Before you begin reading how busy we’ve been this Term, I would like to bring you up-to-speed with the various recent staff changes at John Snow College.
I would like to start by sincerely thanking the following members of staff for all of their hard work and devotion to John Snow over their time with us:
Nicola Rose for her 11 years at John Snow College as our College Admin Co-ordinator, who, among many other things, has had the unenviable task of trying to keep us all right! Nicola had been promoted to an admin position in the University’s Durham Centre for Academic Development.
Jack Judge, former John Snow student and JCR President, who worked tirelessly the past year as our Student Support and Enrichment Co-ordinator, who has left and returned to London to pursue his career in HE Student Support.
Callum Hornsby our Accommodation Assistant who has been promoted to Estates and Facilities Relationship Co-ordinator. Also many Congratulations to Callum and his Partner Kaitlin (Student Support Administrator at South College) who have become parents for the first time. Their beautiful Baby Daughter Thea Grace arrived on 7th December.
Lucy McEnaney our Estates and Facilities Relationship Manager who successfully co-ordinated and arranged our moves from Queen’s Campus to Howlands then to Rushford Court then to Mount Oswald. No mean feat and all successfully engineered with Lucy’s precision. Lucy is now managing various other similar projects across the University.
We extend a warm welcome to the following new members of our Staff Team:
Angela Lo, our College Admin Co-ordinator, who is a graduate from DU and has previously worked in the Police Service and NHS.
Thomas Cullen, a graduate from Leeds who helps coach the Durham County Cricket Youth Team, will start his role as Student Support and Enrichment Co-ordinator on 9th January.
Dionne Eltringham our Accommodation Assistant who has transferred from private sector accommodation and brought her expertise and enthusiasm with her.
Paul Bolland in Accommodation and Commercial Services who has taken over Lucy’s role.
The role of Student Support Administrator, previously occupied by Yasmin Porter who was promoted to College Admin Co-ordinator at South College, is now a job share post shared between Rebecca Jacobs, who used to work as our Accommodation Assistant when we were at Howlands and Rushford Court and Isabel Gotti who has recently moved to England from the USA.
We hope that all our new members thoroughly enjoy being part of John Snow College.
This Edition of the Newsletter shows how much we have achieved during Michaelmas Term, so read on to find out what College and the JCR have been up to!
On behalf of Carolyn and the John Snow Staff Team and JCR, I would like to wish you all a Happy Festive Season. Good health, happiness and success in 2023 and have an enjoyable holiday break!
Best wishes, Janet Dixon- Dawson
After a long Summer sat alone in the JCR Office planning for and anticipating the return of the students into College, the busyness and excitement of Freshers’ Week well and truly set the tone for the Term. Having completed a week’s worth of training and team building prior to move in days, followed by nine nights of multiple events across Welcome and Orientation Week, there was no rest for our fantastic Rep team who worked tirelessly to ensure that the 2022 cohort felt welcomed into our College community. I was thrilled to see the return of the Freshers’ Roller disco and we thankfully had no broken bones!
The bustle of the beginning of Term didn’t cease after Freshers’ Week as our more regular sports, societies, outreach, bar events, socials and calendar events began as week one commenced, (our Officers will give more detailed reports on throughout this Newsletter). From weekly yoga and stretch classes, visits to Sherburn House Charity residential home, floodlit sports wins, fruit and soup boxes, spirited formals, welfare events and College family buffets, society socials, to our spectacular Winter Ball at Beamish Hall, there was no shortage of occasions to embrace College life!
It has been fantastic to see every opportunity embraced by our student community this Term, especially with it being the first restriction-free Michaelmas since 2019. I cannot thank the JCR Committee enough for their hard work and commitment throughout this Term; they are such a passionate group of students who enable all of these activities and the day to day running of the JCR. I know that they will continue to make Epiphany just as amazing!
Best wishes, Laura
Michaelmas Term has seen many Snow victories across in a range of sports. New sports have begun to shine and the Snow spirit is as strong as ever, so here are a few highlights of the Term:
JS Squash have been victorious over Aidan’s and Castle.
Women’s hockey beat Collingwood As 1-0! All 3 Netball teams have seen a selection of successes, with the Bs beating Grey 25-10 and the Cs beating South 34-9!
