Student news
Student news BLSA President’s Report I hope this gives an overview of some of the main activities and triumphs of Barts and The London Students’ Association (BLSA) so far this academic year. BLSA appreciates greatly the support given by alumni, financially and otherwise; it really makes a real impact on the student experience. The year started well with the arrival of a good set of first years and we were able to utilise the newly refurbished Griffinn Bar in Whitechapel for a number of “Fresher Fortnight” celebrations. The building houses the Games Room, the fitting and furnishing of which was due to support from BATLAA. The space provides a relaxation space for students with a pool table, fussball, table-tennis and darts board. Furthermore, the walls are donned with products of RAG raids of old! In October 2012, the BLSA hosted the International Medical Society Conference, supported by BATLAA funding, and spearheaded by last year’s President, George Ryan. Focusing on the theme of ‘Medical Leadership’, the conference attracted students from all over the world to Barts and The London (BL). Around the Christmas period, a fantastic campaign led by BLSA and Student-Staff Liaison Committee Reps averted a planned drastic reduction in service provision at the Barts Hospital library. An alternative future for the library has been put into action, including lending facilities returned, altered (but still extensive) opening hours, with targeted weekend opening during exam periods. A further challenge has been the damaging changes enforced by BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport). They deemed the situation of the London medical schools competing separately to their partner universities unfair. After the lobbying of BUCS from the United Hospitals
www.qmul.ac.uk/alumni/batlaa
MedGroup, a conglomerate of London medical school representatives, it has finally been agreed, pending review in 2015-16, that BL will maintain separation for the time being. It is vital that our clubs now make the most of this opportunity to maximise participation and performance. In sport, our rugby club retained the United Hospitals rugby cup for the second year in a row. This has not been achieved by a Barts and/or The London team since the 1970s (see Lucas Rehnberg’s match report opposite). Our netball first team were unbeaten this year, and the club as a whole dominated our varsity matches against Queen Mary. Our women’s hockey 1s have also been a standout team, with fantastic developments in more niche sports such as waterpolo and ultimate frisbee. Our societies have been just as productive. Surgical Society, under the leadership of next year’s BLSA President, Ali Jawad, has received recognition from the Royal College of Surgeons. In addition, a national conference was led by our Pre-Hospital Care program with symposiums by our NeuroSoc and newly established Rare Disease Society. Our Music Society has also had a good year with many staff purporting that this year’s concerts have been the best yet. Looking ahead, there are a few creases to iron out before the end of my tenure, with my attention turning now to some welfare issues to ensure that all students are supported during the upcoming exam period. We also have our annual Association Dinner to look forward to (and organise), as well as the graduation events, notably the Rites of Passage Ceremony and Graduation Dinner. As can be seen, BLSA and its students have had a very successful year. Much of this activity and infrastructure continues to rely on alumni support. I thank all those that have made donations and humbly request that you continue to do so. There is still a profound amount of passion for our historic hospitals that emanates from our students and staff; your support truly allows this identity to continue. Andrew Smith q Barts and The London, 2012 BLSA President 2012-13
UH RFC Cup Final 2013: Match Report Lucas Rehnberg reports Friday 8 March 2013 saw a wet evening at Richmond RFC ground for the 127th UH Cup Final between Barts and The London (BL) and St George’s. Unfortunately the weather got the better of the forwards at kick-off and St George’s turned over possession and got attacking ball. With two minutes gone BL were 0-5 down. With rousing words by the Captain, Jeff Hopkinson, under the posts, BL made their way back to the halfway line. From the restart, the forwards descended upon George’s, who managed to retain possession and tried to clear from their 22, only to give it to Sam Anthony who got the ball and pinned George’s back in their 22. This was soon followed by a penalty conversion from just inside George’s half. BL managed to get a bit more of the ball in the George’s half, but were sloppy at times around the breakdown with the wet surface causing the ball to spit out of the ruck. Continued overleaf
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