E-weekly Issue 283 - 29 November 2024

Welcome

Last Friday evening, we were treated to a truly spectacular Fashion Show, and I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to Lydia and Emma in Year 13 for organising such a fabulous event. Their efforts, along with the generous support of our community, helped raise an impressive £1,500 for Hospice in the Weald, a local charity providing care for adults and children living with a terminal or life-limiting illness. This event beautifully showcased Mayfield’s motto, Actions Not Words, in a truly meaningful way. You’ll find some lovely photos from the evening below.

With December fast approaching, the festive spirit is already alive and well here at Mayfield. Tonight, our Lower School boarders will be singing at the Mayfield Village Christmas Lights Switch-On, adding their voices to this cherished local tradition. Meanwhile, many of our Year 10 and 11 girls are enjoying a magical evening of ice skating in Brighton.

Looking ahead, don’t forget to mark your calendars for Live Crib, our unique nativity service, which takes place on Sunday 15^th, Monday 16^th, and Wednesday 18^th December at 6:30pm. It’s a truly special event that captures the spirit of Christmas - I do hope to see many of you there.

Best wishes,

Deborah Bligh, Headmistress

In the News This Week...

Dates for your Diary from The Friends...

Years 12 and 13
Parents of girls in Years 12 and 13 will be joining forces to enjoy Christmas drinks and dinner at The Beacon, Tunbridge Wells (TN3 9JH) in their beautifully festive private dining room on Thursday 5^th December, 8pm - 10:30pm.

The cost will be £39.50 per head, which includes a glass of Chapel Down sparkling wine or a kombucha cocktail.

If you would like to join us please contact Helen (Year 13) or Larissa (Year 12). If you don't have their contact details, please get in touch with the school. 

Breanna Performs Winning Scene at 'Lit in Colour' Event

During the half term holiday, Breanna in Year 13 followed up her 'Bloomsbury: Lit in Colour' playwriting competition win, by giving a speech and performing her scene at the 'Lit in Colour' event at the Conway Hall in London, as part of the Bloomsbury Literary Festival. Breanna spoke powerfully and with maturity about art, inclusion, and compromise, with the title 'Telling Stories that Matter Through Drama', to an audience of writers, playwrights, actors and activists, as well as lovers of theatre. She adapted her winning creation into an exciting monologue. Anna Brewer, publisher at Methuen Drama, said "We were so delighted that Breanna was able to be there and she spoke so eloquently. Loads of people said how brilliant she was."

Breanna reflected on her experience, commenting: "In the half term, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Literature in Colour Conference in London. The night was filled with incredible performances from a range of contemporary plays, inspiring speeches from members of the literary community, and I even got the opportunity to perform an extract from my scene, 'Sonnet 34 - Director's Cut', alongside the other winners of the Lit in Colour competition. It was a brilliant evening, and gave me a taste of the wider theatrical world outside of Mayfield."

Winning this competition has opened some exciting doors for Breanna and we can't wait to find out how her work in drama, performance and writing continues. As ever, we are so proud of her. 

Miss Joanna Staunton, Head of English

Year 10-13 Drama Scholars & LAMDA Performance Evening

 

Sixth Form Inter-House Debating Final

Last week, the Sixth Form pupils gathered in the Concert Hall for the much anticipated debating final as a follow up the inter-house competitions of Foundation Day. Stein House (Breanna, Katie and Skye) argued on behalf of the motion 'This House would argue that humans are essentially good'. Assisi led a brilliant response in opposing the motion, with Sophie, Iulia and Rebecca making tough work for our hard-working judges, Chloe and Cesca. It really came down to the wire, but in an epic battle there has to be a winner. And on this day, that winner was Assisi House. A big 'thank you' to all the debaters and our honoured judges. Well done, Girls. #Courage

Mr Paul Ferguson, Head of Politics

'Autistic and OK' Programme Launch

This year, Mayfield is introducing the 'Autistic and OK' programme, a fantastic initiative designed to equip neuro-divergent pupils with the tools and techniques they need to manage their own mental health and wellbeing. 

