E-weekly Issue 152

An Inspector Calls

Years 10 and 11 had a change from the usual Monday morning routine this week and watched an online performance and discussion by Box Clever Theatre of J.B. Priestley’s play ‘An Inspector Calls’. Actors presented key scenes from the play and discussed them ‘in character’ in a very encouraging and engaging way.

The girls contributed to the debate about who was most to blame for the death of ‘Eva Smith’, and what the big ideas of the play were, sharing thoughtful points about the play’s exploration of fairness and responsibility for others – all agreed that these themes seem particularly important in these challenging times. Those studying other texts were inspired to consider how plays are different when performed and how discussion leads to better analysis.

Year 10 Erica said: “The ‘An Inspector Calls’ workshop was a really great experience. It was very informative and reflective of the characters in the play and had a great structure. The discussions were interesting.”

Year 10 Rachael said: “I liked how they interacted with us which made it more engaging.”

Year 10 Megan said: “It was engaging and informative, a very good introduction to a play that I hadn't read or studied before.”

Miss Joanna Staunton, Head of English
 

Chemistry Olympiad

Well done to Year 13 Chemists Shari, Jasmine and Natalie, who participated remotely in the first round of the Chemistry Olympiad last Friday.

This international competition, organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, enabled Year 13 students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Chemistry, by solving complex problems, often set in topical contexts, reaching above the demands of the A Level specification. This year was no exception, with questions relating to the ‘social distancing’ of molecules and Donald Trump’s ‘strategies’ for treating coronavirus.

I look forward to updating you on their progress once the results are published later in the year but in the meantime would like to commend them for their efforts. To our Year 12 Chemists, it is never too early to start preparing for the 54^th Olympiad! Join the Chemistry Olympiad Club which will run every Friday during Activity 1 when School re-opens.

Mr David Bullock, Teacher of Chemistry

 

In Physics this week

Year 13 Helena, and Year 11s Avery, Christina and Mia (who worked together), completed their entries for the Experimental Physics Olympiad this week. The girls had to gather data using household items to investigate the relationship between water depth and time period of the waves. We wish them all the best of luck for their entries!

Year 13 Helena said: “The experimental project forced me to re-think the experimental techniques we use in lessons and how they can be used to make the project as detailed as possible. I also had to be creative, and to find solutions to problems that occurred during the experiment. It also required finding research papers that have been published about the topic to validate or contradict my results. In summary, it was a great learning opportunity, and a good use of the free time during the Christmas break.”

Dr Darragh Corvan, Head of Physics

Cornelian Lecture Programme

I am pleased to announce the next speaker in our Cornelian Lecture Programme for this year. We are very lucky that Professor Georgina Ellison has agreed to speak to us on Wednesday 3^rd February from 19.00 – 20.00. The talk will be streamed live from 19.00 to all students via the Cornelian Lecture Team. We will also send out a link of the recorded event to parents shortly afterwards. 

Georgina is a Professor of Regenerative Muscle Physiology and Marie Curie Fellow in the Centre of Human & Applied Physiological Sciences, King’s College London, UK. She has been involved in a number of ground-breaking research projects relating to the role of adult-derived stem cells in the regeneration of muscle tissue. Most pertinently, her work has been at the forefront of possible therapies for the treatment of Covid-19.

Mr John Doy, Head of Sixth Form

A Level Religious Studies 

Our Year 13 A Level Religious Studies students have been examining the very interesting module from ‘Developments in Christian Thought’ on Gender and Society. We have looked in detail at Pope St John Paul’s Apostolic Letter ‘Mulieris Dignitatem’, and contrasted it with the work of popular feminist Simone de Beauvoir’s book ‘The Second Sex’.  This led to some interesting discussions and we look forward to stretching our horizons further in our examination of feminist theologians Mary Daly and Rosemary Ruether.  

Mrs Karen Sunderland, Head of RS

News from the Chaplaincy

Rosary
If you would like to join us for the Rosary at 13:45 (Start of A1), you are very welcome. It will take no more than 15 minutes. If you have something you wish us to pray for, just let me know beforehand (you don’t need to be specific). The Rosary is streamed on Teams. Here’s the link, and you can use the same link every day: Join us for the Rosary

This Sunday’s Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

Gospel Reflection:
I am the man with the unclean spirit in this Gospel story. I am the person who, at various times, has been a stranger in his own skin. I am the man who felt alienated, apart from himself. I’ve not recognised myself when looking in the mirror, I’ve wished that was someone else, somewhere else, doing something else…

I suspect many of us have - to a certain extent, at one time or another. This ‘detachment’ doesn’t make us bad people, it doesn’t mark us permanently, but it can make it difficult to recognise what is good for us, and where to look for help.

And so, when the man with the unclean spirit hears Jesus preach, he lashes out, in fear and anger. “What have you got to do with us?” he shouts. “Have you come to destroy us?"

Jesus’ rebuke is instant, and almost gentle - “Be silent, and come out of him.” And the unclean spirit is gone. The man is made whole again. The voices of self-doubt, uncertainty, fear, alienation - gone in a heartbeat. Demons that we might struggle with for our entire lives, are conquered effortlessly when we turn to Christ and say, “I know who you are.”

The unclean spirit represents whatever forces dominate us, and make us less free. All abuses of power, interior, and exterior. But Jesus demonstrated the ultimate authority: compassion. And, Mark says, the people were amazed.

Mr Ronan Lavery, Lay Chaplain

Food & Nutrition

This week, more girls have been able to join in with cooking at home. The Year 7s have made rock cakes, while Year 8 made pitta bread, with some also managing to make a hummus dip to serve with their bread. Year 9 rose to the challenge of a whisked sponge, turning this into a swiss roll or gateau sandwich cake.

There were excellent results in all classes and I hope everyone has enjoyed making and eating these recipes. The Food and Nutrition Department would like to extend their thanks to parents and guardians supporting the cooking at home.

Miss Emily Theobald, Head of Food and Nutrition

Netball News

Whilst we are unable to be in School having a fun and exciting Netball term, the girls are still enjoying lessons from home, learning some invaluable theory, and about how to become a Netball Umpire!

We believe it is important that the girls explore different opportunities in sport, aside from being the athlete on the court. Hopefully it won’t be too long before they can practise their new ‘official’ roles on the Mayfield Netball courts!

#TakeNetballHome Scheme
Netball enthusiasts may be interested to learn that Gilbert are discounting a range of products (from posts to netballs) on their website, and have also shared their top three ‘stay at home’ drills on social media to help you keep on improving your Netball skills from home.

Miss Sophie Auer, Teacher of Netball

Extravaganza of Events for Boarders

The boarders remaining in School were delighted by a memorable and historical tour of Mayfield last weekend. Mrs Bushell showed them Queen Victoria’s riding whip, the steps to Queen Elizabeth l’s bedroom, a replica of St Dunstan's tongs, and took them on a visit to ‘The Well House’ where St Dunstan is said to have quenched the burning tongs having pinched the nose of the devil.

They then consumed copious amounts of ice cream as they watched and sang along to the Lion King in ‘The Hub Cinema’. They also sampled some Nigerian delicacies thanks to Nicole and Maria, they played Badminton, practised netball, made pancakes and chocolate brownies, and participated in a beautiful reflective Liturgy.  

Mrs Charmaine Smith, Head of Sixth Form Boarding