Mayfield Cornelian 2018/19

MODEL UNITED NATIONS LIFE STORIES MAYFIELD DAY 2019

Actions not Words

Mayfield

CORNELIAN 2018/19

Academic Trips School News Co-curricular Activities Life at Mayfield Friends of Mayfield Old Cornelians Sport Staff Farewells In Memoriam Activities Week

Welcome W

elcome to a new academic year and to the first edition of our new-look annual Mayfield Cornelian magazine which we hope you will enjoy reading. Inside you will see the huge range of academic and extra-curricular activities that your daughters have been involved with throughout the last year: from riding camels in Morocco to touring the Battlefields, from setting up Young Enterprise Companies to exploring inter-generational learning, the girls have been busy!

The year began brilliantly at Mayfield with our latest ISI Inspection confirming that a Mayfield education is “outstanding”. We were awarded the highest grade of “excellent” across the board, in every category.

The Inspection covered not only regulatory compliance but also educational quality, and the academic achievements and personal development of the pupils.

Many congratulations to the whole Mayfield community on a well-deserved achievement.

The end of the Christmas term was as fun-packed as always with festive sporting activities, parties and, of course, the wonderful celebration that is Live Crib, performed and orchestrated so beautifully by our Sixth Formers. It really wouldn’t be Christmas without Live Crib.

Our second whole-school Speech and Prize Giving Celebration on Mayfield Day in June was a huge success. The weather could not have been more perfect as girls, parents and staff celebrated the pupils’ achievements (both in the classroom and outside of it). As always, Sports Day was a tightly-fought competition and congratulations are due to Bronte who took home the trophy as parents picnicked in our idyllic grounds.

Many congratulations to everyone on a superb set of results.

We are eagerly anticipating another exciting year, supporting and preparing the girls for the next stage in their lives.

Antonia Beary MA MPhil (Cantab), PGCE Headmistress

3

4

Academic Trips

History trip to Berlin I

n October Half Term, 24 girls headed off to Berlin for a historical and cultural tour of the city.

We began with a walking tour of some of Berlin’s main highlights, including the Brandenburg Gate and the poignant Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

German parliament, and enjoyed the On the second day, we visited beautiful night-time skyline from inside Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Norman Foster’s incredible dome. on the outskirts of the city. This was Our third day began at the interactive where some of the first political DDR Museum, followed by a visit to the prisoners were sent by the Nazis, remains of the Berlin and the girls were Wall itself, before very interested to discovering more explore the camp and “On the second about the darker side discover more about of life in the East at the conditions faced day, we visited Hohenschonhausen by those imprisoned Sachsenhausen Stasi Prison. Our trip inside. After some ended with a visit to free time in the Concentration the Kaiser Wilhelm hustle and bustle of Camp.”

Memorial Church, Alexanderplatz, we which has been switched our attention left damaged as a to the Cold War and reminder of the destruction caused by visited Checkpoint Charlie, one of the war, and the Story of Berlin Museum. gateways between East and West Berlin during its division. The adjacent The girls had plenty of opportunities museum detailed amazing stories of to experience German culture and those who tried to escape from the food during their free time and certainly DDR by balloon, tunnelling, or even enjoyed everything that this wonderful hiding inside car seats. That evening, city has to offer. we visited the Bundestag, home of the

5

Art and Ceramics visit to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew In September, a group of Year 10 and 12 Art and Ceramics students spent the day at Kew Gardens.

They were inspired by the amazing range of cacti, rainforest plants and huge lily pads in the Glass Houses, producing a wealth of beautiful photographs and delicate sketches for their portfolios.

In the footsteps of Virginia Woolf On Thursday 11th October, ‘Orlando Day’, Year 12s Mary and Megan, and Year 11s Samantha, India, Eleanor, Izzi and Eleanor, went to Charleston to read at the Orlando Reawakened Festival. Over the day, the whole novel was read aloud to an audience in the new barn, next to the house where the Bloomsbury Group used to gather.

There were many readers there including university students, artists, and renowned author Jeanette Winterson. It was particularly interesting to hear how the novel was interpreted and presented differently in each reading.

After our reading, we enjoyed a short tour of the gallery in which there was an interesting exhibition on ‘Orlando in the present day’ as well as a display of 50 plates featuring famous women in history, painted by members of the Bloomsbury Group.

We all found it to be a really enjoyable afternoon and an inspiring experience.

Year 11 Eleanor

6

Biology in Action In November, Year 12 Biologists attended ‘Biology in Action’ at the Emmanuel Centre in London. The first speaker was Helen Scales, a Marine Biologist, who spoke about her career and the challenges that she has faced. She also taught us about some fascinating species including the Greenland shark that can live for 500 years, and the Yeti crab that has bacteria living in its claws. Our next speaker was Clare Isacke, who discussed how and why people get cancer. This was very relevant, as the girls had just finished learning about the cell cycle and cancer.

After a short break, we listened to some fascinating research

by Elizabeth Bradbury from King’s College London. Her lab works to try to repair the spinal cord after injury. She discussed her research into an enzyme called chondroitinase, which can break down scar tissue and promote regeneration of the nerve tissue.

The second part of the day began with a very interesting talk from Tim Spector, a geneticist, who discussed how microbes in our gut can lead to weight gain or loss, and how environmental factors, such as being born by caesarean section, can greatly affect our gut microbes. The last lecture of the day was from Marty Jopson, who gave us an insight into cellular biology and a live microscopy demonstration.

Academic Trips

Budding politicians visit Supreme Court and Houses of Parliament In March, Year 12 History and Politics students, and our three American exchange students, visited the UK Supreme Court and the Houses of Parliament. The girls were fortunate to sit in on a very interesting Supreme Court case which was being presided over by Lady Hale, the President of the Supreme Court.

The girls were then taken on a tour of the Houses of Parliament, including Westminster Hall, where the trial of Charles I took place. They sat in on debates in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, before taking part in a workshop on how laws are made. All in all, it was a great day and the students gained a valuable insight into UK democracy at work.

Sixth Formers visit large Hadron Collider ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’

In February, our Physics A Level students visited the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. They explored the exhibits and learnt about the purpose of the experiment, before embarking on an extremely interesting tour of the facility. They also chatted with a PhD student who works on one of the detectors, who told the girls about how she got into working at CERN.

Year 13 Hermione highlights her favourite moments from the Textiles Department trip to the ‘Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams’ exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum:

The following day the girls visited the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Museum, where they learned all about the humanitarian work they do. They also had trips to the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum where they saw ‘Lucy’ (the earliest remains of man), and then very much enjoyed a tour of Lake Geneva.

In 1947, Christian Dior’s iconic ‘New Look’ caused an overnight sensation and defined an era of fashion – one that Dior himself called the “golden age”.

His masterful artistry and craftsmanship created a highfashion legacy that has endured over seven decades, with the House of Dior still at the forefront of fashion today.

Each room featured different ideas that worked together to create an incredible exhibition. My personal favourites included the International Room and the Paper Flower Room, with the latter having paper flowers and foliage tumbling from the ceiling, creating an exquisite atmosphere. The scenery complemented the elegant dresses which featured botanical patterns, shapes and embroidery. The showpiece of the room was a stunning dress with laser cut silk feathers delicately sewn in a floral pattern.

I feel very lucky to have experienced this exhibition for myself.

7

May merriment in Morocco The Geography Department’s 13th annual visit to Morocco over May Half Term was as vivid and unforgettable as their previous visits. The Year 10 Geographers worked hard on their Physical and Human Geography fieldwork investigations, but also found time to have a fun, cultural adventure in Marrakech, and in the village of Imlil in the High Atlas.

Highlights of the trip included a caleche ride around Marrakech city walls, and a guided tour through the souks, a camel ride, lots of picnics, and a visit to the Dar Imlil hammam in Imlil. A great time was had by all.

Schola raises the roof in Rome Schola Cantorum was honoured to be invited to return to Rome to perform in St Peter’s Basilica, The Pantheon, and Sant’Andrea della Valle, over the Easter holidays.

Following on from a highly successful performance at Arundel Cathedral in the Spring Term, 21 girls performed at the beautiful Church of Sant’Andrea della Valle, where they were inspired by the wonderful acoustics, and performed a challenging a capella repertoire.

The next day saw the girls singing Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Lent in the glorious surroundings of the Chapel of St Peter’s Basilica. Sunday morning brought the highlight of the tour, singing the 10:15 Mass at the Pantheon, where the awe-inspiring open dome and dignified ceremony were the perfect complements to the girls’ singing.

8

9

10

School News

GCSE Results 40%

GCSE entries achieved Grades 8 and 9 (A* equivalent)

100%

Music entries achieved Grades 9 to 7 (A* to A equivalent)

71%

History entries achieved Grades 9 to 7 (A* to A equivalent)

80%

RS entries achieved Grades 9 to 7

86%

Chinese entries achieved Grades 9 to 7

100%

Japanese entries achieved Grade 9

100%

Russian entries achieved Grade 9

72%

Spanish entries achieved Grades 9 to 7

71%

Art and Design entries achieved Grades 9 to 7

100%

Sports Studies entries achieved Grades 9 to 7

71%

Chemistry entries achieved Grades 9 to 7

71%

Biology entries achieved Grades 9 to 7

11

A Level Results 100% 86%

Art and Design entries achieved A* to A grades

73%

Biology entries achieved A* to A grades

100%

Ceramics entries achieved A* to A grades

77%

Chemistry entries achieved A* to A grades

80%

French entries achieved A* to A grades

75%

History entries achieved A* to A grades

100%

Latin entries achieved A* to A grades

100%

Japanese entries achieved A* to A grades

83%

12

A Level entries achieved A* to C grades

Spanish entries achieved A* to A grades

School News

Leaver University Destinations 2019 Destination

Subject

Destination

Subject

Brighton University

Designer Maker

Leeds University

Geography

Education Studies

Loughborough University

Art Foundation

Mathematics and Statistical Science

Manchester University

French, Business and Management

Bristol University

Cambridge University – Girton College

Cardiff University

Coventry University

English French and Politics Medicine

Environmental Science Nottingham University

Economics Economics with Management Science

Exercise and Sport Science Geography and Business Psychology

International Management Biological Sciences

Edinburgh University

Criminology

Oxford University Jesus College

Mathematics

Oxford University St Anne’s College

English Language and Literature

Plymouth University

Art Foundation

Ravensbourne

Art Foundation

Reading University

Pharmacy

St Mary’s University, Twickenham

P.E, Sport and Youth Development

Southampton University

Business Studies

Sussex University

Chemistry

Toronto University

Psychology

Fine Art History Veterinary Medicine Classics Exeter University

Exercise and Sports Science Middle East Studies

Groningen University

Physics

Harper Adams University

Agriculture

IE University, Madrid

Administration and Direction of Companies Actuarial Science

Kent University

Applied Psychology

UCL

Hispanic Studies Kings College London

Business Management

York University

Psychology and Education Chemistry English and History French and Spanish

13

New Staff

Mr John Doy We are delighted to welcome a number of new staff to the Mayfield community this term, among them is our new Head of Sixth Form and Teacher of English, Mr John Doy. Joining us from Seaford College, Mr Doy previously worked as Head of English and Director of Academic Performance. He has an English degree from Oxford University and PGCE from King’s College London, and enjoys listening to music and playing the guitar in his spare time.

