E-weekly Issue 286 - 19 December 2024

Live Crib 2024 - This year marked the 65th Anniversary of the first ever Live Crib, back in 1959!

Welcome

As we reach the end of term, I wanted to share a brief but heartfelt message. This week has been filled with energy and achievement as the girls have continued their hard work. We are thrilled to see some outstanding University offers arriving for our Upper Sixth – a testament to their dedication and effort.

Our Live Crib performances have been a true highlight, with the Chapel filled with warmth and community spirit each evening. These moments truly captured the heart of this festive season.

All that remains is for me to wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. May this time bring rest, joy, and cherished moments with your loved ones.

With best wishes,

Deborah Bligh, Headmistress

Academic Delights This Week

French
A group of Year 7 students in Ms Richard's class created a Christmas song with the vocabulary and grammar verb 'être' (to be) learnt in class and they interpreted it with great enthusiasm. It was lovely to see them using their creative and linguistic skills in class.

Biology

In flipped learning lessons, 12B taught each other the key stages in protein synthesis in cells. They created beautiful annotated diagrams, presented videos and described the key terminology that is required in exam questions. I was really impressed with the fantastic resources that they made.

Mrs Rachel Davies. Teacher of Biology

Spanish

Last week, Year 8L3/Sp2, Mrs. Criado’s Spanish group, worked on a creative project to build 3D models of their ideal bedrooms using cardboard boxes, fabrics, and paints. The girls wrote detailed descriptions of their dream rooms, which served as the foundation for their models. They had fun designing furniture and decorating their creations, then presented their models and descriptions to the class at the end of the lesson. It was a fantastic way to apply their learning in a hands-on and imaginative way!

Chemistry
It’s been an action-packed week in the lab! Year 12 students explored the science of combustion by creating fire snakes, using sugar and baking powder. Meanwhile, Year 9 students lit up the lab with flame tests, producing vibrant colours as each metal ion burnt with a unique hue, from fiery reds to electric greens. 

Life Skills and Personal Development
This term, students have actively engaged in our Life Skills programme, which is designed to equip them with the knowledge and tools to navigate real-world challenges confidently. Alongside exploring important topics such as emotional wellbeing, friendships, healthy relationships, and making informed decisions about health and safety, students have also developed valuable practical skills. These include learning how to repair bike tyres, assemble shelves, and hang pictures—a hands-on approach that encourages problem-solving and independence. Delivered by specialist teachers in a supportive environment, these lessons have fostered both personal reflection and practical competence. As we conclude the term, we want to thank you for your continued support and wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year! We look forward to another enriching term ahead.

Dr Angeline Kasina, Life Skills and Personal Development Coordinator

English
The autumn term’s unit on poetry was brought to a rousing conclusion in a Year 9 Poetry Slam held in the library on Wednesday morning. Congratulations to all the girls who recited their own works, to those who supported with their expressive acting and to the audience for their participation and positive applause for each poet.

Like all poetry, there was pathos (who can look at a cauliflower on a dinner plate in quite the same way again, thank you Rose), there was passion (ah the heart of a Tin Man) and positive messages of love (yes, brothers….we hear you Scarlet).

The winners were: 
1st overall - Katherine | 2nd Rose | 3rd Cici | Funniest; Isabelle and Emmi | Best memorizing: Flo, Amelia | Best Christmas-themed poem Gigi | Best acting: Amenze | Best concept: Scarlet.

Sixth Form Secret Santa

Prefect Greta had the brilliant idea of doing a Sixth Form Secret Santa event. It was a beautifully festive event with Mrs Aherne playing Christmas carol music and delicious mulled apple juice and sweet treats. We even had a visit from Father Christmas who made a special stop over to distribute the presents! The students all agreed that this was a great way to brighten up a rather dreary December day!

Mrs Rachel Davies, Deputy Head of Sixth Form

Live Crib Matinee Spreads Christmas Cheer  

On Monday, we hosted our traditional Live Crib Matinee, welcoming 70 pupils from St Mary’s and St Philip’s Primary Schools, residents from Holy Cross Care Home, and members of MayFACS and Rotherfield St Martin’s. Led by our prefects, the moving performance captured the Christmas story’s essence, filling the Chapel with joy and reverence. Guests enjoyed festive treats, served with warm smiles by Year 8 and 9 volunteers. This special afternoon celebrated community, tradition, and kindness, leaving everyone with lasting festive cheer. Thank you to all who made the event so memorable – we can’t wait for next year!

Mrs Georgina Fletcher, Director of Partnerships and Outreach 

Christmas Fun Run

Tuesday lunchtime saw a devoted group of runners take on the Christmas fun run. Girls from all year groups, and Mr Ferguson as the token member of staff, ran the 2.8k route. Although this was advertised as a fun run we all knew it was really a race! Despite the damp weather, all ran with a smile and chased Emily (Y8) round the course. She was the eventual winner with Isla (Y8) and Cesca (Y13) finishing closely behind. Others came out to just enjoy the atmosphere and jog round the course, which was just as encouraged as the racing.  Ava (Y12) won the award for the best slipping on the mud! Cross country will be continuing next term with the introduction of track training which girls are encouraged to take part in whether they wish to work on their fitness or in preparation for the athletics season.

