E-weekly Issue 238 - 7 July 2023

Welcome 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week the girls have been busy taking part in Activities Week. Our term ended on a relaxing note with the girls and staff completing a sponsored walk around Mayfield.  I sense they are now ready for a break with their family and friends over the Summer.

Finally, a personal thank you from me to the staff, parents and the girls for a wonderful term. This really is a fantastic School. I hope you have a lovely summer and look forward to seeing the girls back in September.

With very best wishes,

Jonathan Forster, Interim Head

Whole School Sponsored Walk

On the last day of school the girls took part in our annual whole school sponsored walk. The girls walked 5km through the beautiful East Sussex countryside to raise funds for a vital project close to our hearts, The Sandra Jones Children's Centre in Zimbabwe. There is still time to donate to this excellent cause! Thank you.

Donate to The Sandra Jones Centre

Battlefields Trip

This week 31 of the Year 9 girls travelled to France and Belgium to experience the battlefields of the First World War. We visited the underground tunnels at Arras which were used to house thousands of British troops before they launched a surprise attack in 1917. Then we drove to Ypres in Belgium to learn more about the battle of Passchendaele, before visiting both German and British military cemeteries at Langemark and Lijessenthoek. An obligatory stop at the chocolate shop in Ypres and a lovely dinner in a local restaurant was followed by the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, which powerfully commemorates the fallen. On Wednesday we developed what has been learnt in History lessons about the Battle of the Somme by following in the footsteps of British and Newfoundland troops as they went over the top. Girls witnessed how hard it would have been to cross the deadly no man’s land and at Thiepval memorial we paid our respects to those who sacrificed so much. Some cultural and retail therapy was appreciated by all after that and we enjoyed the picturesque Amiens before returning to Mayfield. Many thanks to the girls for their outstanding engagement and positivity and a particular thank you to Mr Meek, Mr Ferguson, Mme Testa and Miss Auer for their support throughout the trip. 

Mr Warren, Head of History

Bushcraft Penshurst Place

For Activities Week, Year 7 spent three days at Penshurst Place with The Bushcraft Company. This was an enriching camping experience to remember! Upon arrival, the girls were taught fire-making methods that rewarded them with flame-grilled burgers for lunch! Further fun activities included SOS First Aid, Camouflage & Concealment and ‘Tribes got Talent’. The weather, while wet at times, held out for the most part and didn’t dampen the girls’ enthusiasm. Many thanks to Mrs Fletcher, Miss Keoghane and Mr Walser for accompanying the girls on the trip.

Mr Dan Smith, Deputy Head of Lower School

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at The Globe

On Tuesday, Year 8 enjoyed a trip to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London. We began the day with a tour of The Globe, during which we learned about the history of the theatre and even saw a rehearsal of 'Macbeth' in progress. After their tour, the girls had a chance to put their own talents to the test, as they worked with two Globe actors in an interactive drama workshop. After a spot of lunch, it was time for the main event: the matinee of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. We all agreed it was a fantastic production, made even more atmospheric by the heavens opening just after the interval. The girls were able to experience just what happens in an open-air theatre: when it rains, the cast and the groundlings get wet!

Laura Parrett, English Department 

Year 10 Modern Foreign Languages Day 

 Year 10 experienced a celebration of France and Spain for their MFL day on Wednesday. 

The girls had fun cooking a traditional Spanish tomato and vegetable dish, Pisto Manchego. They learnt how to say the names of the Spanish ingredients, such as 'cebolla' for onion and 'un diente de ajo' for a clove of garlic. Needless to say, they also enjoyed eating their Pisto on toasted bread, in true 'tapas' style!

They also had a great time learning to dance flamenco steps, including the 'llamada' and “marcaje” steps with Ana Dueñas from Academia Flamenca (Brighton). The teacher was passionate about flamenco and an inspiration to the girls. As well as the dance steps, she taught them the importance of good posture and of having confidence in themselves. The girls loved this activity, and they felt a great sense of achievement when they put the steps together in a choreographed dance to traditional flamenco music at the end.

The girls then took part in a Boules tournament (also called Pétanque in France). This game is very popular in the south of France and the girls very much enjoyed taking part. They learnt the basic rules of the game and performed their techniques to throw the boule as close to the 'cochonnet' (the jack but literally translated 'piglet'). It was so much fun seeing the groups getting very competitive and trying to hit their opponent's boule away from the jack. The best teams were entered in the quarter and semi finals and chocolate prizes were awarded for the podium places!'

