E-weekly Issue 213 - 25 November 2022

Message from Miss Beary

As the term progresses, it is such a joy to see the girls stretch their wings, doing more and more things together outside the classroom, as we are able to reinstate those trips and activities curbed by COVID. The opportunity for creative engagement within and between year groups is important on so many levels, and we are beginning to bridge the gaps created when we had to impose strict segregation throughout the School. Engaging with the joys as well as the challenges of living together as part of a community and remembering how we support each other, particularly as we tire towards the end of term, is one of the most useful lessons we are re-learning. Not to mention the value of involvement in music and drama as an antidote to stress and associated mental health issues!

This week saw some outstanding virtuoso instrumental and vocal performances by our talented musicians at the St Cecilia's Day Concert and I am glad that the miracles of modern technology mean that our overseas parents, and those unable to attend, are able to enjoy the performance at home.

Watch individual performances
We also saw an amazing Caedmon production of ‘Before the Ink was Dry’ a play written by Year 13 boarders Elizabeth and Evie and starring some of our most talented Upper Sixth thespians. It was set in the Courtyard, a cutting edge ‘new’ fringe venue, and proved a most entertaining evening. Caedmon is our Sixth Form drama group and allows the senior girls the opportunity to take responsibility for directing and performing new and quirky works, often penned by the girls themselves. This was a production which has earnt a place in the Caedmon annals.

It was good to see senior girls able to attend the Sixth Form university interview preparation evening at The Skinners’ School and I believe that in addition to the intellectual sparring, plans for end of term socials were discussed. I know that Live Crib preparations are in full swing, and the resilient Prefect team are undeterred by minor challenges like The Middle House being closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. There genuinely will be no room at that inn!

Our thoughts and prayers are with Year 11 gamely working through their mock examinations. This is the worst part of your whole school – arguably your educational – career, and it’s the same for every Year 11 wherever they are, but as we know (and the results of generations of Mayfield girls prove) hard work will be rewarded in the final examinations. Everyone will be able to enjoy a well-earned rest over the holidays.

As I write the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the weekend beckons. I hope that all is equally bright in your world. If it isn’t, please let us know how we can help.

Maths in Action

On Wednesday, a group of A level Mathematics students taking part in Maths in Action, enjoyed five captivating, informative talks on a wide variety of topics, such as mathematical biology, quantitative trading and magic! The talks gave a detailed insight into the opportunities provided by a mathematics degree, as well as giving helpful advice for tackling exam questions. The speakers were very inspiring, making for a fun day overall!
Annabelle, Year 13

"It was great to see the many applications of maths in the world, from predicting changes in the stock market to learning the secrets behind magic tricks. I found the talk on using maths to model biological problems, like antibiotic resistance, particularly interesting."

Biology Live Conference

The Year 12 Biologists travelled to the Dominion Theatre in London last Friday for the annual ‘Biology Live’ conference. We listened to a variety of lectures given by a wide range of professionals, a particular highlight was the talk: "A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived" by BBC Radio 4’s Dr Adam Rutherford, as well as the interdisciplinary talk regarding anthropology and history by Prof. Alice Roberts on her book "Tamed". Overall, an interesting and informative day out!
Megan, Year 12

Oxbridge Preparation Evening

On Monday some of our Upper Sixth students visited The Skinners' School in Tunbridge Wells to hone their interview skills in preparation for their university applications. They were joined by students from other local schools to be put through their paces by specialist staff members. It was a useful evening where our girls were able to meet other students applying to the most competitive universities and compare notes as well as get feedback on their interview technique. A number of Mayfield staff also attended to interview students from Skinners', TWGGS and TGS.
Mr Doy

St Cecilia's Day Concert

On Monday the School gave the annual St Cecilia’s Day Concert, taking place on the eve of the feast itself. As usual the concert was given by our Music Scholars and gifted and talented musicians, and showcased a variety of styles and instruments in the beautiful setting and acoustic of Gresham Hall. The school string quartet played Schubert’s hymn to music “An die Musik” to open the concert, with its lines ‘You lovely art, in how many gray hours/Where I was stricken by life/have you ignited my heart for warm love/ have you brought me to a better world!’ setting the tone for the evening.

This was followed by our scholars old and new, who performed songs from Berlioz and Bernstein, accompanied music for horn, clarinet, saxophone and violin and piano solo. It was a wonderful celebration of musical talent and of the great joy that music brings to us all, and we left echoing Schubert’s song: “You holy art, I thank you for it all!”

Dr Matthew Ward

Lifeskills

This week our Upper Sixth girls have been learning self-defence in their Lifeskills session.

Sports Update

Mayfield V TWGGS
U14A: 2-0 L POM Anna H & Hebe L

Mayfield V Burgess Hill
U13A: 3-0 L POM Kitty H
U13B: 3-1 W POM Lily B

Mayfield named Top 20 Girls’ School for Cricket

Mayfield has been named a Top 20 Girls’ Schools for Cricket by The Cricketer magazine for the third year in a row!  We congratulate and acknowledge the commitment and determination of the girls and staff, especially Miss Starr. A wonderful achievement!

