E-weekly Issue 212 - 18 November 2022

This week saw Pudsey visit Mayfield and our Year 7 girls were lucky enough to meet him in person!

Upcoming Events

Over the next few weeks we have a number of important events in the School calendar – families are warmly welcome to join us.

Saint Cecilia’s Day Music Concert, Monday 21 November
7.00pm, Gresham - drinks and canapes will be served from 6.30pm. 
If you would like to attend RSVP to rallen@mayfieldgirls.org

 Christmas Music Concert, Tuesday 6 December
7.00pm, Concert Hall - followed by drinks and mince pies. 
If you would like to attend RSVP to rallen@mayfieldgirls.org

Live Crib, Monday 12 December to Thursday 15 December

Monday 12 December - Years 7 and 8.
Tuesday 13 December - Years 9, 10 and 11.
Thursday 15 December - Years 12 and 13.

Live Crib is one of Mayfield School's oldest, and proudest traditions. Each year for over 60 years, the students have recreated the timeless story of Mary and Joseph, turned away from the inn, and finding shelter in the stable - otherwise known as Mayfield's 14th Century Chapel.  The procession starts at 6.30pm every evening, from the Old Bank In Mayfield High Street, with the service commencing around 7pm in Mayfield School Chapel.

We also look forward to welcoming many of you to Caedmon’s self-penned production, 'Before the Ink was Dry', next Wednesday  – this is now fully booked.

Codes Day

The first cross-curricular day of the year for Year 8s took place on Tuesday and was based on the theme of Codes. After an initial introduction to why we need codes and how we use them in our everyday lives, the girls took part in a carousel of activities. These included British Sign Language, Braille, Semaphore, Codes in Chemistry and Musical codes.

The day culminated in an exciting Escape Room activity which all the girls enjoyed tremendously. The girls used the skills and knowledge that they had learned about in earlier sessions to unravel clues and questions leading to keywords. They entered into the spirit of the game with great enthusiasm and a lot of collaborative working. Once the keywords were all decoded and the code was cracked, these apprentice undercover agents had to tell the secret word to their Spymaster trainer (thank you to Mrs Bunce, Mrs Testa and Ms Gilpin), obtain their key, unlock a padlocked box and enjoy the surprise inside. As with all good spies after an incident, barely a trace of their presence was to be seen!

Tech Entrepreneur visits Mayfield 

On Tuesday we welcomed Jo Wimble Groves to deliver our second Cornelian Lecture of the year. Jo is an award-winning tech entrepreneur and spoke about the lessons she has learned from making a successful career in a competitive and still male dominated field. Jo also spoke about her new book, Rise of the Girl, based on conversations she has had with her own daughter. It was an inspirational evening for the girls and parents in attendance.

Sixth Form Debating News

Wednesday saw the final of the Sixth Form House debating competition, where the motion was ‘This house would impose a two child limit on all families’. In a hotly contested debate, it was ultimately Glennie, represented by Grace Taylor and Anna Hastings, who emerged victorious. Well done to all involved.

In other debating news, the senior team were successful in their first foray into the ESU Schools’ Mace competition, qualifying for the second round to be held in January 2023. Once again Grace and Anna were involved as well as Elizabeth and Lizzie, who debated very well against Ardingly College, opposing the motion that ‘This House would leave education policy to experts, not politicians’.

Feeding the Mayfield Bees!

On Thursday, the Actions not Words Care for Creation group put down some winter food for the Mayfield bees. We are looking forward to some delicious honey next year.

Year 9 Cardboard Chair Challenge

Launching the Mayfield Festival of Ideas 

Last week we had our first Tea Time Talk of the year, which was open to all pupils and compulsory for Academic Scholars. We used the occasion to launch a new initiative for this year – the Mayfield Festival of Ideas -  which we would like pupils to lead. Mrs McGovern ran an interactive seminar on how best to make moral decisions, exploring deontological and teleological methods, as an example of how pupils could design their own sessions. The girls particularly enjoyed exploring The Joker’s dilemma in the film, ‘The Dark Knight’ and post-Tea, Yueshi and Breanna proposed a first workshop for the Festival on the online subculture Dark Academia. Breanna has promised that it will be really interesting, and we can’t wait for more suggestions to flow in.

Breanna also promoted the launch of a new literary magazine about to hit Mayfield called 'Watery Glass', which looks fabulous. I will definitely be reserving a copy! 

Mrs Kasia Kilvington, Scholarships and Gifted and Talented Coordinator

The Mathematical Olympiad for Girls

The Mathematical Olympiad for Girls is a 2.5-hour competition consisting of five challenging problems aimed at girls and young women across the UK. Each problem requires a full, written solution.

The competition encourages girls to tackle advanced mathematical problems and only girls who have been successful in previous challenges are entered. To recognise the highest performers in the competition, the top scorers are awarded a Certificate of Distinction.

