E-weekly Issue 165

Lower School Science Club

The girls in Lower School Science Club have had a lot of fun this term investigating various aspects of science in the world around them.

They have made their own indicators from red cabbage, and investigated the properties of a non-Newtonian fluid with Oobleck that changed colour depending on its pH. They have also ventured into the world of cosmetics by making their own lip balm and body lotion, as well as exploring engineering concepts by competing to build the tallest tower out of marshmallows and spaghetti!

Miss Stephanie Gilpin, Teacher of Chemistry and St Michael's Assistant Housemistress

Save The Date!

Covid restrictions allowing, the Mayfield Theatre Company production of 'The Witches' will be taking place on Wednesday 23^rd and Thursday 24^th June, starting at 19:00 in the Concert Hall.  We will be sending out details of how to reserve tickets shortly after Half Term.

As you can see, rehearsals are well underway. We look forward to seeing you there!

Mrs Sally Gerstmeyer, Head of Drama

Mayfield Variety Show

This year I chose to take Event Management as my Sixth Form Enrichment option. Usually, I would have been hosting the Mayfield Variety Show but there are a few changes this year.

I have created the video below to celebrate and shares many aspects of the different cultures of the girls here at Mayfield. My main aim was to bring home a little closer to all of the girls who have not been able to go home to their families recently, as well as to celebrate our heritage and what makes us unique. This was also an opportunity to celebrate how we have all come together this year in the face of adversity.

Year 12 Awujo

News from Froghole Farm

Whilst Farmer Guy Brickell has been out of action due to illness, the girls have been doing their bit to help around the farm. Guy has been keeping them up to date with farming life, explaining that it has been a difficult year for farmers, with the one of the driest and third coldest April since records began, and the wettest May since 1862. This has led to difficulties in growing crops which has been compounded by a national shortage of hay and straw. The depleting population of bees due to the cold winter is also a concern as it will have a major impact on pollination of crops.

This week, Year 12s Evie, Jemima and Lola fed pigs and calves, and changed bedding for the proud mother of nine newly born piglets.

Mrs Rachel Davies, Teacher of Science and Deputy Head of Sixth Form

The Junior Mathematical Challenge

Before Easter, all Year 7 and 8 girls took part in the Junior Mathematical Challenge.  This is a 60-minute, multiple-choice competition aimed at students across the UK to encourage mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems.

The problems in the Junior Mathematical Challenge are designed to make students think. Most are accessible, yet still challenge those with more experience.

Here are some questions from this year’s Challenge:

The Mathematics Department is pleased to report that the girls achieved two gold, three silver and 10 bronze certificates. Ivana and Charmaine also qualified for the Junior Kangaroo which takes place next month.

Well done to everyone who took part!

Mrs Sally Howie, Teacher of Maths

Lower School Inter-House Debating

The final of the Lower School Inter-House Debating competition saw Bronte go head-to-head with Curie over the Motion ‘This House believes that Covid vaccinations should be compulsory’. Claudia and Eliza did an excellent job in setting out the arguments in favour of the motion on behalf of Curie. Leona and Onnae gave similarly strong performances arguing against the motion on behalf of Bronte.

Both sides fielded tough questions from the judges - Miss Beary, Ms Doy and Mr Smith - as well as from the audience of Lower School students.  The judges found it extremely difficult to come to a decision but, in the end, the debate was won by Leona and Onnae for Bronte. Congratulations to all the participants for excellent debating.

Ms Catherine Bryan, Head of Politics

From the School Shop

New Uniform Fittings
Please be aware that the last two weeks before the beginning of the Autumn Term – 23^rd August onwards are reserved for new students and particularly new boarders ONLY.

If existing parents require new uniform, please email sbowles@mayfieldgirls.org for an appointment prior to this date OR  alternatively you can email your order to Mrs Bowles.

If you email your order please:
1.     Include the sizes and quantities required.
2.     Please note purchase of new uniform cannot be put on the School bill. Payment is accepted by BACS only as the School Uniform Accounts are closed for auditing purposes during the Summer months.
3.     When payment has been received, the items may be collected or sent for naming (if you have this service).
4.     All orders must be received and paid for prior to 22^nd August in order to be processed.

