E-weekly Issue 282 - 22 November 2024

Welcome

This week, I had the pleasure of attending the Girls’ Schools Association Annual Conference. It was inspiring to learn about the latest research, which reaffirms the transformative power of an all-girls education - both in achieving higher academic outcomes and in nurturing positive self-esteem and confidence.

Here at school, the week began with our Sixth Form Taster Day, giving our girls the chance to explore their options and experience a taste of the distinctive Sixth Form environment. Tuesday evening saw our wonderful St Cecilia’s Day concert, a celebration of our talented musicians. The variety of performances, from beautiful solos to vibrant drumming, was a true delight. Yesterday, we hosted our Year 7 Parents’ Evening, and it was a pleasure to connect with so many families. Throughout the week, I’ve also enjoyed one-on-one meetings with students - always a highlight for me - and I must confess, a few brownies have been shared during our chats!

Tonight, we look forward to the Charity Fashion Show, with almost 90 tickets sold. It promises to be a fun and entertaining evening in support of a great cause.

Finally, I’d like to remind parents to consider joining the Friends. The refreshed format now includes sub-committees focused on key areas such as Academic and Curriculum, Wellbeing, Development, Marketing, International Parents, and Parent Socials. Each group is supported by a dedicated staff contact, making it easier than ever to get involved. If you’d like to join, please click here to complete a short online form. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Warm regards,
Deborah Bligh, Headmistress

In the News This Week...

UNICEF World Children's Day

On Wednesday we marked World Children’s Day, in which we introduced and raised awareness of UNICEF’s work through a Liturgy. We started our Tuesday off with a cookie decorating competition for Lower School, with the theme of ‘peace’ - congratulations to Lucia and Trini for receiving first prize!

Both pupils and staff clearly enjoyed themselves:  

“It was a very fun way to start the day and I really enjoyed it" - Trini, Year 8
"I think it gave me awareness about world peace" - Katya, Year 8
"It was a good way to support a charity while having fun." - Willow, Year 7
"Lovely engaging activity to raise awareness, Cookies tasted nice." - Mr Marshall

We also hosted a home clothes day to raise money for Singabantwana, our whole School charity that works to eradicate child labour and exploitation in Zimbabwe. We would like to thank everyone involved, especially Mrs Kilvington, Ronan, and the catering department, since none of this could have happened without them! 

Frances and Emma, Year 10

“I am so proud of Year 10 scholars Frances and Emma for organising this day all on their own initiative, inspired in part by their involvement in Model United Nations. They only asked for teacher support for the administrative logistics and access to UNICEF resources. They are great examples of proactive Mayfield girls, putting Catholic Social Teaching into action and responding to the needs of their age. I hope that following this, other girls will be encouraged to step forward and share their concerns, issues and passions with the rest of the School because this is what being a community is all about.” 

Mrs Kilvington, Director of Scholars

Year 11 Enjoy Sixth Form Taster Day

On Monday, Year 11 students had the chance to experience life in Sixth Form. They sampled a wide range of A Level subjects, including all of the new subjects such as Psychology, History of Art, Business Studies, Economics, Media, Equine BTEC, and Politics. These sessions gave them a flavour of A Level teaching. We were delighted to welcome Dr Taylor,  the New Head of Chemistry, who specially joined us for the day to get to know next year's A Level Chemists.

Girls also had a sense of the difference the Sixth Form experience offers in terms of independence, time management and freedom within the day. It was lovely to see all our Year 11 in Sixth Form dress, looking so naturally prepared for the exciting journey ahead. Year 12 are very much looking forward to welcoming them again to the Sixth Form Centre on Monday and Wednesday next week to discuss Sixth Form life over breakfast and coffee.

Mrs Elizabeth Aherne, Head of Sixth Form

Year 10 and 11 Theatre Trip: ‘An Inspector Calls’

An inspector called last Thursday evening – and the Year 10 and 11 English Literature students answered! Two bus loads of excited students and staff travelled to the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne, eager to see J.B Priestley’s play come to life. From the opening moments of the play, as smoke filled the stage and air-raid sirens rang out, we realised that Stephen Daldry’s version of ‘An Inspector Calls’ would challenge our expectations. The Birlings’ dining room was located within a doll’s house on stilts, while underneath their home the Inspector stalked a bomb-ravaged wasteland. The production has offered the girls much to discuss and debate in class, and we are sure that these conversations will continue in the weeks and months ahead.