Congratulations to Elizabeth and Sherry from Year 12 and Charlotte, Elizabeth and Christina from Year 13 who took part in the Olympiad this year and especially to the three Year 13 girls who were awarded a Certificate of Merit.

Senior Mathematical Challenge

Before half term, Year 12 and Year 13 mathematicians were entered for the UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge, a 90-minute paper of challenging Maths questions. The Mathematics Department are pleased to report the following results.

Gold Certificates
Victoria, Andrea, Abigail, Elizabeth and Sheraine.

Silver Certificates
Audrey, Joyce, Sabrina, Anabelle, Charlotte, Mia, Charlotte, Christina.

Bronze Certificates
Imogen, Herlin, Rachel, Evangeline, Elizabeth, Sara, Carolina, Sherry.

Victoria, Andrea, Abigail, Elizabeth and Sheraine also qualified for the Senior Kangaroo which takes place later this month.

Well done to all Year 12 and Year 13 girls who participated in the Senior Mathematical Challenge.

Ethics in AI

Last Friday the Physics and RS department joined forces to invite girls to take part in viewing a live online seminar by the Institute for Ethics in AI of Oxford University. The subject was “Thinking about the techno human condition”. We discussed some of the issues raised in the talks such as: Is the machine controlling the human or the human controlling the machine? How far has AI come in the last 40 or so years?  What is distinctive about the human being’s capacity in relation to the capacity of technology? 

Anti-Bullying Week

A huge thank you to the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors who have been busy promoting 'Reach out' Anti-Bullying Week. Odd Socks day was a success and thank you to everyone who supported the cause and celebrated what makes us all unique by rocking their odd socks. 

Every year group also attended an Upstanders Assembly, delivered by our Ambassadors, that explored the topic of Upstanders v Bystanders. This allowed every year group the opportunity to explore how we can eliminate rude, mean or bullying behaviour. 

Finally, a special mention to all the staff who were involved in bringing the Anti- Bullying Ambassadors Anthem of 'Reach' by S Club 7 to life in a lip sync music video promoting who you can 'Reach out' to for help in the Mayfield Community!

Miss Sophie Auer

MESSy: Living Planet Report 2022

This week in MESSy we learnt about the WWF 2022 report. This states how wildlife populations are plummeting and have decreased by 69% on average since 1970. This staggering decline is a serious warning that the rich biodiversity that sustains all life on our planet is in crisis putting every species, including us, at risk! This is not only an environmental crisis but an economic, development, security, social, moral and ethical issue as well. Urgent action is required if we want to reverse the loss of nature this decade. We all have an important role to play to build a better future for our wildlife, climate and for all of us! 

Read Living Planet 2022 report
Amelia, Year 13

Sports Update

It was another busy week of fixtures here at Mayfield. On Monday the Juniors swam in a gala against Bedes and came out victorious. On Wednesday the U12A and B played fixtures against Burgess Hill coming away with one win and one loss. Then on Saturday the 1^st XI, 2^nd XI, U15A, U14A and U14B all played against Roedean, coming up short in three fixtures and earning two draws. For full reports please log onto SOCS. 

Hockey Masterclass

On Wednesday Mayfield welcomed GB Hockey player Julian Halls to the School.  Julian has 125 England caps, 59 Great Britain caps and has played in two Olympic Games. The day began with Julian leading a staff inset to our PE department as well as staff from some of our local prep schools. The Sixth Form girls then had a masterclass on using the overlap and defending against it in match-play, working hard throughout the session. Bella in Year 12 said 'It was really good and helpful, we learnt how to transfer a 2 v 2 into a 2 v1'.

In the afternoon, Sports Scholars were invited to attend a talk led by Julian on mindset. He outlined to the girls how you can transfer skills and tricks used by Athletes into all aspects of life and how to manage and deal with pressure. The final session of the day saw our Year 7 and 8 Hockey team benefit from a skills session down on the astroturf.

It was a fantastic day and a real opportunity for our Hockey players and staff to gain insight from such an esteemed player and coach.

Georgina Fletcher

Busy weekend in Gab's

It was a busy one in Gab's last weekend. The girls started with their usual selection of hockey fixtures (at Roedean), riding lessons, making pineapple upside-down cake and of course some study, all before lunch! There were two options for the afternoon, with one group going to the coast to admire the views at Birling Gap (see story below for more details), and another group trying their hand at an Escape Room on site.

In the evening, our Year 10s went to Tonbridge School for their first social of the year after Miss Elderfield invited them into her salon for some nail painting, and our Year 9s went to the village fireworks before playing with sparklers back at School.

Sunday was a quieter affair, with some girls attending the Remembrance service in the village before Mass. There were a selection of activities to choose from in the afternoon - dog walking on our local village footpaths with my dog Kodi, running on the Astro, tennis on the courts and making chocolate chip muffins in our kitchen. 

We all slept well on Sunday night!