Mr Ralph Cowan Mr Ralph Cowan is our new Head of Chemistry and has spent the last ten years as Head of Science at Ashford School. Mr Cowan studied Chemistry and Physiological Science at Magdalen College, Oxford, and is a keen wildlife gardener.

14

Mrs Margaret Barnett Joining us from Benenden, Old Cornelian Mrs Margaret Barnett is St Michael’s Housemistress.

She previously worked in pastoral care for Sixth Form boarders and as a singing teacher.

Mrs Barnett has a degree in Music from Colchester Institute and is a qualified Leith’s chef.

She loves cooking, painting, drawing, singing and playing board games, and was Head of Schola during her time at Mayfield.

Mrs Claire Baker Mrs Claire Baker is Mayfield’s new Head of Lower School and Teacher of Biology who joins us from The Towers where she was Assistant Head. With a Biology degree from Brighton University, and a PGCE from the University of Sussex, Mrs Baker also trained at the Northern Ballet School and enjoys fitness and running.

School News

Education in the Digital Age – seizing the digital opportunity L

ast November, Mayfield was delighted to welcome a plethora of distinguished speakers for a day of lectures and activities on ‘Education in the Digital Age’. Mayfield girls and visiting schools had the opportunity to hear from a wide range of leaders in the field on a variety of relevant topics, before we launched the Mayfield weather balloon, which arrived in France the following day.

• There was the exciting ‘one robot - 400 engineers’ resources box which was used to explore the fabulous designs from the James Dyson Foundation.

• Jessie Harris, Education Manager at The Emmerdale Studio Experience, provided pupils with an insight into the way technology is used in television and film making, and the skills required in these industries. The girls greatly enjoyed directing in ‘The Green Room’.

• Professor Richard Mitchell, Professor of Cybernetics and School Director of Technology Enhanced Learning at the University of Reading, engaged staff and pupils with an understanding of the academic study of Computer Science, the course opportunities at Reading University, how schools can prepare pupils for this discipline, and how links with business can facilitate pupil development.

• Dr Francis Aherne, Global Head of SABRE Development at Standard Chartered Bank, discussed computing in business.

• Mr Alan O’Donohoe from the Exa Foundation, which aims to inspire, support and promote the effective use of technology in education, held coding workshops for Years 7 and 8, and Simon from Tablet Academy worked with Years 9 and 10 to programme micro bits.

• Dr Blay Whitby, a leading researcher in the field of philosophy and ethics in new and emerging technologies from the University of Sussex, discussed the philosophical and ethical implications of artificial intelligence.

• Dan Elson loaned his BMW i8 Electric hybrid for the day and Tony Welford (Mayfield’s Exams Officer) parking his classic Bentley alongside the BMW for a direct comparison of how the automotive industry has embraced computerisation within vehicles today.

• Representatives from ACS, Heimdal, and Sophos, hosted stalls in the Cloisters where the girls could find out information and talk to the representatives.

15

Drama students dazzle with Danish ‘Tales from Anderson’ Congratulations to all 31 cast members for a hugely successful run of ‘Tales from Anderson’. The cast comprised actors across all age groups and from seven different nationalities, and featured fabulous guest appearances from Ms Downing and Mr Filkin.

The girls skilfully performed the famous Danish tales to Mayfield students, staff and parents, as well as children from Years 5 and 6 at Mayfield Primary School. The performance raised £335.48 for the Alzheimer’s Society.

16

School News

A Very Conspicuous Criminal

A

n invitation to the Starling Manor; in other words, extremely bad news. Evelyn Starling was having another of her infamous parties. ‘An innocent affair,’ the invite said. Oh, how she loved to taunt me.

I despised these things, but Evelyn knew that I would not fail to attend, due to my annoyingly pious moral compass that continually pointed me towards the walking disaster that is Miss Starling.

As I pulled up to the front gates of the manor, accidentally knocking a statue into a fountain, I reviewed yet again my purpose for being here. I had never stopped Evelyn before and I certainly wasn’t going to be able to tonight.

It seemed that the whole of Hollywood had turned up, much to Evelyn’s delight I’m sure. To my right I spotted a group of young girls in dresses of various brilliant hues – probably hoping to catch the attention of a talent scout.

I politely tapped the shoulder of the nearest one and asked her if she knew of Evelyn’s whereabouts.

She looked flattered at the attention and replied attentively, ‘Well that depends on the Evelyn that you want Sir. You see, I know quite a few Evelyns; there’s that one over there in that green dress –‘ ‘Perhaps I should have been more specific,’ I said, hastily cutting her off.

‘I’m looking for the host, Evelyn Starling.’

‘Oh, you know her?’ interjected one of the girls excitedly.

‘Some say that she’ll be the next Joan Crawford,’ said another questioningly, as if I knew.

I now had the attention of all of them, who were looking at me in awe. Whilst they began to pose me questions I noticed a scarlet dress slip around the corner behind the cluster of girls.

After swiftly making my excuses and reassuring them that no, I wasn’t a scout and yes, perhaps I could introduce them to the host later, they somewhat sulkily let me leave.

‘I’m so glad that you could make it,’ it said in a sweet Southern drawl as it turned and flashed me the beaming smile that makes the whole of America swoon.

‘It’s good to see you too Evelyn,’ I replied begrudgingly.

She cocked her head playfully. ‘Why do you look so glum Nick? Hasn’t anybody told you that the war has been over for a while now?’

‘Very funny.’

She gave a dramatic sigh. ’Don’t be such a drip. All the other soldiers I know are a lot more fun than you.’

I let out a short cruel laugh. ‘Maybe that’s because they don’t know you as well as I do.’

We paused and both turned to look out onto the party in silence.

‘So what exactly are you stealing today?’

She turned to me and hesitated, as if she was about to deny it, but then shrugged and replied, ‘Two million in gold, intercepted from a cargo plane flying straight from South Africa. It’s being delivered to the back gate.’

I let out a low whistle and laughed in spite of myself. ‘Well, you always have been ambitious.’

She smiled, a real smile this time, and said proudly, almost under her breath, ‘It’s the perfect cover for the perfect crime.’

As she turned back to the party below and scanned meticulously over the guests, it hit me yet again just how intelligent she actually was; and not just smart, also charismatic, beautiful and confident. But unfortunately my role was not to admire her, but to try my best to stop her.

‘Listen, Evelyn..’ I trailed off as she swung her head around and her golden blond hair flipped over her shoulder.

‘Yes?’ I sighed. ‘You need to stop this.’

I followed in pursuit of the scarlet gown to find myself on one of the balconies with a silhouette looking out onto the night.

She broke eye contact with me and left the silence to grow expectant.

By Year 9 Elizabeth

‘But it’s what I’m good at,’ she replied quietly.

‘Listen to yourself!’ I said exasperatedly, ‘You’re one of the best actresses in Hollywood – ‘ ‘You don’t understand, Nick, that’s just my day job...’ she protested.

I realised that I had forgotten to add stubborn to the list of her qualities, but I had to try and save her from herself, at least one last time.

‘Evelyn – ‘ ‘No,’ she said shortly, and then turned to face me. ’I’m sorry Nick. I guess that you don’t know me that well after all.’

With that she turned and walked quickly back into the house, leaving me to brood over my failure.

I walked over to the edge of the balcony and looked out onto the sea of twirling dresses and raucous laughter.

It left me wondering what it would be like to be ignorant; but soon I began to realise that the laughter had turned to screaming and the sea seemed to be moving away from the manor.

I looked directly down from the balcony to see men in official-looking suits with pistols shouting confused instructions to one another.

I hurriedly scanned the crowd. There were red dresses everywhere, but none of them were Evelyn. I sprinted down the stairs and pushed through the crowd as I tried my best to find her, but I was just one in a crowd where everyone was yelling. I thought that I heard shots, but perhaps that was just part of my adrenaline-enhanced memory. I eventually turned back towards the house – and there on the balcony stood a silhouette of a woman in a red dress with golden blonde hair.

She raised her hand slowly as a last plea for help. Only it was too late – for at that moment the manor exploded into a brilliant white light.

When people mourn her death, I tell them that it is exactly how she would have wanted it. After all it was the most dramatic end to a most dramatic night – and Evelyn Starling had always had a flair for the dramatic.

17

Mayfield girls go for gold at British Biology Olympiad 2019 In March, Mayfield hosted an exciting day of mathematical enrichment activities, supported by the Further Maths Support Programme. Mayfield girls were joined by able mathematicians from Beacon Academy, Heathfield Community College, Uckfield Community College and St Gregory’s, for a carousel of workshops that were designed to inspire and stimulate, as well as encourage them to consider Maths as an option for A Level and beyond.

Years 8 and 9 tackle Team Maths Challenge In March, a team of mathematicians from Years 8 and 9 represented Mayfield in The Regional Final of the Team Maths Challenge at Robertsbridge Community College.

Year 9s Megan, Elizabeth, and Isabella, and Year 8 Abigail, had a day filled with mathematical fun spread across four rounds. These were the Group Round, Shuttle, Crossnumber and Relay. They tackled the warm-up questions with enthusiasm and worked very well as a team.

Maths Enrichment Day Inspires Year 10 Girls In March, Mayfield hosted an exciting day of mathematical enrichment activities, supported by the Further Maths Support Programme. Mayfield girls were joined by able mathematicians from Beacon Academy, Heathfield Community College, Uckfield Community College and St Gregory’s, for a carousel of workshops that were designed to inspire and stimulate, as well as encourage them to consider Maths as an option for A Level and beyond.

Year 8 inspiration at ‘People like me’ Careers Evening In January, Year 7 and 8 pupils were joined by parents for ‘People like me’ – a careers event run by WISE, the campaign for gender balance in Science, Technology and Engineering, in collaboration with the GSA (Girls' School Association).

The event aimed to show the girls that there are a huge number of careers available to them in Science, not just traditional roles such as being a Scientist. The girls learnt about managing a science business, designing scientific products, influencing government policy, and roles using analytical skills. All those presenting were Old Cornelians!

18

School News

Mayfield secures third place in Team Maths Challenge In December, Mr Clarke took Year 13s Ruby and Lydia, and Year 12s Caroline and Emily, to Bexhill Sixth Form College to compete in the Team Maths Challenge.

Following three taxing rounds, we were delighted to be placed third behind Bede’s and Bexhill Sixth Form College. We were each given our certificates and a box of Maltesers, and returned to Mayfield feeling very pleased with our achievement.

Sixth Form Success in UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge 2018 Last November, Years 12 and 13 entered the UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge, a 90-minute paper of challenging Maths questions aimed at testing problem-solving skills.

The Mathematics Department is pleased to report the following results: Gold certificates were awarded to Year 13s Marta, Ruby and Lydia.

UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge 2019 The Intermediate Mathematical Challenge is a national competition run by the UK Mathematics Trust and it is aimed at students in Years 9, 10 and 11. The first round took place in February and the girls did brilliantly, receiving Gold, Silver and Bronze Certificates. Three girls received the highly coveted Best in Year Award, one of whom also achieved Best in School.

