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St. Peters College Newsletter
Thank You!
You will no doubt have read of Oxfords discussions last termabout the Universitys governance. This was a very lively issue at St Peters, withsome of our senior members taking a prominent role in voicing opposition to the pro-posals, while (as far as I know, because it was all decided by a secret ballot) others wereclearly convinced of their merit. It must be stressed that neither side in this discus-sion was reactionary or even conservative. Rather, the key question was to findthe most effective way of getting the external advice and expertise we need withoutcompromising Oxfords position as one of the leading universities in the world.
Both sides sincerely believed that their views needed to prevail in order to protect andenhance Oxfords position. Some saw the proposals as giving in to Government
pressure. Others thought that we had to make concessions to the Government other-wise we will face negative consequences. Some saw the form of external governanceproposed (an effective majority of external members on a small governing Council) asan essential piece of best practice for a large and successful educational charity like Oxford University. Oth-ers saw it as the practice of the 126 of 128 UK universities that did not make it to the top three in the world in arecent league table. Some saw the proposals as one of Vice-Chancellor John Hoods key contributions to thefuture of Oxford University. Others believed that Dr Hood has begun to deal extremely effectively, within thecurrent governance structures, with the financial and administrative issues facing the central university, and thathe was badly advised in allowing himself to be distracted into an unnecessary divisive issue.
I should emphasise that all this was only to do with the governance of the central university, and the College hasits own independent governance which is not part of the current discussion. As a young College, one of our
main priorities is to achieve a level of reputation and endowment where we can maintain and enhance our posi-tion as a beacon of excellence within this outstanding University. I am confident, however, that Oxford Uni-versity will develop a governance structure that has all the external scrutiny and advice that is clearly called for,
OnGovernance&Reforms
The Masters Message
I n s i d e
Student Message 2
Old Members News 2
Developments 3
Past Events 3
Special Interest 4
Features 5
Forthcoming Events 6
Spring2007
while retaining the wholehearted support and confidence that any reform of this kindreally needs.
Within this context, old members can be assured that we are taking every step we can(including external advice on investments and on key appointments) to ensure that ourrather limited resources are well used and that we provide the very best we can for ourstudents. I am proud of the response to our telethon appeal which you can read moreabout in this newsletter. I am very pleased that we were in the top three colleges takingstudents from poorer backgrounds in the first year of higher top-up fees, and particu-larly grateful for the start we have made in setting up bursaries to support such students.I am proud of the achievements of Sean Rainey who has served us so well in the Devel-opment Office for five years and I wish him well for the future. I am proud of the aca-demic, sporting and cultural achievements of St Peters students. I am proud of thecommitment and professionalism of our Fellows, and of their remarkable achievementsboth in the advancement and the communication of their fields. I am especially grate-ful for the continuing support (not just financial) that we receive from so many of ourfriends and old members.
Professor Bernard Silverman, FRS
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P A G E 2
Bestseller!When Gillian Orrell abandoned corporate life in London to walk ortramp New Zealands nine Great Walks, she had little idea of whatto expect. But uncertainty and inexperience soon gave way to thechallenges of the tracks themselves as she embarked on the greatestadventure of her life.
New Boots in New Zealand is a day-by-day account of all nine GreatWalks, from the majesty of the famous Milford Track to the unex-pected variety of the Heaphy and the beguiling mystery of the
Whanganui River Journey. Full of humour and joie de vivre, it is ahugely enjoyable armchair read as well as an essential source of infor-mation for anyone intending to walk in New Zealand.
Having taken over the reins of the MCR
last Trinity term, the MCR continues to bethe hub of activity around which our mem-bers academic and social lives revolve,
with the help of my tireless committee.
One of the first events I had the joy of overlooking was the an-nual Richard Head Memorial lecture a send-up of the currentmembers and the more notable staff, all tentatively tied togetherby a plot. It was introduced by Jocelyn Payne, together with afellow alumnus who started this event many years ago. As ever, it
wallowed in the controversy it created, but was one of the bestfor several years.
Michaelmas term saw the MCR secure an increase in its fundingfrom the College. This should allow the expansion of the current
MCR lecture series that sees SCR members giving informal talksto members of the MCR and SCR following high table dinners.The MCRs subscription to arts and scientific journals will alsobe increased.
The annual influx of new graduates from both home and abroadmaintains the MCRs multicultural composition. The social cal-endar that followed included international desert nights and bopsthat made our JCR colleagues reconsider our dinosaur status, orat least puzzle over our age. Richard Gordon, the new Bursar,hosted one of the most popular events of last term a whiskytasting. This looks likely to crop up again on the social scheduletogether with wine tasting, helping to provide those at St Peters
with a well-rounded Oxford education.
While last years football team who thought nothing of goal dif-ferences of the order of seventeen (not in their favour) has beendisbanded, sporting success continues to thrive in the MCR.Many members are involved in college rowing while Sarah Cor-nick rows for the lightweight blues, and Melissa Clark is also inthe squad. With representations in many other sports from ca-noe polo to archery and such a variety of members, the SPCMCR continues to thrive and be one of the friendliest and mostactive in the University.
S T . P E T E R S C O L L E G E
Gillian Orrells travel book NewBoots in New Zealand reachednumber one on the Amazon.co.ukTravel & Holiday bestseller list onTuesday 24 October 2006 and alsoreached number 13 in the overallbestseller chart. In doing so,Gillian was briefly outselling BillBryson (as well as Jeremy Clark-son, Victoria Beckham and RickyGervais), although the great mandid eventually retake his spot!
