Before we begin the new Academic Year, we use this Newsletter to look back at major events of last Academic Term, including of course, the Graduation Ceremonies.
Before we start, we take this opportunity to thank Lydia Leach for her excellent leadership as JCR President during 2021 -2022 and to thank her JCR Exec and Non-Exec for carrying out their various roles which such enthusiasm.
We welcome in Laura Wales as this year’s JCR President and her new Exec and Non-Exec and wish them well for the year ahead . They have certainly got off to an impressive start tackling Arrivals Weekend with great vigour and throwing themselves into Induction Week with boundless energy and friendliness.
Finally, John Snow College students and staff, past and present, send their best wises to Sir Thomas Allen who has now retired as Chancellor of the University having served in that role for 10 years. We thank him for his boundless enthusiasm and the devotion he has shown in his role over the years. We wish him well for the future.
Best wishes,
For our Stockton Alumni there is special significance as the Durham University Stockton Campus, which opened in
This academic year has finally come to a close and I can’t quite believe how much we’ve fitted into it. Having a slightly rocky start with a Freshers’ Week that was constantly being threatened by Covid we still managed to pull it off almost as normal as any other year. We brought back all of our annual events and even added some new ones - continuing the John Snow experience for our students.
I’ve grown as a person so much this year and have John Snow College to thank for it. There have definitely been trials and tribulations, but my confidence and creativity wouldn’t be where it is now if I hadn’t got involved in the JCR throughout my time at Uni. I’m a perfect example of it never being too late to get involved and you will definitely be the better for it.
I’d like to thank everyone that’s been involved with the JCR, you’ve brought it back to life after the difficulties last year and I’d say we’re back and better than ever! I’d also like to thank all the exec for our sports and societies. You’ve done an amazing job this year with all your achievements. Finally, I’d like to thank this year’s JCR Committee. Without you nothing this year would’ve happened, and you’ve all done a fantastic job, not only supporting me but bringing new ideas to the JCR and helping revive all of our events and activities.
All that’s left to say is good luck Laura, our new JCR President! You’re going to have such an exciting year and I can’t wait to see how Snow grows with you in the lead. I’ll be back soon John Snow. Bleed Blue, always.
This past year has been everything we’ve been anticipating and more, thanks to Lydia’s brilliant organisation. We saw the resurgence of our Winter and Summer Balls, the debut of a Spring Soiree which was such a fantastic break during summative season, and Snow Day which was undoubtedly one of the best celebrations of the year. It hasn’t been an easy year for Lydia, working from scratch to establish the procedures for events for the first time in our new home. I’m incredibly grateful to be following in her footsteps now she has paved such strong foundations which I can only hope to build and put my own spin on, to enhance the John Snow student experience.
Having a large portion of my University experience affected by Covid, I simply wasn’t ready to leave Durham nor the JCR behind. I’m so excited to give back to the student community which has provided me with so much opportunity throughout my three years here, and I hope to preserve old, and create new, traditions. We have such a strong incoming Committee, and team of FREPs, WREPs and Agents, that I know will be amazing at helping to transmit the John Snow spirit that is so integral to our community. A huge well done to everyone who was chosen for the team, and I can’t wait to start working with you to hopefully have one of our most exciting years yet!
LauraOn Thursday 28th April 2022, John Snow College and Stephenson College celebrated their 20th Anniversary with a Joint Anniversary Dinner held in the Hub Hall. Both Colleges were founded in 2001 but were unable to celebrate their 20th Anniversary last year due to Covid restrictions. The majority of invited guests were students currently involved in a positive way in their College’s development. Key University staff, including those central to the transition of the Colleges from Queen’s Campus to Durham, were also present alongside staff from both Colleges. The splendid speeches were delivered by Professor John Ashworth the founding Principal of Stephenson College, Professor Carolyn Summerbell Principal of John Snow College and Professor Anthony Long the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost who was directly involved in the transfer of both Colleges from Stockton to Durham.
During the course of the evening the opportunity was taken to announce that as a lasting legacy, both Colleges would be working on a Joint Outreach Project commencing in the next academic year.
Lots of traditions from both Colleges were woven into the evening, those from JSC included the Sounding of the Bugle to announce the arrival of Top Table, fruit and raspberry coulis as part of dessert and musical entertainment to round off the evening, delightfully provided by DU Gospel Choir and DU Full Score.
