Blog

1 June 2022

As I write this, the College is well into the annual quiet period. Students are busy revising for exams, the gardeners are rushing around, turning our landscape into a wonderful picture–postcard, and, of course, the swimming pool is finally open this year post–pandemic!

The Plodge at this time of year is as busy as ever, and the Porters, along with their daily duties, have also been on standby, should the need arise to support our students over this very stressful exam period. As a matter of course, all College Porters are trained as mental health First Aiders, and are fully trained to react when needed, concerning any student that experiences a mental health crisis. This is an area that I am fully committed to, as I believe mental health in the student population is vitally important. 

I am, at present, the Head Porters' Association lead within the University focus group looking into student out–of–hours’ support, regarding crisis management. The University has granted three years funding for this initiative, so it is vital that the group come up with a working and successful plan. 

 

Above: Gate Porter Josh (L) and Head Porter Monty (R), in their ceremonial dress

In other news, the College has recently held a memorial service for former Master Professor John Ffowcs Williams, in the Chapel. As part of our wider duties, Porters are, at times, ask to provide ceremonial support for the College. I'd also like to welcome Sam Hines (L) into the Lodge family, who started recently as a new Gate Porter.

We are also seeing the May Ball Committee feverishly buzzing around, sorting various issues out regarding the upcoming event in June (don’t run out of drink!). This, again, is something that we are very much looking forward to—it has been too long since the College had a proper full–on May Ball! 

 

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