Silver certificates were awarded to Year 13s Sherry, Mady and Amelia, and Year 12s Shiho, Emily and Georgiana.

Bronze certificates were awarded to Year 12s Imogen, Blaize, Emily, Caroline, Yoyo, Julia, Yuki, Baillie, Amelia, Zoe, Alice, Julie, Megan, Joy, Gbeminiyi, Sharen, Cannis, and Helena, and Year 13s Anna and Fryderyka.

Ruby also qualified for the British Mathematical Olympiad. Only the top 1,000 candidates in the Senior Mathematical Challenge are invited to participate so this was a fantastic achievement.

Careers and Higher Education: Fantastic future for Futures Fair

O

ver 200 visitors attended Mayfield’s first Futures Fair, including 30 students from neighbouring schools. The girls chatted to representatives from the Army, the RAF, the NHS, and students from the Royal Veterinary College, St Mary’s Twickenham and Cambridge University.

Visitors were able find out about the range of land-based courses at Plumpton College, event management and brand management courses in London, and hospitality management at the world-famous Glion and Les Roches schools in Switzerland.

Southampton University gave a very well received talk on how to prepare

a competitive UCAS application, while talks by UES Education on studying in the United States, and Projects Abroad on volunteering and interning abroad, also proved popular.

The School will be hosting the Futures Fair on a biannual basis and we are already looking forward to the next one.

The Futures Fair forms part of the comprehensive careers education, information, advice and guidance programme which supports each girl to make informed decisions about her future. This is embedded in the curriculum across all year groups through our Life Skills Programme,

which enables girls to discover their strengths and skills, explore a wide range of career and further study options, and make appropriate GCSE and A Level choices. In addition, subject teachers highlight the relevance of their disciplines to a range of careers paths. We build on this further in the Sixth Form with additional personalised and impartial advice and guidance, together with a full programme of events to inform the girls of the opportunities and paths available after school, including further and higher education, employment, apprenticeships, gap year options and other alternatives.

19

Don’t you know me at all?

W

e set out, armed with a camera and an umbrella, just in case. I don’t understand why Mum wants to go for a walk, maybe to talk to me? Ha! I’ve given up trying.

It is a stunning location. The radiant sun grins on the sapphire river and emerald grass. I ask for the camera. This shot is almost too good to pass up. Almost.

“Do you even know how to use it?”

“Don’t you m-mean the friends that m-made me a laughing stock? Or the l-l-lovely people that b-booed me offstage? That was very m-merry in deed!”

“Mum,” I said, looking up to her with swollen eyes, “I’m s-sorry.”

Gentle, grey eyes stare at me in surprise. Wrinkled hands brush mine.

“No. I’m s-sorry for this.”

And that’s when I tell her everything.

“Marisol, I…” I rip my hands away. “D-d-don’t know me at all? Wow, that’s the f-f-first thing you actually know about m-m-me!”

I groan. “N-no, I was b-born yesterday.”

“Oh dear, I missed your birthday!”

Mum speaks fluent sarcasm.

As we trek uphill, the sun dips behind dark, foreboding clouds. Mum asks me “personal” questions. How’s singing practice and the Malice twins? Stutter not getting in the way? Etcetera. Proves how little she knows me. Then she asks me if I’d made more friends yet.

“W-what do you m-mean?”

“Oh, Marisol, you can’t stay with the same friends forever. There must be lovely people at your new school. The more the merrier!”

That was the last straw.

“No need to apologise, honey, it’s not your fault…”

I start to run, down the hill and into an open field. My tears cloud my vision, and my anger clouds my senses. I can’t see the thundering clouds above me. I can’t see the gaping hole in front of me and I can’t see the branch that is about to catch my feet– “Aaaaaah!”

I fall, collapsing in a heap on the floor.

A throbbing pain surges through my ankle. Mum jumps down to join me. And as if being stuck in a hole wasn’t great enough, it started to rain.

“Good thing we got that umbrella, eh?”

Mum tries to smile as she examines my ankle. “Oh dear, you hurt it badly, didn’t you?”

I tell her about the singing scholarship, how I applied and was told that they hated my singing. I tell her how my ex-friends, the twins, became nasty, spreading rumours and calling me maggot voice. I tell her about the singing contest, how I won and everyone booed me off stage. And I tell her about photography, how I communicate without words. I tell her how I realised all I want is to communicate. Mum listens. Mum doesn’t taunt, or yell, or laugh. Mum listens. I need someone to listen and Mum listens.

The clouds melts away, exposing the byzantine blue heavens. Mum pulls me out, and like two suns emerging from the horizon, we start the journey home, Mum and I.

By Year 7 Breanna

150th Anniversary Prize Giving In February, we held an evening celebration to announce the winners of this year’s 150th Anniversary Competition, judged by The Cornelian Association. The theme for this year’s prize was ‘All things European’, and girls from Years 7 to 9 were invited to submit work which celebrated and explored ideas connected to this topic. This year’s entries were particularly creative, ranging from the lives of St Elizabeth of Hungary, Coco Chanel and European

20

scientists, to paintings, and a cake celebrating the contribution that Europe has made to the world.

The standard of entries was so high this year that joint winners were awarded for each year group, and the overall winner was Year 7 Lydia for ‘My flag for Europe’.

We are very grateful to the Old Cornelian Association for sponsoring the prizes and to judges, Monica Hicks and Fiona Hodgkins.

School News

‘Better the Balance, Better the World’ 8th February was first established as International Women's Day in the 1900s as a day to highlight women's rights.

This year’s theme was ‘Better the Balance, Better the World’ to highlight gender inequalities.

To mark the day, our Year 7 girls were joined by girls from The Mead School and Skippers Hill to take part in STEAM workshops (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths). These were led by three very inspirational Old Cornelians, as well as workshops run by Mayfield staff and students.

Colourful characters celebrate World Book Day Girls in Lower School celebrated World Book Day in March by dressing up as their favourite book characters, in return for a donation to Book Aid International. The girls raised £95 for the charity.

The annual Lower School character parade featured a range of spectacular costumes. Mowgli, Pippi Longstocking, Paddington Bear, Little Miss Splendid and Matilda were some of the individuals who appeared, while the groups included characters from Swallows and Amazons, Three Blind Mice, Little Women, Red Riding Hood and Mary Poppins.

21

A Freeze in Time A 500 word short story by Year 9 Sophie He just sat there. There were memories there, ones he wanted to forget but just couldn’t. Clouded in mystery. People said that the man had never moved but was cursed. Some said he was mad. Some thought he was homeless. But what happened in his past life? Nobody cared enough to stop by and ask. So the man just sat there wondering if ever someone could stop their time and help him.

A single act of kindness could stop time. A small girl passed by the bench one day. She had been told you weren’t supposed to talk to vagrants. But this little girl had a heart, she sensed the dismal feelings of this man. So she stopped her walk and sat beside him.

Time seemed to slow down. People seemed to freeze in what they were doing. “Hello,” she whispered. The man stayed silent. It was months since someone had actually spoken to him and he had quite forgotten how to make contact. “What’s wrong, you seem unhappy?” she said.

The girl gazed down to his right arm but her eyes missed a hand. It was gone. She sensed there might be a story to his past life. “How?” she murmured.

“5th September 1941 and the war was in full. I wanted to go over but I don’t know why. Lie low they said, I was the youngest of the group. Stay safe they said. But did I listen? Well.”

22

“So what happened?” the young girl said, hungry for more tales of the past.

“I got caught up in the rush. I could have gone back but I didn’t, I went over. Biggest mistake ever. Almost cost me my life. Took away me arm, and shattered me heart. All my friends gone, the poundings of running feet and the whistling bullets raining down on us. I was lucky. So lucky to still be alive.

But when I was done in hospital I came back for more. The hunger and the greed for power and glory raged inside me.

It was deafening. ”And what happened then, how come you’re here?”

“They wouldn’t let me back on the Force, they said I was crippled. So I went back to the family home, head held low and drooping. But when I came to the house there was something odd. The house had been blown up and all my family had disappeared. Bombed to death. I had nowhere to go. So I took a walk one day feeling like these deep feelings inside me would never leave. I sat down on a bench and froze in time. I tried to forget everything but I couldn’t so I just sat there and waited to die.” And then you came along and set me free.

In a single second the world seemed to unfreeze and go back to normal. The man’s years melted away and his heart was warm.

School News

History of Art: the perfect subject for our visual world

D

r Joanna Weddell has been Head of History of Art at Mayfield since 2005. She has degrees in Architecture (Westminster), and History of Art (Sussex), and has lectured at the University of Brighton, and the Victoria & Albert Museum. Her doctorate, ‘Disseminating Design’, concerned the post-war history of the V&A Museum's touring exhibitions, a project funded by the Museum and the Arts and Humanities Research Council at the University of Brighton. She blogs on post-war design and museology on the V&A website and in 2016 co-edited Design Objects and the Museum (Bloomsbury Academic).

Here Dr Weddell outlines the benefits of Studying History of Art at A Level: “In a world dominated by images, History of Art provides a stimulating insight into visual culture and a critical overview of how and why images are used. In the Sixth Form, Mayfield offers the CIE (Cambridge International Examinations) Pre-University course in History of Art, which equips students with the skills they need to make a success of studying the subject at university. History of Art is fascinating and intellectually challenging, covering a wide range of art, architecture and sculpture. As an academic subject, History of Art also fosters a lifelong enjoyment of art, culture and civilisation.

The course includes introductory case studies of well-known works of art,

and the specialist study of a wider range of art and architecture from the Italian Renaissance, 18th century Britain and 19th century Europe. A paper on ‘the city’ encourages an innovative approach to the material objects, physical experiences and spatial practices of London’s long history. The illustrated coursework essay section allows students to choose their own topic, and includes a live examination (viva), which is excellent practice for university interviews. Written and visual skills are developed and students contribute actively in debates and discussions.

Visits to major museums and galleries in London, and Florence or Paris, are an enjoyable part of the course as seeing art and architecture at first hand is essential.

History of Art promotes critical thinking and close analysis and is well regarded as a humanities subject by Russell Group universities. Mayfield students have gone on to study History of Art at Bristol, the Courtauld Institute, Edinburgh, Exeter, Manchester, and Warwick. Students have also used History of Art in successful applications to study a variety of subjects such as Philosophy at Durham, Psychology at Bristol, Italian at UCL, Physics at Oxford, Architecture at Edinburgh, and Fine Art at Central St Martins.

range of careers. Skills learnt studying History of Art are valuable for roles in studio-based disciplines such as Fine Art, Architecture and Engineering. Arts, museum and heritage management, fine art dealing, auctioneering, the media, and publishing are other options, as well as the wider creative and cultural industries. Studying History of Art encourages an understanding of material culture and is deeply fulfilling for those who have a critical curiosity and an enthusiasm for visual art. The subject fosters written, verbal and analytical skills, and the visual literacy that is increasingly valuable in a web-based world. For students whose attention is caught by a piece of art, sculpture or architecture (or by an advert, car, poster, or teacup), and who pause to wonder why it looks the way it does, History of Art is the perfect course.”