Mrs Julia Jones, Teacher of PE

Year 10 Tutor Groups Vie for Christmas Award

Year 10 tutor groups have been competing for the much coveted 'Most Christmas Form Room Award. Miss Auer and Mrs Baker were treated to a variety of performances and beautifully decorated form rooms on Tuesday, ranging from snow scenes, to Just Dance routines, Karaoke and lots of tinsel. The winning form put on a fabulous performance of 'Last Christmas' where they played violins, sang, used percussion triangles and even Mr Meek sang and played his guitar - very worthy winners of the trophy alongside their decorations. 10RWM retain the trophy for a second year running!

Mrs Claire Baker, Head of Middle School

Boarders Enjoy Shopping Spree at Bluewater

Last Saturday, over 100 boarders visited Bluewater shopping centre to enjoy some last-minute Christmas shopping. Early in the morning, eight school minibuses were loaded with keen shoppers, as staff drivers formed an impressive convoy down the M25. After a few hours of serious shopping (with a much-needed pit-stop at the Food Court) girls returned to school with happy faces, bearing a multitude of gifts. Many thanks to the staff who accompanied students and those who ferried us back and forth.

Mrs Rachel Lawrence

Festive Baking in Food & Nutrition

It has been a busy week of Christmas baking in Food & Nutrition this week!

• Year 7 have made Chocolate & Marshmallow Christmas Puddings
• Year 8 made Spiced Christmas Biscuits 
• Year 9 went traditional with classic mince pies 
• Year 10 made homemade puff pastry Christmas tree and decorated Gingerbread
• Year 12 Culinary Skills made a Noel De Buche (Posh Yule log with a chocolate roulade and ganache) 

You can also see our two Year 8 winners for the Savoury French Tart Competition - a superb shortcrust pastry with a range of French ingredients. Edie's winning tart included: Port Salut, Asparagus, onion, garlic and bacon. Christina's creation included: Goats cheese, red onion, olives, thyme, bacon and parsley. 

Well done girls! They will be entered for a National Competition run by springboard's Future Chef. 

Mrs Smeaton also recommends a bit of TV viewing over the Christmas break... 

BBC Four - Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, 2024: Chris van Tulleken - The Truth About Food, From Taste Buds to Toilet

Dr. Chris Van Tulleken is presenting 3 episodes for the "Royal Institution Christmas Lectures" - all about Food and Nutrition. Sensible scientific information about making good food choices.  

Mrs Sue Smeaton, Head of Food & Nutrition

'The Sound of Music'  

DofE Success

Congratulations to our latest group of DofE participants, who were awarded their DofE Award Certificates and Badges at the end of term Presentation Assembly earlier this week.

15 x new Bronze DofE Award Holders: Elsie, Kitty, Lucie, Chloe, Amelia, Emma, Frances, Betsy, Eve, Lana, Florence, Olivia, Bracken, Tiaa and Annette.

4 x new Silver DofE Award Holders: Anna, Heidi, Lauren and Grace.

A special mention to our latest Gold DofE Award Holder, OC Abigail, Class of 2024, who left Mayfield this summer for university. Her Gold DofE Award was approved by DofE HQ in early September. Abigail is eagerly awaiting her invitation to her Gold DofE Celebration Event at a Royal Palace in London. I look forward to sharing some photos from Abigail in the next few months.

Between these 20 girls, nearly 500 hours of volunteering were completed for a range of worthy causes, including helping weekly at Brownies, working in a charity shop, assisting at a food bank, supporting the school library, and more! A similar number of hours were spent working on physical and skill activities such as ballet, netball, cycling as well as improving on cooking skills, money management courses and photography.

Many of the girls above have moved on to the next level and I am really pleased with how popular the DofE Award Programme continues to be at Mayfield with 27 Year 9 girls enrolling for Bronze, 16 Year 10 girls enrolling for Silver and 11 year 12 girls enrolling for Gold. 2025 is going to be a very busy year for the DofE Team at Mayfield. A special thanks to all who help and support me to run the DofE programme. I look forward to signing off more DofE Awards next term as the girls continue to send me their assessor reports.

Mrs Mary Saunders, DofE Manager

Sports News

As we come to the end of Hockey term, the PE department would like to send a huge congratulations to all the girls who represented school. It was a fabulous season and we'd like to thank all those that have supported the Sport this term.

Next term the focus is Netball with SISNA tournaments amongst the highlights as well as the annual Dance Show and preparations begin for the Cricket/Netball Tour to Dubai. If your daughter is attending Cricket and has hard ball kit, she is encouraged to bring it in. 

Please make sure your daughter is equipped for the weather, we recommend layers and water bottles for all sessions and swim kit when needed. 

Chaplaincy News

As the term finally came to an end, I was privileged to be able to share excerpts from the poem 'Keeping Christmas' by Henry van Dyke, as a Christmas reflection. See the poem in full below. 