Mrs Laura Parrett, Second in English

Mayfield Girls 'Sleep Out' for Charity

This year we had 30 girls sleep out to raise money for the Cardinal Hume Centre in London. The girls were so enthusiastic about this, we even had a waiting list for the event!

Early on in the evening we worked out how to share out the leftovers that the kitchen had given us for supper and we collected wood for our fire pit. We played an identity game which helped us better understand some of the challenges people struggle with, which can lead to homelessness. We then played 'man hunt' to help to keep us warm - it was a cold night! When we did settle down to try to sleep we were very cramped but managed somehow to find space and some sleep was had. 

Thanks to all the girls who took part and to Miss Linus, Miss Hudaa, our two grad assistants who even slept outside the porch, and to Miss Staunton who helped me keep the girls as busy and warm as possible. 

Most of all, thank you to all those people who donated - we were able to raise just over £3,100 for the brilliant work of the Cardinal Hume Centre, which offers all the varied help that those who find themselves homeless need. We needed days to recover from one night out, and so those who live this for months and even years will need a great deal of help. 

Mrs Gaelle McGovern, Head of Religious Studies

Year 12 Biologists Enjoy Lectures in London

Last Friday the Year 12 Biologists headed into London for an Education in Action Biology lectures day. They were treated to talks and demos from a range of inspirational speakers who are all experts in their fields. The talks were aimed at supporting the Biology A-level course content as well as providing a fascinating insight into the bigger picture of Biology in the real world. 

"Our favourite speaker was Tim Underwood. The surgery videos were amazing to see, especially the new surgical state of the art robot. Showing us data collected and analysed literally this week showed just how relevant and interesting his work is." - Mia, Julie and Janis 

"My favourite speaker was Lucy Eckersley. She was really engaging and great at explaining her topic. Ecology and disease is really relevant for what I want to do and she was so interesting." - Lauren

Mrs Laura Lewis, Head of Biology

St Cecilia's Day Concert

Tuesday evening saw girls, parents and staff attend our St Cecilia's Concert, which is our annual celebration of musical excellence at Mayfield, in honour of the patron saint of music. The concert is given by Music Scholars and some of our gifted and talented musicians, and is always a treat. This year saw some novelties with our first performance on drum-kit and on the guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument. With everything from baroque cello sonatas to Michael Jackson, taking in Gershwin and Smetena on the way, this was a truly varied evening of music, confidently presented and performed. Well done to all who performed.

Dr Matthew Ward, Director of Music

Riders Qualify for Grassroots Championship

Our Grassroots team did brilliantly at their competition last Sunday. The team, consisting of Stelli, Freya, Alice and Angelina, won the 50cm team competition and were second in the 60cm team. Stelli won the 50cm on her young pony Ryker that she has produced herself, which is a huge achievement. Their results mean they have qualified for the Grassroots Championships. Congratulations girls!

'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' Wows Mayfield Girls

On Wednesday night, girls from Year 7 and 8, as well as the Year 10 GCSE Music students, descended upon the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne to watch a fabulous performance of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. It was a brilliant production, with lots of laughter and applause from the audience - as well as some shudders of trepidation when the Child Catcher was prowling around the stage. The standing ovation at the end was richly deserved and the girls went home in a very jolly mood! Thanks go to Mrs Le Riche for organising the trip, and to Miss Allen, Miss Tompsett, Ms Nash and Miss Hudaa for accompanying the girls, who were wonderful ambassadors for Mayfield for the duration of the trip.

Boarders Tackle Taskmaster Challenges

Last Saturday the Year 10 boarders undertook the Taskmaster Challenge. Mayfield’s own Taskmaster (AKA Miss Vardon) set them a number of timed challenges, including creating a hat from a limited range of materials, and writing a short story containing words they had previously (unknowingly) selected. The Taskmaster was very impressed with the way all the girls responded to the challenges, especially the creative use of paperclips as hair grips, and the cliff-hanger ending to one group’s story!

