E-weekly Issue 239 - 8 September 2023

Welcome 

Welcome back! What a wonderful week of sunshine to start the term. Our new starters have been busy with their induction programmes and I hope they are starting to feel at home. The girls have also been auditioning for our next drama production, The Addams Family musical, which will take place in the New Year. I have been really impressed by the quality of the girls’ performances in our productions since I joined and I can’t wait to see this musical.

We were delighted over the summer by our excellent A level and GCSE results. Our 2023 leavers achieved a 100% pass rate with over half of grades awarded being A* or A! Our Year 11 students were equally impressive, with one in four grades awarded being the top grade (grade 9).

A date for the diary. On 30^th September, The Friends of Mayfield will be holding their annual Michaelmas Fair at school. I hope you can make it.

And finally, following the announcement of Miss Beary's retirement due to ill health, we continue to keep her in our prayers.

Have a lovely weekend.

With very best wishes,

Jonathan Forster, Headmaster

Year 7 Induction

Year 7 hit the ground running on Monday morning, getting to know one another with some fun ice-breaker games in their respective form groups. After induction into various School areas/departments, they enjoyed chaplaincy games with Ronan. Parents/guardians were then reunited with the girls over afternoon tea. Tomorrow, the Year 7 girls will be competing in some teambuilding games at Bowles Activities Centre. A busy but fulfilling week for all!

Mr Smith, Deputy Head of Lower School

Year 9 Induction 

What an exciting start to the new academic year it has been for the Year 9 students, made even more wonderful by the addition of 34 new pupils to the year group. It is safe to say they have all been trusting the magic of new beginnings and have been getting accustomed to 'life in Middle School'. 

To help with settling all the girls into the fast-paced rhythm of school life, they have had an extensive induction period, where they have not only been introduced to important elements within the school, but they have also had plenty of time allocated towards getting to know each other in their new forms, and fun whole year group activities (well done to 9RWM, who took the first victory from the induction day games!) 

A positive start, with plenty more fun to come with the upcoming Year 9 Residential to Blacklands Farm. 

Miss Sophie Auer, Deputy Head of Middle School

Extra-Curricular Activities Fair

On Tuesday we held our annual ECA Fair, an opportunity for all the students to explore the variety of extra-curricular opportunities on offer at Mayfield. From drama to debating to dungeons and dragons, as well as a huge variety of sporting and music activities.

Leeds House Welcomes New Boarders

On Sunday, we welcomed new boarders into Leeds House. After the relative calm of the holidays, we were overjoyed when the House became a hive of activity once more! A delightful buffet lunch preceded a warm welcoming liturgy, led by Ronan. Parents' farewells followed and the girls got to know each other more by playing some ice-breaker games. (The DIY craft bridges were aesthetically interesting, although we'd question some of the structural engineering!)

The boarders rounded off their first day together with a walking tour of the beautiful school grounds, made all the more enjoyable by the sunny weather. Miss K (Leeds Housemistress), Mrs McGovern, Miss Martin and Lesley (our cherished housekeeper) worked incredibly hard to make the girls feel at home.

Miss Adel and Mr Smith, Leeds Houseparents

Introducing Mrs Deborah Bligh, Senior Deputy Head

“I am delighted to have started as Senior Deputy at this wonderful school.  I have been teaching for 25 years (18 in senior management) and remain as passionate about my subject (RE) and committed to putting the child/young person at the centre of everything I do, as I was on day one... just now with a little more wisdom!

For the past 21 years I have worked at St Richard's Catholic College, a leading Catholic school, in the top 2% of all state schools in the country for value added. I have been proud to see the areas I led on consistently rated as outstanding by both Ofsted and the Catholic Schools Inspection throughout this time.”

Recent years has seen me take a lead in student wellbeing and last year I completed a level 4 qualification in Advanced Mental Health Leadership in schools. I sit on the Anna Freud centre panel representing schools in England and have been delighted to collaborate on their recent project on anxiety in young people. In recent years I have reviewed and supported other schools, given keynote speeches to thousands of professionals and devised and shared wellbeing plans and resources locally and nationally. Receiving a national award for whole school wellbeing at transforming (highest possible) level has been a real highlight as nothing is more important than ensuring our children are prepared for an ever-changing world and equipped with the tools and strategies they need to navigate it.”

A Successful Summer

Brianna off to a flier in Manchester

On 2nd September, Brianna competed in the National Athletics Youth Development League for Tonbridge Athletics Club (TAC) in the U13 category. The event was held at the Manchester Etihad Athletics Arena. The TAC U13 girls’ team was competing after they qualified from their Regional event for the first time in 12 years. 

