E-weekly Issue 172

Message from Mrs Green

This week the girls have had a great time making the most of being able to go out and about on trips again. As you will see, they have been to the coast, up to London to the Houses of Parliament, and to The Globe, Tate Modern and Tate Britain, as well as playing in lots of sports fixtures.

The Friends' of Mayfield have been working hard to kindly organise The Michaelmas Fair on Wednesday 29th September for us and, as always, the range of stalls and produce on sale looks wonderful. A great opportunity to begin your Christmas shopping! We are very much looking forward to seeing you there! Please pre-register here, and don't forget to do a Covid test before you come and to bring your mask! 

The Friends still need more volunteers to help run the Fair on the day so if you are able to help, please sign up by clicking the following links:  Raffle Ticket Stall  Cloisters Cafe. 

Could parents please remind their daughters that they need to bring a mask to School if they are travelling to sports fixtures as they must be worn on minibuses at all times.

Finally, please remember to collect your daughters from Lower School Car Park and not from outside Chapel. It is a busy site and we want to minimise traffic for the safety of the girls. Please be aware the top gate will be closed from 4pm.

Mrs Niamh Green, Acting Headmistress

Economics and Politics Students Meet MP Nusrat Ghani at the Houses of Parliament

On Monday, Year 12 and 13 Politics students and Year 12 Economics students took a trip to the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court.

The students were given a tour of the Palace of Westminster and were able to go into both chambers of Parliament, and see the famous green and red benches up close. The girls learnt about the history of the buildings, and the workings and role of Parliament today. 

After the tour, the girls took part in a workshop on how laws are made and were joined by Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden. Ms Ghani spoke about her work as an MP, and her role in highlighting the plight of the Uighur people in China. 

After lunch we made our way across Parliament Square to the Supreme Court, the venue for many constitutionally significant decisions, including the prorogation of Parliament and Article 50 cases. 

A great day out was had by all.

Ms Catherine Bryan, Head of Politics

English Trip to see ‘Twelfth Night’

Last Friday, Year 10 enjoyed a trip to The Globe to see a performance of ‘Twelfth Night’. After a long bus drive, we all benefitted from the fresh air as we ate our packed lunch by the Thames, and many were struck by the beauty and atmosphere of this special theatre - a replica of one that existed on the same spot in Shakespeare’s own lifetime.

During the play, the striking set, elaborate costumes and comic scenes entertained us all, although many girls offered thoughtful, conceptual critiques as well as praise. It was a pleasure to be out on a theatre trip again and the girls were excellent company.

Miss Joanna Staunton, Head of English

History of Art Outing to the Tate Modern

Year 12 Geography Fieldwork in Newhaven and Seaford

The temperature in Newhaven and Seaford last Thursday reached the high 20s, and with a gentle breeze off an azure sea, one could be forgiven for thinking that we were actually on the French Riviera. Perhaps a stark reminder of climate change. Seeing a 'jack-up platform' moored in the estuary was an encouraging sign - this type of vessel is used to make sub-sea surveys and foundations for the next generation of wind-farms which will reduce the UK's use of fossil fuels.

Our A Level Geographers enjoyed collecting numerous data sets to test theories concerning sediment transfers, and marine processes and landforms.

Mr Steve Gough, Head of Geography and Educational Visits Co-ordinator

PE Department Update

A Hockey-filled Weekend:

Senior Teams:
Mayfield’s two senior squads played Kent College, Pembury away on Saturday morning and came away with a double win and two clean sheets! The 1^st XI immediately piled pressure onto the home team with some early chances and a short corner, and were rewarded with a goal from Year 13 Victoria. The defence was much improved with Year 13 Grace in centre back and stepped up to make early interceptions.

The second half saw another goal in open play from a well struck hit from wide right by Year 11 Liv, and ended in her older sister Year 12 Tilly converting a penalty stroke at the end of play.

The second team also started strongly and Year 11 Alice converted a well struck cross into the back of the net early on in the game. Some key tackles by our defence and a save from goal keeper Year 11 Yaa kept the sheet clean.

The second half saw the home side tire and Mayfield took advantage of their rotations by playing the ball around and maintaining good spells of possession. Opportunities were created from some excellent midfield play by Year 11 Erin and the team’s efforts were rewarded with a second goal deflecting Alice’s strike in at the left post by Year 11 Florence.

U15A:
Our U15A team had a difficult start to the Hockey season with their first match being against a well-established Kent College side who beat Mayfield 9-1. Nevertheless, the physical game told a much more positive story and, from the statistics alone, you can see the progression and perseverance displayed (first half- 7-0, second half 2-1).

Mayfield held its own in the second half after some clear and concise coaching points that saw the team’s defensive structure vastly improve, enabling them to gain much more possession of the ball. A special mention must go to Year 10 Mathilda who scored Mayfield’s goal. As a result of this, she was awarded the opposition’s ‘Player’s Player’. A special ‘Coach’s Mention’ must be given to Year 10 Francesca who had a brilliant game at left back.

U14s:
Despite a disappointing cancellation, it was great to see so many U14s come and play in an internal match against each other. This offered them a fantastic opportunity to work on the shape and structure of their 11-a-side game and will put them in good stead for future fixtures.

County Netball Success for Mia
A big ‘well done’ to Year 9 Mia Graham who has been included in the U15 Sussex County Netball Squad. She attended numerous training sessions and trials ahead of this selection, and we are thrilled that her continuous hard work and determination has paid off. Well done Mia!

Netball National Schools (9th October 2021) 
Miss Auer and Miss Jones are excited to be running invitational Netball sessions this Saturday in preparation for the National Schools on Saturday 9th October. We look forward to seeing the Year 9s and Sixth Form in action. Watch this space!

The PE Department

OC News

OC Shawn Kwan (Class of 2014) is currently taking part in a ‘Step into the gap’ year with CAFOD at St. Mary’s Catholic Academy in Blackpool. One of her tasks has been to design a bookmark for the school’s upcoming Ethos Day featuring one of Cornelia Connelly’s prayers.

She will also be travelling to Glasgow to attend COP26 as a CAFOD delegate.

If you would like to find out more, you can read the CAFOD blog here.

News from the School Shop

Christmas Ted Competition
I am pleased to announce that we will be running the Christmas Ted Competition as usual. The prize for the winning idea is a £10 voucher for a shop of your choice and a box of chocolates.

All you have to do is think of a Christmas/Winter-themed scene featuring the Mayfield Teddy that we can re-create in the School Shop, and either describe or draw your design using the application form here.  We will create the design and provide any props that are needed.

Top Tip – keep your design simple!

Please ensure you return your entry form to the School Shop by Half Term (Friday 22^nd October at 15:30) or email your entry to sbowles@mayfieldgirls.org as the design will be created over Half Term.

If you are in need of inspiration, some previous winning designs are pictured below.

Thank you.
Mrs Susan Bowles, School Shop Manager

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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 wait for your daughter in the line of traffic but park in a space and wait for her there.
Thank you.

Absences
If your daughter is going to be absent from lessons, 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 abunce@mayfieldgirls.org
Please do not come into School unless by appointment.
Thank you for your understanding.