Humanities subjects give access to traditional graduate roles and provide a firm basis from which to develop a broad

23

Mayfield Day 2019

O

n 22nd June, the School was delighted to welcome over 900 parents, guests, pupils and staff to the second whole-school Speech and Prize Giving Celebration on Mayfield Day. We were blessed with wonderful weather and everyone very much enjoyed guest speaker Marie-Sophie Raskin’s witty and wise words about making the most of your time at Mayfield, and being brave – even when you don’t feel it.

After the prizes were presented, the Catering Department treated everyone to a delicious barbecue lunch, before we watched the girls competing in Inter-House Athletics. The wonderful Creative Arts Exhibition, the Textiles Exhibition, Drama and Music performances, and stalls in the marquee, provided great entertainment for our guests, and the ice cream van was a big hit!

Thank you very much to everyone who attended to celebrate all the girls’ wonderful achievements and contributions to the School this year. Many congratulations to our Year 13 Leavers, all the prize winners and performers, and to Brontë who won the Inter-House Athletics.

24

School News

25

26

Co-curricular Activities

Mayfield girls make waves at Model United Nations

I

n November, eight members of Mayfield’s Model United Nations Club joined delegations from 25 other schools at CROYMUN – the Model United Nations Conference at Croydon High School.

The girls from Years 9 and 12 formed delegations for Ghana and Hungary, and sat on a wide range of committees including Economic and Financial, Social, Cultural and Humanitarian, Disarmament and International Security, Human Rights, and the Status of Women. Within these committees, questions concerned the militarisation of space, the protection of voting systems and rights, sanctions on Iran, intellectual property theft, universal health provision, protection of the press, child marriage, honour killings, the rights of transgender people, and the restoration of art and antiquities to their country of origin.

At the start of the Conference, each delegate had to lobby other delegates within their committee to sign their country’s resolution. Year 12 Gbeminiyi, the Hungarian delegate on the Council for Human Rights, not only had her resolution on the question of modern slavery accepted by the Chair, but also passed by the Council following her presentation and defence of it.

All the girls had to present policy statements at the Conference and many

bravely raised their placards for points of information, and to present speeches for and against resolutions. It was a really interesting and inspiring day with many girls feeling that it challenged their assumptions on a wide range of topics, which is exactly what debate should do.

They met boys and girls from across year groups and a wide range of schools, cultures and backgrounds, and engaged with them on some of the most pressing global issues of their generation.

In March, 11 girls from Years 9, 10 and 12 acted as delegates for China, Germany and Kuwait, at a Model United Nations Conference at Cobham Hall School in Kent, representing their countries on a wide range of issues.

Year 9 Yueshi, representing Germany, was honoured to have her resolution on the question of whether there should be a compulsory curriculum on LGBTQ selected for debate by the Chair of the Education Committee. The girls really enjoyed the opportunity to discuss issues with pupils from other schools and to listen to a wide range of viewpoints.

This was Cobham Hall's first ever MUN Conference so it was lovely to be a part of that. The MUN Club is now looking forward to attending a threeday conference in Torun, Poland, in September, alongside pupils from schools across Europe.

27

Year 12 students explore Intergenerational Learning

S

tudents from Year 12 have been making the most of an extremely precious educational resource this year – life experience. As part of the Life Stories Project, they have been meeting with eight older people from the local area to chat about their lives and memories, to help overcome isolation and loneliness amongst the elderly, and to create inter-generational understanding and learning opportunities for the girls.

woman with the most amazing life. I found her recollections The girls spent five weeks preparing by looking at of the Second World War particularly poignant as they had communication skills, safeguarding, interviewing and notea vast impact on her as a child and, as a keen historian, taking techniques, before they met their partners in February. learning from her about the Cold War and feminism in What followed was a moving and educational journey the 1960s and 70s was incredibly during which inter-generational interesting. It was great to learn about friendships were forged over tea and these important historical events from cake, and the girls learned a great deal a personal perspective as opposed to about modern history from their partners.

“Having the chance from a text book.” to take part in the Life Each week, the girls met their partners Sally’s partner, 94-year-old Sheila in London House or the Mayfield School Stories Project has been Humphrey would thoroughly Courtyard to chat about their partners’ an amazing opportunity recommend the Project; “I think I have lives, and these memories have now been lucky to have such a long and been compiled into a book for them to and privilege.” interesting life and Sally was interested keep, which the girls hope will become in it all. There were many things she precious family heirlooms. had not known about before, and I think she greatly enjoyed the experience. She is a lovely Year 13 Sally said; “Having the chance to take part in the girl and we got on very well. I’d like to think we will stay Life Stories Project has been an amazing opportunity and in touch.” privilege. My partner, Sheila, is just the most extraordinary

28

Co-curricular Activities

29

Three go adventuring in California Year 12 Helena describes her wonderful travels during Mayfield’s exchange programme with Cornelia Connelly School, Anaheim: On 28th March, Ruby, Gbeminiyi and I set off to Gatwick Airport to embark on the return leg of an exchange trip with Cornelia Connelly School, Anaheim, America. The three girls hosting us in Anaheim – Gabby, Samie, and Ava – had previously stayed with us in England.

During their time with us, we toured them around the main sites of London, took them for a day out in Brighton, ate fish and chips, a classic English roast, and went out for tea and scones. We all helped out at a farm (something that is not very common in Anaheim), and of course provided them with the full Mayfield school experience. After three weeks of sharing what we considered to be the best parts of England with them, we sadly waved them goodbye. However, there was no need for tears, as it wasn’t long before our return visit.

Upon my arrival in Anaheim, I was enthusiastically welcomed

by Gabby (my exchange student) and her family. It didn’t take long for the fun to begin as I spent my first evening at a baseball match, which turned out to be the longest nineinning game in Angel Stadium history, lasting four hours and 13 minutes! This voyage of discovery of American sports continued throughout my stay, and by the end of the trip I had also watched a professional ice hockey game, a boys’ varsity lacrosse match, and learned to wakeboard in PE lessons.

We were warmly greeted on our arrival at Cornelia Connelly School, and were gifted school hoodies to ensure that we would feel like true Connelly girls. Our time at school was spent joining the girls in their lessons, but a considerable amount of our studying was spent outside in the sun. We were also lucky enough to join the girls in their charity week, which involved spending a day at a food bank packing boxes of food for the homeless, which was a very bonding experience.

Once the weekend arrived, we were spoiled with choices of things to do. I spent the majority of my weekends with my exchange student, Gabby, and the rest of her family, as did Ruby and Gbeminiyi. We drove up to Venice Beach along Route 66, went on bike rides along Long Beach Promenade, visited the Griffith Observatory, walked around Huntington Library and Gardens, met friends in downtown LA, and of course, went to Disneyland.

Overall, the exchange was a thoroughly enjoyable trip that led me to meet some wonderful people who I hope will remain friends for life. I have plans to visit again and have already invited Gabby to return to England so she can visit the farm again, which was one of her favourite parts of the trip.

30

Co-curricular Activities

Year 12 Enrichment Programme

Coding joins Mayfield’s Sixth Form Enrichment Programme

Mr Matthew Mendes has started using ‘Minecraft: Education Edition’ to teach Mayfield’s Sixth Form Enrichment classes the basics of coding. The Education Edition of Minecraft allows students to use a programme called Code Builder that features tools including Code.org, Tynker, Scratch and Microsoft MakeCode, and students can use blocks of code or JavaScript to build and create in Minecraft.

New Oceans sails to success in Young Enterprise Annual Competition

Y

ear 12s Kitty, Zara, Blaize and Baillie, chose the Young Enterprise Company Programme as their Sixth Form Enrichment Activity and together created a company called ‘New Oceans’, which sells re-usable water bottles and environmentally-friendly straws. They began by selling shares and organising a raffle to raise capital for their venture, and have attended trade fairs and local events to sell their products and raise awareness of plastic pollutants.

One of the many events New Oceans attended was the Eastbourne and Wealden Young Enterprise Trade Fair at The Beacon Centre in Eastbourne, where the girls sold nearly all their stock, and were awarded a trophy and certificate for Best Customer Service.

The girls were delighted to make it to the area final of the Young Enterprise Annual Competition in Brighton where they went head-to-head with 14 other companies from schools including Brighton College, BHASVIC, Eastbourne College, Roedean, Varndean, and Gildredge House. The girls had to submit a company report and have their digital presence assessed, as well as being interviewed by two panels of judges and giving a presentation. They did extremely well and scooped the following awards: Best Customer Service – Winner (for the second time), Best Company Report – Highly Commended, and Best Digital Presence – Highly Commended. Special mention and congratulations must go to Baillie, New Ocean’s MD and FD, who won the Young Achiever of the Year Award.

While this is a lot of fun, the girls are learning important skills to prepare them for the workplace - collaboration, communication, critical thinking and systems thinking.

The open learning environment gives students the freedom to experiment, encouraging creative self-expression and problem solving.

Astronomy Club searches the solar system Mr Spencer Senior runs Mayfield’s Astronomy Club for students in Years 10 to 12. The girls discuss astronomy in the news, developments in manned space flight, and private rocket companies such as Space X and Blue Origin. They look at the solar system in depth, and learn about stars, galaxies, and aspects of cosmology.

Year 12 Izzy has been enjoying Astronomy Club since it first started almost two years ago: “It is definitely my favourite club as we research cool astronomical facts, and when it is clear, we take the telescope outside to look at the night sky.

Currently, we are making scale models of the solar system which is a nice relaxing break from school work.”

Wines of the World Sixth Form Events Management Enrichment students arranged a wine tasting evening in January, in support of Mary's Meals.

Everyone had a great time and the girls raised a grand total of £374.53, which was doubled by UKAid.

31

Plan Bee for Farm Club A

t Farm Club, which is run by girls in Years 7 and 8, the girls learn about sustainable farming methods and how to care for the animals. Farm Club has reared its own pigs, turkeys, lambs and chickens, which were then used in the School kitchen, and the eggs were either sold to raise money to sustain Farm Club, or used in the School kitchen.

Following some very effective fundraising and a matched donation from the School, MESSy (Mayfield Environmental and Sustainability Society) has purchased a bee hive, equipment, and a nucleus of Buckfast bees to add to the School menagerie.

The bees, which are famously productive and have a passive demeanour, will provide honey to be sold to raise funds for MESSy and to maintain the bees.

Students will also be able to watch the bee’s lifecycle and gain a greater understanding of these amazing insects.

Bridge Club is top trumps At the beginning of the Summer Term, Mrs Gibson formed Mini Bridge Club for girls in all year groups. The Club's meetings take place every Tuesday afternoon, during which girls have an opportunity to learn how to play Mini Bridge with help from members of Eastbourne Bridge Club and

32

Mayfield’s own Grand Master, Mr Mortimer. Throughout the term, we learnt various bridge techniques and how to remember the cards, all of which will help us to become good bridge players in the future!

Year 12 Julia

Co-curricular Activities

Duke of Edinburgh Awards BRONZE DofE SUCCESS During two days of walking with full backpacks and camping on the South Downs in June, 34 Mayfield girls demonstrated excellent teamwork and camp craft to successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s assessed expedition.

GOLD DofE EXPEDITION Well done to Year 12 girls Caroline, Mary, Amelia H, Amelia O-P, Joy, Zoe, Anna and Isabelle who successfully completed their five-day Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award training and practice expedition in the Lake District over the Easter holidays. Although the sun was shining for most of their expedition, temperatures did drop very low at times, creating some challenging conditions, particularly on the night when they wild camped in the hills rather than at an established site.

