E-weekly Issue 214 - 2 December 2022

The girls have been busy in Art, decorating 150 baubles for the Christmas trees around school to celebrate 150 years of Mayfield. 

Message from Miss Beary

I can hardly believe that we are already in December, although now that Advent has begun we have trees and decorations springing up throughout the school.  Sometimes it is difficult to remember that Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation, when everywhere around us seems to have sprung straight into full-on celebration and the shops and media are encouraging us to think about what we are buying and how we are celebrating, rather than why we celebrate. No wonder everyone is tiring and sated by the time we get to December 25^th, when actually the festivities should be just beginning.

Ronan and the Chaplaincy team have introduced a new school prayer book for Advent, to help each of us to find a little time in the day to stop and prepare ourselves for this great feast. Taking a few moments to reflect on how much we have to be grateful for, even though there may be challenging times ahead, can only be a good thing both for increasing our faith and improving our mental wellbeing (arguably two sides of the same coin…).

Live Crib preparations continue apace and we are delighted to be able to open our doors to the wider public again. It is never without challenges: this year chauffeuring the donkey has been added to the list, so thank you to those parents who have stepped in to help. On one level it’s surreal and it would make a hysterical play (Note to the Caedmon girls…), but on another more important level, the burgeoning enterprise that is Live Crib plays an important role in the life of the village. For some it is their only liturgical experience of the season. Amidst the bling and consumerism of the wider world, we are proud to share our traditional version of the Christmas story, in all its simplicity and honesty.

While I may fume about the excessive consumption we seem pressured into, if you or someone you love enjoys breakfast conserves look no further than the School Office where Sr Jean’s marmalade is still available. It’s delicious and all the profits go to Mary’s Meals…so it is a present I can recommend with a clear conscience! And please don’t get me wrong: I am the last person to be complaining about celebration at any time of year; it continues to be a great joy to be surrounded by happy girls, especially when they are singing… Long may it continue!

Year 9 Cross Curricular Day

Last Friday, Year 9 took part in their cross curricular day, with the focus on ‘British Society’ and celebrating fusion and diversity in the UK. The girls participated in four workshops, led by subject specialists, including ‘People Power’ (Geography), ‘Food, Glorious Food’ (Food and Nutrition), ‘Festivals’ (Religious Studies and Art) and ‘Words, Words, Words’ (English).

It was fantastic to see the girls so engaged with learning about how cosmopolitan the UK is as a nation at the same time as being able to celebrate their own heritage. In the English workshop the girls wrote poems and raps and performed a dance accompanied by a ‘guess my heritage’ game. They were also able to explore a variety of festivals through designing and creating a flag that was transformed into beautiful bunting which is now on display in the Sixth Form Dining Room. Well done to Audrey, Canice, Carla, Ivana, Jasmine and Fiona who won the festival competition.

The day was rounded off with a British Tea Party and quiz, where the girls shared the cakes and treats they had made (Jamaican Ginger cake, Indian Sweet Treats, Ukranian Honey Cookies and Scones) and sampled a cup (or two) of good old English Tea. Well done to our winning Quiz team -  Holly, Cordi, Camila, Selina, Ana, Fleur, Sophie M and Sophie J.

Mayfield's very own Murder Mystery!

Towards the end of last year, Caedmon - Mayfield's prestigious senior drama group - decided that they would like to develop their own play. The group brainstormed ideas for the plot and used improvisation to devise characters. After they came up with a concept, along with what 'type' of character each would like to play, Evie and Elizabeth (Year 13), co-wrote the dialogue. They created 'Before the Ink was Dry,' a darkly comic murder mystery.

Since the start of this term, they have been rehearsing together once a week, suggesting staging ideas and shaping the performance. It was a collaborative exercise that resulted in a one-off performance last Wednesday. It was a site-specific play set in the Courtyard and, although the cast are not used to being in such close proximity to an audience, they were not at all distracted. In fact, they each played their character with clarity and focus. The play deserved the enthusiastic response that it received from the audience. Congratulations to all those involved! Caedmon should be very proud of themselves for the achievement.

Sally Gerstmeyer, Head of Drama

Sixth Form RS Trip to London

This week, Sixth Form RS students attended the Ethiqa philosophy, ethics and religion masterclass conference in London. They heard brilliant scholars address ideas in their A level course, including: Professor Keith Ward on ‘Is theism rationally defensible?’, Julie Arliss on ‘Where does Moral value Lie?’, Dr Andrew Pinsett on ‘The Problem of evil’, and Professor Daphne Hampson on ‘God and Gender’. The speaker the students enjoyed most was universally Professor Hampson. They found her clear in her expression of some radical ideas and very engaging.

The girls took part in the debate at the end of the conference, with Rachel bravely making her own contribution to the motion. They listened to other students' contributions from very varied viewpoints. The motion being debated was, "This House believes that relativism is obviously true." The motion was denied by vote at the end of the session.

The trip was full of both revision for the Year 13 A level exams and stimulus for wider thinking and reading in years 12 and 13. A thoroughly enjoyable day.

Mrs Gaelle McGovern, Head of Religious Studies

Sports Update

The last week has seen two swimming galas and the U13s playing Hockey against Sevenoaks Prep. The results are below. All match reports can be found on SOCS.

