E-weekly Issue 242 - 29 September 2023

Welcome

Wellbeing Centre

We are getting very excited about how beautifully the new health and wellbeing centre - due for completion in early 2024 - is coming together. 

Our next step is to canvas girls and staff on how they would like to see it fully utilised.

Key is that it is a place that everyone benefits from, so along with outstanding health and wellbeing care it needs to be a place of education where the whole community learns about the importance of strong physical and mental health and the tools and strategies that can be used to achieve this.

So far we are planning for part of our life skills programme taking place in the centre, our registered school nurses delivering health related lessons and we intend to canvas a number of health practitioners to come in and run workshops and information events open to all girls.

Students will be given plenty of opportunity to pass on ideas to their tutors and heads of year and staff are also feeding into the process. We want the Wellbeing Centre to enhance the Mayfield experience for everyone. Therefore, we are also looking for parent views. You can do this in two ways:

1. Email my PA, Mrs Katie Towers, ktowers@mayfieldgirls.org to express interest in joining a working party on the health centre.
2. Email me directly on dbligh@mayfieldgirls.org - I am always happy to have an in person meeting or telephone conversation to listen to your views.

Mrs Deborah Bligh, Senior Deputy Head

Inspiring Future Female Leaders

Five Prefects attended the Inspiring Future Female Leaders Conference at Benenden on Thursday, along with students from schools across South East England. There was a fantastic range of inspiring female role models from a variety of industries, including Princess Basma of Jordan, Dr Amy Jadesimi who was named by Forbes in the Youngest Power Women in Africa, speaking mentor Dame Didi Wong, Pentathlete Georgina Seccombe, venture capitalist Amber Atherton and former Director General of MI5. The closing keynote session was delivered by The Princess Royal. The girls took home some very important messages about taking risks, knowing your own value and making a life plan, as well as some superb public speaking tips.

Mrs Rachel Davies, Deputy Head of Sixth Form

The Return of Welly Walking

MESSy

A note from Imogen, our Year 13 MESSy (Mayfield's Environmental and Sustainability Society) ambassador:

This month at Mayfield school we have acknowledged sustainable seafood September brought to us by the Marine Stewardship Council group; celebrating the importance of sustainable fishing and seafood. Sustainable fishing refers to harvesting fish and other species in a way that ensures the long-term health and viability of the ocean ecosystem and the species being targeted. It involves managing fish populations and their habitats in a manner that allows them to replenish and reproduce naturally, while minimizing the negative environmental and social impacts of fishing activities. Sustainable fishing aims to strike a balance between meeting the current demand for seafood and preserving the health of the ocean for future generations.

Mayfield welcomes Sam Haywood

On Tuesday we were delighted to welcome pianist Sam Haywood for a lunchtime recital and masterclass. An audience of girls, staff and members of the public were treated to an exciting concert of Schubert, Beethoven, and Chopin, including the “Moonlight” Sonata and “Heroic” Polonaise. Sam took us all on a memorable musical journey and the school Steinway has never sounded so impressive. Afterwards, the girls voted the “Moonlight” Sonata the highlight of the concert. Clare (Y13), the School’s Music Prefect, said “it was an amazing experience!”.

Our Music Scholars and pianists stayed behind for a masterclass with Sam. He heard three girls play – Nicole (Y12), Audrey (Y10) and Wing (Y11) – and coached them on their performances, giving all present an insight in to how to develop as musicians and pianists. We learned about “beat surfing” and the importance of enjoying the moment, taking time to listen carefully to the music we are making as we make it. It was a very enjoyable afternoon and we are grateful to Sam for taking the time to come and share his incredible musicianship with us.

Dr Matthew Ward, Director of Music

Wealden Schools’ Partnership Meeting

On Tuesday, four of our Year 13 prefects and subject ambassadors and four of our Lower School girls attended the Annual Wealden Schools' Partnerships Council Meeting. There were nine different schools present, representing almost 4000 students across the Wealden District, to share their thoughts and ideas of different events we can arrange together over the next year. The meeting was held at Bede's Senior school and Mayfield was well represented, working in groups with other pupils to complete challenges and hold discussion forums about possible multi-school events. Thank you to Rachel S, Rachel M, Emma, Harriet, Brianna, Lucia, Amelia M and Nicole for giving up your morning and representing the school so well.

Mrs Georgina Fletcher, Director of Partnerships and Outreach

Trip to The Old Vic

Year 13 students of English enjoyed a new production of George Bernard Shaw's 'Pygmalion' at the Old Vic in London on Tuesday night. The relaxed trip enriched students' experience of live theatre as they begin their English coursework on modern drama. At Mayfield, A level Literature students each design their own coursework projects, which stretches their independent critical thinking and allows them to pursue their own areas of literary interest. All enjoyed a balmy autumn evening in London, and found the show, with its exploration of class hypocrisies, very absorbing.

Miss Joanna Staunton, Head of English

News from the Library

First, a correction from last week’s Book of the Week in Lower School, Dogs of the Deadland was chosen by Pupil Librarian Mylana. 

Lots of new titles have arrived in lower school this week. Please do come and have a read!

Year 10 Physics

In Year 10 Physics, we are using state-of-the-art dataloggers to look at how Gravitational Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy transfer. The girls are able to use their phones to access and share data with one another. Presentation of the data is completed using the computer program python. This engagement with technologies is helping to prepare our girls for the needs of the age.

Dr Darragh Corvan, Head of Physics

Sports News

Another Busy Week of Hockey
Fixtures this week included a block fixture against Ashford, mid-week games against Bede’s and Burgess Hill, and finally a County Tournament for the U14A team. The teams are improving week-on-week, with many exciting combinations being built. The focus this week is on attacking play and making the most of opportunities in front of goal. Watch this space!