They were the first DofE group to train with our new AAP, Sam Sykes Ltd, who reported how impressed they were with the girls’ attitude, ability and enthusiasm.

PRESENTATION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE Many congratulations to Funmi Ademuwagun (OC, 2017) and Elizabeth Trippett (OC, 2018) who were presented with their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Buckingham Palace in May.

The Kilts

Year 12 Tali talks Fleetwood Mac and performing on stage in front of 1,000 people: We had been wanting to put together a band for a long time, and this academic year, we finally formed ‘The Kilts’. With our four founding members, Tali on bass, Genevieve on guitar, Pia on guitar and keyboard, and Lottie on the cahon and tambourine, being joined by drummer Lia, we finally experienced what it is like to perform on stage in front of 1,000 people.

Our first performance was alongside the a capella choir in March, where we performed The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. All of us have dreamt of being in a band at some point in our lives, and it is amazing that we managed to do this in School despite all our other commitments.

Each band member has a different taste in music, ranging from metal to indie and pop. Thankfully we all share a taste for classic rock!

33

Spotlight on Ceramics Mr Tim Rees-Moorlah, Mayfield’s Head of Ceramics, talks smashed pots, patience and transferrable skills…

Q: What first inspired you to study Ceramics?

A: My first experience was taking the subject as an AS Level.

I was encouraged to take the course initially to ensure that my timetable was full enough but I quickly discovered a passion for working with clay, making different pieces using different techniques and glazes. I had no idea that Ceramics would become such a central element of my life and career.

During the course, I learnt about different styles and makers, and I became interested in the British studio pottery tradition and its ideology. From A Level I progressed on to working at Winchcombe Pottery with Ray Finch, and then onto a Ceramics course at Loughborough University, followed by a short apprenticeship at Dartington Pottery.

Q: What has been your biggest pottery disaster?

A: In my final wood firing at university, I managed to twist a kiln shelf and smash a portion of my final work. I am not a naturally patient person and Ceramics requires a significant amount of patience. I have learned over the years that if you don’t take your time and test glazes, you are usually going to be disappointed!

Q: And what is your favourite creation?

A: As a production potter, a well-made teapot that functions properly and has a pleasing glaze is very gratifying. I have made less and less as time goes by, but I do enjoy seeing the final pieces that the girls at Mayfield produce. I am always impressed by their creativity and fearlessness.

On numerous occasions, their spontaneous and energetic approach results in very impressive work.

Q: What led you into teaching Ceramics?

A: I discovered that sitting in a studio by myself churning out domestic ware was a lonely endeavour, and I really was not suited to solitude. My old teacher encouraged me to interview for a position at Reading University (I thought this

34

Camilla Le May at work

might have been a technicians’ post). At the end of a short interview, I was congratulated and told that I was accepted onto the Art and Design PGCE course. I decided to take up the offer and once in my placement school, I realised that teaching others was a very rewarding thing to do.

I remember being asked to use a dusty old potter’s wheel to demonstrate making a bowl to a class of Year 9 pupils.

They roared their approval and all wanted to have a go.

I think I was hooked on teaching from that point.

Q: What are the benefits of studying Ceramics at A Level?

A: I think Ceramics is a rare subject in schools now. Beyond the skills that are learned, the design and conceptual processes are extremely useful and transferrable. In education, It is rare to be given a very open starting point and to then develop an entire project from it. There is no proscribed answer and every A Level student is encouraged to think divergently, a hugely valuable skill in the rapidly evolving job market.

Co-curricular Activities

‘Sudan’ by Camilla Le May

At Mayfield, all A Level students have the opportunity to work with nine different clays, any glaze that they can find a recipe for, and they have their own dedicated work space. We have four different kilns including raku, wood, electric and smoke. Students also have the opportunity to attend a residential course in Portugal to learn how to use the potter’s wheel from Robert Sollis, a Master Potter. Many students find the subject a place to find peace and a true respite from the other subjects that they are taking. It is also worth remembering that the Ceramics Department at Mayfield is potentially the best in Europe, having earned over seven awards for excellence in the last decade.

Q: What are the most exciting and unexpected careers that studying Ceramics leads to?

A: Ceramics combined with any other subject allows a student to go onto study whatever they wish. During a recent visit from Cardiff University, we were told about a Ceramics student achieving a marketing job after competing with ten other candidates with marketing degrees. She was chosen because she had excellent problem-solving skills and suggested numerous solutions. The same quick thinking that is needed for Ceramics, is also very useful in medical professions and applicants with a creative subject are viewed favourably.

Q: Do you have any advice for girls looking to study Ceramics beyond A Level?

A: There are many good courses for students wishing to progress down the Ceramics route. We have strong links with Cardiff Metropolitan University and many girls have progressed onto the Ceramics course there. Bath, Loughborough and Manchester have good Ceramics Departments, but there are also opportunities to work directly with makers if skills are desired over degrees.

One OC, Jenna Gearing, began to work for herself immediately after leaving Mayfield and now has a piece in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery as well as pieces in the Imperial War Museum. Camilla La May, another Old Cornelian, has pieces in collections all over the world.

‘Roe Buck’ by Jenna Gearing

James Fuggle, Mayfield’s Ceramics Technician, talks about how clay ‘gets under your skin’ There is something about clay that gets under your skin (as they say!) I was first introduced to clay as a 17 year old, taking up an apprenticeship as a trainee thrower in Rye, East Sussex, a town which once had five potteries producing work like a mini Stoke-on-Trent.

The transition from industry to education has been an interesting learning process Education is always challenging as you constantly have to think on your feet, observe and make decisions, transforming an initial idea into an original piece of art work.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Technician in the Ceramics Department is opening the kiln door to reveal the finished piece. As clay shrinks and glazes change colour in the firing process, it’s not until that moment that you get the pure joy of seeing what you have created. Of course, there are disappointments and failures, but these are balanced against great successes. These all help to form the student’s character, determination and skill.

Ceramics is always changing and evolving, and it influences many aspects of our lives with links to academic subjects including History, RS, Geology, Science and Technology. Passing on knowledge and skills to the girls is one of the most rewarding parts of being a Technician. All staff in the Ceramics Department have a great passion for their subject and endeavour to help the girls achieve the very highest standard of work. Having been a Technician at Mayfield for over 20 years, I have personally learnt alot, mainly because the students are constantly challenging you with their ideas and so problem solving skills are key - skills that we all need in life's long journey.

When I get some free time, I make my own work in my studio at home. The work is mostly in porcelain clay with crystalline glazes. As I mentioned before clay gets under your skin!

35

Creative Arts Show 2019

36

Co-curricular Activities

37

Sixth Form Memories of Mayfield Our Year 13 Leaver’s look back on their Sixth Form at Mayfield…

“When I joined the Sixth Form at Mayfield, I didn’t think it would be any different to the rest of the School. However, I was wrong! The girls in the Sixth Form have a lot more privileges than the rest of the School. For example, we have more free periods so we can get on with our work whenever we want. I also found that I had closer relationships with my teachers, and felt like I could ask them anything. I met a lot of new people and built on the friendships that I already had. I also gained valuable skills by experiencing things like the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award.

“One of my best memories of the Sixth Form is definitely Muck up Day, when we could say goodbye properly to each other and to our teachers, and have a great day without thinking about exams!

Overall, I would say that my experience at Mayfield benefitted me greatly, especially my experience in the Sixth Form, as it prepared me for the future and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.”

of my favourite memories as it was such great fun to organise with my friends (and I really loved my costume!). The Sixth Form at Mayfield also gave me the fantastic opportunity of getting involved with the Actions not Words Life Stories Programme. Following a series of ‘chat and cake’ sessions, I wrote a biography for Fred, an elderly man living in Mayfield village. Fred and I share a love of dancing which helped us to bridge the age gap between us, and we both found the whole experience invaluable. Not only did it improve my English writing technique but also, more importantly, it allowed me to give back to the wider community. And Fred loves his published biography!”

Year 13 leaver, Lolly FULL STEAM AHEAD!

“My proudest moment in Sixth Form was at the Creative Arts Show this year.

Seeing my work displayed alongside that of my peers, and seeing how truly unique each piece was, made me realise how Mayfield tailored and supported our art journeys to help us grow as individuals.”

Year 13 leaver, Ying Ying

38

“The support offered by my teachers meant that the transition into the intense A Level course was smooth for me, as my teachers helped me to iron out any bumps I came across. In troubling times, the School helped me to persevere and overcome the challenges I faced.

I will miss the loving community and atmosphere at Mayfield. After seven years it will be strange moving on, but I feel fully prepared for the challenges that face me next.”

Year 13 leaver, Eleanor

Year 13 leaver, Imogen “I thoroughly enjoyed Sixth Form life at Mayfield and it allowed me to thrive and grow both academically and as an independent young woman. I particularly loved having the freedom to study my favourite subjects - English Literature, History and Classical Civilisation - with unfailing support from my teachers. The teachers created a learning environment that both challenged and supported me and I think this enabled me to push myself to be the best I could. I particularly enjoyed the teaching style in the History Department where Mr Warren made lessons engaging and creative using the online resource OneNote. We videoed debates, made interviews, and collaborated as a class to make detailed notes, as well as writing our essays.”

“I loved the extra-curricular opportunities that the Sixth Form at Mayfield offered me. Being involved in Live Crib is one

a personal study desk helped me to create an independent working space which was really beneficial.”

“After seeing my oldest sister go through Sixth Form, I was a little daunted by the independence and maturity I would need to successfully navigate my way through A Levels, but, when I finally got there myself, it was a lot easier than I was expecting, thanks to Mayfield’s excellent pastoral care. Being able to choose subjects which fit my particular strengths meant that I found a new motivation for, and enjoyment in, my work, and having

Year 13 leaver, Caroline, explains why she opted for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) subjects at A Level: “I chose Maths, Physics, Further Maths and Ceramics for my A Levels, and I really enjoyed having the opportunity to study a mixture of sciences and arts, rather than more traditional subject combinations.

“Ceramics gave me the creativity and freedom to explore ideas: I loved the puzzles I learned to solve in Physics, and Further Maths was a big challenge.

I am hoping to study either Aerospace or Engineering at university after my gap year, and I would like to join the Army after university. I like the idea of joining the Army because you get to be active and serve your country, as well as making lifelong friends.”

Co-curricular Activities

Classical Civilisation and the Percy Pig Method Classics is a wonderful subject and very much alive and kicking at Mayfield! Every year the numbers studying our three subjects – Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation – increase. We are steadily shaking off the fusty, outdated image that Latin and Greek have had to fight for so long, and showing that these subjects are strongly academic, great fun and ideal for the modern world.

Mrs Debora Downing (affectionately known in School as DD) has been Head of Department since 2012 and has loved every minute. She has a BA in English and Latin, and an MA in Latin, all from the University of Warwick. She then spent a year at the Drama Studio in London undertaking a postgraduate course, before taking to the stage and running her own theatre company for a number of years.

