E-weekly Issue 235 - 16 June 2023

Welcome

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This morning, we welcomed many families to our Open Morning and they enjoyed their visit to the School in the glorious sunshine.

Today also saw many of our Year 11s finish their GCSEs. The girls celebrated with a BBQ and fun activities on Chapel Lawn. I hope they are now able to relax and recharge their batteries over the coming weeks.

Last week saw Mayfield’s Cricketers take on the MCC once again. It was a fantastic day and something for the girls to remember for the rest of their lives.

Special mentions this week to Lucia, who qualified for the Grass Roots National Equestrian Championships, and to Brianna, who has been selected for the Kings Hill Junior Premier League Football Squad.

This coming Sunday we will have our Confirmation celebration in the Chapel and we congratulate all our Confirmands on this special day.

We are looking forward to next week’s drama performance on Wednesday evening, as well as Mayfield Day on Saturday, which promised to be a wonderful whole School celebration.

Finally, thank you for your understanding during the inconvenience caused by the South East Water problems earlier this week.

With very best wishes,

Jonathan Forster

Mayfield v MCC

On Saturday a select 11 played in the prestigious annual fixture against the MCC. Girls from Years 7 to 12 were selected and gave a great account of themselves. In the first game we lost the toss and the MCC elected to bowl. The MCC started their innings off well scoring over 50 runs in the first 5 overs. However, Flo and Saskia came on to bowl and slowed the run rate superbly. The MCC finished their innings on 141. We started our innings off well, with Flo and Lizzie ticking over the scoreboard, but we lost too many wickets in quick succession and were not able to keep up with the run rate. 

In the second game we won the toss and elected to field first again. We took an early wicket and were able to restrict the MCC to only 40 runs off 8 overs, however their middle order struck the ball sweetly, helping the MCC to score 148 in their 20 overs. We started our innings off slowly and lost regular wickets meaning we only managed 98 in our 20 overs. Jess batted superbly in the second game and should be commended on this.

Congratulations to Year 7 Flo and Year 12 Rachel who won the 'Spirit of Cricket' Award for the two games. The girls represented the School superbly and we are so proud of their performances.

Year 7 & 8 STEM Careers Evening

When I asked Lower School pupils what someone working in STEM looked like, they described a man in a white coat with crazy hair holding chemicals. With women making up only 24% of the STEM workforce we want to encourage more girls to think about STEM subjects to redress this balance.

Earlier this week Years 7 & 8 had an opportunity to meet amazing Cornelian role models involved in a variety of careers, including town planning, architecture, aviation, engineering, IT, charities and pharmaceuticals. The key threads that ran through all the talks were:

• STEM skills are transferrable to many different careers
• Take risks in your career choices
• Mayfield develops strong women who can stand their ground in male dominated industries

Mrs Rachel Davies, Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Teacher of Biology and STEM Coordinator

‘A fine day in June…..to walk in Mrs Dalloway’s footsteps’ - Day Trip to London for Year 12 English Students

To the chorus of ‘what a lark!’ ‘what a plunge’ nine intrepid Year 12s braved the hottest day of the year to walk from Westminster to Bond Street and then to visit the British Library.

Mrs Parrett kept us entertained along the route with little readings of appropriate passages tracing Mrs Dalloway’s footsteps and we all ended up with a new found respect for Mrs Dalloway actually walking the distance – she did the journey there and back in two hours – we took a lot longer!

We stopped outside a house rumoured to have been looked at by Virginia Woolf as a model for the book, then stopped in St James’ Park to catch a glimpse of one of London’s many June activities (rehearsal for Trooping the Colour), marched up the Grand Old Duke of York’s steps and indulged in the cool sanctuary of Hatchards book shop.

In the visit to The British Library Mrs Parrett introduced us to some fascinating book statistics, showed us the (very) extensive library of George III and allowed us all to explore the treasures collection which included a snippet of The Charleston Bulletin, a note from Andrea Levy, the Magna Carta, the dies for illustrations and a Shakespeare first folio.

Thank you to the girls who made it fun – and to Mrs Parrett who did so much to educate us.

Lucinda Misiewicz, Teacher of English

Bananas!

Thank you to our groundsman, Mr Schooley, for donating a flower from one of his banana plants to Biology. Year 8s used this in their lesson on variation this week and we considered genetic and environmental factors that cause differences between bananas. They also researched some fascinating facts about bananas:

• Bananas are berries of a herb which belongs to the Musa genus
• We share 50% of our DNA with bananas
• One banana plant can produce up to 240 bananas!

Mr Schooley is nurturing banana plants in the greenhouse and hopes to start a tropical garden. Please talk to him if you would like to know more about banana plants.