All 5 Men’s Football teams have played exceptionally well, with victories for the Bs against Josephine Butler and the Cs against Trevs. Women’s football has also seen an incredible new team and secured an excellent 8-3 win over Stephenson
Women’s rugby is back and better than ever, among its success was a 33-15 win over Cuths At John Snow, we pride ourselves on our Snow Spirit and that was shown in force at the Movember charity football and rugby matches! At these events, we raised over £400 for the amazing Movember charity, adding to our overall college donation! Phoenix Cheer provided incredible halftime performances and lit up the side-lines with Snow chants!
The JSFC men’s A team took home a victory against Stephenson As, winning 4-3 in a very tight game!
Sadly, JSRFC took a 31-0 loss to Collingwood As in the floodlit game, but remain undefeated in their league with victories over Collingwood Bs and Cuths.
JS Boat Club came home with some amazing results, with a 1st place and 3rd place at the Durham Autumn Small Boats Head and the women’s VIII shaping up nicely at the Rutherford Head.
All 4 pool teams have taken home numerous victories, with the As and Bs having an intense head-to-head.
As a College, we have entered this new academic year with the strong drive and determination that embodies our College and the Freshers have picked this up very quickly. We cannot wait to see what next Term brings. It comes with some exciting varsities and a range of new sports and challenges. Take time to rest and recharge over the holiday break and we will see you in 2023 for more Snow Sport: Up the Snow!!
Michaelmas Term has seen an exciting beginning to 2022/23 for John Snow Societies.
We’ve ratified a number of new societies, ranging from Darts to Roast Dinner Soc. Some previous societies have also made brilliant comebacks including Cooking Soc and Brunch Soc. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the Term has been fully-establishing the societies of our JCR Agents: Environments Soc, International Association, POC Association and Disability Support.
I would like to give a special mentions to Eleanor Huyton’s fabulous Instagram posts which have included wonderful sustainable living tips and tricks as well as uplifting good news of the week and to Zainab Amin who has organised our biggest international event to date: a Diwali Celebration with Josephine Butler College.
Very importantly, John Snow Societies have contributed to the local community this term. One highlight was Baking Soc’s charity bake sale at the Bake-Off Final Screening, which raised over £70 for Children North East. Alfie French and Kiko Keighery from Music Soc also performed wonderfully at our Christmas Event for Sherburn House in collaboration with JCR Welfare and Outreach. Many of our societies have run socials, ranging from quizzes to meals to screenings. These have been invaluable in helping Freshers meet likeminded people during first Term.
It has been particularly heartening to see how busy College facilities have been with regular society events. Each Tuesday and Thursday evening the Hub has been buzzing with Dance, Boxing, Kickboxing and Music practice. Running Club and Board Games have also been consistently organising weekly sessions for their members. The Presidents of all these societies have shown admirable dedication. I would like to thank Deborah Swarbrick and Johanna Thren for their new weekly Stretch and Yoga Classes. Laura and I have organised these as an inclusive space for student wellbeing, kindly funded by the College. These have proved hugely popular and have had a truly positive impact.
Finally, JCR money has funded a wide-range of equipment and activities this Term. This has included the pumpkins for Art Soc’s decorate and sip, boxing gloves, a darts mat and new board games. We have also been enjoying the new equipment bought by College at the end of last year, such as a camera, yoga mats, and resistance bands. Making new interests and hobbies as accessible as possible to our students remains our top priority.
I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to societies in Michaelmas and would encourage everyone to make the most of the myriad of opportunities available next term. Look out for our Refreshers’ Fair to get involved!
The first term of Outreach at John Snow saw students take quickly to our intergenerational project shared with Stevenson. The project focused on tackling loneliness and isolation within young people and the elderly by regular visits to Sherburn House Charity – a local residential care home and independent living site. This allowed us to meet people from the local community, share experiences, and build a sense of extended family for the college.
Two particular standouts would be our bonfire and Christmas events. It has been fantastic to see so many students already engage in the project, and now we have built a strong foundation for it, we look forward to some bigger and better events in the new year.
I am pleased to announce two new projects that will be starting in the new year. From January, we will be providing a volunteering opportunity for students to tutor A Level pupils at Durham Johnston School. This will cover many subjects across all disciplines, and will contribute to DUSVO student volunteering awards and feed into careers in education. More details of the second project will come shortly.
In October 2022, under the guidance of our College Chaplain Andrew Tinkler, Ben Webb our JCR Outreach Officer and Grace Marshall our JCR Female Welfare Officer, along with student volunteers from our College and Stephenson, began an inter-generational befriending project which is being warmly received by the residents of Sherburn House Charity.