The 'Autistic and OK' programme aims to build knowledge, awareness, and acceptance of autism and mental health within our school community. This is an opportunity for neuro-divergent pupils in Years 10–13. However, a medical diagnosis is certainly not required to become a facilitator and all students who are interested in mental health are welcome and encouraged to take part in this initiative.

Peer facilitators will lead peer-led sessions for younger neuro-divergent pupils on important topics such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and bullying, with the support of our school staff. 

Created in consultation with experts, 'Autistic and OK' is a programme that provides invaluable support to students in understanding and managing their mental health while fostering a more inclusive and understanding environment. We are excited to introduce this programme to Mayfield and hope that many girls will become peer facilitators and/or attend the sessions led by their peers. 

This information will be shared with the girls during assembly but if you would like more information about the programme, please click the link below. 

'Autistic and OK' - More Information
If you would like your daughter to be part of the programme, please ask her to contact Mrs Martin directly. 

We look forward to working together to promote awareness, acceptance, and support for all students, and we hope many girls will get involved in this important initiative. 

Mrs Martin, SENCO / Head of Learning Support

OC Delivers Cornelian Lecture on Urban Design

On Tuesday night OC Dr Bonnie Kwok, Class of 1997, delivered a Cornelian Lecture on her career in architecture, town planning and urban design. Our budding architects enjoyed asking her questions about her work and also enjoyed trying on hard hats and high-vis vests. Bonnie also enjoyed a tour of St Raph's as well as a quick check in on St Dunstan's, her old boarding house. Bonnie then joined the Sixth Formers for supper in the dining room where she shared stories about her time here.

Mr John Doy, Deputy Head Academic

Alicia Drummond's 'Teen Social Scene' Talk

Mayfield School welcomed Alicia Drummond, from Teentips and the Wellbeing Hub, for a parent workshop on the Teen Social Scene. The talk was informative, interesting and Alicia gave us some very good practical advice on how to prepare our teenagers for socialising, how to host a party and how to navigate the many potential hazards that may arise in a young person's social calendar of today.  There were a number of excellent questions at the end by our parents as well as a few empathetic laughs as we shared experiences as parents.  It was a most enjoyable evening and I thank Alicia for her insight, and the parents who attended, for their engagement on a very important part of our daughters' journeys.

If any parent is not yet signed up to the Wellbeing Hub (which is free for all parents of Mayfield School), please let me know on jstone@mayfieldgirls.org.

Mrs Jodi Stone, Head of Pastoral

A Muddy Welly Walk!

The Welly Walkers took advantage of a break in the weather and had great fun visiting the donkeys nearby. It was just as well they were wearing their wellies, as it got pretty muddy and there were lots of puddles to splash in!

Mrs Caroline Turner

Chemistry 'Element of the Week' Competition

The Mystery Element Competition No.6 has a winner. The answers are below:

The element is Osmium
The symbol is Os
Atomic mass is 190.23
Atomic number is 76
Melting point is 3033 °C

From a much larger field of entries this time the randomly selected winner was Beth in Y11, who wins the medal and a chocolate prize. Well done!

Chemistry's Mystery Element No.7 competition is currently underway, please send your guesses to Mr Everitt.

Maths Christmas Competition

The Maths department are running a Christmas Dingbats Competition for all staff and students. 

Please send in your entries to Mrs Howie, or via your Maths teacher if you prefer. The competitions close on Monday 16^th December, and there will be Christmassy prizes on offer. Good luck!

Christmas Dingbats

Live Crib 2024 - Save the Date

Post Office Re-Opens in Mayfield Village

The Post Office has re-opened in Mayfield Village. The opening hours are as follows:

Mon to Fri: 09:30 – 16:30
Sat: 09:30 – 13:00

The new post office is located at the bottom of the village just after the House Café and antique shops at The Estate Office. They can facilitate returns as well as Amazon returns, do banking, dispense cash, and have the usual postal services.

Please note for the girls at school there are strict policies about going into the village, please make sure you adhere to the rules if you need to visit.

