College bulletin: 10 February
Many of you have been asking the Café staff about the portraits that are exhibited in the space – they feature eight ground-breaking alumnae and were commissioned to celebrate the College’s celebration of 40 years of women. Each alumna is credited with transforming the world around her, have a read about women in the story below to learn more about their time at St John’s and beyond. And for those who have asked (my mum) I wasn’t eligible to be featured.
Thank you to those members of College who have already responded to an appeal to donate to the organisations working to help the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. If you are able to give to support people affected, a link has been shared below on behalf of our Fellow, Professor Mete Atatüre, a Turkish national, who urges you to help if you can.
College news
Four decades of women at St John’s celebrated in new portrait exhibition
Eight path-beating Johnian women, whose diverse careers have spanned the heights of government, the hidden worlds of human cells and the wild expanses of the Southern Ocean, are celebrated in a new exhibition of photographic portraits marking 40 years of women at the College.
Each alumna portrayed in the series, unveiled in the College’s new Café, has transformed the world around her, whether by using storytelling to advocate for minority women, researching the ground beneath our feet to improve building safety, or leading change within the spheres of law and the senior Civil Service.
The portraits, which capture the eight subjects in their daily surroundings, were taken by the acclaimed photographer Kate Peters, who specialises in representations of women. They provide a contemporary counterpoint to the historic artworks displayed in Hall at St John’s, allowing the spirit and achievements of women and younger alumnae to be recognised.
Earthquake Disaster Appeal
On February 6th, two devastating earthquakes registering 7.8 and 7.5 on the Richter scale struck the southern regions of Turkey and northern cities of Syria, causing widespread destruction and claiming the lives of tens of thousands across 10 cities. The rescue operations are underway, and the need for urgent humanitarian aid is desperate.
Your contribution can make a significant impact so please do consider donating if you are able to: https://ahbap.org/disasters-turkey
Donations to Oxfam’s appeal can also be made in the College Chapel via the contactless payment point in the antechapel.
Swapped ‘til we dropped
The first College clothes swap or ‘swish’ was a huge success when it made its debut on Saturday.
Introduced by Professor Jane Heal, Chair of the St John’s Sustainability Forum, and Clara Manco, French Lectrice and College Teaching Associate, the events is supported by Cambridge Footprint in a bid to encourage sustainable fashion habits.
A total of 156kg of clothes were donated and the vast majority found a new home as students, staff and Fellows gathered in Fisher Building to take some new items home for free. Refreshments available on the day raised £110.22 for the Cambridge Food Bank.
Thank you to the organisers and volunteers who helped to run the Swish.
Changes to College access control system
The installation of a new access control system will begin in College next week.
Work to upgrade the system will take up to three months to complete and existing access cards will continue to operate the new system as it is rolled-out.
During the change from the current system to the new one, all users will need to hold their access card to the card reader until the light turns blue then hold it in place for a further 3-5 seconds until the light turns green and the door should unlock (if you have access rights). If the light turns red, repeat the process. This will only need to be done the first time the system is used. Anyone with any issues with card access should contact Student Services.
Security of the site will be maintained at all times and disruption will be kept to a minimum. Anyone with any questions as the work proceeds should contact Maintenance.
Applications open for new College Research Associates
St John’s intends to appoint up to six College Research Associates from 1 September 2023. There are no conditions of subject attached to these positions, but the successful applicants are likely to be within four years of having completed the requirements for the PhD (or equivalent) degree (excluding any maternity / paternity leave).
Candidates will be selected by reference to their ability to make a positive and dynamic contribution to the intellectual, educational and social life of the College. Applications must be received by 5pm on Friday 24 March.
Memorial service for Professor Andrew Wyllie
The memorial service for Professor Andrew Wyllie (1944–2022), Fellow of St John’s College (1998–2022), was held in the College Chapel on Saturday 4 February. Listen to the service, along with the bagpipe lament, Highland Cathedral.
What’s on
Chapel
Student communion – Sunday 12 February, 8.30am
Student Communion takes place every Sunday at 8.30am, followed by a subsidised cooked breakfast in Hall.
Sung Eucharist – Sunday 12 February, 10.30am
Open to all, admission free.
Organ recital – Sunday 12 February, 6pm
Drew Sellis, Jesus College, will be performing works by Howells, Jackson and Whitlock.
Open to all, admission free.
Sunday Evensong with Sermon – Sunday 12 February, 6.30pm
This term’s sermon series invites the preachers to help our faith learn from the past. The preachers have chosen figures from the 16th and 17th centuries in order to suggest ways in which our faith might deepen through a closer encounter with their life and work.
The preacher this evening, who draws his subject from the title ‘Past tense, future perfect? Learning from the history of faith’, is Professor Alison Shell of the University of London who will be preaching on William Shakespeare.
