E-weekly Issue 240 - 15 September 2023

Welcome 

The sun is still shining, the girls and staff smiling, and term is truly underway.

We have had two very successful parent information evenings for Year 9 and Year 12 parents on what to expect in the year ahead. These meetings (and I still speak as a new boy) are very well presented and informative and give staff and parents an excellent opportunity to get to know each other, and learn how the school achieves such remarkable outcomes. Thank you to the parents who have attended. I look forward to welcoming new Lower School parents on Monday evening.

And finally, the recruitment consultants RS Academics have begun the process to appoint a new Head for Mayfield. I enjoyed meeting the recruitment consultants and have every confidence that the role will draw an excellent field.

Please do not hesitate to come to see me at any time.

With all good wishes,

Jonathan Forster

Year 7 Team Building

Last Saturday our new Year 7 students took part in a fun teambuilding adventure at Bowles Rocks. They enthusiastically tackled a myriad of challenges designed to foster collaboration, fuel creative thinking, and test  their problem-solving skills - a great day was had by all.

Mrs Baker, Head of Lower School

Year 12 Bonding Day

Year 12 have made a great start to Sixth Form. To help them get to know each other and develop their leadership skills they all took part in the Year 12 Bonding Day run by Hidden Leaders on the school site. They enthusiastically participated in axe throwing, problem solving, lively debating, bush crafts and egg dropping. It was certainly a full-on day, and the external company were very impressed with the energy and positive attitude with which the students took on each task.

Mrs Rachel Davies, Deputy Head of Sixth Form

International Dinner

Last Friday evening, our overseas girls got together as a community for the annual International Dinner at the start of the year.  Some of the activities included a competitive house spelling game based on the Cornelian principles, a 'find someone who...' to get to know girls of other nationalities and a quiz about the UK. We talked about the importance of speaking English and getting involved at school before tucking into an amazing international buffet - spring rolls, gyoza, nachos, patatas bravas, pigs in blankets, fish and chips were just some of the dishes. It was a great opportunity for us all to get to know each other better in a fun and informal context. We're really looking forward to the year ahead and already planning the International Fair.

Mrs Kasia Kilvington, Director of Scholars

Champions Read

On Friday we had a ‘Welcome to Champions Read’ at assembly for all the girls in Lower School. New this year is the organisation of the stock in the library, now by genre, for ease of access and choice. There is also the addition of Platinum level. This is the fourth challenge level for those who complete Bronze, Silver and Gold.

During the short assembly, two of the Year 8 librarians spoke about why they enjoy reading and read aloud a poem and a passage from a favourite modern novel.

Here are some tips from Isabelle and Nicole;

“I was not a big reader until I was about 9 when Covid had struck and I was bored……My tip for those of you who might not be a big fan of reading is to read at least 10 minutes a day - just before bed, in the morning or in a free A1. Then, gradually lengthen the time….”  - Isabelle

“I think reading is really important because not only can you learn a lot from it, like facts and vocabulary, but also you can improve your English skills such as writing… I read a lot every day because it is one of my favourite things to do when I am free…” - Nicole

“If you are wondering what to read, have a look at the good reads wall in the Library where others have written down what they think is a good book.” - Isabelle

See you in the library!

Ms Blagden

A Weekend in Gabs

A busy time was had by all in the Boarding Houses last weekend. After the International Dinner on Friday night the girls enjoyed more food made by our lovely catering team on Saturday in the way of a BBQ, followed by a giant game of team Pictionary.

Our girls all travelled to Tunbridge Wells for a spot of shopping over the weekend, which proved to be an enjoyable experience despite the hot weather.

I can confirm that homesickness is easing and our lovely boarders are all getting into the swing of life away from home, as they learn our routines. The girls are really looking forward to the Carnival this weekend.

Mrs Pippa Whitby, St Gabriel's Housemistress

Knit and natter

Knit and natter, one of our many extra-curricular clubs, is proving popular this term. The idea is simple - learn how to knit and crochet while having a chat!