This morning, parcels of food, feminine hygiene products, warm clothes and (quite literally!) thousands of sweets were delivered to the Matthew 25 Mission in Eastbourne, and the Crowborough Food Bank. Thank you to everybody who donated to our Advent Appeal. It really is very much appreciated.

This is just a quick reminder that on Christmas Eve we will have a carol service by candlelight and the First Mass of Christmas here in the school chapel. Carols begin at 8:30pm, with Mass beginning at 9pm. All members of the Mayfield community are welcome to join us for Carols, Mass and mulled wine afterwards.

Finally, wherever and however you celebrate Christmas, I wish you and your family a happy, holy and peaceful Christmas season. And may Christ grant us all love, hope, peace, joy and faith, as we celebrate the miracle of His birth.

Keeping Christmas

Are you willing...
To forget what you have done for other people, and to remember what other people have done for you?
To ignore what you think the world owes you, and instead to think what you owe the world?
To see the that men and women are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy and love?
To own up to the fact that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going  to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life?
To stop complaining, and begin to look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness?
Are you willing to do these things even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing..
To stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children?
To remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old?
To stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough?
To bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts?
To try to understand what those who live in the same home with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you?
To make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open?
Are you willing to do those things, even for a day? Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing...
To believe that love is the strongest thing in the world, stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death - and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem two thousand years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

Then you keep Christmas.
And if you can keep it for a day, why not always? But you can never keep it alone.

- Henry Van Dyke

Library News

The pupil librarians have been busy creating Issue 2 of The Mayfield Quibbler, the staff member interviewed by lower school librarians for this issue is Mr Walser.

A print copy is available to read in each library. Please read the online version here:

Mayfield Quibbler - Issue 2

Cornelian Lecture - Save the Date

We are excited to announce that Mr Henry Virgin will  be delivering the next Cornelian Lecture on the work of Zaha Hadid Architects at 16.45 on Tuesday 28 January 2025 in the Sixth Form Lecture Room. Zaha Hadid wrote about an 'architectural language of fluidity and spatial complexity' and this talk will give a fascinating insight into the stunning contemporary architecture of this global practice. This Cornelian Lecture will be of particular interest to those students planning to study architecture, as well as those currently studying art and design. Dame Zaha Hadid is the specified architect for those studying A Level History of Art. Cornelian Lectures are open to all members of the school community; more details to follow next term.

Dr Joanna Weddell, Head of History of Art

News from Learning Support

Autism Awareness Quiz
I would like to thank all the girls who participated in our True or False Quiz to raise awareness of autism, as well as the teachers who supported them. I hope you found the quiz both educational and enjoyable. 

A special thank you goes to Mrs Berry for generously donating the prizes for this competition. 

Congratulations to Tabatha, Rose, Mckinley, Sophia, Ava, Millie, Emilia and Georgie who answered 80% of the questions correctly, and an extra round of applause to Livia, who achieved a score of 90%! 

For those curious about the correct answers, you might want to check the following link. It’s a great opportunity to learn more and deepen your understanding of autism. 

Autism Quiz - Answers

 Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Mrs Emma Martin, SENCO & Head of Learning Support 

Maths Christmas Dingbats Competition

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Maths Christmas Dingbats Competitions

Here are the answers:

1. Little Donkey, 
2. Driving Home for Christmas
3. Snowman
4. Wrapping Paper
5. Snowball
6. Frankincense
7. Tinsel
8. Presents Under the Tree
9. Festive Cheer
10. Advent
11. Home Alone
12. Noel
13. The Grinch
14. Jingle All the Way
15. The Nightmare Before Christmas
16. Jack Frost
17. The Nutcracker
18. A Christmas Carol
19. Season's Greetings
20. Last Christmas

There were several correct answers and so prize winners were pulled from a hat.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Year 9: Gloria | Year 10: Elsa | Year 11: Eleanor | Sixth form: Trinity | Staff: Mrs Clarke

Mrs Sally Howie, Teacher of Maths

Chemistry 'Mystery Element' Competition

The Mystery Element No.8 - Festive Edition winner from a wide ranging field of students across Years 10 to 13 was...

Eleanor in Year 11!

The answer was Holmium, which with the symbol Ho, lends itself to "Ho, Ho, Ho" jokes, but there were some other creative humorous ideas on show too! 

The prize is a medal and a festive chocolate collection. Mystery Element will return with No.9 after the Christmas Break. 

Have a wonderful Christmas.

Ms Jan Blagden, Librarian

Christmas Events at Mayfield

Midnight Mass
Midnight Mass will be held in the Mayfield School chapel on Christmas Eve; carols start at 8:30pm leading into Mass at 9pm. All are welcome.

CAFOD Christmas Coffee Morning

Photo of the Week

Many thanks to Elsie in Year 8 for her photo of her cat, Tilly, playing with her 'Elf on the Shelf'. We're not sure which one instigated the bout of play time!

We would love to receive submissions for future 'photo of the week' stories; please do send through your snaps from your Christmas adventures over the break, whether at home or away on holiday. Please send your chosen photos to jtompsett@mayfieldgirls.org.