Brianna secured an impressive third place in the 75m race. She then joined her relay team for the 4x100m event, where they sprinted their way to a remarkable second place finish, earning a silver medal. Brianna and her relay team made history by breaking the club's long-standing record for Under 13 girls.  

Overall the team came third, which was a fantastic result as they were joined by six other qualifying teams from all over the United Kingdom on the day. Congratulations to all for their incredible achievements.

Dance award for Alice
Alice Stallion achieved a Distinction in her Intermediate Cecchetti ballet exam over the summer. A fabulous result. Many congratulations!

Ava jumps double clear at Hickstead
Congratulations to Ava in Year 8, who jumped a fantastic double clear round in the 70cm class at the  Hickstead Grassroots Championships over the summer.  

Sherry and Melody Win Prizes for Economics

Sherry and Melody in Year 13 both made successful entries in the Economics Today (ET) photo competition. Sherry's entry describing price discrimination in Mayfield village was highly commended and will be published in the ET magazine, aimed at A level Economics students. Melody's entry depicting fast fashion received a commendation and will be published in the Economics Factory's blog. Congratulations to both. 

Ania Cox, Head of Economics and Business Studies

Psychology Competition

In the last week of the summer term Year 12 Psychology students conducted some observations around school. The aim of their observations was to look at how staff and students behave in their free time. The observations were conducted in the dining rooms, library, corridors, hub and sixth form centre. These are public areas in which people are aware that they can be seen. This means that there was no invasion of their privacy. However, the students conducted covert (undercover) observations to allow for more realistic behaviour.

The Psychology students then analysed the data that they collected and evaluated their methods of observation. This led to interesting discussions on the falsifying of data, interpretations of behaviour and the difficulties that psychologists may encounter when carrying out observations. The students then created poster presentations which the school community were invited to judge.

Congratulations to Cerys, Lucy and Tilly, whose poster was voted as the most detailed, clear and informative. The winning team conducted their observation in the Sixth Form Centre foyer during morning break and concluded that eating and laughing were the most common behaviours amongst the students. However, they also found that being a covert observer was quite difficult as was ensuring consistency between the observers. The team said, ‘we found it really enjoyable to put what we learnt in class into practise’.

Miss Charmaine Noyes, Head of Psychology

Sports News

The PE Department would like to welcome all the girls back to school this term. With the weather as it currently is, please ensure the students have appropriate sun hats (available from the school shop), sun cream and water bottles with them. 

All Year 7-9 students will receive an email in the next few days, confirming their lesson activities for next week.

Upcoming Events & Fixtures:

Saturday 9^th September:
Senior Hockey Training 8.00am-10.00am
Year 9 & 10 Hockey Training 1:00pm-3:00pm. 

Saturday 16^th September:
1XI vs Kent College Pembury     
2XI vs Kent College Pembury
U15A vs Kent College

For full details of all Sports Events and Fixtures please see SOCS.

Mrs Emily Nixon, Assistant Director of Sport

Ronan’s Reflection

Mass Intentions
As chaplain at Mayfield School, it is my duty (and great privilege!) to pray with and for the Mayfield community. I also believe that we are called to pray for each, and to pray together. It is not uncommon for people to ask me to pray for them, or to remember someone in my prayers. I, too, regularly ask people to pray for me. Not only does this process give us comfort, it reminds us that we are part of a community, a family, united in faith and love.

This is why we Catholics ask Mary and the Saints to pray for us. We do not worship them (we worship only the triune God), but we sure can respect them, and honour them, and ask for their prayers. Think of the Hail Mary prayer - we ask her to ‘pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death…’ We unite ourselves with Mary and with the Saints in a community of faith, and love, and prayer.

So we can pray for ourselves, we can ask our loved ones and our community to pray for us, we can ask the Saints to pray for us. But we also have another option - we can ask a priest to offer up the holy and perfect sacrifice of the Mass for our intentions. Holy Mass makes present the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. There is no greater prayer, because the Mass is the perfect offering of the Son of God to his heavenly Father.

Every single person participating in Mass may bring their own needs, joys, and sorrows, uniting their own life to the life of Christ on the altar. This is the personal intention offered in the Mass by those present. The priest, presiding, also brings his own intention to the Holy Sacrifice. This is known as the ‘Mass Intention’.