Mrs Pippa Whitby, St Gabriel's Housemistress

Boarders’ Trip to Birling Gap

Last Saturday almost 40 of our Leeds and St Gabriel’s boarders visited Birling Gap on the Sussex Coast. We enjoyed the spectacular views and most girls ventured for a beach walk and miraculously managed to keep their feet dry from the incoming tide driven by a brisk south-westerly wind - plenty of screams though! From Birling Gap, we drove along the charming Edwardian Eastbourne seafront and then spent a happy hour shopping at the Crumbles Retail Park.

Jess ‘Takes the Stage’

Last weekend Jess scooped a bagful of awards at the ‘Take the Stage’ dance competition, judged by highly acclaimed judges from London, Portugal and Canada. She won several solo and group dance categories, including Lyrical, Jazz, Ballet and Commercial, resulting in her receiving the ‘Miss Teen Take the Stage’ award for exceptional all-round performances. Well done Jess!

School Charity Update

Our School charity, Singabantwana (which includes the Sandra Jones Centre), now has a website for anyone interested in exploring their incredible work.  We feel so honoured to have had Debbie and Caroline visit us and share their ministry and vision. It is with great pride that we continue to raise money for them. I hope you enjoy the attached photograph of Caroline engaging with some of her new arrivals. Keep your eyes on the board for further pictures of what is happening.  Please also do send me any pictures of your fundraising activities that you would like me to share with them.

Singabantwana Website

Lucinda Misiewicz

Swimathon

This week Mayfield held a Swimathon to celebrate the School’s 150th year, with the challenge being to swim 150 lengths (3,750m). The girls and staff had the option to swim this solo or in groups of up to three. This event was also a fundraiser for the whole school charity, the Sandra Jones Centre, and Malibongwe Primary school in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. All the girls were raising funds and exceeded expectations,  raising over £1,000. There is still time to donate if you would like to support the staff and girls in this worthy cause.

Donate here

Congratulations to all the girls (18) and staff (9) that completed the challenge!
Sarah (Swimming Captain) & Mrs Whitby

Message from Ronan

This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. It was introduced to the Church calendar in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, as a response to uncertain times, economic chaos, and political instability. It serves to comfort us, and assure us the Kingdom of God is at hand. The Kingdom of justice, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

During liturgy this week, we reminded the girls that Jesus handed us a blueprint to usher in that Kingdom - a leadership manifesto, or a royal charter. We reminded them that, as future leaders of the world, of that Kingdom, they were called to live by its principles. We might know this charter as ‘The Beatitudes’:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, 
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are they who mourn, 
for they shall be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek, 
for they shall inherit the earth. 

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 
for they shall be satisfied. 

Blessed are the merciful, 
for they shall obtain mercy. 

Blessed are the pure of heart, 
for they shall see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, 
for they shall be called children of God. 

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, 
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Now, more than ever, we are called to live out the counter cultural values of the Beatitudes. We are called to see the beauty of putting others first, of embracing humility, of living lives of integrity, and of being peacemakers. Perhaps this week, as we begin to look toward Advent, and think about pulling the Christmas lights down from the attic, we might spend a few moments in conversation, as a family, about what the Beatitudes mean to us, and how we can live them in our daily lives. 

And put up the Christmas decorations! What harm is a bit of colour around the place…?

Mass this Sunday is at 11:30am. Families are welcome to join us. There will be no Mass on Tuesday evening as Fr Patrick is away. 

150 Years of Mayfield - Ted Competition Winners

Aimee and Hazel included a lot of symbolism in their design, including:
Flowers - they represent a brand new start, which you have when you join Mayfield.
Books - they represent the learning at Mayfield.
Cross & Chapel - they represent our faith and the Catholic Church on which the foundation of the school is built.
Lilies - they represent purity, innocence and rebirth in the Christian Faith and are often symbolic of the Virgin Mary or the resurrection of Christ.

From the School Shop

Lost Property
If you see anything that belongs to you in the picture below please come and collect it from the school shop.

News from the Friends of Mayfield

Year 8
Coffee on Wednesday 30 November @ 9.00am
Mark Cross Garden Centre. All welcome.

Christmas Drinks on Friday 9 December @ 7.30pm
Middle House, Mayfield. All welcome. 

Year 10
Christmas Social (Drinks and nibbles) on Thursday 24 November @ 7.00pm
Middle House, Mayfield
Please contact Fiona on 07742 279264 if you are able to attend.

End of term brunch/coffee and cake (before early collection of girls) on Friday 16 December @ 10.30am
Middle House, Mayfield
Please contact Fiona on 07742 279264 if you are able to attend.

Year 12
Please could you let Laura Scriven know - laurascriven@btinternet.com - if you would like to attend any of the following events: 

Coffee on Tuesday 22 November @ 9.00am
Sussex Gardener Centre, Mark Cross

Christmas drinks and tapas on Thursday 8 December @ 7.30pm
The Townhouse, 63 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2UY

Christmas coffee on Friday 16 December @ 10.30am
Middle House, Mayfield (in the lounge) - please note this change of venue from the Sussex Gardener