Ethos and Values
Our Cornelian principles
Our ethos is guided by the visionary principles of our foundress, Cornelia Connelly. Through her pioneering work, she established a framework for girls’ education that continues to inspire and drive our approach today, more than 150 years later!
Our Cornelian values form the backbone of a Mayfield education:
- Joy: We find joy in all we do.
- Compassion: We cultivate empathy.
- Integrity: We develop strong moral values.
- Generosity: We nurture a spirit of charitable giving and kindness for all.
- Gratitude: We are thankful.
- Respect: Through our actions, we show that we value all.
- Courage: We have the confidence and resilience to make the right choice.
These values aren’t simply words on a page – they’re lived principles that infuse every aspect of school life, from classroom discussions to sporting events, from community service to House competitions.
Our Catholic ethos
Welcoming all faiths and backgrounds
While proudly rooted in Catholic tradition, Mayfield warmly welcomes girls of all faiths and none. Our approach means that every student benefits from an education grounded in fundamental human values – kindness, respect, service to others, and moral courage.
Our ethos creates a community where girls are encouraged to think deeply about life’s meaning, develop strong ethical frameworks, and consider their responsibility towards others. The beautiful school chapel stands at the heart of our campus, where we gather for reflection and celebration.
We believe this spiritual dimension adds essential depth to education that prepares students not just for exams, but for life.
Our teaching philosophy: Educating the whole person
At Mayfield, we embrace our Foundress’ conviction that true education nurtures the whole person – intellectually, spiritually and emotionally. This holistic approach ensures that every girl’s development extends beyond academic achievement to cultivate character, talents and dreams.
Our educational philosophy encompasses:
- Academic excellence and more: We challenge each girl to reach her full potential by providing personalised support and a range of super-curricular opportunities, including talks, trips, clubs, and competitions.
- Physical and mental wellbeing: Through sports, outdoor activities, and our state-of-the-art St. Raphael’s Wellbeing Centre, we promote physical and mental wellbeing. Girls grow to understand the importance of staying active and enjoy discovering healthy lifelong habits.
- Emotional intelligence: Our pastoral care system, including tutor groups and House system, helps girls build resilience and navigate adolescence with confidence.
- Spiritual growth: We encourage girls to explore life’s important questions, develop their moral compass and find their sense of purpose.
- Creative expression: Through art, music, dance, drama and creative writing, we provide numerous outlets for creative talents to flourish.
- Social responsibility: We instil a sense of social justice and global awareness, encouraging girls to make a positive difference in the world.
Meeting the needs of the age
Our foundress had a forward-thinking vision that education must “meet the wants of the age.” This principle continues to guide approach as we blend timeless values with contemporary teaching methods, preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities of today’s world.
We equip our students with both traditional knowledge and modern skills, from critical thinking and problem-solving to digital literacy and global awareness. This balanced approach ensures that our students leave Mayfield ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world while maintaining strong moral foundations.
‘Actions Not Words’
Our motto underpins everything we do at Mayfield. We believe in the power of deed over rhetoric, of practical application over theory alone, and of living our values rather than simply stating what they are.
This principle shapes how we teach, how we support one another, and how we engage with the wider world. From community service initiatives to environmental sustainability projects, we encourage our students to put their values into meaningful action.
In the classroom, this translates to a hands-on, experiential approach to learning, where theory is brought to life through practical application, experimentation and real-world problem-solving.
“I have begun the work; others will bring it to perfection.”
— Cornelia Connelly, Foundress
Experience Mayfield firsthand
We invite you to visit our beautiful campus, meet our students and staff, and see for yourself what makes Mayfield such a special place to learn and grow.