‘Women in the Ancient World’ and ‘Roman City Life’. We look very closely at the lives of women from birth to death and can compare and contrast them with our own. We also study ‘improper’ women, warrior women, religious women and women to be feared – building up a complete picture of them in art, literature and culture. The

Latin is taught throughout the School and is particularly popular with younger pupils as it includes drama, competitions, quizzes and innovative ways of accessing the language and culture of the Romans. The most popular lesson we have discovered so far is the ‘Percy Pig method’ for teaching the dative case – with thanks to M&S for supplying Percy Pig sweets!

“Latin is taught throughout the School and is particularly popular with younger pupils.”

At Year 9, girls continue to study Latin if they wish and can also study Classical Civilisation and an introduction to Ancient Greek. These subjects are offered at GCSE and so it is important that the girls can experience them and make informed decisions for their GCSE options.

Latin and Greek focus on language and literature at GCSE, and Classical Civilisation focuses on two topics:

‘Roman City Life’ module focuses on the everyday life of a typical Roman during the Imperial Age and includes leisure activities, slavery, food and education.

At A Level, three modules are studied – ‘The World of the Hero’, ‘Greek Art’ and ‘Love and Relationships’. Within these three, students enjoy Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ and ‘The Aeneid’, probably the greatest works of literature ever produced. They also study Greek sculpture and vases, the poetry of

Sappho and Ovid, and the philosophy of Seneca and Plato.

Visits to major museums are part of the course, as are alternate trips to Rome and Pompeii, or Athens and Delphi.

Classics, whether the study of the languages or the civilisations, is a truly fascinating subject. It is intellectually challenging and can lead to careers in a variety of disciplines. It encourages students to realise the debt we owe to those who have gone before and to learn from the past. It provides the opportunity to develop our visual, literary, analytical and critical skills, and foster an appreciation of art, culture, civilisation and language.

Universities really like to see all three subjects on UCAS forms as they demonstrate intellectual rigour and a broad range of skills. Mayfield girls have gone on to study Classics at university, or used it in successful applications to study other connected subjects such as English Literature, History of Art, Ceramics, Medicine and Law. Classics really is a universal subject for all.

We are an enthusiastic, experienced and energetic team, who would love to welcome you to our Department.

39

40

Life at Mayfield

St Dunstan’s girls get wet in Eastbourne The weather forecast was not auspicious but a hardy group of St. Dunstan’s boarders, equipped with umbrellas, enjoyed a variety of activities in Eastbourne on 22nd September. Some of the girls headed for the shopping centre, while others went down to the seafront to sit on the beach and enjoy refreshments in one of the many cafes. Some even braved the rain for a walk along the Parade!

Saturday outing to Tate Modern and St Paul's Cathedral On Saturday 12th January, a group of Sixth Form students travelled to London with Dr Weddell to explore some of London's most popular sights. They enjoyed the bustle, smells and free tastings at Borough Market, before walking to Tate Modern, through the palimpsest of history that is Bankside, passing Victorian warehouses and Winchester Palace ruins.

Within close proximity are some interesting landmarks - Eastbourne Pavilion, the elegant Victorian pier, and a memorial to the first visitor to Eastbourne - a sub-Saharan woman dating back to between 200 and 225 AD, whose bones were found buried on the beach. Further along the Parade and perched on a mound is the Martello Tower, a replica of the seaside fort at Martella in Corsica, which dates back to the Napoleonic Wars. Today, it is home to a tranquil peace garden in memory of the 180 civilians who died in the 97 air raids over Eastbourne in the Second World War. We had a very enjoyable day, and an added bonus on the way home was stopping to take a snapshot of the Wilmington Man.

The Anni Albers exhibition at Tate Modern was inspirational, particularly for those studying Art and Textiles, and a great way to mark the Bauhaus 100 anniversary this year. Mayfield art historians were fascinated to see Picasso's 'Weeping Woman', which we have already studied in class, and to have the opportunity to examine closely the layered impasto.

After lunch, they crossed the Millennium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral where the girls viewed very different art works, from Alfred Stevens' marble monument to the Duke of Wellington, to Kira Perov and Bill Viola's video installation, 'Martyrs'. Then they climbed to the Whispering Gallery, the Stone Gallery, and on to the Golden Gallery right at the top. The views across the City of London were amazing!

The Great Leeds House Bake Off On Sunday 23rd September, boarders from Years 7 and 8 took part in the Great Leeds House Bake Off. Each team had to work together to plan, prepare and bake their own recipe. It was a great success and the overall winners were Eloise and Tabitha, who created a chocolate orange cake with beautiful decorations.

St Dunstan’s Sushi Night In January, boarders in St Dunstan's spent a fun evening learning how to make homemade sushi. When they had finished creating their dishes, they enjoyed a wonderful supper while watching a movie.

41

Harry Potter Studio Tour

In March, boarders and day girls had a wonderful day visiting the Warner Bros Studio Tour - ‘The Making of Harry Potter’. The girls had a fantastic time exploring the world of Harry Potter, learning about the work that goes into making such a big film, seeing the props and sets, and learning about how some of the more complex special effects were created.

The Year of the Pig Girls in St Michael’s House had a great time celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Pig on 5th February, with a fun evening of games and delicious food.

42

Leeds House Boarders Get Crafty The girls in Leeds House have been very much enjoying undertaking a range of craft activities on Tuesday nights with Mrs Jones. They have made bath salts as Mother’s Day gifts, decorated wine glasses with glitter, and created pretty leather books with key chains.

Life at Mayfield

Actions not Words trip to Thailand YEAR 12 HELENA REVIEWS THE TRIP: Our first visit to the Daycare Centre was both entertaining and exhausting. We joined the children for their morning exercises, and spent time teaching them the alphabet and numbers. We left in the afternoon so that the children could have a nap, and headed to the School for the Blind. This proved to be a voyage of discovery, as we learned how to guide a blind person, walk with a cane, and even tried our hands at gold ball.

The Special Needs Centre was generally a very uplifting place to be, and we spent alot of time dancing and playing games. Our lack of practice at musical chairs did however put us at quite a disadvantage!

One of the most memorable parts of the trip for me was our visit to the Thailand Orphanage, where we spent a time playing with the young children and babies who live there. This was both heart-warming and informative. The Orphanage is well known for taking in and teaching children with hearing problems, so we enjoyed learning sign language, and spending time with some very appreciative children.

Overall the trip was extremely rewarding, and has left me hoping to do more similar work in the near future.

YEAR 12 LOTTIE ADDED: The Thailand trip was absolutely incredible; it has left me with so many memories, and has taught me so much.

One of my favourite places that we visited was the Special Needs School, which was filled with joy and happiness -we had so much fun playing some very competitive games of musical chairs with them! Everyone that we met was so kind and welcoming, and seemed to just have so much joy, even with so little in terms of physical possessions.

I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

43

Spotlight on the Physics Department Dr Darragh Corvan

Dr Darragh Corvan, Mayfield’s Head of Physics talks quantum mechanics, helium and enthusiasm: Q: What first inspired you to study Physics?

A: When I was about five years old, my uncle bought me an encyclopaedia that contained a section on the planets. I remember looking at this pretty much on a daily basis, and being blown away by some of the concepts presented there. This first piqued my interest in the subject.

However, it was when I heard about quantum mechanics and learnt that on a fundamental level, matter can be described as waves, that I knew I wanted a career in Physics.

Mr Spencer Senior

Q: What led you into teaching Physics?

A: I always loved talking about Physics and, having many friends who are non-physicists, I often needed to adjust how I talked about my work to them. Teaching was a no-brainer for me and I particularly enjoy the moments where I see understanding on the faces of pupils that had been confused about a concept just seconds before. And, it is really fun to show pupils helium as a super-fluid running through its glass container!

Q: What are the benefits of studying Physics at A Level?

A: Physics at A Level gives the students not only a firm grounding in many of the key concepts in the subject, but also encourages them to think logically and present highly reasoned arguments through mathematics. However, my favourite thing about the course is that it gives a great platform to launch many specialised careers.

We discuss superconductivity, astrophysics, absolute zero and quantum mechanics; these are all in themselves incredibly interesting topics that may inspire the next experts in those fields.

Mayfield View interviewed our Physics teacher, Mr Spencer Senior, on why he loves Physics, hanging out of car windows, and solar systems!

Q: What first inspired you to study Physics?

A: I was always fascinated with how the world around me works, and I was good at Physics and Maths at school. Physics enables a broad understanding of a huge variety of phenomena from only a few key concepts.

44

Q: What are the most exciting and unexpected careers that studying Physics leads to?

A: Some of my friends have ended up as lecturers in universities across the world, some as teachers, engineers and some in finance or IT sectors. Many went into the medical profession operating MRI and radiography machines, but perhaps more unusually, one went into working with Team GB developing sports equipment.

Q: What is your funniest Physics moment?

A: Running to my Professor with a solution for accessing never-seenbefore high energy Physics only to be told that I was about 1,000 times away from the correct answer (I made a very basic error in my mathematics)! He politely said he admired my enthusiasm and we both burst into laughter.

Q: Do you have any advice for girls looking to study Physics at University?

A: Never be afraid to read around your subject, it is fascinating! The more I read about Physics, the more I realise there is to learn. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly important to be competent in computer programming, so get confident with ICT.

Q: What is your funniest Physics moment?

A: Demonstrating air resistance to a Year 8 class using an air blower.

I asked for a volunteer to simulate a dog hanging out of a car window.

One boy was keen to do this but when his face was blasted with air, he inadvertently did a much better impression of a dog than we were expecting as trails of saliva flew out of his mouth, much to the amusement of the rest of the class!

Q: What led you into teaching Physics?

A: I worked as a Physics Technician in a school for several years after

Life at Mayfield

completing my degree. I saw other teachers trying to communicate science concepts to students and occasionally they made small errors when explaining things. This made me realise that I could use my passion for science to help the next generation understand the key ideas needed to make sense of the wider universe.

Q: What are the benefits of studying Physics at A Level?

A: Physics gives you an excellent set of tools with which to make sense of the phenomena around you and in the wider universe. The study of Physics encourages logical thinking

and the ability to know what is important in a problem in order to find a solution.

Q: What are the most exciting and unexpected careers that studying Physics leads to?

A: The most exciting is possibly astrophysics where you may be viewing light from a galaxy billions of light years away, and be the first person ever to see it. You can make all kinds of new discoveries about conditions on planets outside our solar system.

The most unexpected career might be working in finance in the City.

As Physics gives you the tools to analyse complex systems (including the economy), some physicists have worked out methods that minimise the risk and maximise the return on investments.

Q: Do you have any advice for girls looking to study Physics at University?

A: Do it for the right reason, love of the subject. Studying can be challenging and it is important to have a passion for what you study to get you through the less interesting topics and keep you motivated.

Marvellous Moji’s Physics Journey

Old Cornelian, Moji Agboola, is currently studying Engineering at Peterhouse College, Cambridge University. Here, she tells Mayfield News all about life at Cambridge and her plans for the future: My name is Moji and I was at Mayfield for Years 12 and 13 from 2012 to 2014. I studied Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology at A Level and I am now in my final year of university at Cambridge, studying Engineering.

I really enjoyed studying Physics at Mayfield. It was so exciting to learn about the world around me, and how things worked. I was able to perform small experiments in a lab, and from that deduce the relationship between different physical quantities.