A Weekend of relaxation for Gabs' Boarders

Last Saturday, Gabs’ boarders had a day of relaxation, with Ms Richards leading a yoga session. The girls practised some new yoga poses and did some partner yoga too, which was a lot of fun! Some of the balance and core poses were more challenging and it was lovely to see how resilient and focused the girls were. The session finished with a guided meditation and the girls felt very relaxed ready for their pedicure afterwards!

Miss Demetriou and Mrs Howie hosted a pop up spa, with the girls soaking their feet in hot bubbly water whilst listening to relaxing spa music. This was followed by a foot scrub and then finished off with a nourishing moisturise. What a treat for their feet!

The weekend also saw the first baking competition of the year for our Year 10 boarders. The theme was meringues and there were joint winners: Sabrina and Wing and also Kamille and Sophia - they are the worthy recipients of a Hub voucher to share.  Their creations are below, with thanks of course to our tasting judges Mr Whitby and Miss Elderfield - it was a tough job!

Leeds' boarders get festive!

The Leeds’ boarders spent Saturday afternoon making Reindeer cupcakes, with spectacular results!

Sue Smeaton, Head of Food and Nutrition

Mental Health First Aid Training

Ten staff members representing a range of school departments undertook mental health first aid training on Wednesday and Thursday. They are now equipped with the knowledge and resources required to make useful interventions when a young person experiences a mental health crisis. The joint-delivery of this MHFA England course by Mr Smith and visiting instructor Alison Bushnell is one way in which our school community seeks to champion positive mental health. We already have a number of mental health first aiders within the school and plan to add even more before the end of next year.

MESSy collaboration with the School Shop

Message from Ronan

Happy New Year!

Yes, the Church’s liturgical calendar draws to a close tomorrow, and Sunday marks the first day of the New Year. It also marks the First Sunday of Advent, a time of prayerful waiting for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. (And in Mayfield, a time of frantic preparation for Live Crib as well!) As we prepare for Christmas, it’s always worth pausing a moment and remembering how Mary was feeling all those years ago. At this point in her pregnancy, she was around 36 weeks - she probably dreaded the thought of rolling over unaided, let alone embarking on an arduous 90 mile journey to a strange town, far from family and friends.

Perhaps, this week, we could find a few moments to pause and pray for all the displaced people in our world today - slaves, the victims of human trafficking, refugees from the war in Ukraine and so many other conflict zones in the world, migrant workers desperately risking their lives to find a better place to call home:

 God of love and compassion: may we always recognize your spirit:
· in the refugee family, seeking safety from violence;
· in the migrant worker, bringing food to our tables;
· in the asylum-seekers, seeking justice for their families;
· in the unaccompanied child, traveling in a dangerous world.

Give us hearts that break open whenever our brothers and sisters turn to us.
Give us hearts that no longer turn deaf to their voices in times of need;
Give us eyes to recognize a moment for grace instead of a threat.
Give us voices that fail to remain silent but which decide instead to advocate prophetically.
Give us hands that reach out in welcome, but also in work, for a world of justice until all homelands are safe and secure.
Bless us, O Lord...

- Fr. Dan Hartnett S.J.

On the subject of prayer, Advent is a season of ‘prayerful preparation’ for Christmas. To help our school community, we have a produced a small booklet, with a short morning and evening prayer, to be used in tutor groups, boarding houses and- hopefully - at home. The book contains a week’s worth of morning and evening prayers, based (loosely) on the Liturgy of the Hours, prayed throughout the entire world, and repeated each week throughout Advent. Each prayer will take around 4 minutes. Why not ask your daughter to share her prayer book with you, and if at all practical, you might pray Morning and Evening together as a family? What a wonderful way to journey towards Christmas with the Holy Family.

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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.

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

Image by Fiona, Year 13

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.

News from the Friends of Mayfield

Year 8
Coffee, Wednesday 30th November @ 9.00am, Mark Cross Garden Centre

Christmas drinks, Friday 9th December @ 7.30pm, The Middle House, Mayfield  

 Year 13
Christmas dinner, 14th December @ 7pm, The Middle House

If you would like to attend, please contact Sheenagh (sheenagh68@yahoo.co.uk) or Meredith  (portmermeredith@hotmail.com)

 Help us Create a Dog Calendar

The Friends of Mayfield are creating a calendar featuring the dogs of Mayfield!

Please send in your photos or drawings of your favourite Mayfield dog for a chance to be featured in our calendar. The best picture will be awarded a box of chocolates as well!

Images must be submitted in JPEG format and emailed to Caron Williamson on caron77@hotmail.co.uk by Wednesday 30th Nov to be in with a chance to win!

Menu for next week

Menu w/c 28/11