mayfield

E-weekly Issue 270 - 21 June 2024

Welcome

Today we held Mayfield’s very own Cultural Day, a celebration of all the different cultures in the Mayfield Community. We held a joyful assembly in the Chapel this morning, serving as a reminder that we are all part of God’s family and of the richness that our diverse international community brings. I was once again impressed by the leadership shown by our Year 12 students, notably Kseniia and Nicole, in creating this wonderful event.

We are very much looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow at Mayfield Day, for what promises to be a lovely celebration of the girls’ achievements this year.  Fingers crossed the beautiful weather holds for at least one more day! 

Warm regards,

Deborah Bligh, Headmistress

Cultural Day Celebrations

Today was Mayfield's Cultural Celebration Day. The day began with an assembly where students (and some staff) presented their different cultures to the whole school. We had music and information about Nigeria, Taiwan, Spain, Australia, Ukraine, Moldova, Lithuania, Japan, Barbados and Hong Kong.

At lunch time we were treated to a genuine melting pot of cuisines and music on the chapel lawn: a Lithuanian bread drink called Gira, matcha bubble tea, Spanish omelette, Nigerian chapman mocktails, rum cake from Barbados, Ukranian poppy seed cake, and English cream teas to name just a few of the delights on offer. There was even some cheese and sausages from Sussex by the Sea!

It was a genuinely lovely day, dreamt up, planned and organised by the students and a really fitting way to celebrate all the many wonderful and diverse cultures that make up the Mayfield Community. Special mention must go to Nicole and Kseniia who really drove the whole day from conception to fruition as well as a huge thanks to all the staff and students who joined in so generously and joyfully. 

Mr John Doy, Head of Sixth Form

Breanna Wins Bloomsbury Competition


Breanna in Year 12 has won a prize for scene-writing, in a national competition with Bloomsbury publishers.

Bloomsbury said that the judges loved her originality and creativity and she beat off fierce competition from students at schools across the country - 48 students entered, and 12 were shortlisted - so she should feel very proud of her achievement. 

In particular, the judges noted:

  • "Clear dialogue. I can hear the characters and not the writer."

  • "Great use of the ticking clock as a dramatic device."

  • "Good theatricality with a bold and interesting take on something considered canonical."

Reflecting on her achievement, Breanna said: "Winning the competition was a massive surprise in the best way possible. Writing the script was a challenge, but ultimately a rewarding experience. Thank you to the English department for their support, and I hope to make the best of the opportunity to perform the scene."

Congratulations Breanna!

Miss Joanna Staunton, Head of English

Students Perform 'Tuesday'

On Tuesday and Wednesday night, girls in Years 7-10 performed the play 'Tuesday' by Alison Carr. Written in 2023, "Tuesday is light, playful and nuanced in tone. And a little bit sci-fi." The play explores friendship, sibling love, family, identity, grief, bullying, loneliness and responsibility. Massive congratulations to all the cast members who pulled together and produced two exceptional performances. Many thanks must go to Miss Allen, Mr Oliver, Mr Partington and Mrs Santo for their expertise in bringing this play to the stage.

Year 7 Delve Into History

On Thursday, Year 7 enjoyed the lovely sunshine amidst the ruins of two historical sites we were lucky enough to have studied this year in History lessons. After a lively workshop on the events and drama of the succession crisis of 1066, a tour of the grounds had our young historians wondering if this were indeed the very site of the famous Battle of Hastings. Historians are a little divided, and sadly, we did not settle the debate that day. We did, however, explore the grounds and found the very site where the high altar of the church once was, which was the supposed site of Harold II's famous -arrow-in-the-eye death (also disputed by historians). We were a little sad to see the place in shabby shape, but if you ask your daughter, she'll tell you that's all Henry VIII's fault. After that we took a little trip to Pevensey, where Norman England really got its foothold in 1066. It was a lovely day well spent with knowledgeable teachers like Mr Meek and Mr Warren. And of course, the rest is History...