Here is a selection of photographs from the event:
Congratulations to Third Year Engineering student, Theo McCarthy, and Second Year Business & Management student, Anton Torres, who completed a 24-hour pool tournament on 27th May. They both set out to fundraise for SolidariTee (an international student-led charity helping provide support to refugees and asylum seekers) and MacMillan Cancer Support (a national charity helping support people with cancer). Their event was live-streamed for JSC students to watch on Facebook. Theo and Anton raised £385 in total for both charities.
In addition to their involvement this year in the John Snow Charity Fashion Show, this is an amazing initiative from both JS students to raise money for important causes. Well Done to you both!
Congratulations to First Year Economics student, Vinay Sagar who achieved Second Place at the Durham University Scrabble Tournament on 17th June. This student-tournament was held in the Bill Bryson Library to provide intellectual stimulation and fun for Scrabble fans in the postexams period.
Well Done on your achievement Vinay and for representing John Snow College at the tournament.
Congratulations to the John Snow College Students nominated in the Palatinate Awards this year, hosted by Durham University Performing Arts on 23rd June. This year we had JSC nominated in several categories:
Best Outreach (DU Gospel Choir - Co-President JSC Student, Nick Njopa-
Best Poster (Kiko Keighery for both Music and Theatre poster categories);
Best Production (Sing yer Heart Out for the Lads - Blizzard Theatre Company);
Theatre Company of the Year (Blizzard Theatre Company - President Ellie McIntyre)
Congratulations to PhD Psychology student, Paul Burgum, for taking part in a seven day cross country ski expedition in Arctic Norway. This involved skiing and camping at temperatures as low as -25 degrees! This expedition was part of Paul's fundraising for the Steve Prescott Foundation (supporting cancer research and ex-rugby players). Well Done Paul - we wish you the best of luck with the rest of your fundraising this year. He is pictured here with his son, Paval, and two JSC bears, one of which accompanied him on his travels.
As I come to the end of what has been a great year as Co-President of the Durham University Gospel Choir, I can’t help but look back to the start. I remember spending time drafting goals for the year, with one of the most ambitious being a Gospel Choir Tour. At the time, the situation surrounding travel was still very uncertain, and the idea of going on tour felt unreachable. Nevertheless on 4th of June 2022 I found myself sitting on a coach outside Dunelm headed to Paris.
Having visited Paris before as a youngster I was excited to see how my experience of the city would differ now that I was much older. Honestly, I was charmed by the gorgeous streets, the impressive landmarks and its effortless style. Despite the beauty of Paris, what really made the trip special was the people. It was such a joy to share such quality time with the talented individuals that make up the choir. For many on the tour, it was their first time in Paris or Europe and for one member it was the first time they had ever been abroad.
Highlights of the trip include our two performances. The first was in Parc Montsouris, as part of their summer concert series, on a sunny afternoon. It was so uplifting to see how the public engaged with the music, with some members of the public asking to take photos of our tour stash to go and find out more about us online! The second was in the Church of SaintSulpice, the second-largest church in the city after the Notre Dame. It was such a privilege to perform in such a historic and breathtaking venue.
I would like to thank John Snow College for their support via the Student Enrichment Fund, without which I wouldn’t have been able to join the rest of the choir in Paris. I have gained so much from the tour, and exercised skills of leadership that have and will continue to aid my personal development.
After my degree, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to go into. I had a few ideas, but felt I needed to gain experience in these respective fields to get an idea whether it’s something I’d enjoy. A job in conservation was the main idea for a career. When I discovered an organisation with conservation projects all around the world, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to get experience, learn new skills and get an idea if exotic conservation is the future job for me.
The expedition I decided to join was in Guyana. I’m grateful that the Student Enrichment Fund contributed towards the cost of my flights to the country. The fund was incredibly helpful in making the trip possible.
Guyana’s in South America and is still covered in largely untouched Amazon rainforest. Located in the forest is a small indigenous village called Warapoka. This is where the researchers and myself were based. Every day we went into the jungle to carry out surveys, I learnt lots of new field techniques that will be of great value for future work and for my CV. For instance, I learnt how to handle snakes and take measurements of them. I was also taught how to sample bat populations, handle them and record data from individuals safely. I did similar sampling for birds, as well as learning methods such as point counts. My favourite survey involved setting up cameras to sample the mammal populations, it was always a surprise what you’d see and very exciting.
There were so many new skills I learnt that are of great value to me and will certainly help me in future. However, the most valuable takeaway from the expedition was that I am now certain I want a career in conservation and it’s something I’m motivated to work towards. I’m already searching for my next opportunity to get more experience!
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