The Charity was founded by the then Bishop of Durham, Hugh Pudsey, in around 1181 when its original purpose was as a leper hospital run by monks and nuns. The Charity now uses its budget to provide care and accommodation for older people in a residential home, as well providing 24 dwellings for sheltered housing and homes for private rent. It also awards grants to alleviate hardship for more vulnerable members of the community.
Throughout this Term, regular visits have been made by the students to Sherburn House where they and the residents spend time learning about each other’s lives and experiences and share board games, music, good company and a cuppa! As part of the Project, on Wednesday 7th December a group of our students along with Andrew, delivered a Christmas Carol Service and shared festive cheer at this special time of year.
Pauline Bishop, Chief Executive of Sherburn House Charity, on behalf of the Charity and residents, has thanked our students for their involvement and the valuable contribution they are making to the lives of their residents. We add our thanks to all those involved .
The Project will continue next Term and beyond, so if you are interested in getting involved, please contact the JCR.
Janet Dixon-Dawson
On Friday 11th November 2022, John Snow College held its annual Act of Remembrance to remember all those who have lost their lives or been injured or bereaved through war and conflict over the years.
Our simple and humble Act of Remembrance took place alongside the College Pump sculpture in the College grounds and was attended by students and staff.
The order of proceedings included:
Laura, our JCR President reading the Exhortation from Binyon’s poem “For the Fallen”. The Sounding of the Last Post played by our outgoing College Bugler, Abi Kaye, to mark the 2 minutes silence at 11am followed by Abi Sounding Reveille.
Max our JCR Vice President reading the words from the Kohima Epitaph Laura placing a Poppy wreath at the foot of the Pump
Steven Beckett reading John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Field”.
We thanks those who attend, it is important to remember.
On 22nd November 2022, as part of our College Student Enrichment Programme, staff and students from across the University had the pleasure of listening to Helen Ford, TV Broadcaster and Health Correspondent at ITV Tyne Tees television who specialises in issues affecting the health and wellbeing of communities across the North East and North Yorkshire.
Over her 30 year career in broadcasting, she has reported on a vast range of topics, over the last two years she has covered extensively the Covid pandemic, including coverage from the frontline in some of the region's hospitals.
Helen also runs a Diversity and Inclusion Panel for ITV Tyne Tees, bringing together voices and viewpoints from across the region to consider all aspects of diversity and inclusion and she acts as a link with our communities on this matter.
Her presentation entitled “Pictures, people and places: a day in regional television news” gave an ideal opportunity for those students attending to find out more about a career in journalism and broadcasting and to draw upon her expertise.
Janet Dixon- Dawson
Grace Marshall (Welfare Officer)
This term, Welfare held many exciting events, produced informative campaigns and worked hard to take care of all those who reached out for help and support.
Some of our highlights definitely included our Dial-adonut event, the successful College Family Buffets (and bingo event), and our find-a-housemate social! We also worked alongside college to reintroduce the soup and fruit boxes!
We collaborated with other societies, sports, and officers to produce events such as the College Family Bake Off, the Movember Sports matches, and our Christmas social!
As part of John Snow’s student enrichment and wellbeing programme, myself and Laura have been able to organise new stretch and yoga classes. The cost of these has kindly been covered by College, meaning that each week, 30 students have been able to access the classes free-of-charge. The purpose of these sessions was to offer all John Snow students an inclusive and relaxed space to support their wellbeing.
On Monday evenings, Johanna Thren has led stretch classes, she states:
the classes are intended to provide a space for students to improve their wellbeing and flexibility. I hope to create an atmosphere in the classes that allows attendees to check in with their physical wellbeing and how they are feeling in general.
Meanwhile, on Thursday evenings, Deborah Swarsbick has offered yoga classes, she states:
I have tried to create a relaxing and inclusive space, where students can practice yoga to improve strength, flexibility and balance whilst finding a connection with their breath. I have loved teaching everyone who has attended and hope to see people next year as I put together new sequences and music playlists!
Both classes have proved extremely popular, with sign-ups filling up each week within a few minutes! Feedback from students has been hugely rewarding, with many grateful for the regular opportunity to relax and unwind from hectic university life!
Classes will be continuing in Epiphany term:
Sign-Ups will be released weekly via the JCR email so keep checking your inbox!
This year the Igloo has returned bigger and better than ever before, with its events following a similar story. Term kicked off with a college family bingo that set the stage for many other events to come and allowing new students the perfect opportunity to finally meet their college parents.