Mr Paul Ferguson, Teacher of History

Year 9 World Religions Day

Year 9 had a fascinating carousel of activities on Wednesday morning, examining different aspects of World Religions through a creative lens. Mrs Kilvington introduced the girls to the many ways that the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus have been portrayed in Icons throughout time and in different cultures; Miss Staunton and Ms Watson took them on a tour of Islamic geometric patterns and poetry; Mr Doy and Miss Collier-Baggs taught about Shinto through the medium of film; and Ronan and Mr Gough spent some time de-mystifying some of the 'bells and smells' of Catholic worship.

After lunch, the girls visited the Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue. They were able to handle various Jewish artefacts, including prayer shawls and rams' horns, and to see some very old (and very expensive) Torah scrolls! We had the privilege of tasting Challah bread and watching it be made by Jurgen, a Great British Bake Off star whose wife is a member of the synagogue. We also sampled the elements of the Seder plate and a Purim treat made from poppy seeds. 

Here is some feedback from the girls about their day:

"It was interesting to learn about different religions - I didn't know about Shinto at all before." - India
"Knowing the underlying beliefs of Japanese film was interesting to find out about." - Michelle
"The synagogue was rather fascinating and they were really nice!" - Sophia
"It was a truly enlightening experience and I feel I have a better understanding of the Jewish faith because of it. I also cannot wait to experiment with making challah bread!" - Sophie 
"The kosher food we were given tasted delicious." - Pippa 
"Thank you so much for hosting us on Wednesday, I had so much fun!" - Hester 
"I personally loved looking at the Torah scroll." - Imogen

Year 9 & 10 Ball

Last Friday, we held the annual Year 9 & 10 Ball with Tonbridge School. This saw 300 pupils get glammed up in their stunning dresses and suits and dance the night away to their favourite tunes. 

Additional entertainment of a 26x26ft bouncy castle, carnival candy floss machine and magic mirror photo booth proved a huge success, and a great night was had by all.

A massive thank you must go to the following:

Letter in Lights Company
The Mayfield Catering department 
The Mayfield Grounds Staff
The Tutors
The Mayfield Explorers and Mrs Quill
East Sussex Bouncy Castle Hire  
The Marquee Company 
WhiteIce Sounds 
Year 12 Pupils
Year 9 & 10 Ball Committee 

Science Spectacular for Local Schools

On Wednesday, we held a day of fascinating science activities for over 100 enthusiastic pupils from Mayfield Primary, Mark Cross Primary, Wadhurst Primary, Sacred Heart, The Mead, and Cumnor House. Activities included Micro.bit coding, flame testing, a planetarium experience, building awesome gliders, and diving into the wonders of ecology. A great time was had by all!

Brownies Visit Biology Department

On Thursday the Biology department welcomed Wadhurst Brownies to Mayfield as part of their Animal theme. They were delighted to meet Tilly at the stables, and in the laboratory, they learnt about the adaptations of bird beaks and then studied an array of skulls to identify them as predator or prey by looking at the type of teeth and position of eye sockets.

Mrs Rachel Davies, Teacher of Biology

Chaplaincy News


Two of the three young women in this photo attended Tuesday evening Mass this week for the very last time in their Mayfield career. A-levels finished, they are both eager to begin the next step of their life journeys- after a week volunteering with the Ampleforth pilgrimage in Lourdes next month…

Over the past four and a half years in Mayfield, I have watched these girls live out their faith in a simple, unassuming, yet incredibly powerful way. Between showing up for morning prayer, contributing immeasurably to the Chaplaincy, serving Mass, reading, mentoring younger students and sprinting up the hill after matches and fixtures to sneak, breathless and giggling (they weren’t very good at being sneaky!), into the pews just as evening Mass was beginning, I have no idea how they managed to fit it all in alongside the myriad other duties and responsibilities they cheerfully took on.