Boarders Enjoy Weekend Yoga

Last Saturday the boarders from St Gabriel's house took part in a fun afternoon learning some new yoga poses and having a go at practising some partner poses too. It was great fun seeing the girls taking part and most importantly having fun. We also had a few volunteers leading  the group and demonstrating the new yoga poses they have learnt! They all deserved some well-earned relaxation afterwards!

Ms Corinne Richard

This Week's Culinary Skills Creation

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

O Come O Come Emmanuel
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. The old year ends, and the new year - in the liturgical sense at least - begins. It marks the beginning of a four week period of prayerful preparation for Christmas, and gives us an opportunity to sing arguably the most beautiful hymn in the Church's repertoire, and hopefully puts an end to the flurry of raised eyebrows as my two-week old Christmas tree finally becomes socially acceptable!

This Sunday also marks the launch of our Mayfield Advent Appeal. We are asking, between now and the end of term, for people to donate old, warm clothes (men's and women's), non-perishable food items, and hygiene and period products. Everything we collect will be distributed to food banks and homeless charities in Tunbridge Wells, Crowborough and Eastbourne, as we try to help as many people as possible.

If you're in a position to help, perhaps you might consider sending in even one item per week for the next three weeks. Every little bit helps, and we have the possibility to make a real difference to people's lives during this Advent season.

You can drop off any donations in Becket/Reception.

Mass this weekend is at 11:30 on Sunday. Tuesday evening Mass is at 6pm, followed by a Reconciliation service at 7pm. We also have our Taize service taking place in the chapel tomorrow (Saturday) at 7pm. We've heard some of the arrangements during liturgy this week and they sound fantastic. All are welcome to join us for what is shaping up to be a beautiful, peaceful evening.

Next Week's Daily Prayers

Daily Prayers 2-6 Dec
Mr Ronan Lavery, Lay Chaplain

Sports News

Swimming Success
On Monday we held a home gala against Burgess Hill, and were delighted that all three teams (junior, inters, seniors) won by a significant amount! Congratulations to anyone who won their races or even participated in a race that they may not usually swim in.
Lauren, Swim Captain

A Fortnight in Hockey

Cranbrook Fixture
On Saturday 16^th November, the girls played a tough weekend against some strong oppositions from two different schools. Cranbrook were undeniably a strong and more experienced side, but the work rate and commitment demonstrated by each and every member of the 2^nds and  U15A and U14A was incredible. The teamwork and communication were fantastic, they all worked with each other and for each other. For the full match reports on these three games please see SOCS. 

Sevenoaks and Sutton Vallance 
Also on Saturday 16^th November, the U14B team took on Sevenoaks and Sutton Vallance in a triangular. The match against Sevenoaks was competitive and both teams created many opportunities to score, yet finished goalless. Unfortunately, in the second game the girls came up against a well-disciplined Sutton Vallance team and were put under pressure from the first whistle and despite some good passages of play, could not release the ball quick enough to capitalise from some good defending. Nevertheless, this team have shown a real improvement from their first match, and a huge well done to Millie for being awarded player of the match. 

Hockey v TWGGS (U15)
On Tuesday the U14A team travelled to TWGGS for an away match. The game started positively with Mayfield being on the attack and they quickly converted to a penalty corner. A well struck hit by captain Flo went just wide of the post. On the counter TWGGS took advantage of Mayfield pressing high and with a long ball down field played into the D and won a penalty corner of their own. They were successful in conversion with a hard strike that was deflected past Goal Keeper Scarlet. The match continued much in the same vein of end to end play with both sides creating opportunities to attack, one of which resulted in a deserved goal for Mayfield.

After half time the home side capitalised on their lead by scoring an early second goal. However, Mayfield were not disheartened and continued to work hard in midfield to win the ball, with some impressive lead runs and tackling from Amelia and Emilia. Mayfield defended well and saw some link-up play between the defence, with Gigi and then Brianna at Right Forward. Brianna used her speed well to create more chances and was voted as Player of the Match. 

With the frost setting in, the match had to be stopped a little early as the pitch began to freeze. The end result was a close 2-1 loss.

