E-weekly Issue 200

Message from Mrs Green 

It has been such a joy this week interviewing the Year 7s for the Head of Lower School role and listening to how much they enjoy school and feel it is a diverse and inclusive community where they can try a plethora of activities.

With Summer finally arriving we have been busy welcoming our wider community into School. Last weekend we celebrated our Confirmation Mass, attended by families, staff and pupils. Congratulations to Amelia, Cara, Sammi-Anne, Lynn, Gabriella, Cayetena, Eva, Rachel, and Breanna who were confirmed by Bishop Richard. This weekend we look forward to welcoming parents to the Friends' Peacock Ball, and Old Cornelians, current and former parents and staff to the 150th Anniversary Thanksgiving Mass. Mass will include the premiere of Sir James MacMillan's setting of Cornelia Connelly's prayer 'Let us love one another and pray', specially commissioned by the School for this significant anniversary. We are delighted that our former Schola members will be joining with the current Schola Cantorum, as well as singers from the local community, to perform. Parents are welcome to join the Mass at 3pm in the Chapel.

The final few weeks of term will see examinations coming to an end and celebrations starting for all our girls. We are all looking forward to our first in-person Mayfield Day in three years, on 25th June, when we will give thanks for this year and celebrate all the girls' achievements.

Mayfield welcome the MCC

Last Saturday, for the second year running, we were delighted to welcome the MCC to School. With two T20 matches being played, we were able to field two teams, and just like the weather, the girls didn’t disappoint. It was a highly anticipated and extremely prestigious fixture against our London opposition and despite the results, our girls performed amazingly well in both games and learnt so much in the process. 

Game 1
The MCC won the toss and chose to bat first to put runs on the board and build scoreboard pressure for the Mayfield girls. After some positive batting and clever running  - but also after some extremely tight bowling and switched on fielding - we restricted the MCC to a respectable - but what we felt was achievable -  score of 121-2. With the bat we were never able to really get going and a constant loss of wickets meant after our 20 overs we were left on 83-6, resulting in a 38 run defeat. A special mention to Lizzie (Year 11) who not only stepped in to wicket keep at the last minute and did a good job, but also finished the game on 39* off 30 balls. Each game the MCC play, they award a cap dedicated to the player they feel encapsulated the 'Spirit of the game'. This was awarded to  Dii Dii (Year 13). What a great way to end her Mayfield Cricket career, and we hope she continues to play at University. 

Game 2
The second game again saw the MCC win the toss and in similar fashion, they once again chose to bat. It was a tough innings with the ball for our girls who fielded exceptionally well but were just unable to take more than 1 wicket. The MCC finished on 139-1 after a well-constructed innings with the bat. Once again our girls lost a couple of cheap early wickets and after some well directed MCC bowling, we found ourselves scoring slowly. That was until Zara (35) and Flo (26) came together at the crease and put on a 50 run partnership to get us back on track. Once again however, we fell just short of the required total and ended up finishing on 102-7, resulting in a 37 run defeat. Zara (Year 10) was presented with the ‘Spirit of the game' award from the MCC. As Vice Captain of the U15A team, Zara consistently trains and plays with intent, but fairness. Well deserved. 

Wednesday – Lower School 1^st Team
The lower school first team finally got to play in their first hard ball fixture on Wednesday against a strong St Andrew’s team. Winning the toss and electing to field first, the girls bowled the best they have all season, keeping the batters guessing with a variety of deliveries. Unfortunately the girls gave away too many singles in the field. St Andrew's finished on 301 and impressively only lost 1 wicket. We started well with the bat and were making good progress, however we ended up losing too many wickets and finished our innings on 257, a 44 run defeat. Plenty of positives and lessons to be learnt from this game for the girls. 