By studying Physics, I developed my problem solving and analytical skills, and these qualities have been really useful, especially as an Engineering student. But, Physics isn’t only for people who wish to study Engineering at university. It actually prepares you for a very wide range of courses, ranging from finance to medicine to computer game programming.

Life in Cambridge is exciting, and I have tried to balance my academic life with activities I enjoy, whilst finding time to rest. I am really glad I applied to Cambridge to study Engineering, and it has been very encouraging to see lots of other female engineers who enjoy studying here as well.

I currently specialise in Information and Computer Engineering and

Electrical and Information Sciences, and I absolutely love it! I have had numerous opportunities to get involved in cool projects like making computer games, building robots, building a functional radio, and writing software that will be used to teach programming to students.

Looking at the non-academic side, I’m involved in volunteering, I rowed for a year – as most people in Cambridge do – and also gained a lot of experience in live sound mixing for bands.

I plan to stay in the UK and work as an Engineer after I graduate. I am currently applying for jobs and I’ve got a couple of job offers already, and the amazing thing about studying Physics at A Level is that it gives you skills that are useful to employers. I am really glad that I was able to study Physics at Mayfield, not only because it was fun, but it also prepared me for my career in Engineering.

45

Friends of Mayfield

46

Friends of Mayfield

The Friends’ Michaelmas Fair On Wednesday 10th October, the annual Friends of Mayfield Michaelmas Fair was held under sunny skies - the first time that the Fair has been held in October. We were delighted to report that the Fair raised almost £8,000, including £551 from the Charity Raffle.

The Friends hosted in excess of 60 stalls selling a wide variety of goods, many of whom were exhibiting for the first time. There were also a number of old favourites, and delicious tarts, salads and cakes on sale in the busy Café. This year, the Lower School Cake Stall was run from The Hub and proved to be a great success, affording the girls easier access and a little more

time to make the important selection of which cake(s) to buy!

We were delighted to support Rockinghorse Children’s Charity by raising £551 from the proceeds of the Raffle, the prizes for which were generously donated by the stallholders.

This event takes a great deal of organising and we would like to say ‘thank you’ to all the bakers, helpers, Friends and Year Reps for all their efforts. Particular thanks must go to Annie Gill who worked tirelessly to put together such a smooth-running and enjoyable Fair

The Friends’ Glitter Ball On Saturday 30th March, the Friends were delighted to host the annual and ever-popular Curry and Quiz Night at School. It was a very lively evening!

While pondering over the Table Round, guests enjoyed a delicious curry prepared by David Walker and the School Catering Department. This was served seamlessly by the team of Mayfield waitresses (daughters) headed

by Emma, an Old Cornelian, and we pass our sincere thanks to them all.

With all the jokers played and marks counted, the winners’ medals (chocolate of course!) were handed out and the evening drew to a close.

The Friends are delighted to report that the event raised in excess of £4,000 - a wonderful sum. This will be put towards fulfilling their commitment to the School to pay for the Friends’ Pavilion.

On 29th June, The Friends hosted the biennial Glitter Ball in the School grounds. The weather was perfect as guests enjoyed the Champagne Reception outside the marquee, and then sat down for a delicious three course meal prepared by David Walker and his wonderful Catering Department.

Everyone danced the night away to our live band, ‘Take 5’, and had a great time bidding on the Live and Silent Auctions, the Casino, and having a go on at the Wishing Tree.

We are delighted to report that The Glitter Ball raised £26,000 for the School and we cannot thank you enough for your tremendous support in achieving this, all the more so in these uncertain times.

47

48

Old Cornelians

Winning like a Girl Conference In October, Mayfield was delighted to welcome author and Old Cornelian, Sophia Bennett, back to Mayfield for the Cornelia Connelly Day lecture. In a very entertaining, instructive and inspirational talk, Sophia discussed her vision of women in the world, based on her own experiences and research.

From her thoughts on ‘what power

looks like’ and her response to being told as a young woman that ‘wow is not a gravitas word’, she shared with girls and staff the importance of women finding their own unique voice.

Sophia also talked about her forthcoming book on female artists which looks at the life and works of artists including Yayoi

Kusama, Frida Kahlo, and Berthe Morisot.

Following the talk, Sophia led a writing workshop for Year 7 and 8 girls, which focused on creating a personal manifesto.

The girls really engaged with this task and were keen to present their manifestos to the group at the end. Three girls were delighted to receive signed copies of Sophia’s books for their outstanding work.

Textiles Reunion Lunch In February, the Textiles Department welcomed back a group of Old Cornelians for lunch, a catch up, and an opportunity to visit the Textiles Studio to see work of past and current students.

We were thrilled to welcome OC Giovanna Forte who has donated costumes to the Department, OC Lindka Cierach, who opened our 2009 Fashion Show, and OC Sophia Bennett, a British children’s writer whose debut novel ‘Threads’ won the Times/Chicken House competition in 2009.

The group met in Becket Hall where they enjoyed a display of photographs and work from previous years (from 2007 to the present day). They shared lots of laughter and memories of the hours of preparation and excitement that went into the fashion shows.

49

50

Sport

Lizzy Yarnold Cornelian Lecture

I

n September, girls, parents and staff were wowed

by Team GB skeleton champion and local girl, Lizzy Yarnold, who gave a very entertaining talk about her route to the Winter Olympic Games. Local girl, Lizzy shared the highs and lows of becoming a top athlete, including the fact that it took her two years of skeleton racing before she actually started to enjoy it.

With insights into the selection process and what motivates her, she made it very clear that life is there for the taking, and that failure is an inevitable part of success. Following her talk, there were questions from the floor, and everyone had the opportunity to see and hold her Olympic gold medals from the Sochi 2014 Games and the PyeongChang 2018 Games. With the audience abuzz, the evening ended with a queue the length of the Concert Hall as girls and parents posed for photos with Lizzy - truly an amazing athlete with a very down-to-earth approach.

German Hockey Tour Highlights Girls in Years 8 to 11 travelled to Germany in October Half Term for three days of competitive hockey. On the first day, Mayfield was hosted by a fabulous club, Russelsheimer Ruder-Klub, where they watched an U18 semi-final and a ladies Bundesliga game before starting their tour games. It was fantastic to see everyone rise to the challenge of playing a club side and they had

a great time - the Klub had kindly arranged a BBQ and the sun shone!

The next day the girls celebrated two birthdays with a bowling trip before their games. Again, the girls showed their adaptability by playing indoor hockey for the first time, against HC Speyer.

The goalkeepers had lots to do in these matches as the ball is moved around

the indoor space very quickly. The U15 team won their match 3-2, and showed tremendous character and desire to win. In the final matches against TSV Mannheim, the successful club team outplayed the younger teams but the U16’s rose to the occasion, improving their marking in the D, their defending of short corners, and generally playing at a faster pace.

51

Half Term Big Slalom in Italy During February Half Term, 29 girls from Years 7 to 11 headed to Italy on the Mayfield ski trip. They stayed in a very nice family-run hotel in Predazzo and skied in Val di Fiemme.

The girls enjoyed five days of ski lessons and mountain top lunches, and, on the final day, both staff and girls competed in the big slalom race which was great fun.

It was a fantastic week, during which 10 girls learnt to ski for the first time.

Netball Over the past few years, there has been a huge shift in the way we, as a school, approach netball. The common misconception that Mayfield plays ‘nice netball’ has been banished and the PE Department is proud of how the girls have increased their physicality and strength in the way they train and play.

This year, there has been a 23% increase in games won across all age groups and Mayfield is now are able to compete with the bigger sporting schools in the county.

For example, the 1st team progressed to the semi-finals of the Sussex Cup having beaten Collyer’s and Worthing College, before losing to Hurstpierpoint College in a closely fought match.

This drive to improve was evident across all age groups with wins against Beneden, Cranbrook, Bede’s, Sevenoaks, Kent College, Christ’s Hospital, Lancing College, Worthing College, Worth, King’s Canterbury, Collyer’s, Ardingly and Skippers Hill.

The participation levels last season were at an all-time high resulting in Mayfield being able to put out A to E block fixtures against other schools right up to the U15s.

Kickboxing Sixth Form students were given the chance to participate in kickboxing once a week. The girls enjoyed getting fit in a fun and different way, while learning key self-defence skills.

52

Hockey 14 different hockey teams played a total of 88 matches last season, with just over 150 Mayfield girls playing a competitive fixture. We won or drew well over half of these and credit is due to the U13Bs who won six out of the seven games they played.

With the introduction of the U18 Sussex Hockey league, the 1st team played 18 hockey matches - some in the dark with very difficult weather conditions. 18 different Sixth Formers played in the squad, as did some of our stringer Year 11s. Convincing wins over our closest rival, Kent College Pembury, and Christ’s Hospital were definite highlights of the season.

Personal Training All pupils were given the opportunity to sign up and train with David Gover, from our local gym and fitness centre. The pupils have enjoyed learning different exercises, with expert advice, helping develop their fitness, strength and conditioning. It will be great to see pupils carrying this forward and making the most of this opportunity in future.

Badminton Pupils were able to participate in badminton clubs during the Autumn and Spring terms, working on their skills, movement and match play. Pupils had the opportunity of being coached

by Heather Olver, an Olympic Badminton player.

Sport

Fencing Mayfield students have had the opportunity to participate in weekly fencing lessons with an excellent coach from Tunbridge Wells Fencing Club.

Pupils have been given personalised targets, 1:1 coaching and plenty of opportunities to fence their peers and local opposition. Mayfield has competed in three competitions against local clubs and schools, and maintained a 100% medal winning record in both individual and team events. It would be great to see this sport grow in future and lead on to other sports such as Modern Pentathlon.

Athletics The Summer term saw many girls enjoying plenty of training and competition opportunities. The teams achieved considerable success and demonstrated exemplary behaviour, determination, and progress throughout the term.

In the ESAA Track and Field Cup, Mayfield’s Junior and Intermediate teams both scored highly in the County Round. The Intermediate team qualified for the Regional Round where they went on to achieve an even higher score.

They finished a very close second and within 20 points of qualifying for the National Final.

Mayfield attended three out of four Diamond League competitions. Pupils participated in a wide range of events, collecting medals and records along the way. These include Year 10 Harriet in triple jump, Year 10 Victoria in 80m hurdles, and Year 10 Grace in 300m.

Year 10s Harriet, Victoria, Valeria, Grace and Tilly attended the Sussex Schools Championships looking to qualify for the next round. Harriet and Tilly achieved this, with Harriet going one step further and being asked to represent Sussex in triple Jump in the National Final.

Dance The Dance Show saw more than 80 pupils taking part in what has been described as “the best Dance Show yet!” The girls were highly committed and dedicated to training, while working hard on choreography. We would like to thank Catherine Bellinger School of Dance and Mrs Gunn for their continued support in dance and ballet, and for all their help during an excellent year of dance!

53

Peak performance for Mayfield ski racers Six members of Mayfield’s Ski Squad had a great time training and competing during a snowy trip to the British Schoolgirl Races 2019 in Flaine, France, in February.