Advice from Team PE: Layer Up!
As we have all experienced this week, the temperature has plummeted. This is a reminder to ensure that over the weekend you are thinking about being correctly equipped for lessons outside in these conditions, e.g. you have layers to wear. 

• Have I got a top base layer to wear under my PE top? 

• Have I got base layer leggings? 

• Have I got my PE jumper? 

• Have I got a Mayfield sports jacket?

• Have I got gloves? (for when appropriate)

• Have I got a headband/hat? (Mayfield only- available in the shop) 

Fencing Taster Session
Over 30 girls took part in a fencing on Wednesday evening. They learned some basic footwork and technique with Paul from Tunbridge Wells Fencing Club, in the hope that we will open this up as an extra-curricular activity after Christmas. Well done to all that took part!

Upcoming Events - Saturday 30^th November

Netball Workshop with Britney Clark: 9:30-11:30am 
We are looking forward to Britney coming to Mayfield on Saturday 30^th November to lead a workshop with our Year 10-13 girls. Britney graduated from the Super League Mavericks pathway and joined the Netball Super Leage (NSL) squad in 2020. Although no longer part of the NSL, she made a huge impact in the league and stepped up against some senior international defenders across the league. Shooting 89% for her first season in the NSL was a fantastic start for the young, inexperienced player and she has continued to show professionalism and courage, stepping up and delivering on the main stage. Having graduated from University of Hertfordshire, previously representing Kent and Telstars, she now represents Academy Netball, Middlesex, and we are looking forward to welcoming her to Mayfield and hearing the wisdom she can share with the girls!

If you have not signed up but are interested in coming please do email Miss Auer or Miss Isaac ASAP.

Football Workshop with Mr Walser: 1-3pm
If you are attending, please ensure you are dressed for the weather as well as having all of your football gear with you!

Photo of the Week

There's a theme with the photos this week, featuring 'frosty' submissions from Mrs Bunce of the school grounds at sunrise, Emily in Year 8 of the Sussex fields on her morning minibus journey, and Mrs Bowles of the beautiful patterns on her window. 

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.

From the School Shop

Billing at the End of Term
Please note that in order to get bills out to you in a timely fashion as we approach the Christmas break, all school shop bills that you will receive will only include purchases and returns from 1^st September to 30^th November 2024. Any items purchased by your daughters / wards in December 2024 will appear on your next available bill.

All purchases are made on trust by your daughter and it is assumed that you have given your daughter clear instructions or guidelines for placing items on your account. You can request a summary of purchases from the Shop at any time by emailing: sbowles@mayfieldgirls.org (taken from the Uniform Booklet – P18)

Sister Jean's Marmalade
Sister Jean's Marmalade is still available (while stocks last) for £2.50 a jar and is raising funds for Mary’s Meals. Currently all funds received by Mary’s Meals are being matched by an anonymous donor, which means if we bank £2.50 for a jar of marmalade, then the donor will match it and the total donation will be worth £5.

I also have some marmalade gift baskets for Christmas which include two pots of marmalade, a trinket tray and a basket. Pictures below of the jam baskets – these are £8 each (or a total donation of £16 will be made when matched by the donor) and all proceeds are donated to Mary’s Meals. Please note I have a limited stock of these and jam toppers and the trinket tray designs vary.

Christmas Shop
The Christmas shop is up and running. Most items are under £5, and you can purchase small gifts for family and friends. There are also festive decorations, Christmas hats, Christmas lights and Christmas cards available. We have a gift wrap service which is free(!) as Sister Jean and Sister Maria donated a large amount of Christmas paper to the shop before they left. The wrap service includes a bow and tag, and you can leave your gifts to be wrapped and collect at the next break. You can also bring your gifts in from home to be wrapped if you have bought them elsewhere. The wrap service is available while stocks last. We have Christmas cards (both handmade individual ones and packs) as well as decorative items for decorating your classroom and dormitories. There are a few small Christmas presents left in our Christmas shop that you can buy for family, friends or Secret Santas.

You can use cash or cards as well as your shop account to put items on, but please remember to have the bill payer’s permission to put items on account.

Mrs Susan Bowles, School Shop Manager

The Wellbeing Hub - What's On This Week