Second-hand uniform
Please remember to bring your unwanted uniform to the School Shop for us to sell. All uniform must be washed and ironed, and any uniform that is dirty or needs ironing will be considered to be a donation as it cannot be sold. We do not accept white shirts, socks, or uniform with the old logo (i.e the Mayfield logo without a cross), Year 7 and 8 book bags, obsolete styles (i.e the older style school coat), or equestrian items. Any uniform that cannot be re-sold will be donated to Mary’s Meals or the Clothing Bank. Please remember to keep your House polo and sports kit for the Sixth Form.

Year 11: As most of you will be returning for Year 12, any saleable uniform that arrives after the end of term will be credited to your Autumn Term 2021 School Shop account. If it arrives before the end of this term, anything saleable will be credited to your Summer 2021 School Shop account.

Year 13 and other leavers: Please ensure we receive any items suitable for re-sale by 30^th June. If your items arrive after this time, your School Shop account will have been closed and we will be unable to credit you so your items will be considered a donation.

Thank you.

Mrs Susan Bowles, School Shop Manager

News from the Chaplaincy

This Sunday’s Gospel: Matt 28: 16-20

Gospel Reflection:
This Sunday is also known as ‘Trinity Sunday’. We celebrate God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Three distinct persons of God, but only one being. It’s a phenomenally difficult thing to try and explain, and many people have tried through the centuries. I’m sure many of us are aware of St Patrick, plucking the shamrock from the ground to teach the early Irish Christians about the Trinity. But perhaps today, we can think about it using one of Jesus’ favourite analogies - the vine.

In the picture above, we can clearly see the trunk of the vine splitting into two. These two halves go off in different directions, and are distinct from each other. But could we possibly ever say they are different? Separated? No. They are forever joined, forever inseparable, and as they grow, they complement each other, producing branches, yielding fruit.

Such is the Trinity. Three distinct parts, but one unit. The trunk needs the branches as the branches need the trunk. All are part of the same.

And to carry the analogy one step further, Jesus tells us “I am the vine, you are the branches.” (John 15:5) Not only are the three parts of the Trinity inseparable, we too, are connected in the most fundamental way to God. We draw our life from him. Through him, we can bear much fruit, but apart from him, we can do nothing. In a society that increasingly prizes autonomy and self-sufficiency, let us remember and celebrate the fact that we are inherently interconnected. We are created to live connected to God and each other - and it is there that we will bear fruit.

1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

A prayer for safe travels
O almighty and merciful God,
Who hast commissioned Thy angels to guide and protect us,
command them to be our assiduous companions from our setting out until our return;
to clothe us with their invisible protection;
to keep us from all danger of collision, of fire, of explosion, of falls and bruises;
and finally, having preserved us from all evil, and especially from sin,
to guide us to our heavenly home.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

As we begin Half Term, we wish everybody a safe, happy and restful week. And we pray for the safe arrival of all our travellers, this weekend and next. May the road rise to meet you!

Mr Ronan Lavery, Lay Chaplain

Year 8 Entrepreneurs ‘Barking up the Right Treats’

Year 8s Annabel, Grace and Ionna teamed up to form ‘Barking up the Right Treats’ as part of the Year 8 Young Enterprise Challenge, raising £65 by selling delicious dog (and cat) treats in School last week, with half the profits going to the Raystede Animal Sanctuary.

Well done girls!

Year 12 Ecology

Year 12 Biologists have started their Ecology topic this week, which includes a required practical on sampling. The girls used point quadrats to estimate the percentage coverage on plantain, and compare the population size in an area that is regularly cut with an area that was unmown. Analysing the data using the t-test showed that there was a significant difference between the percentage cover of plantain in the two areas. They also identified two different species, the Hoary Plantain and Ribwort Plantain.

Mrs Rachel Davies, Teacher of Biology and Deputy Head of Sixth Form

Many Congratulations to…

Mayfield’s talented Groundsman, Anthony Izzard, who has recently received a prestigious award from the Royal Horticultural Society recognising his 40 years of service to Horticulture. Anthony has already received a certificate and will also be presented with a medal to honour his achievement.

We would like to congratulate him on this award and to thank him for helping to keep the Mayfield grounds looking beautiful for the last 40 years!

