Page 34 - 2024 JCH Student Handbook

34

Dress and conduct in the dining hall

The Dining Hall is at the very heart of our shared collegiate life. Please treat the space with
respect. Footwear is mandatory in the Dining Hall and on the Ground Floor, and
caps/hoodies/beanies/pyjamas/tracksuit pants are not appropriate at Formal Dinners.

Monday Formal Hall & Special Dinners

During teaching weeks, dinners on Monday nights are referred to as Formal Hall. The purpose of
Formal Hall is for us to come together as a College community to enjoy a meal and conversation.
This also provides an opportunity to communicate to the entire College, and

to enjoy various musical, literary, and artistic performances.

We gather in the JCR by 6.25pm before proceeding into the Hall for a 6.30pm dinner. We start
each Hall with grace and a musical or poetry performance from a resident. Mid meal there are
announcements from the Senior Staff, Tutors and students. If you need to leave Formal Hall before
the closing grace, please seek permission from the person presiding (usually the Principal or
Deputy Principal). Similarly, if you are late, please approach the High Table and apologise to the
person presiding when you enter the room. This is a common courtesy and so that we can ensure
you are served a meal.
The Principal and Deputy Principal invite members of the College to join them on the High Table,
including Tutors and students, as well as occasional College guests. If you are unable to attend on

the date you are invited to sit on High Table, please let the Office Manager know so you can be
invited on another occasion. When joining High Table for dinner, you are invited to pre-dinner
drinks in the SCR at 6.15pm.

Special dinners

From time to time, the College holds special dinners, such as the first formal dinner of each
semester (Commencement Dinner, and Mid-Winter Dinner), the Changeover Dinner after the
Student Club elections in second semester, and the Valedictory Dinner at the conclusion of the

academic year. These are a highlight in JCH’s communal life, and often involve special guests
and musical performances.

Typically, Special College dinners commence with pre-dinner drinks in SCR at 6.30pm and move
into the dining hall at 7pm.

Please be respectful of the College’s expectations around reasonable dress and etiquette. Mobile
phone use during formal hall and formal dinners is not appropriate.

34
Janet Clarke Hall Student Handbook 2024