Katie Wins History of Art Prize

Congratulations to Katie, Year 12, who was awarded third prize in the 2023 Write on Art national essay competition run by ART UK (the Public Catalogue Foundation) and the Paul Mellon Centre for British Art. Katie's prize-winning essay was on the Surrealist artist Leonora Carrington's fascinating painting 'The Pomps of the Subsoil'.

Leonora Carrington, 'The Pomps of the Subsoil', 1947, oil on canvas, 58.5 x 93cm, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich.

She attended the awards ceremony in London on Saturday 9 September to collect her prize of £100 and meet the 2023 judges: Sarah Munro, Director of the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art; Samson Kambalu, sculptor of the current Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square; and Ruth Millington, art historian, Sotheby's Institute of Art. Katie commented that it was 'a really great opportunity to engage creatively with the Arts beyond the curriculum' and 'to meet some really quite incredible people, and hear all about some amazing initiatives and projects up and down the country'.

The  Write on Art national essay competition runs for Years 10 and 11 (400 words), and for Years 12 and 13 (600 words). The entry deadline is the end of June 2024.

More information

Dr Joanna Weddell, Head of History of Art

Climate Competition

Annabel, in Year 13, has won the innovation category in Mayfield Climate Action’s (MCA) inaugural ideas competition, emphasising the importance of a vibrant local economy to reduce carbon emissions and making the case for a Mayfield Pound to support that objective.

Mayfield Climate Action (MCA) is a community initiative has been established to develop and implement a plan combining meaningful, eye-catching local initiatives with effective engagement on the need for urgent system change. The competition set out to tap the talent of the community in two categories: communication and innovation.

John Murray, one of the judges, said: “Annabel has put together a succinct and persuasive case for using a local currency to increase use of local shops and services and benefit the environment.  We are interested to explore development of this concept for the digital age.”

Congratulations Annabel!

Success for Flo

Flo came 5^th out of 51 riders on her horse Pizza, and also finished safely in the top half on Will, at the British Eventing 2* Junior Championships at Cornbury House last weekend.

This follows Flo’s win during the summer holidays, when she became U21 open eventing champion at the International Youth Championships.

Well done Flo! 

Yueshi Curates Art Exhibition

In July 2023, Leaver Yueshi was selected as one of only eight students in the UK to undertake summer work experience at ART UK, the Public Catalogue Foundation charity. She found this 'a very insightful and eye-opening experience'.  Part of the week was on Zoom with tasks from different departments of ART UK including curating a mini-exhibition available to view on their website.

Yueshi's Mini-Exhibition

Yueshi also had the valuable opportunity to spend one day in person with the curators at the Ben Uri Gallery and Museum, St John's Wood, London, describing this as the 'highlight of the week'. She was able to watch the preparation of a new exhibition on Dame Laura Knight's Nuremburg Trial drawings, which helpfully related to her History of Art A Level Paper 1 topics on Identities and War. She shadowed and observed the collection assistants doing varied tasks: 'One minute they could be doing conditions checks, the next they could be doing final cuts in the information panels, and then looking at spreadsheets for collection storage etc. It was never boring and I was constantly learning new things. I even had a try at editing one of the information panels myself, as well as making suggestions for the poster of the exhibition'.

Yueshi was awarded A*A*A* for her A Levels in History of Art, History and English and will be studying History at Somerville, Oxford.

Meet the Teacher

Sports News

Girls Go Gold!
12 girls attended the ‘Girls Go Gold’ Conference at the Abbey School in Reading yesterday. Despite the 5am alarms and 8pm return, the girls had a fantastic day. They participated in sport specific masterclasses, along with seminars and inspirational talks with leading athletes, coaches and sport professionals. They were also lucky enough to listen to the likes of Katherine Grainger, Denise Lewis & Fran Williams speak about their experiences, and were even able to ask some of their own questions to these sporting stars!
 

