Page 15 - Luce 2020

S enior C o mmon Ro om

From the Director of Studies

It is truly a privilege to work and live at of novel corona virus (COVID-19). As I
Janet Clarke Hall, a College that aspires reflect on these events, I am reminded
to educate and stimulate young women that in 2019 our students invited Chloe
and men to contribute to their world Hooper into the College to discuss her
as active, innovative and kind, global book, The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire,
citizens. 2019 was an exceptional year reflecting on our country’s relationship
for our students and their academic with fire and the environment. Over
success is consistent with the College’s the past ten years, our students have
strategic plan to ‘lift the intellectual regularly ventured to the farm of JCH
life’ of the College whilst maintaining Fellow, Jaan Enden (1960) to experience
a respectful, diverse and inclusive life on the land, planting trees, painting
community, modelling best practice. fences and clearing the land. Prof Peter
Doherty, the College Visitor, graciously
I am delighted to report that over attended many of our dinners, often
the past decade, JCH students have as the guest speaker, talking to our
continued to perform far and above the students about his lifelong, celebrated
University average. In 2019, 48% of all work in immunology. We provide the Donna Davies (right) with Prof Alex Walsham
of our results were at H1 level; the finest transformative space throughout a
result in the history of the College. student’s life at Janet Clarke Hall, often in A UK visit
ways that we can never anticipate.
These results are due, in no small part, In July 2019, I visited Cambridge
to the deliberate care and mentoring of So, at the end of 2019, after twelve years, University where I met with JCH Fellow,
the College’s team of eight residential I finally say goodbye to Janet Clarke Prof Alexandra Walsham. Alex was
and 25 non-residential tutors who have Hall. Whilst I feel somewhat melancholy recently appointed as Chair of the
been outstanding role models for our leaving this wonderful College, it has History Faculty and we congratulate her
students, often balancing their own been a great privilege, joy and honour on this outstanding achievement. Alex
academic pursuits and careers whilst to be a part of an educational institution very kindly gave my family and me an
providing the highest level of academic with a proud, strong feminist history. informative tour of the Cambridge sites
and pastoral support. Our tutors are I am very grateful that Dr Powell took including the beautiful colleges.
carefully selected and developed to a chance on me in 2008. I am also
provide a transformation of self and very grateful to the past and present On behalf of JCH, I presented Alex
other. In his book, The Missing Course: Council members who provided me with with a framed sketch of the front of the
Everything they never taught you about unwavering support, particularly in my College by Mary Newsome (Reynolds
college teaching (2019), David Gooblar role as Acting Principal. 1952) from the north aspect. It was
suggests a good college provides a fortuitous as Alex, when tutoring at
profound sense of care because ‘the I leave the College filled with the same JCH in 1989-90, resided in the room
students are the material’ and to teach passion that inspired me from the day above and recalled the view with great
well is to practise ‘the mysterious art of I arrived. My goal has always been to fondness. She also introduced me
helping people change’. Great teaching provide young people, particularly young to Sian Gardner, Tutorial Manager at
and mentoring are at the heart of what women, with educational opportunities Trinity College, who kindly discussed
JCH does. and pastoral support as they transition the academic and well-being programs
from school to university. of Trinity College. It concluded with
Our academic program has tripled in a tour of the magnificent grounds and
size in the last few years, including Janet Clarke Hall has inspired me as buildings.
greater provision for academic an educator and a scholar. I have been
knowledge and skill development particularly influenced by our students, The following day, I met with alumna
through our ‘step up’ program, student staff and alumni and now I look beyond Catherine Wheller (2009). Cat is
forums and additional consultations in the College, to develop my own skills currently finishing her position at
academic writing. Whilst the University and capabilities with the University London’s Natural History Museum as
moves to greater digital learning, of Melbourne. I will be working with Communications Manager. She will
Gooblar (2019) emphasises that teachers Professor Helen Cahill at the Youth focus on completing her PhD on data
must create participatory, democratic Research Centre as I work to complete collected during her time in Madagascar.
learning spaces, preferably in real non- my Doctorate. It was wonderful to hear how well Cat
digital classrooms where students can and her contemporaries from JCH were
build lasting relationships with each It was a joy for me, Michael, Charlotte doing. She is still in contact with a vast
other and their tutors. This is a model and Harry, to call Janet Clarke Hall number of JCH alumni, many of whom
that has been enhanced and welcomed home. Like our students, we leave are undertaking PhDs and thriving in
by JCH students for many years. transformed, with wonderful memories their careers. Cat was very obliging in
and friendships that will last a lifetime. giving us a tour of the Natural History
Recently, many parts of Australia have Museum including the minerals room
been gripped by unprecedented drought Mrs Donna Davies which is her particular passion.
and bushfires and have seen the impact Director of Studies

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