Page 11 - Luce 2016

provide tuition in addition to the anything that JCH could learn from St
University’s own. This means that the Catherines College/Oxford! Although,
curriculum is more standardised at home, now come to think of it, the tutors at St
and that, contrastingly, it might have a Catz were always meticulously prepared
particular flavour or penchant in Oxford for our tutorials and continuously pushed
depending on the college and its tutors’ our critical thinking to new boundaries.
focus. And, of course, age. The average Some of the tutes I have had at JCH
Oxford college is around 500 years-old; (although most definitely a benefit as
JCH’s otherwise-impressive 130 years is they are extra to those at university) have
somewhat dwarfed by that. But I don’t think entailed little challenging discussion
that being older is necessarily a good thing and we haven’t engaged deeply in the
Alex Eastwood (second from left) at the in itself: there are many Oxford traditions subject.
Oxford Examinations School
that go unquestioned, for instance that
Leng: The emphasis on being well all exams must be sat in full ‘sub fusc’ Jenny: JCH is great the way it is!
rounded. All are encouraged to engage (white tie and gown!). While this makes for
with scholarly, athletic and cultural excellent Instagram photos, I can attest to it What could Oxford learn from JCH?
pursuits. being very uncomfortable and impractical
in the moment! Leng: Give more, take less and you’ll
Alex: A commitment to academic be rich.
excellence stands out for me. Although Shani: As previously mentioned the meal
the foundational impetus of the structure differs to an extent, as does the Alex: Ideals of Community. Many of
two institutions is almost opposite tutor-student relationship. The latter may the Oxford colleges are very large, as
(ecclesiastical training of men contrasted partly be due to the significant difference capacity has increased significantly
with liberal education of women), both in the size of each college – St Catz hosted per college over time to absorb the
maintain a commitment to academic approximately 500 students as compared burgeoned University admission,
rigour and achievement. Both institutions to the 96 at JCH. However, I also had the particularly at a graduate level.
also have autonomy over their admissions impression at St Catz that tutors were purely Conversely, JCH – like many other
process which very much determines the selected on their academic prowess with Melbourne colleges – has consciously
makeup and culture of the place. little regard to the mentoring and pastoral decided to prioritise quality of place
care skills they could bring to the table. above space as its affiliated University
Shani: Both colleges provided the has similarly increased (Melbourne is
opportunity to participate in sports and Jenny: Exams are held at the exam schools, almost twice the size of Oxford!). As a
both also host regular social events and and every student is expected to wear ‘sub result, that same immediacy and warmth
formal meals, though those at JCH are fusc’ which consists of an academic gown, of community is more difficult to achieve
far more enjoyable compared to those at carrying a mortar board (but not wearing it in Oxford. At the end of a day in Oxford,
St Catz, largely due to them being more on your head), and a smart white blouse, I am conscious that I am returning to a
intimate (particularly with the student- skirt and ribbon for girls, and suit with white ‘college’; at JCH, I always felt as though I
tutor-guest interaction) and not revolving bowtie for boys. If you don’t turn up in the was coming ‘home’. I suspect that a field
around a drinking culture. Communal right clothes, you may not be permitted to trip to Parkville – an immersion on the
eating is a large part of college life at sit the exam. Crescent – would be of great benefit to
JCH whereas at St Catz it can be, but the welfare and wellbeing of Oxford’s
you have to pay extra for it. I believe that What could JCH learn from Oxford? own students.
the situation at JCH is more beneficial
to students, as although learning how to Leng: Being ‘world leading’ is as much Shani: That a holistic, warm environment
cook for oneself is an incredibly valuable about ethic, attitude and self-belief as it is facilitates better studies and results in
life skill, the social interaction that occurs about having established logos. happier students far more than one that
at meal times, I believe, is integral to the is purely academically driven. The strong
mental and emotional health of students. Alex: Oxford and its colleges invest heavily focus on fostering a diverse yet tight-knit
in students. In complement to being a nexus community has created a place that I am
Jenny: The Oxford and JCH experience of knowledge that pulls some of the world’s proud to call home – the same could not
are formative experiences for the student. most agile and inquiring minds, Oxford be said for St Catz. After recently visiting
Both provide space for students to learn, aggressively sends out its students – on friends who have just graduated from
have fun and (sometimes) grow up. field trips, conferences, and exchanges. Oxford they reinforced this belief – none
Perhaps this is an approach that JCH could of them listed their collegiate experience
Is there anything completely different? further. I also think that few institutions as the highlight of their degree.
connect with their alumni base more Furthermore, the majority of them
Leng: JCH is in Melbourne, a large, extensively than Oxford. JCH too has an pursued a hobby that was conducted
cosmopolitan city while Oxford is a inspiring list of former residents – many now outside of the college simply because
university town that is dominated by the champions of equality and justice, and are their needs or wants were not catered
institution. This makes it a lot easier to luminaries in their fields. How can their for sufficiently at St Catz. At JCH it feels
not become too insular or inward looking wealth of experience and resource be even as though almost all bases are covered
while at JCH. further engaged to the benefit of the next in terms of catering to students’ interests
generation? outside of the world of study.
Alex: Undergraduate instruction is
actually delivered by the colleges in Shani: After considering the question for Jenny: Colleges don’t always need to be
Oxford; whereas Melbourne colleges many days I am still struggling to think of 200 people or more!

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