Mrs Rachel Davies, Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Teacher of Biology and STEM Coordinator

Signature Desserts

As we near the end of the academic year, pupils in Year 12 have planned, made and plated their "Signature Dessert" to demonstrate their skills developed this year! All look incredibly tasty!

Sue Smeaton, Head of Food and Nutrition

Mayfield Day Cake Competition

Lucia Qualifies for Nationals

At Felbridge last weekend Lucia qualified for the Grass Roots national championships – she also won a Mayfield sponsored pony prize at the same time. Many congratulations Lucia!

Brianna ends the Season as a Junior Premier League Footballer

We are happy to announce that Brianna was selected to join the Kings Hill Junior Premier League Squad for 2023-24, following a trial, placing her at the same high level as players from clubs including West Ham, Spurs and Millwall. Brianna has had a great season playing for West Kent District this year. Some of her highlights include being invited to play and train with her team-mates at the Crystal Palace Stadium over the last half term. 

Last Saturday, West Kent held their end of year party and presentation awards where the girls were awarded three medals each - one from West Kent for doing well this season and two for winning the U12 Kent Schools Football Association League (KSFA) and the U12 English Schools Football Association Girls Cup. Brianna was awarded the Manager’s 'Player of the Season' on the day and narrowly missed the 'Players’ Player' award by just one vote.

Well done to Brianna and all the girls in the West Kent team!

Sports Update

Cricket
Thursday saw the U15 Teams take on Sevenoaks in two very exciting matches. Both matches came down to the final over, with Annabelle G-G bowling with great economy in the U15As and Sienna taking one-handed catches in the U15Bs. The U15As drew, with both sides finishing on 125 runs, and the U15Bs had the closest finish of the season so far - a victory by just two runs! A wonderful afternoon of cricket played by all. 

Regional Athletics at K2
On Monday our Junior and Inter Athletics squads headed off to K2 for the Regional Athletics meet. It was a scorcher of a day, and the girls were competing in tougher conditions than they were used to. They all performed exceptionally well and we are so proud of each and every one of our athletes.

I would love to name and list everyone's results, but to pick a few highlights, we saw Gigi (Year 7) fly down the 100m in 14.4 seconds, Deborah (Year 8) whizz round the 200m in 29.0 seconds, Jess (Year 10) launch a shotput 8.31m (and, in doing so, won the competition) and Hebe (Year 9) throw a Javelin 18.28m. A very special moment came from our 4x100m Inter Relay Team (Onnae, Leona, Maria and Sammie-Ann) . Undefeated all season, nerves were building before their final race, but the team were able to once again get the baton over the finish line in 1^st position with an impressive time of 55.4 seconds. 

Congratulations on a great Athletics season but the biggest event is yet to come......Inter-House Athletics on Mayfield Day! See you all on the 24^th where we look forward to seeing Astor, Bronte, Curie and Glennie battle it out on the Track and Field. 

Juniors Athletes
Year 7 (Gigi, Flo, Emilia P and Brianna) 
Year 8 (Lily, Deborah, Savannah, Frances, Emilia R, Claudia, Kitty, Lizzie, Eva) 

Inter Athletes 
Year 9 (Maggie, Anna H, Maria U, Alex H, Hebe, Sofia )
Year 10 (Leona, Onnae, Anna R, Julie, Jess, Skye, Alicia, Sammie-Ann, Eliza, Sarah)

Miss Sophie Auer, Teacher of Physical Education

Staff vs Parents Cricket
Last Friday saw the fourth instalment of the series and just like the previous encounters, it did not disappoint. The staff won the toss and chose to field first. A resolute performance with the bat from the parents which included some big sixes and clever fours helped them get to 160 from their 20 overs. A big total, but one which the staff believed was possible to chase down. A 20-run opening stand, followed by a 50-run partnership, ensured the staff were ahead of the required run rate. The parents however clawed it back and reduced the run rate, ensuring that they managed to get the victory, winning by 14 runs. 

I would like to thank all parents and staff who played as well as the spectators for their support. A special mention to the girls for their help with scoring, hosting and ball collecting.

The series is nicely poised at 2-2 heading into the Football in October with everything to play for!

