College bulletin: 30 June
On Wednesday we waved goodbye to 165 of our undergraduate students who have completed their studies at the University of Cambridge – congratulations to you all and good luck for your next adventure. Do have a look at our short film produced to commemorate the celebration.
In the bulletin this week, there is an important update from the Master, a fascinating story about one of our portraits of Lady Margaret Beaufort, and don’t miss the ‘And finally’ photograph this week – it might be my favourite image of the year.
College news
Preventing and responding to reports of harassment and sexual misconduct – a message from the Master
Nothing is more important than the safety of students, staff and Fellows at St John’s and everyone has the right to feel safe here. We do not tolerate harassment or sexual misconduct, and we should never assume that enough has been done to tackle this.
In the last few years, the College has been progressing a series of actions to ensure that you feel able to disclose incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct, know that they will be supported, and are confident that the College will act on your report.
Some of the actions follow a student disciplinary case in recent years.
Every one of us has a responsibility to challenge inappropriate behaviour. When a student is faced with this, we can all help to ensure that they know where to get expert help, are confident and supported to seek that help, and are fully informed and supported in choosing whether and how to report their experience. At the start of Michaelmas Term 2023, updated advice and training will be provided to ensure that we all know what behaviour is expected and how to help.
If you have been affected by an incident of sexual misconduct or harassment, and want to talk to someone about it, please contact your Tutor or another trusted senior member of College in the first instance.
More information about sources of help
If you are a member of staff, you should contact HR, your Head of Department, or a senior College Officer. We will always take this very seriously.
Painting of Lady Margaret Beaufort smuggled to Cambridge to protect it from King Henry VIII’s henchmen unveiled
A painting of Lady Margaret Beaufort, matriarch of the Tudor dynasty and grandmother of King Henry VIII, has gone on display at the newly reopened National Portrait Gallery after a painstaking restoration project.
During the restoration process it was discovered that Lady Margaret’s original facial expression in the portrait had been painted over and changed to be made more ‘pious and sombre’ in keeping with the public image of her after her death – her expression has now been returned to the repose intended by the original artist.
Full story and fascinating ‘before’ and ‘after’ images
St John’s sportspeople represent College
More than 4,500 Cambridge students played for their Colleges in inter-collegiate sport in the Lent and Easter Terms.
Read the full round-up of Inter-Collegiate Competitions 2022/2023
Times they are a-changin’ in College dining and social spaces
Service hours are changing in the College Buttery, Café and Bar during the long summer vacation.
The new times are already in place for the Buttery and the revised hours will begin on Monday 10 July for the Café and Bar.
Buttery (from now) – Breakfast 8am-10am; Lunch (including Saturday brunch) 11.30am to 1.30pm; Dinner 6pm to 7.30pm.
Café (from 10 July) – Monday-Friday 8am-4.30pm; Saturday-Sunday 10am to 2.30pm.
Bar (from 10 July) – Daily 5pm to 9.30pm.
Three-year-old PJ inspires Chapel charity collection
A digital collection point in Chapel is raising money for Cambridge Rare Disease Network, a charity that works to unite patients, advocates, experts and leaders to address the challenges faced by people affected by rare diseases.
The charity was chosen because Kerry Swannell, Financial Accountant at St John’s, and her daughter PJ have benefited from the support and activities available via the network.
PJ, now three, has severe neurological conditions that cause physical and learning disabilities. She is pictured with her mum on the beach in St Ives, Cornwall.
What’s On
Chapel
Organ recital – Sunday 2 July, 6pm
Alex Robson from St John’s will be performing works by Bach, Messiaen and Pärt.
Open to all, admission free.
Sunday Evensong with Sermon – Sunday 2 July, 6.30pm
This term’s sermon series – ‘The Disappeared: attending to the unseen’ – has been inspired by the piece of music which the Choir will sing this evening, one of James MacMillan’s Cantos Sagrados. In these MacMillan is responding to the horrors of political oppression in Latin America, especially ‘The Disappeared’ in Argentina. This evening Fr Luis Orlando Pérez Jiménez SJ (priest and human rights specialist) will be preaching on ‘Mexico’s Mothers: The Search for their Loved Ones’.
Evensong sung by Cambridge Choral Summer Course – Monday 3 July, 6.30pm
Joint Evensong with the Choirs of St John’s College and King’s College – Tuesday 4 July, 6pm
King’s College Chapel.
This annual service will be held in King’s College Chapel this year. Seating is allocated on a first come, first served basis, tickets will not be issued.
King’s College has advised that members of St John’s should queue in the King’s College queue alongside the Gibbs Building (this will be signposted as ‘Members of King’s’ and staff will be on hand to direct members to the correct queue) and enter the Chapel via the South door.
Organ recital – Sunday 9 July, 6pm
George Herbert from St John’s will be performing Sonata on the 94th Psalm by Reubke.
Open to all, admission free.
Sunday Evensong with Sermon – Sunday 9 July, 6.30pm
This is the final service of the academic year. This term’s sermon series – ‘The Disappeared: attending to the unseen’ – has been inspired by the piece of music which the Choir sang on 2 July, one of James MacMillan’s Cantos Sagrados. In these MacMillan is responding to the horrors of political oppression in Latin America, especially ‘The Disappeared’ in Argentina. This evening Chine McDonald (Author of God is not a white man; Director of Theos) will be preaching on ‘People of colour’.
For all other regular services, see the Chapel webpage. 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.
And finally
A pigeon in a flap gave Adam Buzniak, Gyp, the chance to spread his wings as a bird rescuer this week when the panicked animal flew into the Fisher Building foyer.
Adam caught and released the pigeon and the moment was captured on camera by Laura Jones, Accommodation and Bookings Co-ordinator.
