E-weekly Issue 219 - 27 January 2023

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Message from Miss Beary

This week has seen exciting things happening outside the classroom. On Wednesday, we had an amazing performance, under the auspices of the Mayfield Festival, followed by a masterclass for the girls given by BBC New Generation artist Helen Charlston. Her voice was a delight to listen to and filled the Concert Hall – we could do with her regularly contributing to singing in assembly, and I hope that the girls listening to her were inspired!

The valuing of those skills and talents not necessarily encompassed by the examination syllabus has always been important to us at Mayfield. The idea of learning stretching and flourishing beyond the confines of curriculum was at the heart of Cornelia Connelly’s vision of education. Now more than ever, helping the girls to see the value and recognise the importance of learning from other people’s experiences and being inspired by great, yet attainable, performances needs to be a quintessential part of our educational provision. This week’s Lower School cross curricular day was an excellent example of this and it is always possible to learn and have fun (although cake is not always a requirement!). Recognising that it’s acceptable not to get things right first time; nothing will ever be perfect (at least in this World), but that practice and consistent effort do result in success, doesn’t have to be stressful, in fact it can be liberating.

Our best wishes go to our skiers out at the schoolgirl races in Flaine. I know the Drama department might wish them luck by saying ‘break a leg ‘ but this is perhaps one area where cross-curricular  engagement doesn’t work quite so well.

As I write girls are preparing for the Sixth Form Ball, and while the preparation and anticipation are as much part of the pleasure of the occasion as the event itself, I am sure that it will be an entertaining evening for all. My grateful thanks go to the staff who are attending.

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Lower School Science Club

Over the last couple of weeks, the girls in Science Club have combined looking at pH indicators and non-Newtonian fluids by creating oobleck that changes colour when an acid or alkali is added. They have also competed to build the tallest tower using only marshmallows and spaghetti.

Miss Stephanie Gilpin, Chemistry Teacher

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Trip to Watch 'The Woman in Black'

Last week the Year 10 GCSE Drama class went to watch a performance of The Woman in Black at The Fortune Theatre in London's West End. The play told the horror story of Arthur Kipps and his eerie time at Eel Marsh House in Lancashire. The small cast of two regaled the tale using a variation of staging techniques and performance skills to a high standard. This was emphasised by the appropriate and chilling use of lighting, set and sound effects. The students learned how to manipulate mood and atmosphere through design and have since put that knowledge to good use within the studio environment at School. Judging by their response to the live theatre it was evident the students enjoyed the, at times, spooky experience!

Sally Gerstmeyer, Head of Drama Department

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The Cookie Project

On Monday Year 7 participated in their second cross-curricular day of the academic year. Girls were divided into six teams and were tasked with designing, marketing and producing a cookie. To get them focused on the task ahead, the first activity was a cookie tasting session. Teams had to consider the appearance, taste, texture and market appeal of five different cookies. This was followed by a planning session where roles were decided, cookie ingredients agreed and the logo was designed. The groups then divided between the bakers who were tasked with producing the best possible cookie, the designers who were responsible for the packaging and a promotional photograph and the marketers who were in charge of writing a script for the advert and preparing the final presentation. Communication between different parts of the teams was essential and in true Apprentice style this didn’t always go to plan!

In the afternoon, the teams came back together to film their advert and practise for the final presentation. Then it was time to present their product to the judges. Mr Smith, Miss Oliver and Maria (Year 12) made up the judging panel and were very impressed with the quality of the girls’ work and how much they had achieved in a short space of time.  The girls were judged on their presentation, cookie, advert, promotional photograph and packaging. The overall winning team was Sugar and Spice.

Here is some feedback from the girls about what they learnt from the day...
I learnt that even when things don’t go to plan they can still work out and be even better than before.
I learned if you work together as a team you will get a better ending product.
I learnt how to work as a team with people you wouldn't normally work with.
How to collaborate better and respect people’s opinion.

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A Highland Fling in Boarding!