The following months showed similar success with bar run events such as karaoke nights, movie nights and Kahoot, as well as the Igloo hosting a college council meeting for the very first time.
Regular pub quizzes proved to be a particular hit, with many teams excited to try to win a bar tab each week.
The Igloo saw an influx of societies looking to host socials both from inside the college, such as JS Baking Soc, JS Board Games Soc and JS Bean Soc, to Durham wide societies like the DU Esports Soc and DU Hillwalking.
The last few weeks of term saw a great buzz around watch parties for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the year being wrapped up by our charity Christmas quiz which raised £69.29 for the Feeding Families Christmas Appeal!
The Igloo hopes to start off 2023 even better than in 2022, with many more new events to come, returning favourites making an appearance and the continuation of our regular pub quizzes
On the 28th November 2022, John Snow JCR held our annual Winter Ball, 'Winter Nights & Northen Lights', at Beamish Hall.
It was a roaring success, with over 500 John Snow students in attendance who thoroughly enjoyed a night of food, entertainment and great company.
This event took over four months of planning and could not have happened without the contribution of the JCR Ball Committee, who met regularly with vendors and venue staff to bring the plans to life. In addition to this, Laura and the entire JCR commitee gave great support to the event, helping to prepare the venue and logistically organise the transport of the guests.
On the evening, all guests enjoyed live music from 'Butler Jazz', 'Minus 5' and our very own Mason Lacey as DJ. With a three-course dinner, a variety of confectionary snacks, dance machines and casino tables, the night was full of energy and enjoyed by many. We were also extremely lucky to be sponsored by two popular chocolate companies 'Tony's Chocolonely' and 'Buttermilk', who generously provided a chocolate bar for every dining guest!
The Ball Commitee are extremely excited to start planning Summer Ball 2023 very shortly, that will be taking place in June.
The newly formed JCR Formals Committee has worked hard alongside College to organise a variety of themed formals this Term to ensure that all members of College were able to attend at least one formal.
The College traditions of: College Bugler sounding in Top Table - we now have two new buglers, both 1st Year students William Bourn and Tom Culkin, a Guest Speaker before dining, fresh fruit platter and raspberry coulis then music to round off the event, have all been maintained.
Tables were decorated according to themes such as Diwali, Bonfire Night, Autumn. After the Formals the beautiful floral decorations have been donated to two local charities: Sherburn House Charity and St. Cuthbert's Hospice, both of whom have been thrilled with the floral donations.
We hosted our first ever John Snow College Sports Formal on 24th November, where members of College who are active in College sport were able to come together and celebrate the successes of John Snow's wide variety of sporting teams.
One of the highlights of the Term was our very festive Christmas Formal which saw us reach our largest attendee number so far: 230 students! Hand-picked greenery, lights and crackers decorated the tables which, alongside the festive attire worn by many of our guests, (Vice President Max Bamford wins the accolade of “Most Festive suit”!), fully embraced the Christmas spirit. The annual rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas conducted by Theo, accompanied by mince pies and Prosecco, was magnificently orchestrated and certainly served as highlights for the evening.
Many thanks to Kinky Jeff and the Swingers (Hatfield), the DU Gospel Choir and also our own students: Leah Fraser, Daisy Houlden, Kiko Keighery and Tom Hardy all of whom provided musical ents at the Formals – excellent, thanks.
A special thanks goes to Phil and Claire for everything that they have done for us this Term - the time and effort put into these formals is huge and we truly do appreciate it.
Max
Livers-in once again had the pleasure of receiving fresh fruit boxes and soup boxes for their flat, kindly provided by the College. These boxes have become a highlight of the Term and been welcomed by all during this difficult time.
Feeding Families is a local charity based in the North East of England which offers support, hope and security to those experiencing food poverty.
This year the cost of living crisis has meant that even more families are struggling to feed their relatives. So College and the JCR decided to contribute to the Charity’s Christmas Food Appeal as we did last year. We encouraged all of our students, livers-in and liversout, to donate non-perishable food items as they were packing up to head home. We appealed to the inter block/flat competitiveness of those living-in, by seeing which flat could donate the most items: Broadwick 6, a chocolate gift awaits you in the new year.
Thank you to all those who donated and please, spare a thought and give where you can, to help those in need this Christmas time. Thank you.
3FR
T: +44 (0)191 334 0046
E: snow.college@durham.ac.uk
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