Swim Gala vs Burgess Hill
Mayfield Win Overall 

Swim Gala vs Hurst & Roedean
Mayfield 3rd

U13s vs Sevenoaks Prep
U13A Lost 6-0
U13B Draw 1-1
U13C Win 1 -0 

Alicia Drummond Talk for Parents

On Tuesday evening a number of parents (both in the audience and watching the live stream) were captivated by a talk given by Alicia Drummond, founder of The Wellbeing Hub and Teentips.  The title of Alicia’s talk was ‘Why Every Teenager Needs a Parrot’, which looked at how parents and carers can find the right balance between letting teenagers go and grow, and keeping them safe as they negotiate the choices and decisions that are a part of growing up in the 21st Century.  We covered the risks that our teenagers face on a daily basis and how to make sure they know how to negotiate their way around these issues and what we, as parents, can do to arm them appropriately with the skills and ‘get out free’ cards which are so beneficial to them.  The talk was helpful, down to earth and welcomed by those listening.

The Wellbeing Hub is a useful and informative resource for pupils, staff and parents.  If any parents are still not registered and would like to be, please send Mrs Stone an email on jstone@mayfieldgirls.org

How is your Wellbeing?

The Wellbeing Hub, available for pupils, parents and staff on the school website, is a great starting point if you feel like you need some support with your mental health. It is full of resources for all members of our school community.

I have recently discovered the ‘A-Z of Wellbeing’ under the Self-Care tab on the Wellbeing Hub. In this edition of the E-weekly, we are focussing on the letter C for Compassion, which is one of our Cornelian Principles. As the Dalai Lama said, “If you want others to be happy, practise compassion. If you want to be happy, practise compassion”. 

Research has shown that showing compassion to yourself, as well as others, can have a significant impact on your mental health. Treating people with compassion increases our connection with others, which means we have better relationships. Self-compassion is about treating yourself as you would treat a good friend, and learning to acknowledge our negative feelings without letting them consume us.

Suggestions from the Wellbeing Hub to boost your compassion:

• Next time you notice someone looking left out try to include them
• When you hear someone being unkind about, or to, someone else let them know you don’t think it’s ok
• If you get something wrong, try to view it as a mistake; ask yourself what you would say to your best friend if they had made the same mistake and you                  wanted them to feel better. Then try to give yourself the same kindness.
• Download the Headspace app to help you learn mindfulness which helps us not to get hijacked by our negative thoughts. It takes practice but it really does        help.
• Next time you feel sad or bad give yourself a break by saying something like, “This hurts but I am not alone, everyone feels like this sometimes and I am going to be kind to myself”- this may sound a bit weird or silly at first but acknowledging our pain and reminding ourselves that we are not alone in experiencing it can help us feel better.

Mrs Anna Maimi

Mayfield Village Christmas Lights Switch On

Last Friday, Leeds' girls took part in the Mayfield village Christmas lights switch on. Their carol singing helped to create the magic of the Christmas season for all the villagers. OC Caroline Quill (nee Redman), Class of 93, was invited to switch on the lights in recognition of her work relocating over 250 families from Ukraine to the UK, as well as her work as the Group Scout Leader for Mayfield and Five Ashes.

The Library Christmas Quiz 2022

The World Cup comes to St Dunstan's

The boarders in St Dunstan’s house have been getting into the World Cup spirit over the past couple of weeks, starting with a friendly in-house match played on the Astro turf in the sunshine before decorating the common room with the flags of all the nations represented in the house by students and staff. The girls have had the opportunity to watch the matches that appeal to them, and the prize for loudest audience (so far) went to the girls watching the England v Wales match on Tuesday!  

Boarders scale the heights

On Saturday, Leeds' and St Gabriel’s boarders had an action-packed afternoon at Clip n’ Climb in Tonbridge. This offered a healthy challenge for all, as the girls ascended the various climbing walls with the mission of seeing how high they could get. As the saying goes "you cannot stay on the summit forever, you must come down again" and it was fantastic to see the girls ‘let go’ of their inhibitions and sail down the walls. It was great to see the confident climbers ascend the walls at great speed, but also to witness the beginners face their fears and apprehension about heights.

Miss Auer and Miss Jones

Exclusive screening of Matilda

On Saturday, some of our boarders from Leeds, Gabs and Dunstan's went to Uckfield to see the new Matilda film. With an exclusive screening they were able to let their hair down, wave their arms and sing along. It was lovely to see girls from a range of houses enjoying the film together, and we were surprised how many of the words they all knew!

Ronan's Reflection

Advent Week 2:

“Into this world, this demented inn
in which there is absolutely no room for him at all,
Christ comes uninvited.
But because he cannot be at home in it,
because he is out of place in it,
and yet he must be in it,
His place is with the others for whom
there is no room.
His place is with those who do not belong,
who are rejected by power, because
they are regarded as weak,
those who are discredited,
who are denied status of persons,
who are tortured, bombed and exterminated.
With those for whom there is no room,
Christ is present in this world.”

– Thomas Merton

Mass this weekend will be a Vigil Mass at 5pm on Saturday evening. Families are welcome. Fr Patrick is back from his travels, so there will be Mass on Tuesday evening at 6pm.

Christmas Cards

Finally, Christmas cards featuring the artwork of Fiona in Year 13 are now available from Andrea in Reception, costing £5 for a pack of five. Please do pop in if you would like to buy any cards.

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
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 in Mayfield School Chapel from 6.45pm

News from the Friends of Mayfield

Thank you to everyone who sent in wonderful pictures of their dogss this week - what a cute and beautiful bunch the Mayfield Canine crew are!

We will announce the winner of the chocolate prize next week and in the meantime we have extended the deadline to allow for Christmas frenzy, so get your pictures in this week for a chance for your favourite doggie to be featured in the calendar. Final deadline is now Wednesday 7 Dec. 

Please send your pictures in JPEG format to Caron Williamson caron77@hotmail.co.uk

Upcoming events

Year 8
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)