Girls and staff had huge amounts of fun in Saturday's boarding activity for Years 9 and 10. Inspired by the Scottish tradition of marking the birth of the poet, Robbie Burns, girls were treated to a wide variety of Scottish activities. The afternoon started with a talk from Mr Craig Wilson, in full traditional dress who talked to the girls all about the poetry of Burns as well as reciting various poems in full Scots English. Next was a serving of haggis, neaps and tatties, followed by Cranachan and Scottish Tablet. Once the food had been enjoyed, the girls retired to the Dance Studio to learn 'The Gay Gordons' and 'The Dashing White Sargent' and really got a sense of just how fun a ceilidh can be. Loads of fun was had by all as well as expanding our boarders' knowledge of the cultural and linguistic diversity in the UK. 

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Gabs Celebrate Chinese New Year

On Sunday boarders in Gabs celebrated Chinese New Year. They created vouchers for the red envelopes to represent the tradition of gifting money to each other.  They also spent the afternoon teaching some other girls and staff to make dumplings. The dough was made from scratch and the fillings prepared before they showed us how to roll, cut and finally fill and shape the dumplings. They were later cooked and offered to the other girls in the house to try, along with an explanation on the significance of the dumpling. The evening was finished off with some calligraphy by the girls, which is now hanging up on their floors.

Mrs Helen Lavery, St Gabriel's Assistant Housemistress

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St Dunstan’s Chinese New Year Festivities

The boarders in St Dunstan’s came together on Sunday to celebrate Chinese New Year, which is a special celebration for many in our house. Christina, Teresa and Natalie (Y13) shared some information about the celebration before sending around some traditional blessings to the boarders, which they wrote onto their own red pockets and banners. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the occasion, as well as learning how to write ‘Happy New Year’ and more information about the Year of the Rabbit; it also gave the girls some respite from their studies, allowing them to be creative and relax on a Sunday afternoon. The girls then took their banners and pinned them up in their rooms and around the boarding house, to bring good luck for the year ahead.

Miss Jessica Tompsett, St Dunstan’s Assistant Housemistress

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Fundraising Update

We are delighted to announce that Year 11 raised £698.98 through their Pyjama Day fundraising activities last week! A big well done to everyone involved and thank you to all those who donated so generously.

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Mayfield welcomes BBC New Generation Artist

On Wednesday we were delighted to welcome mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston to the School to deliver a recital in partnership with the Mayfield Festival, and a masterclass for our singers.

Helen, a BBC New Generation Artist, gave a recital of German and English song, themed around love and nature, with excerpts from the Isolation Songbook, a project she commissioned during the 2020 lockdown. The concert was well-attended and pupils, staff and members of the public were treated to an exciting and moving expressive journey which was much-needed on a grey and misty day. The following masterclass showcased four of our leading singers: Liberty (Y10), Maddie (Y11), Harriet (Y12) and Yueshi (Y13), all of whom were inspired by Helen to make great progress, especially in the engagement of their audience and in finding expressive narratives in their songs. Other girls attending the masterclass gained insights into preparing songs for performance, communicating with listeners and took part in several exercises towards these ends. In all, it was an afternoon of wonderful music, and we are grateful to Helen and her accompanist Sholto Kynoch for their time and expertise.

Dr Matthew J C Ward, Director of Music

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Sports Update

This weekend saw 11 teams in action against Eastbourne College - it was brilliant to see so many girls playing Netball. For the full reports please see SOCS but the results were as follows:

U18A Lost 14-17
Coaches Player  - Annabel and Maria

U18B Lost 10 - 15

U18C Lost 4 - 19
Coaches Player Scarlett

U16A Won 17 - 9
Players Player Tilda, Coaches Player Maddie W

U16B Won 15 - 13
Players Player Annie, Coaches Player Ollie E

U15A Won 27 -17
Players Player Ines, Coaches Players Nina

U15B Won 15 - 8
Players Player Siena, Coaches Player Sammie-Ann

U15C Lost 21 - 24
Players Player Annabelle, Coaches Player Sophia

U14A Lost 9 - 29
Players Player Fleur, Coaches Player Maggie

U14B Lost 4 - 31
Players Player Eleanor, Coaches Player Ana

U14C Lost 3 - 18
Players Player Mary, Coaches Player Ariel

On Wednesday Lower School played against Roedean, the full reports are on SOCS but the fixtures went as follows:

U13 A Won 18 -11
Players Player Deborah, Coaches Player Charlotte

U13 B Won 8-7
Players Player Savannah and Kitty, Coaches Player Francis

U13C Lost 4 -19
Players Player Claudia, Coaches Player Lola

U13 D Lost 4 - 11
Players Player Udochi, Coaches Player Jess

U12 A Lost 5-4
Players Player Emelia

U12 B Won 4 - 3
Players Player Millie, Coaches Player Lucia

U12 C Won 12 - 5
Players Player Izzy, Coaches Player Mylana

Thursday U15A vs TWGGS, Lost 14-24
Players Player Mia, Coaches Player Ines

Full match reports on SOCS

Sadly TWGGS were unable to field an U15B team this week. 

Upcoming Fixtures
Monday ​30^th January
Swim Gala vs Sevenoaks, U18, U15, U13

Tuesday 31^st January
Netball, U14 A & B vs Burgess Hill

Wednesday 1^st February
Lady Taverners U15 Indoor Tournament
U13A - D Netball vs Lingfield
U12A-C Netball vs Lingfield

Thursday 2^nd February
U18 & U16 SISNA

Saturday 4^th February
Netball vs Roedean, U18A & B, U16A & B, U15A-D, U14A-D

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Save the Date - Careers Information Evening

This year's Careers Information Evening for Year 9 - 13 and parents will be held on Tuesday 7^th March from 18:45 - 20:45. More details to follow. 

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Ronan's Reflection

Tomorrow, on Saturday 28th January, the Church celebrates the Feast of St Thomas Aquinas. Thomas is the Patron Saint of students and Catholic schools, among many others. He is a Doctor of the Church and - as the author of Summa Theologica - the father of Christian doctrine and theology. In other words, the man was good at studying!

And so, as the school year marches on, I thought I might offer you a prayer which St Thomas used to say before he began studying. I believe, if it was good enough for St Thomas, it might just help some of our students get focused, concentrate, and find the way of studying that works best for them:

Creator of all things,
true Source of light and wisdom,
lofty origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of Your brilliance
penetrate into the darkness of my understanding.
Give me a sharp sense of understanding,
a retentive memory,
and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations,
and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in completion;
through Christ our Lord.

Amen.
—St. Thomas Aquinas

Sunday Mass is at 11:30am, and Tuesday Mass is at 6pm. All are welcome!
Mr Ronan Lavery, Lay Chaplain

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Friends’ Burns Night

On Saturday, the Friends hosted their inaugural Burns Night. The evening was a wonderful success with delicious haggis, neeps and tatties cooked by school and energetic dancing led by Anita (Susie Pepper’s fantastic mum) who got us all dancing in time and mostly in the right direction. Live music and bagpipes from brother and sister duo Dan and Sarah Stewart announced the haggis and Steve Williamson enthusiastically performed the address with Julian Weatherall saying the Selkirk grace.

Thank you for your lovely comments after the evening. 

“Firstly, thank you for arranging Saturday evening, between yourself, your mum and everyone else who contributed, we all had a fabulous time, we agreed that we haven't laughed so much in a long time, a great January tonic."

“Thank YOU for organising - it was such a fun evening and we had such a giggle! Absolutely made by your mother keeping everyone going in the right direction!
I hope there will be another chance for more reels before next January!”

“So much fun on Saturday, albeit exhausting. Bravo to your mum too - for herding cats so magnificently! I was in awe and terror in equal measures.
Thank you for all your efforts in arranging such a fab night."

“Just wanted to say thank you so much to you and your team for organising such a great Burns Night last Saturday.  It was a lovely evening, the food was delicious, the tables looked very pretty and the reeling was great fun.  Please pass on a big thank you to everyone and of course to your mother for doing a great job with the calling. We hope this becomes an annual Mayfield event!”