Hardworking, energetic and always laughing, these young women carried their faith lightly, but with great reverence. They, and all the Year 13 students, will be sorely missed.

It is a bittersweet moment, though one filled with hope for the future. The third girl in the photo is looking forward to moving up to the sixth form in September, and taking on the roles of sacristan and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She will be a great asset to the chaplaincy and will continue to serve the faith life of the school.

This photo is a wonderful example of Actions not Words, and a timely reminder that not all actions are seen, or noticed, but they do have an impact…

This is what we are about:
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.

Dedicated to the Class of 2024.

Mass this weekend is on Sunday at 11:30am. Tuesday Mass with the village community is at 6pm. All are welcome.

Mr Ronan Lavery, Chaplain

Students Collaborate for 'Women of Value' Project

In Life Skills on Thursday morning, Year 8 students got busy working in groups with Year 12 prefects, developing ideas for the 'Women of Value' project. The girls are discussing and examining values which they want to celebrate as cornerstones of their own lives, and creating a set of designs to promote those values, which will be seen around school next year. They took advantage of the beautiful weather to take those discussions outdoors and find further inspiration in nature.

Mrs Elizabeth Aherne, Life Skills Coordinator

Cultural Cuisines from Food & Nutrition

This week Year 10 had a practice for their practical assessment and produced a range of dishes to demonstrate and celebrate cultural cuisines. 

We had dishes from Italy, Spain, Mexico, India and China. It was a great experience for them to experience creating more than one dish, presenting their dishes and tidying up within three hours. Good job girls! 

Mrs Sue Smeaton, Head of Food and Nutrition

Sports News

It was our final week of fixtures and what a wonderful week it was! From hosting the MCC last Saturday, to a number of Tennis and Cricket fixtures which took place throughout the week.

MCC
The weather disrupted but didn't stop our annual fixture against the MCC on Saturday. The MCC batted first. Lizzie, captaining the side for the last time, took a couple of wickets and one each for Maggie and Flo meant the MCC finished their innings on 140/5 from their 20 overs.

A positive start from Flo, Mia, Lizzie and Hannah got us to 54/1 from our 11.2 overs before the rain returned and we were forced to abandon the game. So the match was drawn and the weather cleared up in time for the BBQ and presentations afterwards.  Yet another successful event and onto next year!

Cricket
The U13A team played their final league game at Cumnor House where they unfortunately suffered a defeat. The girls should still be proud of their efforts, finishing in second place within the Sussex County Cricket League.

On Wednesday, we had a block fixture against Brighton College, coming away with a win for the U13As and a loss for the U13Cs. Thursday then saw Miss Starr's final fixture, which was a thrilling contest between the U15A team v Brighton College. The game came down to the last over where Mayfield needed 6 runs off 6 balls. Sadly there was no fairytale ending with Mayfield losing by just the 1 run. 

Tennis
The U13A team concluded their Aegon league this week, beating St Andrews 5 sets to 1. The girls then travelled to Lancing for the annual Doubles Tournament, which was a fantastic afternoon where the girls demonstrated how far they have come since the start of the summer term.

We are so proud of all the teams and their efforts this summer term, and can now turn out attention to our final Inter-House events, including Cricket, Tennis and Athletics. Watch this space!

New Edition of 'Watery Glass' Available Now!


'Watery Glass' is an occasional, limited-edition, student-run literary magazine containing poetry, fiction, articles and artwork. There are copies available in the Hub, and there will be some more on offer tomorrow at the Scholars' stand at Mayfield Day.

Contributions towards the next issue are most welcome.

Summer Concert - Book Your Seats

All are welcome to come along and enjoy our Summer Concert, on Tuesday 25th June at 7pm. There promises to be a great variety of performances on offer, and we will be saying a fond farewell to our Year 13 leavers, who will be performing as Mayfield students for the final time. 

BoOK YOUR PLACE

Guest Speakers Visiting Mayfield Law Society

We are excited to announce that the Mayfield Law Society will host an external speaker on Monday 24th June, at 5pm in the Wolfson Room.