Jordan Walser 

Aegon Tennis League

Our U13 and U15 teams hosted Steyning Grammar in our latest Aegon league match on Tuesday. Mayfield came away with thoroughly deserved wins from both age groups. Well done to Hebe, Ariel, Lily and Kitty for winning five out of their six matches, with Lily and Kitty enjoying their first game in Mayfield colours. Due to a shortage of opponents for Steyning Grammar, only Edith and Martha were needed for the U15s. Their win meant the U15s continued their 100% winning streak. Both age groups turn their attention to Burgess Hill on Thursday where they are looking for another win! 
Miss Imogen Jones  

Mayfield hosts Cricket tournament for local schools

Last Friday we hosted our first Primary and Prep School Kwik Cricket Tournament here at Mayfield, welcoming seven schools to Mayfield on what was a beautiful, sunny day. The seven schools were split into two groups, with the winners of each group progressing to the final. After some very close encounters, Skippers Hill and Sacred Heart A came out victorious in their respective groups and faced one another in the final. Skippers Hill won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 89 runs in their eight overs. Sacred Heart came out to bat and started positively, scoring 20 runs off their first two overs, however a flurry of wickets followed and  Skippers Hill managed to come out victorious by 45 runs. A massive well done to all the schools involved as the standard of Cricket was outstanding. Also, a huge thank you to all the Year 12s that helped on the day - Lottie, Alex, Amelie, Tilly, Sophie, Evie, Freya and Annabel.
Miss Emily Starr  

Felbridge Show Jumping

We had some good results at Felbridge at all levels last weekend, including a win for the Intermediate team! (pictured above)

The Intermediate team – featuring Chloe, Cordie, Lydia and Matilda – and the Open team – featuring Hermione, Anabelle, Daisy and Ella - both qualified for the National Championships in October at Keysoe. Meanwhile, the Mini team – featuring Fleur, Sophia, Mimi and Charlotte – finished in third place in their category (pictured below). 

We are developing some strength in depth and it was great that we had some good performances at Grass Roots level with Lily Beach & Allegra Healing too.

Jill Barker, Director of Riding

Poetry Day

We were so fortunate to welcome Cecilia Knapp, a wonderful poet, novelist and playwright to run a day of readings and workshops for Year 9 and 10 pupils, as well as judging our Lower School Eisteddfod. The recent Poet Laureate for London, Cecilia visits many schools to promote poetry, but also creative thinking and writing in many forms. She believes that everyone is, and should be, creative; we can all find ways to express ourselves and writing is often a useful way to deal with complex feelings and to negotiate a worrying world. Devoting time to creativity is not only good for mental health but also a useful tool for many academic areas as well as benefitting work and relationships.

Years 9 and 10 listened to some poems that Cecilia had chosen which, along with other prompts, inspired them to do their own creative writing. Many of their responses are wonderful and demonstrate the fact that they were, indeed, inspired (see examples below).

Years 7 and 8 Eisteddfod finalists performed their poems with great energy and commitment. Cecilia chose the winners listed below for their emotional connection with the words, their expression and ability to communicate the poems vividly. She was full of praise for the high standard of all performers and gave encouraging feedback to everyone.

Year 8 Winners
Ivana for her beautiful rendition of a Chinese Poem, ‘A Night in Chamber’ by Du Fu.
Annalise for her comic performance of ‘Song of the Battery Hen’ by Edwin Brock.

Special mentions were also given to:
Honor and Alice for their very amusing performance of ‘The Ballad of Lefty and Ned’.
Selina, Ava and Ana for an impressive performance of the (very long) ‘Ballad of Charlotte Dymond’ by Charles Causley.

Year 7 Winners
Eva and India for an animated version of ‘Daffodils’ by William Wordsworth.
Michelle for an invigorating performance of ‘It couldn’t be done’ by Edgar A Guest.
Hester and Eva for writing, as well as performing, ‘The Seal’.
Sophie for an expressive delivery of ‘Lines of Spring’ by William Wordsworth.

Mrs Jane Leslie, English Teacher

I remember by Mathilda in Year 10
I remember
I was in Vienna when I was little,
Looking through my grandad's window
It was with a left-sloping roof and bars on the outside.
We used to so sit there for hours seeing the few cars come and go
Playing with our teddies, having foot wrestles.
Having the sweet smells of semmels in our noses,
The sweet honey from Herr Holzmuller,
And the freshly stewed jam from Omi.
Taking pictures with our little blue and purple digital cameras.
Every time there was a free minute, I would find myself on the windowsill,
Usually sharing it with Heli.
The windowsill barely fits me, let alone two little girls.
At night when it was dark you could see the top of Stephenson,
The ladder light up all the way to the top with the Christmas light alight as well.
That was my favourite place to be.
I would run my fingers over the walls which had a pebbly texture.