Dusting off the Hockey Cobwebs!
We had the return of ‘Breakfast Hockey’ last Saturday where the seniors came in for (another) early morning training session. The sun continued to shine as they built on their skills from pre- season the weekend before. This was then followed by a session for Middle School who are beginning their fixtures this week. We wish all our teams the best of luck for the upcoming season and are looking forward to seeing them in action.

Senior Hockey Pre-Season
Last weekend saw the Senior Hockey players return to the pitch for a jam-packed two days. The Saturday consisted of two pitch sessions, a video analysis and a nutrition workshop before their teamwork was tested in a very competitive Capture the Flag tournament. We concluded Saturday with Pizza & Quiz, allowing the squad to enjoy some social time together. Sunday saw the return of Gover gym, who gave a brilliant fitness session and injury prevention seminar, before the final session of the weekend, covering penalty corners and game play. Mrs Nixon and Mrs Fletcher were very pleased with the work rate, team spirit and resilience shown by all who attended. It was a fantastic start to the season and we are excited to see this squad develop. 

Upcoming Fixtures
Saturday 16/09 - Hockey V Kent College Senior 1sts (A) @ 9.00am / Senior 2nds (H) @ 9.00am / U15A (A) @ 10.30am
Tuesday 19/09 - U14 Hockey V Bedes (H) @ 15.00pm / U14 Netball V Kent College (A) @ 15.15pm
Wednesday 20/09 - U13 A & B teams V Bromley High (A) @ 16.00pm
Thursday 21/09 - U15A Hockey V Bedes (H) @ 15.30pm
Saturday 23/09 - Hockey V Ashford School Senior 1sts & 2nds (A) @ 9.00am / U15A (H) @ 9.00am / U13 A & B (H) @ 10.45am

Ronan’s Reflection

Sunday’s Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
In our Gospel this Sunday, we hear the story of Peter asking Jesus how often we are called to forgive. “Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

While this, at first glance, seems very generous, I believe most parents would simply call this a ‘Saturday afternoon’. My daughters are what might be charitably described as ‘serial offenders’. No matter how many times we correct them, the socks just never seem to make their way to the laundry basket, and the jackets never find their way home to the hooks by the door, and I still trip over hastily kicked-off shoes at the bottom of the stairs around half the time. (Reading back over this, I’m pretty sure Mrs Lavery could say the exact same thing about me, but my point stands.)

But we continue to correct, and we continue to forgive. And now, it seems, the socks are being abandoned halfway between the bedroom and the bathroom, rather than in the bedroom, so I think maybe we’re making progress! It’s easy to forgive them when they slip up though, because they’re just so darn cute…

But how do we forgive when the person who messed up isn’t so cute? When we’re not talking about errant laundry, but real hurt, pain and consequences? Perhaps the journey of forgiveness needs to begin inside ourselves, with humility, and compassion. Perhaps, in order to forgive, we should practice gratitude above all else - gratitude to our God, who forgives us without ever counting the cost, and calls us to do the same.

Am I hard-hearted? Am I the merciless servant in this Sunday’s Gospel? Am I able to pray for those people who have hurt me? Can I reconcile with them, forgive them? Am I ready to receive back my repentant brother or sister just as I expect God to receive me back when I say ‘Sorry’ to him? Speaking of which, I’m feeling the need to go to Confession…!

(Confession, or the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is usually available before and after Sunday Mass on request. There is a Reconciliation Service for Boarders every term. If any member of the school community wishes to speak to a priest - for Reconciliation or any other reason - this can be arranged.)

Sunday Mass this week is at 11:30am on Sunday. As Fr Patrick is on holiday this week, there will be no Tuesday evening Mass. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Mr Ronan Lavery, Chaplain

Mayfield Carnival

Please note there is no parking in the school grounds on Saturday, nor is there access to the high street through the school grounds. Thank you for your understanding.

Next Week's Menu

Menu w/c 18th Sept