OC Hannah Gilliland (2014) is a barrister and has kindly agreed to give a talk about her career. This event is open to all students, so even if you're not a member of the Law Society, please come along! 

The following week, on Monday 1st July, OC Isabelle Brattle (2020) will also be coming to speak to the society; she has just completed a Law Conversion course in London. 

More details about the society will be shared in next week's assembly if you would like more information.

Parent Forum – Parent Portal and Communication

We shall be holding our first Parent Forum on Thursday 27th June at 11:30am to unveil a preview of our new Parent Portal.

This innovative tool is designed to enhance your experience and engagement with our school community.

At this forum, you will have the opportunity to explore the features of the Parent Portal and provide valuable input on what you believe would be most useful to display. Your insights and suggestions are crucial as we strive to create a resource that meets your needs and helps you stay connected with your child's educational journey, a key focus for us.  It will also provide a forum for us to discuss and to give feedback on how we can improve communication within our school community.

Following the forum, we warmly invite parents to stay for lunch.  This will give a wonderful opportunity to see first hand your daughter's lunch experience and the selection of food we have to offer on a daily basis.   We would be grateful for those staying for lunch, to attend a short feedback session after with our catering department.  We are keen to hear your thoughts and ideas on our catering offer.

We look forward to your participation and ideas in shaping this essential platform.

If you wish to attend the forum, please RSVP using the following link.

Parent Forum invite - Parent portal and Communication

Hay Fever Alert from the Health Centre

The met office has issued a very high (red alert) for pollen count in the next few days - this can be particularly difficult for hay fever sufferers and asthmatics. 

The following points are advised:

  • To keep windows closed during the day to reduce pollen entering rooms, and only open them at night.
  • Vaseline applied to inside the nostrils can help catch pollen.
  • Take antihistamine BEFORE leaving the house in the morning.
  • Ensure asthma sufferers keep their rescue inhaler with them, and if necessary use their blue inhaler before sports/games if outside.
  • Keep hydrated.

Book of the week in Lower School was chosen by Janie in Year 7.

'Pax' is the story of a boy, Peter, and the fox cub that he rescues. When life forces them apart, they journey back to find each other. We have copies to borrow in the lower school library.

Year 10 have been busy creating word clouds of their favourite books. They were limited to using no more than seven keywords, no proper nouns and the shape of the word cloud could be an extra clue or a red herring! Each class then received the word clouds created by a different class as a quiz. Here is a small selection. How many can you work out?

Answers: Lord of the Flies, Jane Eyre, Girl in Pieces, The Magic Faraway Tree, Once, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, James Bond, Macbeth.

Ms Jan Blagden, Librarian

Mayfield School Silent Auction 2024

This year Mayfield has been raising money for the 'Antonia Beary Bursary Fund' in loving memory of our former Headmistress who sadly passed away in October. 
 
The silent auction historically has been a fantastic way for the school to raise money and also offers some truly exceptional lots! Please click on the link below to have a look at what is on offer and to start bidding. There may be further lots added during the build up to Mayfield Day.
 

Mayfield School Silent Auction 2024

From the School Shop

Lost Jewellery / Property
Please see below pictures of lost jewellery. Please collect from the school shop if you think an item is yours. 

Year 11 & 13 – Uniform
Once you have finished exams and have a reduced need for certain parts of your uniform, if you wish to send this back to the school shop for second hand, please do the following:

  1. Please make sure you have uniform for prize giving / sports day which is on Saturday 22nd June – including your house polo.
  2. Make sure all the items are washed and ironed. If we must launder them, we will consider the item a donation as we will need to cover the cost of laundering them - this includes ironing them.
  3. Please make sure they are the current uniform. We do not take back obsolete uniform or that with the old logo on it.
  4. There was a change of house polos at the end of last Academic Year, we therefore will be unable to credit any house polos with ASTOR, GLENNIE, CURIE or BRONTE on them
  5. We do not take back things like white shirts, swim caps, hockey socks etc.
  6. All items must be in good condition, have no holes, rips, broken zips, or stains and not be faded.
  7. You may leave the names on them; we can remove these for you.
  8. If you are in doubt, send it all in and what we cannot take for second hand we will recycle for you.
  9. Items taken in (and not sent for recycling) will be credited to your school shop account straight away. Therefore please make sure all items you wish to sell are with us by the last day of term. After July 5th, any items received IF YOU ARE LEAVING, will be considered a donation as your account will be shut. For those in Year 11 going into Year 12, if we receive items after term has ended , we will credit you on the next available bill run.
  10. We respectfully ask to remind you that there is no official agreement to take back second hand and the credit we give you is final and non-negotiable. If we deem an item too old or in too poor condition to sell, we will just dispose of it responsibly.
  11. For Year 11 - please remember to keep your sport bag and any sport kit you know you will need for next year. If you are unsure of your sport choice yet, please keep all your sport kit and then bring items you will not need to me in the Autumn term once you have chosen your sport.

Uniform Top–Up Over Summer
If you find you need more uniform for your daughter before the start of term, please can you bear in mind:

  1. Accounts are shut over the Summer Holiday, therefore there are no credit facilities available. Any uniform ordered either remotely or in person has to be paid for at the time of ordering.
  2. The exception for this, is if you wish to order a new House Polo. If this is the case, please state your daughters house and size you want, and we will collate and order the house polos and have them available at the start of term. They will then be put on your school shop account and be sent for naming in the first two weeks of September. If you do not have the naming service, then your daughter can collect on the first day of term.
  3. The last week of August is now fully booked for fittings, if you do think you want a top up fitting, please contact me on 01435 873175 to arrange a date and time. Please note over Summer the first fitting available is usually 09:00 am and the last at 2:00 pm. The school shop is shut between 22nd July and the 4th August for annual leave and stock take.

Calendar

Date Time  Event
22/06/24 all day Mayfield Day 
23/06/24 11:30 - 12:30 St Dunstan's Mass - Chapel
23/06/24 13:15 - 15:25 Y7-11 Boarders fruit picking trip - Maynards Fruit Farm
24/06/24 11:15 - 17:00 Y9 Eastbourne Tennis, Devonshire Park
24/06/24 16:45 - 19:25 Y10 Boarders to Dunorlan Park Boats
24/06/24 17:00 - 18:45 Y13 Leavers Mass and Dinner
24/06/24 19:30 - 23:59 Y13 Leavers' Ball - One Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells
25/06/24 14:30 - 16:45 Equestrian Afternoon for Prep Schools
25/06/24 18:00 - 18:30 Mass - Chapel
25/06/24 19:00 - 20:30 Summer Music Concert - Concert Hall
26/06/24 08:20 - 13:10 Y7 Olympics Day
27/06/24 09:30 - 15:30 Y8 - Good Shepherd Celebration - Worth Abbey
27/06/24 11:30 - 14:00 Parent Focus Group - Communication
28/06/24 all day Hickstead Schools Jumping - Riding
28/06/24 14:00 - 16:30 Y7&9 Induction Afternoon

Mayfield Social Media Accounts

Instagram: 
Mayfield School - www.instagram.com/mayfieldschool
Mayfield Sport -  www.instagram.com/mayfield_sport
Mayfield Food and Nutrition - www.instagram.com/mgfoodandnut

Facebook:
School - www.facebook.com/mayfieldgirls
Alumnae - Old Cornelians | Facebook
Spark - www.facebook.com/MayfieldSPARKCamps

Twitter:
Mayfield School - @Mayfieldgirls
Mayfield Sport - @Mayfield_Sport
Mayfield Geography - @MGeographers
Mayfield Economics - @MayfieldECON
Mayfield Spark Camps - @MayfieldSPARKCamps                                   
Mayfield Library - @MGLibraries