield story!

On 17 August 1863 Cornelia wrote to the local Bishop Grant, "We have long wished to assist ourselves in the support of our household by taking a Farm in our neighbourhood without hitherto being able to find one that would suit us. Added to this we have long felt the want of a retired place to serve as a change from sea air for many of our Sisters who require it, and at last we have settled upon a place that would quite suit both purposes.

There is a grazing farm of 119 acres with a good house containing ten rooms, built only three or four years ago on the Old Palace of Mayfield. We should like if your Lordship would allow us, a few years hence to remove our noviciate and the elder professed there to be free from School work where both old and young could have total retirement and rest.”

Bishop Grant’s reply on the 18^th was succinct: "Rev M. Superior, I cannot advise or sanction the proposed purchase at Mayfield. I had occasion to examine the possibility of forming a Religious Establishment at Mayfield, & I found that its distance from Coal & from markets would make any attempt at forming a house there a very serious & expensive undertaking. It is also an imprudent thing for Nuns to farm as farming is very uncertain in its results has often proved ruinous to the most experienced agriculturalists.”

Cornelia's prompt reply, withdrawing at once from the negotiations as soon as she received his letter, won this delightful and entirely unprophetic response from Bishop Grant: "Rev M Superior, May Our Dear & Immaculate Mother obtain an abundant reward for your obedience! I had prayed to St Theophila to save you from Mayfield as I was sure it would not answer, and I humbly thank Our Dear Saint for making it easy for you to withdraw from it."

But neither the bishop nor St Theophila could withstand the Duchess of Leeds. According to Mother Francis Bellasis this redoubtable woman was outraged by what she saw as episcopal interference and immediately bought the property herself. She offered it in turn to the Jesuits and Benedictines who had no difficulty in declining the offer of "a white elephant", as they perceived a heap of ruins in the wilds of Sussex to be! She once more offered it to Bishop Grant for a seminary. He knew when he was beaten: He could not accept it himself but, as Bellasis writes, "he most unexpectedly suggested that she should hand over Mayfield to Rev. Mother Connelly!” Obediently, that is exactly what she did.

This story shows that the Mayfield ethos was here from day one. Hard work, humility, a sense of humour and an ability to trust in God are all essential qualities of a true Mayfield girl. And as we look to the next 150 years of forming leaders, we remember the words of Cornelia Connelly: “You will see that Our Lord will do everything if we do our best.”

Mass this weekend will be a Saturday evening vigil Mass, starting at 5pm. Families of students are welcome to join us. Tuesday evening Mass next week will be at 6pm as usual.

Mr Ronan Lavery, Lay Chaplain

Lost Property

Please see photos below of lost property currently in the school shop. If you think anything is yours, please come to the school shop and claim them. Items not claimed by half term will be sold and the money donated to the whole school charity.

150 Years of Mayfield Ted Competition

Instead of a Christmas Ted Competition this year, we would like to run a 150 Years of Mayfield Ted Competition. The winner will receive a £15.00 gift voucher of their choosing e.g Amazon, Claire’s, Body Shop. There will be runner up prizes too.

How to enter
Please design a display that we can put up on one of the glass shelves in the school shop that reflects in some way the 150 years of Mayfield and involves the Mayfield Ted in the display. If you are unsure of the space – it is where the recyclable shampoos and conditioners are displayed.

Some hints:
1.       Keep it simple – this is often more impactful.
2.       We will do the display for you and provide all the props; we just need your idea.
3.       The display will be created over half term and will be up in the shop when you come back in November for you to see.
4.       There are forms available in the lower school via Mrs Baker or in the school shop as well.

To enter please email sbowles@mayfieldgirls.org before half term (21^st October2022) with the following information:

• Name
• Form
• Your idea (you can either do a drawing or write a description of your idea)

News from the Friends of Mayfield

Year 7
Our next coffee morning will be on 8th December. Details to follow.

Year 8 
Friday 11th November @ 1.00pm - Lunch at the Middle House, Mayfield
Wednesday 30th November @ 9.00am - Coffee at Mark Cross Garden Centre 
Friday 9th December @ 7.30pm - Christmas drinks at the Middle House, Mayfield
Please contact Vic Davison on vix_davison@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to attend. Thank you.

Year 9
Parents in Year 9 are welcome to join for coffee at The Sussex Country Gardener in Mark Cross on Monday 17^th October at 9am if you are free.

Year 9 is also arranging Christmas dinner at The Middle House in Mayfield on Thursday 1^st December, (arrive 7pm, dinner at 7.30pm) The cost is £31.50 per person with a £10 non-refundable deposit per person. Please email Joanna Healing (wandj.healing@hotmail.com) to let her know if you would like to attend.

Year 10
Do come for Coffee/brunch at the Middle House in Mayfield, from 9am-11am on Friday 21st October. Please let Fiona Wills (07742 279264) know if you will be coming so a table can be booked. Thanks.

Equation Bee answer!

Did you get the correct answer? X=5