Upcoming Fixtures
Saturday 17/06 - U15A & U13A Cricket vs Guildford High
Tuesday 20/06 - U14A & B Cricket vs Sevenoaks School
Wednesday 21/06 - U13A-D Cricket vs Burgess Hill
Wednesday 21/06 - U13A Tennis, Lancing Tournament
Thursday 22/06 - U15A & B Cricket vs Burgess Hill
Saturday 24/06 - Mayfield Day

Ronan's Reflection

This Sunday, six young women and one young man will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation here in the School Chapel, in front of their families, friends, and classmates. What a wonderful witness to their faith, as they publicly renew their baptismal promises, and put themselves forward to receive the Holy Spirit. These young people have committed themselves to take ownership of, and defend, their faith, and to do so, have spent the past nine months learning the teachings of the Catholic Church. As I have worked with Miss Gilpin in planning and delivering the Confirmation course this year, I have found myself returning often to the words of the incredible Fulton Sheen:

“There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.”

Geography notwithstanding, I feel that quote rings true now more than ever. I am proud of the young people who committed themselves to learning about their faith, and proud that I will be able to watch them this Sunday, as they publicly declare themselves for Christ.

Young people are not the future of the Church. They are the present. Their time to contribute to the Church is now. And I have great faith in Kamsy, Amelia, Ivana, Isabella, Sonya, Alice and Harry, as they take on the role of ambassadors, and defenders, of their Catholic faith. By their witness, may they draw others to a closer relationship with Christ.

Please, take a few moments this weekend, and pray for our young and courageous Confirmands. One of the most ancient prayers of the Church goes like this: “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the power of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.” (Bonus points if you light a candle in the Chapel while you do so!)

If you wish to show your support for this group, Mass on Sunday will be at 11am, instead of the usual time of 11:30.

Mass on Tuesday is at 6pm.

God bless,

Mr Ronan Lavery, Chaplain

Interactive Book Recommendations in Lower School Library

Following a brilliant suggestion from your Year 7 librarians, Isabelle and Nicole, we now have an interactive board in the Lower School Library. Here you can add the title of a library book you have enjoyed reading, give a comment, a star rating or an emoji, to let others know about it.

Some great titles here if you need ideas for poetry or a modern fiction for your Champions Read.

Please make sure you put the chalk back in the basket on the top of the book shelves.

Jan Blagden, School Librarian

Afternoon Tea Party

On Saturday, we hosted an Afternoon Tea Party for the girls in Leeds House and St Gabriel’s. They joined us on Chapel Lawn, where they decorated their tables and iced some cakes, laying out their scones and sandwiches on cake stands and enjoying the afternoon together. Not much tea was served as it was a little warm, so it was juice instead! The girls then played some lawn games and chatted away. Mrs Motoc, Mrs Aherne and I also enjoyed the weather and our time with the girls.

Mrs Le Riche

Weekend in Gabs

What a way to celebrate the end of exams - Pizza night for Year 10 on Friday evening with Year 9 having their turn on Sunday night. Even the sun came out to celebrate and the girls in Gabs had a fantastic weekend outside. 

SPoKE Competition

From the Friends

Year 12
Year 12 summer drinks and nibbles will be held on Friday 23rd June from 7.30 pm at The Middle House. Please could you let laurascriven@btinternet.com know whether you would like to attend.

Next week’s Menu

Menu w/c 19th June

From the School Shop

As we approach the end of term, just a few housekeeping details from the School Shop.

Lost Property
There is still a large amount of personal jewellery (particularly earrings) and 3 pairs of glasses as well as other items in the school shop lost property. We have previously sent pictures to all students and staff. If you have lost anything, it may be worth popping into the shop just to check to make sure  these items are not yours. As we have made every effort to get these back to you, anything left at the end of term will be disposed of.

Name Tapes
If you are leaving and had the naming service, please come to the school shop to collect any of your name tapes that are left.

Uniform Returns
Please remember to send back any uniform in clean and in good condition that you will not be needing anymore to the school shop by Thursday 6^th July. If anything is deemed re-sellable, we will give you a small credit on your school shop account and this will then appear on your end of term bill as a credit or if you have a debit on the school shop bill it will reduce the amount owing. If you are leaving, uniform received after 6^th July will be deemed as a donation. If you are returning next term you will get the credit on the school shop bill then if you miss the 6^th July deadline.

Those going into Year 12 please remember to keep your sport kit – you will need this.

All students will need some uniform for Mayfield Day.

Keepsake Bear
The keepsake bear (pictured) is made by Blazer Bear, a local company, using old uniform your daughter may have grown out of. The details are below – you can follow the link below or contacting Pru by text message if you wish to order one. You will need to send her the uniform to be used in the making of the bear.

PLEASE NOTE –  You must make all arrangements yourself including payment and delivery.

Blazer Bear
Email:                 info@blazerbear.co.uk
Mobile:               07713 682396
Website:            www.blazerbear.co.uk 

Mrs Susan Bowles, School Shop Manager