LetterfromtheHeadmistress Dear Old Cornelians


I


t is hard to believe that it is time for another OC magazine. It has been a busy and eventful year, but then when is that not the case at Mayfield?


Over the last twelve months it has been a pleasure to welcome an ever-increasing number of OCs back to Mayfield in various guises: as parents and grandparents, as well as those who have returned, many for the first time in ages, for reunions and


gatherings. What never ceases to amaze me is the diverse range of career paths each of you have followed. What doesn't surprise me, but makes me rather proud, is the way you seem to keep in touch and even when you have not seen your peers for many years, you slip back comfortably into animated (that is a polite way of saying noisy!) discussions. I was particularly struck by the camaraderie of the 1987 leavers. Clearly they were a disparate group of individuals, yet they travelled from around the world to be together, even though many had not set eyes on the school or each other since the day they left Mayfield. It was genuinely a pleasure to see them all together and, while I am sure that during their years at school there must have been 'ups and downs', and subsequently their lives have taken different courses, in 2017 they were an inclusive group who enjoyed each others' company. I hope that our 2017 leavers are just as much fun when they meet in 2047! Knowing the girls concerned, I am quietly confident, although unlike Sr Jean and TJ this year, I suspect I am unlikely to be in attendance!


It is particularly gratifying to see ever more of you coming to help with careers advice and guidance. Your generosity in sharing your experiences – openly and honestly; for better or for worse is much appreciated and your impact on future generations of Mayfield girls is not to be underestimated. We are keen to set up a more formal database to help our current girls engage with a wider range of career choices. During the course of the year, Claire (our OC ‘webmaster’), sent out a questionnaire as part of the ‘My Dads 4 Daughter’ campaign. Thank you to those who took the time to respond to our survey ...the results were interesting. Many of you - from different generations - commented that on entering the world of work, you were surprised at the contrast between the collegiate and collaborative atmosphere of school (where as girls you were encouraged to be aspirational and supported to achieve your ambitions), and the corporate, more cutthroat approach to being successful in business; 'every man for himself'. I hope that we can not only prepare the Mayfield girls of today to anticipate this difference and deal with it more confidently, but also to begin to break down such blinkered approaches. What saddened me was that a significant number of you felt that successful women in your industry or sector were often more disparaging of other women's success than the men. Clearly the world needs more Mayfield girls making a positive impact in their workplaces...! Your involvement is key to helping our leavers change hearts and minds.


Over the years, it has become clear that many OCs are involved in charities and contributing to the wider community: from those who are involved through their parishes as governors of schools, right through to those working at the coal- face with the disadvantaged at home or abroad, not least those who have started their own charities. We are keen to hear from you about the work you are doing and we would like to promote your endeavours. The government is pressing us to prove the value of an independent education on the wider society and there seems no better evidence than the powerful impact our OCs are having on the communities in which they live.


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The Old Cornelian SUMMER 2017


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