More Netball Success
A big well done to our Senior First team who came up against Burgess Hill in the first round of the Sisters in Sport Cup. Despite many of them playing together for the first time, the girls soon found their stride and ended up with a 25-15 win. It was a pleasure to watch them in action, bring on the next round!

All match reports are on SOCS.

Upcoming Fixtures:
Wednesday 4^th October
U13A @ the Worth Tournament
U13 B&C / U12 A-C vs Roedean
U18 & U15 Swimming Gala
Thursday 5^th October
U13A Cross Country Event
Saturday 7^th October
Snr XI vs U16A Internal Netball match

Culinary Creations

The Year 12 Culinary Skills students made delicious chocolate and passion fruit tarts, which included chocolate pastry and a homemade passion fruit curd, topped with chocolate ganache.

Year 10 have been developing their pastry skills this week to make a seasonal apple pie, making sweet pate sucree and creating a design for the top of their pie.

Mrs Sue Smeaton, Head of Food & Nutrition

Mayfield Recipe Book - on sale now!

Mrs Smeaton has compiled a book of the girls’ favourite recipes. Featuring everything from chocolate chip cookies to focaccia to pasta bake, there is something for everyone. Available from Andrea on reception, books are £5 each (cash only please). All profits go to the Trussell Trust food bank.

Gabs' Weekend Activities

Last weekend was all about food and drink in Gabs with Year 9 enjoying a pizza night on Saturday and then mocktails on Sunday. This weekend the Year 10s get their turn with a pizza night whilst some of the Year 9 girls are heading out trampolining on Sunday - another busy weekend!

Mrs Pippa Whitby, St Gabriel's Housemistress

Ronan’s Reflection

The three Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, whose feast day is celebrated today in the Church, are the only angels named in Sacred Scripture and all three have important roles in the history of salvation. Christians and angels cooperate “together in God’s salvific design,” Pope Francis said in 2017. He said angels served God by accompanying all people on the path to salvation. Each archangel has a specific role –  protection, annunciation, and guidance.  

“Michael is the one who fights against the devil,” he said. “Gabriel is the bearer of good news."

“Gabriel too accompanies us and helps us on our journey when we ‘forget’ the Gospel,” Pope Francis said, noting the archangel’s message acts as a reminder that “Jesus came to save us.” St Raphael “walks with us taking care of us on our journey and helping us not take the wrong step.”

Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to call upon the help of the archangels, and invoke their intercession.

“Michael: help us in our battle – each of us has a battle to fight in our lives; Gabriel: bring us news, bring us the good news of salvation; Raphael: take us by the hand and lead us forward without taking the wrong turning,” the Pope prayed.

This week, perhaps we can try to model the Archangels by speaking out against injustice, being the Good News for each other, and by walking with somebody - friend or stranger - on their journey through life. 

Service of Word and Communion this Sunday is at 11:30am. There will be no Mass on Tuesday evening as Fr Patrick is on retreat. 

With thanks to The Catholic Leader for providing the inspiration for this week's reflection.

Mr Ronan Lavery, Lay Chaplain

Meet the Teacher

Honouring Miss Beary

You are cordially invited to join us for Mass in Mayfield Chapel to honour our former Headmistress, Miss Antonia Beary. For so many parents, staff, former staff and Old Cornelians, Antonia was the face of Mayfield School and her vision, dedication and exceptional commitment to the Mayfield community was valued by all. Please can we therefore ask that you register to attend the Celebration Mass and provide details of any guests or dietary requirements ASAP using either the link below or email oldcornelians@mayfieldgirls.org

Register for Miss Beary's Celebration Mass

Antonia Beary Lourdes Bursary Fund 
Throughout Antonia’s career she has been involved in many school and Diocesan trips to Lourdes. To mark her retirement, Antonia would like to ensure that as many girls as possible are given the opportunity to experience the wonder of Lourdes for themselves. We are therefore inviting donations to establish a Lourdes Bursary Fund. This will provide financial support for any girl studying at Mayfield School to undertake a Pilgrimage to Lourdes which would otherwise have been unaffordable.

Donate to the Antonia Beary Lourdes Bursary Fund

From the Friends

Year 9 Parents
Please save the date for:
5 October - Coffee at the Sussex Country Gardener, from 9am
23 November - Drinks, venue TBC
1 December – Coffee at Juliet's in Tunbridge Wells

Year 10 Parents
Please sign up for the Year 10 Christmas Dinner by Oct 20th. If you haven’t received the full details of this yet please contact Joanna Healing on wandj.healing@hotmail.com

Year 11 Parents
Thanks to all those who came to the coffee morning! Please save these dates for your diary:
Friday 1st December: Christmas Do/Night Out, including spouses/partners
Friday 15th December: End of term dog walk and coffee morning

From the School Shop

Lost Property
Please see below pictures of lost property currently in the school shop. If you think anything is yours, please come and collect it.

If at all possible, particularly with larger electronic items, please name that item if you can. All items that are not identifiable are photographed and emailed to all students and staff and then placed in the e-weekly. Any unclaimed items are disposed of after 2 weeks or sold for charity if not claimed.

School Shop Closure
The school shop will be closed on Friday 5^th October and Monday 9^th October. If you think you will need anything from the school shop before that, please come prior to the end of next week. A reminder our school shop hours are now 7:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday.

Mrs Susan Bowles, School Shop Manager

Next Week's Menu

Menu w/c 02/10