Gold Medal for OC Emily Craig

Many congratulations to Team GB rower OC Emily Craig and her partner Imogen Grant on their gold medal win in the lightweight double sculls at the World Rowing Cup on Thursday! What a wonderful achievement!

Image courtesy of the BBC

PE Department Update

It has been pure joy for us to have the girls back playing competitive fixtures this term, and also to have activities up and running again with the swimming pool open and early morning running club twice a week. The weather has not been kind which has resulted in some frustrating cancellations this week but credit must go to the girls who have shown great character and resilience, and gone out in all weathers (when it has been safe to do so!). 

News from the Crease
On Wednesday, both the U13A and U12A teams lost out to Cumnor House in two very close encounters that went down to the final over in both games. The U13s bowled and fielded tenaciously but gave away too many wickets which cost them dearly. There was a stand-out performance from Mia for two fantastic overs and some athletic fielding.

The U12A batted steadily and were able to keep the loss of wickets to a minimum. When it came to fielding, the whole team played a very active role with excellent bowling from Alice, Matilda, and Anna. 

On Thursday, the U15 Hardball Cup Team travelled to Bede’s only for the game to be called off after 11 overs. Mayfield bowled well and, although they hadn’t taken any wickets, they kept the Bede’s opening pair to an attainable target. It looked to be shaping up to be a fantastic match and both teams have agreed to re-schedule as soon as they can. 

Sadly Saturday's matches against Lingfield were called off by the opposition on Friday morning. So as not to miss the opportunity for some match play and a break in the rain, the two Year 9 teams played a pairs match against each other at home. 

On Centre Court this Week
The U13A and B teams played Bede’s during rain, hail and a little sunshine last Tuesday, but they did not let the inclement weather dampen their spirits! The U13As came off second best, losing to a very strong Bede’s A team, and a special mention must go to Ines who gave their regional player a good game!

Congratulations to the U13Bs who managed to win 4 sets to 3. Well done to Matilda, Hebe, Ariel and Sofia for playing some great tennis. We look forward to seeing them in action again after Half Term.

Miss Imogen Jones, Teacher of PE


Track and Field Diamond League Athletics Part 2
Despite the wind and rain, the Athletics went ahead at K2 in Crawley with athletes from Years 9, 10 and 12 competing in the final Diamond League meet. The girls all made significant improvements on their previous performances with Rachel almost taking first place in the inter girls 300m race. Mathilda had a clear win in her 100m heat, and Year 10 Rachel won the shot put for the second week in the row. Valeria won the senior 400m event, improving on last week’s third place, and her two strong performances saw her awarded  an overall silver medal. 

Hurst live-streamed the event which meant the girls could watch their performances afterwards to help improve their technique. Well done all!

News from the Piste
It was a very good start to the dry slope season for Year 9 Darcy who received three medals last weekend - two silver individual medals and a bronze team medal. She came in second on the LESRSA individual events, third in the team, and second in her club event. She also went on to win all her head-to-head races!  Well done Darcy!

Mrs Georgina Fletcher, Director of Sport

Return of Library Books

Mayfield Census 2021

Here are this week’s results from the Mayfield Census 2021!

Mrs Sally Howie, Teacher of Maths

Careers Update

Please click here if you would like to read the latest Pathways Careers Bulletin from the Mayfield Careers Department.

Thank you.

Mrs Amanda Glubb, Head of Careers

SPARK Camp 2021
 

Booking for our Summer SPARK Camp is now open! Follow the link to book your place today: Summer SPARK Camp 2021

Mrs Lynette Le Riche, SPARK Camp Manager

Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash.

Mrs Julie Gabriel, Librarian

Invitation from Mayfield Cricket Club

Reminders

Car Park
You will have noticed a new one-way system in the Car Park.  To ensure that traffic flows freely and for safety, please do not to wait for your daughter in the line of traffic but park in a space and wait for them there.
Thank you.

Absences
If your daughter is going to be absent from lesson, please email absence@mayfieldgirls.org

Contacting Staff
If you need to contact a member of staff, please do so by email. If you do not have the member of staff’s email address, School emails follow this format: first initial and surname@mayfieldgirls.org  e.g ngreen@mayfieldgirls.org
Please do not come into School unless by appointment.
Thank you for your understanding.