Loveless yet in love by Amelie (not based on true events)

I've been thinking about you,
and the memories of times
never spent together

I remember a time of
freedom from these feelings,
a time when happiness
and pain weren't
intertwined

I am a book bursting
with unread pages,
desperate for someone to
enjoy the life within
them

I'm starting to put my trust
in the doubts in my head,
slowly being pulled
by the current to the
darker side

It's as if I'm in a boat
stranded in the middle of
the vast tormented blue ocean, wave after
wave threatening to tip me over
no land in sight,
ending out of reach.

Now that spring has opened the 
doors of possibility, I am hiding,
scared to walk through them,
heart clutched in frail hands,
trembling in fear of breaking

Do I walk through the doors?
Arms outstretched with beating
heart in hands?
Or should I lock it up and swallow the key?

These days, night feels like
being stuck in silent woods,
hunted by the darkness of my
own mind, 
cold and alone

But of course you're 
not there with
me.

Lower School Inter House Debating Competition

This morning Lower School watched the final of their Inter House Debating Competition. The motion being discussed was 'This House believes that it has never been more difficult to be a child or teenager than it is today'. Honor and Kitty (Astor House) proposed the motion, arguing that without proper education and support, social media and mental health issues can plague young people today. Meanwhile, Ivana and Teresa (Curie House) opposed the motion, arguing that far fewer people today struggle to survive on a basic level. It was a very close debate, but Curie won overall. Well done to all the girls involved in the competition!

Miss Isabel Ewing, Teacher of History

A very special celebration

Congratulations to all the girls who were confirmed on Sunday. We were delighted to welcome family, staff and pupils for this very special celebration.

Middle School Summer Ball 

Last Friday 19th June saw 150 suited and booted Tonbridge School boys join our glamorous Year 9 and 10 girls at our annual Summer Ball. A fantastic evening was had by all, as they danced the night away both in and out of the Marquee. A huge thank you to all those involved in making it such a successful event. 

Sophie Auer

Pampering session for Leeds’ boarders

The Year 7 and 8 girls enjoyed a pampering afternoon last weekend. During the first session, they practised hand/feet/head/shoulder massages followed by a guided relaxation. The second session 'Nail art' was organised by Mrs Kimber. It was lovely to see their happy faces and giggles as they started to feel the benefits of the relaxation. A self-care club will be starting in September where the girls will be able to practise further these techniques as well as taking part in some yoga and meditation classes. Regular yoga sessions are also available for staff members to attend. We cannot stress enough the importance of taking some time for self-care, and this starting from a young age as a positive habit for the future. 

Ms Corinne Richard,  Teacher of French and Spanish

Paddle boarding at Ashdown Forest Water Sports

Our Gabs' boarders had a fantastic time paddle boarding and kayaking at Ashdown Forest Water Sports last weekend!

Corgi Crafting

Last Saturday afternoon our boarders very much enjoyed the chance to put their creative skills into practice and at the same celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, by making Corgi key rings in honour of Her Majesty’s favourite breed of dog. 

Ms Whittle/Mrs Fytili 

Gospel reflection: Luke 9:11-17

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, or the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. It is an opportunity to commemorate the Last Supper and to reflect upon one of the greatest mysteries of the Catholic faith.

In our busy lives, Sunday obligation – the compulsory attendance at a Sunday or Saturday vigil mass – can sometimes be seen as a necessary chore, like doing homework or laundry. But mass should not be seen as a chore but rather as an incredible privilege. The Holy Eucharist (εὐχαριστία, lit. ‘thanksgiving’) is an invitation to participate in the Last Supper – to become one of the disciples seated around Christ Jesus and to give thanks for God’s infinite love and mercy toward us.