Open to all, admission free.
Evensong – Monday 13 February, 6.30pm
Sung by St John’s Voices.
Morning prayer – weekdays, 8.30am
Taking place in Ante-Chapel every weekday morning, lasting about 15 minutes.
The Meditation on the Passion of Christ – Saturday 4 March, 6.00pm
A Service of readings and music for Passiontide.
Deadline for applications is Monday 13 February. Book here
Follow the Facebook page, SJC Chaplain, for Chapel service updates; and Andrew is on TikTok @thedetoxpriest. The Chapel team is always keen to hear from more volunteers to read in services or assist in other ways: please contact Andrew.
Other events
A tour of the Chapel windows – Saturday 11 February, 2pm
Meet in the Ante-Chapel.
The story of St John in the College’s stained glass, presented by College Fellow Professor Patrick Boyde.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme.
Attendance free, booking not required.
Mathematics and Mathematicians at St John's – weekdays, 9am-5pm
St John’s College Library.
Exhibition which is open to all, admission free, no booking required.
Live lunchtime meditation – Monday to Thursday, 1.15-1.30pm
Via Zoom.
Spend 15 mindful minutes relaxing or meditating with the University’s mindfulness practitioner, Dr Elizabeth English, in these weekday sessions, free to students and staff.
Palaeography for beginners – Tuesday 14 February, 3pm
Zoom.
Weekly ‘have-a-go’ sessions for anyone interested in reading handwriting c. 1500 – c. 1700, using documents from the College’s institutional archives. Sessions are informal and aimed at beginners, or those with a little experience who wish to practise their skills. Meetings are held online, using photographs of the documents which will be emailed out in advance along with the Zoom link.
Open to all, attendance free. If you would like to join in, please contact the archivist, Dr Lynsey Darby.
Valentine’s Superhall – Tuesday 14 February, 6.45pm
With a drinks reception at 6.45pm followed by dinner at 7.30pm.
Open to St John’s students, two guests per student. £21.90 for College students, £26.25 for guests. Tickets available via Upay until Monday 13 February, 9am.
A tour of the Old Library – Wednesday 15 February, 2pm
Assemble in Second Court at the entrance to E staircase.
With Dr Adam Crothers, Special Collections Assistant.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme.
Attendance free, booking not required.
UniVox rehearsals – every Wednesday during term, 5.15-6.30pm
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
UniVox is a non-auditioned contemporary choir for students across the University run by the new Centre for Music Performance (CMP) and hosted by St John’s.
Places are limited so must be booked via the UniVox page of the CMP website.
St John's College Music Society (SJCMS) lunchtime recital – Thursday 16 February, 1.15pm
New Music Room.
Jessica Ellis (oboe) and Andrew Black (piano) play movements from Strauss and Mozart Oboe Concerti, and Juliette Richards on piano performs Chopin’s Ballade no 1.
Open to all, admission free, booking is not required.
Drop-in dissertation support group – Thursday 16 February, 2pm-5pm
Via Zoom.
Weekly online group run during term time by the Library, offering a structured study space, support and encouragement for any undergraduate student who is currently working on a dissertation.
Email Rebecca for the Zoom link or if you have any questions.
Social tennis sessions – Friday 17 February, 3.30pm
St John’s tennis courts, behind the College playing fields.
Hour long social tennis sessions run by St John’s Tennis Club, every Friday during term time. No prior experience is needed, the games are intended for all students of all ages and all abilities. There is no need to come with a partner or tennis balls. If you need a racket or have any queries please contact Jonny Fox.
Open to all St John’s students, admission free, no booking required.
Open Orchestra – Monday 20 February, 7.30pm
New Music Room.
The St Johns College Open Orchestra (SJCOO) meets, usually fortnightly, on a Monday evening during term time. The orchestra is always happy to have more musicians who want to meet for relaxed and fun rehearsals, and sight read through some fun numbers from a wide variety of genres from classical to film. Brass and string players are particularly needed.
Open to all University members (Grade 4/5 minimum, no auditions required).
Further details and to register or email the SJCOO Director, Daniel Livermore.
Pre-Dinner Lecture Series talk: Bishop Colenso, Proudly Johnian – Tuesday 21 February, 6.15pm
Boys Smith Room, Fisher Building.
Dr Paul Murray, Diocesan College, and Colenso Visiting Fellow at St John’s, will examine aspects of the Bishop Colenso’s life relative to his time at St John’s, drawing on archival sources at the Special Collections at St John’s College to show the links Colenso had with the College and how these experiences here were processed in aspects of his life.
The Bishop came to St John’s in 1833, and remained directly associated with the College until 1853 when he went as the inaugural Bishop of Natal, to South Africa. He is known for his controversial approach to the religious doctrine of the time in mid-C19 England and elsewhere, as well as a campaigner for human rights in South Africa until his death in 1883.