This Week's Culinary Skills Creation

This week we have seen the start of the chilly winter weather. Thankfully only a little snow in Mayfield! 

The Culinary Skills girls made an enriched bread dough to create cinnamon snowflakes - perfect with a hot chocolate in the current climate!

Mrs Sue Smeaton, Head of Food and Nutrition

Join Us for Alicia Drummond Talk on Monday 25 November

Cornelian Lecture - Tuesday 26^th November

On Tuesday we will be welcoming Dr Bonnie Kwok to speak to our community from 16.45 – 17.45 in the Sixth Form Lecture Room.

Bonnie is currently working as a Principal Urban Designer at the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service (GCSPS) specialising in significant development proposals. She also leads on the GCSPS Youth Engagement Service YES and manages the Greater Cambridge Design Review Panel. She is the winner of the prestigious Thornton Education Trust - Inspiring Future Generations Award (2022) and RTPI Planner Women of Influence (2024).

I look forward to welcoming you to what I am sure will be a fascinating lecture. 

Confirm your attendance

Mr John Doy, Deputy Head Academic

Mayfield Christmas Card For Sale

We are delighted to announce the official 2024 Mayfield Christmas card is now on sale! Featuring a nativity scene created by Iulia in Year 13, packs of five cards are now available from Andrea on reception at a cost of £5 per pack. Cash only please.

Chaplaincy News

This Sunday, 24^th November, draws the Liturgical Year to a close, with the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King. Established by Pope Pius XI in 1925, the Feast calls us to consider an alternative path to ever-growing secularism. 

In the aftermath of WWI, in the midst of the rise of Communism in Russia, the pope instituted the feast with his 1925 encyclical Quas Primas. Its first celebration took place in 1926.

The feast was a response to the rise of secularization, atheism, and communism. While the world was increasingly telling Christians that they must compartmentalize their religion and give their highest allegiance to the government, Pope Pius XI wrote regarding the feast:

“If to Christ our Lord is given all power in heaven and on earth; if all men, purchased by His precious blood, are by a new right subjected to His dominion; if this power embraces all men, it must be clear that not one of our faculties is exempt from His empire. He must reign in our minds, which should assent with perfect submission and firm belief to revealed truths and to the doctrines of Christ. He must reign in our wills, which should obey the laws and precepts of God. He must reign in our hearts, which should spurn natural desires and love God above all things, and cleave to Him alone.”

Originally the Feast was celebrated in October, but in 1969 it was moved to the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, as the theme of Christ's majesty over all makes it a fitting end to the liturgical year. This Sunday, we are all called to proclaim, proudly, Christ's royalty and sovereignty over people, families, society, governments and nations. And yes- even schools!

Mass to celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (to give it its official title) is on Sunday at 11:30am. All are welcome. Mass is on Tuesday evening at 6pm, and again, all are welcome.

Please consider joining us next Saturday evening, November 30^th, as we welcome the Churches of Mayfield to join us for an evening of Taize prayer, at 7:30pm. (The service will take approx 45 minutes and our girls are working incredibly hard to create wonderful arrangements of already beautiful chants.)

Next Week's Daily Prayers

Daily Prayers 25-29 Nov
Mr Ronan Lavery, Lay Chaplain

Photo of the Week

We've had lots of photos submitted this week! Pictures include snow angels created on the frosty astro turf, a funky mushroom growing on our grounds, a beautiful sunset behind St Raphael's and the Christmas decorations that are now adorning one of the Textiles classrooms.

We would love to receive submissions for future 'photo of the week' stories, taken both in Mayfield and the surrounding area. Please send your chosen photos to jtompsett@mayfieldgirls.org.

Library News

In celebration of National Non-Fiction November, library lessons this week had a non-fiction twist. Year 10 looked at information books on the Edwardian period and printed pages from issues of The Illustrated London News published during 1912 (accessed via West Sussex Libraries). This provided some historical context as they study J B Priestly’s 'An Inspector Calls'. 

Year 7 and 8 have been discussing a variety of non-fiction books that have colourful illustrations and photographs alongside the text, ranging from the history of medicine to the battle of Hastings to statistics for the planet’s population if it were represented by 100 people (every page had one hundred people, the girls checked!).

The Wellbeing Hub - What's On This Week