They began by spending two training days with a race instructor from the ESF, following which they all successfully competed in the Giant Slalom. The team was placed in the top 30 schools and therefore qualified for the team parallel event, which regrettably had to be cancelled due to the continuous snowfall making it too dangerous to race.

A very cold Tuesday morning (-12 degrees) heralded the slalom race, and, although the Mayfield team was not placed, they recorded 12 clean runs between them. Mrs Fletcher saw a clear improvement in their racing over the four days and hopes they will return to Flaine next year.

Tennis The School had another fantastic season of tennis, with entries into the Aegon U15 and U13 competition, the Sussex Shield and Mayfield's Invitational Tournament. Seeing the Year 7 pupils embrace the coaching available at School has been fantastic, and many are now ready for matches next season.

Highlights include the Mayfield U15 Sussex Shield team winning the Fair Play Award; Year 9s Tilly and Freya playing brilliantly to be placed U14 runners up in the Mayfield Invitational Tournament; and the U13 Aegon team comprising Year 8s Iona, Liv, and Lizzie, and Year 7 Zoe, reaching the County Finals which will be played in September.

Iona and Mr Heaton won the Old Girls/Current Girls event for the current girls; U15 Full Colours were awarded to Year 10s Victoria and Valeria; and U13 Full Colours were awarded to Iona and Liv.

54

Sport

Swimming The swimming squad has enjoyed a busy gala schedule this year and with wins against Benenden, Eastbourne College, Farlington and BHHS, they should be proud of a successful season. As well as squad success, Year 12 Swimming Scholar, Amelia, has gone from strength to strength with Beacon Swimming Club again this year, recording new county times in 50 Fly and 50 Freestyle.

We also have some very promising swimmers joining Mayfield in different year groups which will further boost our already large squad. Numbers at training continue to be good, and I hope that the girls will maintain their enthusiasm for swimming - be it for competition or general fitness – in the coming academic year.

Cricket In only our second full season of cricket, the girls have once again exceeded all expectations. The season started in the Winter Term with the U13 and U15 teams competing in the Indoor Lady Taverners Competition. The U15s put in a fantastic performance, finishing second in the first round and the U13s won the completion and progressed to the County Finals. The girls played well, competing against schools fielding at least two County players, and finished fourth overall.

Highlights of the season include Year 11 Georgia’s hat-trick in the Indoor County Finals; Year 8 Rachel’s diving catch against Kent College; Year 8 Lizzie being picked by England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor as ‘one to watch’; and Year 10 Sophie scoring the maiden 50 against Gildredge House in the National T20 Cup. This was an outstanding display of batting, one of which any cricketer would have been proud.

The outdoor season did not disappoint with all age groups training and playing with passion and keen to progress.

The U12s played 12 fixtures altogether including six A team fixtures in which they won five games and lost one; five B team fixtures in which they won four games and one was cancelled; and the C team played one game in which they narrowly lost out. The U13s played 19 fixtures this season after being entered into the Summer Sussex League. The U13As finished second in their group, winning all eight of their fixtures but missing out on winning their group due to rain-affected fixtures. The B team won two fixtures and lost two, and the C team unfortunately had their only fixture cancelled due to the weather.

The U14s once again had an unbeaten season winning all five of their fixtures. The squad also competed in an U15 invitational tournament at Hurstpierpoint College where they finished third, winning all of their games but narrowly missing out on winning the completion based on run rate.

A lot of the U14 girls also stepped up and played in the U15 hardball team.

The U15s had a tough but unbeaten season playing in the National Hardball T20 Cup against schools with a lot more hard ball experience, including teams with numerous County players. The girls won four fixtures out of seven, with three postponed due to the weather.

55

Staff Farewells

John Filkin, Head of Sixth Form Mr John Filkin joined Mayfield in 2002 and was a much-loved head of Sixth Form, English teacher and colleague.

The Sixth Form girls were all extremely fond of ‘Filky's’ laid back style and dry sense of humour. John would go to great lengths to support the girls, helping them with personal statements and university applications for hours on end, and staff and students alike knew that his door was always open.

John was a generous boss - always encouraging and positive during lesson observations and appraisals as he wanted everyone to feel valued.

56

He was also a consummate diplomat, steering his way through the choppy waters between the sometimes competing demands of parents, students and teachers, with sensitivity and firmness. He had a fantastic eye for detail and the ability to spot a rogue apostrophe at 100 yards, which made it all the more remarkable that he was unable to spot a Sixth Form dress code violation right under his nose! Never one to sweat the small stuff, John knew what mattered and what needed to be done, and he did it with his own unique style, humour and methodology.

The girls will always remember John as one of the legends of Mayfield whose piano playing, dancing, and willingness to join in the fun, have had many an audience in stitches over the years. We are delighted that he can still occasionally be found helping out at School.

Ms Catherine Bryan, Head of Politics and Former Deputy Head of Sixth Form, and Mrs Jodi Stone, Head of Middle School

Staff Farewells

Alison Pullinger, Head of Maths Mrs Alison Pullinger started at Mayfield in 2002 as a part-time Maths teacher and in 2007, became joint Head of Department (HoD) before becoming HoD in her own right in 2014. Her contributions have extended beyond the Maths Department as she has a keen interest in tennis, gardening and jewellery making, and everyone who knows her loves her very much. When I asked around for words to describe Alison and her time at Mayfield, the list was very long: Respected, thoughtful, understanding, generous, supportive, inspirational, sense of humour, tennis, gardening, normal, statistics, dingbat!, treasure, family, integrity, professional, wise,

fun, neat, tidy, earrings, caring, adventurous, energetic, good listener, considerate, compassionate, methodical, calm, discrete, punctual, modest, young at heart.

The question: “What is best for the girls?” was at the heart of all of the decisions that Alison has made. Over the years, hundreds of students have benefited from her determination to help them to achieve their potential and I know that I speak for us all when I say that Alison has been an incredible HoD and friend to us all. Under her, the Department has thrived, achieving some of the best results ever. She has left not a ‘big hole’ but a ‘huge crater’ that that will take a long time to fill.

We wish her a very happy retirement and look forward to hearing all about her adventures.

Miss Andrianna Demetriou, Head of Maths

Paul Christian, Head of Lower School Mr Paul Christian had been Head of Lower School for two years when I arrived as Housemistress of Leeds, and the first thing that struck me about him was the way that his office door was always open. It may not have been the tidiest of sanctums: it was often overflowing with mislaid schoolbags; black bin bags full of Christmas costumes and Secret Santa gifts; and tottering mounds of paperwork and marking.

The office with its open door is a symbol of the man himself: welcoming, approachable, interested in everything that concerns the girls, kind (who else would give a home to such an amount of lost property?); infused with the ethos of the School; ready to be amused by

what colleagues and the girls had said and done; widely-read, and always prepared to learn something new from whichever book he had in hand. And his patience became legendary.

What will his lasting legacy to the School be? Perhaps the Lower School farm: the thriving extra-curricular activity that started with two pigs and now includes sheep, alpacas, hens, guinea fowl and bees, not to mention the selection of pets in the Lower School Common Room. Maybe it will be all those girls he has taught, who have benefitted from his love for his subject, his willingness to discuss his own faith, his enjoyment of discussion and debate, and tolerance of different viewpoints. Few who saw

his turn as the Major-General in the School production of The Pirates of Penzance will forget his whole-hearted throwing of himself into the role. But I think his enduring gift will be all those girls who made the transition from Year 6 to Year 9 under the guidance of such a kind, committed and wise man. He is remembered with great affection and very much missed, and we wish him the best of luck for the future.

Mrs Elizabeth Crawley, Leeds House Housemistress

57

Robin Goodhew 25th March 1957 9th August 2018 Robin Goodhew, who was Head Groundsman at Mayfield, sadly passed away on 9th August 2018.

Robin started working at the School as an Apprentice Groundsman when he was just 15 years old, alongside his father, Stanley Goodhew. Robin went on to become Head Groundsman and worked at Mayfield for 46 years, being the fourth generation of Goodhews to work at Mayfield.

Robin was very well known in Mayfield, having lived in the village for all of his life. He was involved with Mayfield Bonfire Boyes and Belles, and spent a lot of time raising money for charity, completing cycling marathons with the Fire Brigade, and taking part in other fundraising activities.

School, becoming the fifth generation of Goodhews to work here.

Alongside his work at the School, Robin was also a retained firefighter at Mayfield Fire Station, serving his local community for over 36 years, before retiring to devote more time to his family.

While working at the School, Robin met his wife, Lesley, who worked in Housekeeping, and they got married in 1998. Robin and Lesley went on to have two children, Laura and Aaron, and Aaron also now works at the

A tree has been planted outside the Concert Hall to commemorate him.

58

Robin spent his final days at home with his family before passing away at Hospice in the Weald in Pembury.

Robin is extremely missed by his family, friends, and all those who knew him.

Year 12 on the History of Art Activities Week trip to the brilliant Edvard Munch exhibition at the British Museum.

59

Battlefields Trip The History Department’s annual World War One Battlefields Trip has been a particular highlight of so many girls’ Mayfield experience over the years, and this July, 46 Year 9 girls continued that tradition and travelled to the sites of Ypres and the Somme.

The trip was not only an opportunity to learn more about the First World War and extend their classroom studies, but a chance to come face to face with the grim realities of conflict and pay our respects to those who sacrificed so much in defence of our country.

60

Highlights of the trip included a tour of the tunnels in Arras, where thousands of British troops huddled underground before an attack in 1917, visits to both British and German cemeteries in Belgium, and following in the footsteps of soldiers as they crossed no-man’s land on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

The trip was also a fantastic way to round off Year 9 and cement both new and old friendships. The girls enjoyed a range of outdoor pursuits and games at the Chateau where we stayed, and demonstrated great teamwork, communication and resilience in the face of various challenges.

Activities Week

Forensic Science – Murder in the Library The Library was transformed into a crime scene during Activities Week, so that Year 10 girls could solve the murder of Miss Knowitall using a wide range of forensic science techniques. Following an initial briefing outlining the details of the murder, the girls were put into groups and set to work trying to prove who the murderer might be. The tests included blood typing, finger printing, chromatography, flame tests and pollen analysis in the Science Department. The groups also

spent time in the Library examining the crime scene, listening to the police interviews with the suspects and scrutinising the evidence available in the Incident Room.

This year, we were also delighted to welcome Mr Le Pere, who had a long career with the Metropolitan Police, and who captivated the girls with his experiences on a wide range of high-profile cases.

61

Year 8 Watersport in Wales The girls had a wonderful time at Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre in Wales. They enjoyed keelboat sailing, dingy sailing sub and sea kayaking. They learnt about the local area by going on a beach walk and overcame their fears about jellyfish!

62

Activities Week

63

Live Crib

Monday 9th – Thursday 12th December 2019 As always, Live Crib was the most wonderful of festive occasions, and the School welcomed guests from within the Mayfield community, and further afield over five performances.

The Procession through Mayfield High Street was magical, with the weather staying dry and the donkeys behaving perfectly. The girls’ singing was beautiful and uplifting, creating the most special and memorable of evenings for all those who attended.

Many thanks to The Friends for serving warm mulled wine and minced pies after the services on 10th and 11th December, it was very much appreciated by all.

Mayfield School, The Old Palace, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6PH mayfieldgirls.org