Mya in Year 10 said 'There were a lot of engaging activities, and it was really fun', while Cara and Leona said 'it was a great day to educate us about Spanish and French culture'. 

Maria Criado, Head of Spanish

Year 9 Art Trip to Brighton

Expedition to the South Downs

Well done to our 16 Year 10 and 5 Year 11 students who completed and passed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award Assessed Expedition in The South Downs earlier this week.  

Our students showed determination and commitment, walking over 50 kms, carrying everything they needed during this time. They battled blisters, rain and hills but were rewarded with beautiful countryside and panoramic views around them and stories to tell for years to come.   

Over the three days, the teams worked together and kept a positive attitude to make this expedition a real personal accomplishment. Such opportunities for teamwork, leadership and building resilience are all part of Mayfield’s extra-curricular programme through The Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme.  

The students were a credit to the school and we hope they all go on to their Gold DofE Awards in Year 12.  

I would like to thank all the staff involved in the actual expedition - Mr Glazebrook, Mr Partington, Mr Marshall, Dr Turner, Mr Rich, Mrs Kilvington, Dr Weddell and Mrs Cox, who tirelessly hiked, camped and/or waited at checkpoints, as well as staff back at school, who helped me with the administration and the logistics side to make the expedition possible.   

Mrs Mary Saunders,  DofE Manager

House Winners Announced

On the final day of term Glennie were awarded the Inter-House trophy. Congratulations Glennie!

A Science Spectacular!

On Monday we welcomed budding scientists from St Margaret's, St Matthew's, Weald and Wadhurst primary schools into our laboratories. They carried out a range of chemistry experiments, made gliders and they learnt about the universe in the immersive Wonderdome Planetarium. Mayfield Primary also joined us in the afternoon to visit the Wonderdome. A great time was had by all!

Rachel Davies, STEM Co-ordinator

Shakespeare off by Heart

Last Friday, we enjoyed the final thrilling instalment of this year's Shakespeare Off By Heart competition. The performances from Year 9 and 10 had it all: romance, comedy, violence, poetry... and a little bit of gore!

Julie Batty, who has worked in television and film for many years, was our judge for the afternoon. She was impressed with the standard of this year's competition, commenting especially on the girls' understanding of the language and their commitment to their scenes. 

Prizes were awarded in various categories including best group, best duologue, best comedic and best tragic scene. The final performance of the afternoon was Act 3 scene 7 from 'King Lear'.  There were gasps from the audience at the moment Gloucester (played by Julie) was accosted and blinded by Cornwall (played by Amelia). The afternoon reminded us of the power of Shakespeare's plays to entertain, surprise and shock, even in 2023. 

Laura Parrett and Joanna Staunton, English Department 

Lower School Debating

Last Friday saw the final of the Lower School Inter-House debating competition, with Glennie running out winners against Bronte in contesting the motion 'This house believes the hot dog is not a sandwich'. Well done to all the participants, and a special mention for the audience for their active participation.

Sports Update

Doubles Internal League

Alongside the Aegon tennis league, Miss Jones set up 2 internal Tennis leagues; One for Years 9 and 10, and the other for Year 12. 16 pairs chose to enter across both competitions, which allowed each pair to play a game a week throughout the Summer term. 

The Year 9 and 10 League concluded with a joint first place for Mary C, Valeria MB, Maria G and Zara ZM, with Ines and Leona missing out on the top two spots. It was Emma N and Sophie S who took victory in the Year 12 league, with Rachel M and Lizzie VH coming a close second and Yaa T & Maria U a respectable third place.

Well done to everyone who took part, we look forward to doing the same next year for those who wish to enter!

Miss Imogen Jones, Teacher of PE 

A final word

The PE department would like to commend all the girls on their hard work and commitment this year. It has been a fantastic year of sport and the girls should be proud of their achievements. We cannot wait to continue building Mayfield Sport in September. 

When we return in the autumn, please remember your appropriate kit, including Hockey sticks, shin pads and gum shields. Have a great break over the summer!

Flo to represent South East

Flo (Year 11) has been selected to represent the South East at the British Eventing International Youth Championships in the 2* team, with her horse Will, at the end of July. She will also be competing with her horse Pizza as an individual. Congratulations Flo!