As we receive the consecrated host, the priest says, ‘The Body of Christ’ and in reply we say, ‘Amen’ (truly) from the Hebrew, אָמֵן and the Greek, ἀμήν. In doing so, we state our own belief in the real presence of Christ in the host which we are to receive. When we receive communion, we receive Christ within us, yet how many of us join the queue for Holy Communion as if we are waiting in line at a shop or a café? The mystery of the Eucharist is so wondrous, so beyond our comprehension, that it seems we sometimes lose sight of that very wonder.

This coming Sunday, and indeed the Sundays after that, let us attend mass not with a sigh of frustration, annoyed to have had to cut short our weekend lie-in, but with a joyful and happy heart, eager to be with Jesus Christ in the celebration of the Eucharist. And as we wait to receive the Most Holy Body of Christ, let us wait in reverence of, and gratitude for, the miraculous gift we are to receive.

Miss Kathleen McCulloch, St Dunstan’s Assistant Housemistress

A Trilogy of Greek Tales - book now
 

Book your tickets

Summer Teatime Concert, Thursday 23^rd June, 4.45pm

This year’s Summer Concert will take place in the Courtyard during the usual teatime concert slot at 4.45pm on Thursday 23^rd June. The concert will feature a rare keyboard concerto by J.C. Bach, excerpts from ‘Carmen’, our flute groups, and solo performances of works by Schumann, Piazzolla and Tchaikovsky. Refreshments will be available from 4.30pm. We look forward to seeing many of you there to support our musicians in their final ensemble concert of the year.
Dr Matthew Ward, Director of Music

Pub in the Park

 Pub in the Park is returning to Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells on 8-10 July 2022.

With an awesome line-up of award-winning pubs, Michelin-starred chefs, chart-topping music, great food & drink, and kids entertainment, Pub in the Park promises to be a fantastic weekend!

Michelin Star chef Tom Kerridge will be hosting the weekend with Simon Rimmer and an array of incredibly talented chefs including Atul Kochhar, Thom Bateman, The Tanner Brothers, Will Devlin and many more.

This year’s music programme includes live performances from Faithess DJ SET, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Feeling, Melanie C, Supergrass, Aswad and many more…

Expect tantalising dishes from Kerridge’s The Hand & Flower, Hoppers, Atul Kochhar restaurants, The Dog at Wigham, Sankey’s, The Kentish Hare, The Small Holding and The Cadogan Arms.

Family passes available on afternoon sessions saving you over 25%* from standard tickets. Plus under 5s go free. Book your tickets today at:

Book your tickets
We have included this information as Pub in the Park have kindly donated two family pass tickets for The Friends of Mayfield Peacock Ball auction. 

OC News

Notices

Year 9 Parents
Year 9 parents are planning to go to Jazz on the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells on 30th June, 7.00pm - 9:30pm. Everyone is welcome, please just let us know if you plan to attend (either Heather Phillips on 07754 051219 or Fiona Wills on 07742 279264).

Year 8 Parents
Please join us on Wednesday 22 June at 9.00am for coffee at the Mark Cross garden centre. 
Joanna Healing - wandj.healing@hotmail.com 

From the Library

From the School Schop

Lost property

Last call for lost property. All of these items have been photographed at least once and sent to the girls to try and identify owners. If you think an item is yours please collect from the School Shop before the end of term, after this they will be given to charity or disposed of.

Second Hand Re-sales

 If you no longer need your uniform (Year 11 and 13) and you wish to sell 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 25th 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.       All items must be in good condition, have no holes, rips, broken zips, missing buttons or stains and not be faded.
5.       If you are in doubt, please send it all in and what we cannot take for second hand we will recycle for you.
6.       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 8^th, any items received if you are leaving, will be considered a donation as your account will be closed. For those moving into the Sixth Form, if we receive items after term has ended or even the Autumn 22 term, we will credit you on the next available bill run.
7.       For Year 11 – please remember to keep your House Polo, 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.

Name tapes
If you are leaving and you have name tapes (i.e. you had the sew on service), please come and collect your name tapes from the school shop before you leave. Thank you.

Mrs Susan Bowles, School Shop Manager