The lecture will last 20-30 minutes and be followed by audience questions and drinks.
Open to Fellows, affiliates and postgraduate students. Admission free.
St John’s Book Group for postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff – Wednesday 22 February, 5.45pm
Merton Hall Cottage.
Postgraduates, English Faculty and College staff are invited to join Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, for the second book group meeting of Lent Term. This month’s book is Julian Barnes' 2011 novel, The Sense of an Ending.
If you are interested in joining this or the book group for undergraduate students, email Vona.
Rainbow Superhall – Wednesday 22 February, 6.45pm
Celebrating LGBTQIA+, with a drinks reception at 6.45pm followed by dinner at 7.30pm.
Open to St John’s students, two guests per student. £21.90 for College students, £26.25 for guests. Tickets available via Upay until Tuesday 21 February, 9am.
David and Absalom – Wednesday 22 February, 7.30pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
Directed by St John’s Fellow Professor Patrick Boyde this is a semi-staged performance in the original Hebrew, dramatised from the Second Book of Samuel. Watch unfold a 3000 year old story of adultery and ambition, rape, rebellion and retribution, love and loyalty. With images and original music. Surtitles translating the Hebrew into English will be projected on to a screen during the performance.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Attendance free.
Please note that this event replaces the previously advertised dramatisation from Isaiah.
Mozart’s The Magic Flute – Thursday 23 February – Saturday 25 February, 7.45pm and Saturday 25 February, 1pm
West Road Concert Hall.
The Cambridge University Opera Society, including 17 College members in the cast, orchestra and production teams, showcase The Magic Flute, one of Mozart’s final masterpieces where childlike adventure collides with fantasy, satire, and comedy. Underpinned by Mozart’s kaleidoscopic score, the music captures the timeless themes of love and deception whilst presenting some of the most popular music in the classical repertory, with show-stopping arias and fast paced ensemble numbers.
Open to all. Tickets: students, under 18s and jobseekers: £8.00; concessions (over 60s): £14.00; full price: £16.00.
Further details and to book tickets
St John’s Book Group for undergraduates – Monday 27 February, 7pm
Merton Hall Cottage.
Undergraduates are invited to join Vona Groarke, St John’s Writer-in-Residence, for the second undergraduate book group meeting of Lent term. This month’s book is Grief is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter.
If you are interested in joining this or the book group for postgraduates, English Faculty and staff, email Vona.
Pre-Dinner Lecture Series talk – Tuesday 28 February, 6.15pm
Castlereagh Room, Fisher Building.
Presented by Dr Anna Florin, Research Fellow at St John’s. Details to be confirmed.
The lecture will last 20-30 minutes and be followed by audience questions and drinks.
Open to Fellows, affiliates and postgraduate students. Admission free.
Postgraduates Dine with Fellows – Wednesday 1 March, 7.30pm
Hall.
Open to College postgraduates. Postgraduates can attend one Dine with Fellows dinner per academic year.
Free of charge, limited places, register via Upay after 1 February. Booking closes at 9am on 28 February.
Pre-Dinner Lecture Series talk – Tuesday 7 March, 6.15pm
Boys Smith Room, Fisher Building.
Presented by Dr Ann Benson, Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship, and Beaufort Visiting Fellow at St John’s. Details to be confirmed.
The lecture will last 20-30 minutes and be followed by audience questions and drinks.
Open to Fellows, affiliates and postgraduate students. Admission free.
How Cambridge works – Wednesday 8 March, 8pm
Main Lecture Theatre, Old Divinity School.
A talk by Richard Partington, Senior Tutor.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme.
Attendance free, booking not required.
Precarious lives: inequalities in health through the lens of the film maker – Thursday 9 March, 1.15pm for 1.45pm start
Palmerston Room, Fisher Building.
Director Ken Loach is due to appear at a workshop and screening of his acclaimed 2019 film Sorry We Missed You.
St John’s Reading Group on Health Inequalities has organised the event, which comes at a time of deep concern about the impact of rising poverty on child health and development, in association with the University’s Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH).
Free of charge. Donations will be collected at the event for Cambridge City Foodbank and Cambridge Aid.
Book your place via the CRASSH events page
Botanic Gardens tour – Sunday 19 March, 2pm
Join Professor Tim Bayliss-Smith for a tour of the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens to see the spring flowers.
Open to College postgraduate students, Fellows, Visiting Fellows and their guests as part of this term’s Sans Frontières events programme. Students should bring their University cards for free entry.
Further details to be confirmed.
And finally
Student sets high bar with Bridge of Sighs blind design
A student-designed fabric mingling abstract glimpses of the Bridge of Sighs and other architectural features of St John’s has been used to create striking new blinds in the renovated College Bar. Story