It customary to ask the priest to offer Mass for a particular intention. We can ask for Mass to be offered for a living person, a deceased person, for family difficulties, in sickness, in thanksgiving, in celebration of a birthday, a milestone or anniversary.

This year, each Sunday Mass in the school chapel will be offered for a particular intention. Students, staff, and families are welcome to ask that Mass be offered for an intention. Only one intention per Mass can be accepted, so requests will be honoured on a first-come, first-served basis. While no payment is required or expected, should you wish to give a stipend, the recommended amount is £10 per Mass Intention. Again, for members of the Mayfield family, a stipend is not required.

To request a Mass intention, please call or email me, letting me know (with as much or as little information as you’re comfortable giving - private intentions are accepted too) what the intention is, your preferred Mass date, and whether you’d like a Mass card. Or you can just pop into my office!

In the words of Pope Paul VI, “The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer”.  Mass intentions are a great treasure of the Church, and we look forward to joining our prayers in another - very special - way with those of the Mayfield family each Sunday throughout the year ahead.

Mass is at 11:30am on Sunday, and 6pm on Tuesday.

Mr Ronan Lavery, Chaplain

Rainbows Group

A new Rainbows group will be starting this term. Rainbows fosters emotional healing among children and young people who are grieving a loss through a death, divorce, separation or any other painful transition in their lives.

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Berlin Trip – October 2023: 1 Space Available

A space has opened up for a girl in Year 10-13 to join the History trip to Berlin from Thursday 19^th October to Monday 23^rd. The itinerary visits many of the main sites, including the Holocaust memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall and Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. The cost of the trip is £1,275 which includes all food, flights, accommodation and admissions. If you are interested, please contact Mr Warren (dwarren@mayfieldgirls.org) as soon as possible. The place will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Sam Haywood Piano Recital – 26^th September

On Tuesday 26th September we are delighted to welcome Sam Haywood back to Mayfield to give a piano recital and masterclass. The recital will be at 1.45pm in the Concert Hall, and is open to members of the public as well as our staff and students.

Equally at home as soloist and chamber musician, Sam Haywood embraces a wide spectrum of the piano repertoire. The New York Times hailed his 'passionate flair and sparkling clarity' and the Washington Post his 'dazzling, evocative playing'.

Tickets for this exciting recital can be purchased here
Under 25s go for free!

Dr Matthew J C Ward, Director of Music

Calling all (parent) Footballers!

Friday 13^th October sees the Staff v Parents Football fixture. All the information was sent in an email at the beginning of the week but if you are interested and haven't seen this, please email Mr Walser, jwalser@mayfieldgirls.org for more information. Or you can sign up using the link below: 

Staff v Parents Football

Reminder

A reminder that girls must not provide other girls with any form of medication. We know friends want to support each other but if a girl is suffering from a headache or similar ailment they should always go to the medical centre where they will be helped.

Thank you.

Mrs Deborah Bligh, Senior Deputy Head

From the School Shop

The new house polos are in stock, please note the following:

1. Accounts are open so you can place them on account – please remember to have the bill payer’s permission first
2. If you have the naming service, please leave them with us to be named.
3. Existing students can use their old house polos for this academic year, but please note from September 2024, regardless of the year group you are in you will need a new one.
4. The new house names are as follows:

BRONTE becomes AVILA with a new logo but stays navy blue in colour.
GLENNIE becomes BAKHITA with a new logo but stays the same Jade colour.
CURIE becomes ASSISI with a new logo but stays the same Red colour.
ASTOR becomes STEIN, they have a new logo and a new colour which is Lilac.

Lost Property
We received a considerable amount of lost property over the summer. If you are a boarder, this was put into individual bags and sent over to your boarding house for the start of term. If you are a day girl, then I emailed you at the start of term to come to the school shop to collect your lost property. 

Sister Jean’s Marmalade
Sister Jean makes homemade marmalade and sells it at £2.50 a jar. If you would like to purchase a jar, please come to the shop. Please note this is cash only. All proceeds go the Mary’s Meals Charity, so not only is it homemade and delicious, it benefits a good cause too. If you have old jam jars with lids that you want to donate for use in the next batch of marmalade, please bring them to the school shop.

Good Ideas
The school shop is here to benefit all students. If you have an idea for a product that you want us to carry, please email me on sbowles@mayfieldgirls.org
If we are able to use the idea, you will get some house points. Not all ideas can be used, but we would like to hear from you, feedback is important.

Mrs Susan Bowles, School Shop Manager

Next Week's Menu

Menu w/c 11th Sept