Rupert Scott, MCR
Student Update from the MCR & JCR PresidentsCat Park, JCR
Our JCR continues to be characterized by thelively and enthusiastic student body. The peo-
ple who work and study here produce auniquely friendly atmosphere, and this year isno exception. There have already been someimportant changes made within the College,and there are many more to come.
After a busy but very successful Freshers week, the Michael-mas term began with great enthusiasm. As ever, i t was wonder-ful to catch up with friends and to help integrate the new firstyears into college life. There were many sporting successes
which include two unbeaten crews in the Christ Church Re-gatta (when it was cancelled due to bad weather) and a verysuccessful season for the womens football team. In addition,Peterites were involved with an amazing variety of dramaticproductions, not least the college pantomime and the college
cuppers competition. Chapel has been filled with sweet musicand there has been the expansion of the Arts society, whichrecently hosted a very successful photography exhibition andmusic evening in the college bar.
However, the JCR are determined not to rest on our laurels.There are many more opportunities for sporting triumphs,academic achievements and artistic development. Both themens and womens rugby teams are training hard to retaintheir position as Cuppers champions and the rowing crews areeagerly awaiting the Toripids bumps competition. There areplans for expanding arts week, with the possibility of a Petersplay and special musical events being explored. Socially, therehas been an expansion of the entz calendar, with many newevents, although of course the college bops still continue. Per-
haps most excitingly though, the JCR are preparing for the StPeters Crystal Ball 2007, which promises to be an eveningfilled with sparkle and fun. The JCR are really looking forwardto the ball and it would be wonderful if any OldMembers wanted to come back and join us.
St Peters remains a friendly and dynamic academic environ-ment which allows individuals to pursue their interests. Intel-lectual, social and extra-curricular life in the JCR has neverlooked brighter.
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P A G E 3
Telethon 2006A student caller and an OldMember reflect on their experi-ences of the same call...
I spent three very happy years atSt. Peters. They were sufficientlyhappy to make clear to me thatOxford could exercise a lifelongpower of attraction that, if I wasnot careful, had the ability to seri-ously damage any notion of a fu-ture career. The routine sight ofageing clergymen snoozing gentlyin the decaying armchairs of the
Union underlined, at least for me,this very real danger! As a result,Oxford was kept essentially atarms length until my retirementa few years ago.
Sophies weekend call reminded meof those years and the considerabledebt that I owe to the College, nowgreatly expanded; scholastically aswell as sportingly well-placed (itwas always sporting) and, per-haps most importantly, financiallytransformed. Having current newmembers such as Sophie stir thememories of Old Members clearlymakes a real contribution to keep-ing open for future members theopportunities and pleasures that Ihad the privilege of enjoying now
so long ago!
D.E.Talbot (Mathematics 1957)
JCR
Many Old Members are already aware that at the last AGM of the Society (held on 25 thJune 2005) a revised constitution was adopted.This revision effectively made all alumni members of the Society and removed the need to pay a subscription. Prior to this change, the
Society had used its funds to support various activities both of the students and the College. In particular, it funded scholarships for bothJCR and MCR members, academic prizes and the two Society prizes. The College has confirmed acceptance of the responsibility to con-
tinue making these awards in the future and, in so doing, perpetuate the name of the Society.
The Society still has funds available (mainly due to long term investment) and, after consultation with the College, the Executive Commit-
tee is proposing to donate all these funds (over 48,000 at current market levels) to the College, to enable it to set up an endowment for theprovision of a St Peters Society Bursary. This Bursary will be an annual award providing help for a final year undergraduate who is in
financial need and who has made a valued contribution to College life. The Committee is very mindful of the changes in funding univer-sity education and that most Old Members, as beneficiaries of the old style of grants and payment of fees, would find this an extremely
appropriate way of using the remaining monies to offer support to future generations of students. Facilities will be available to augmentthis fund, which means that any individual making a financial contribution to College will be able to allocate all or part to the Bursary
Fund. This, in turn, would make more money available on an annual basis hopefully resulting in additional awards. The Bursary would be
administered by the College.
The Committee is convinced of the suitability of the scheme but recognises that the transfer of all assets of the Society to the College is asignificant move. Consequently, prior to final implementation, it invites views from Old Members, particularly those who were subscrip-
tion paying members of the Society. Please e-mail to [email protected] or write to The President St Peters Society, c/o
The Development Office, St Peters College Oxford OX1 2DL. Responses by 25 thMarch 2007 please.
from the President, Frank Parker
Past Events
And Sophie Ayling (Mod His-tory, 2005) says
I was a caller in the 2006 Telethon,catching up with some of our OldMembers news and keeping them abreast of the developments
within College, developments for which they may feel able to give
their support.
I spoke to Mr Talbot who was not only incredibly supportive ofthe Colleges Annual Fund, but also great to talk to. He told meabout his College days as well as his career since leaving. Likemany Old Members, he has fond memories of the College and
was happy to renew the connection with old friends at a recentGaudy. At first, being a caller is daunting and everyone feels alittle awkward asking questions, but I soon found that people
were keen to have a chat and I enjoyed having some really inter-esting conversations.
The telethon isnt like cold calling and, as well as talking to OldMembers, you are able to have a good time with your fellow call-ers, building up a good team spirit and new friendships in College.I would recommend the experience to other students and imagine
that when I graduate Ill be interested to take the call from theother end as well!
In Conversation
24th June 2006
9th September 20061975-1979 Gaudy
Onlinegalleri
es
arecurrently
beingaddedt
o
theweb...
Photo of Mike
St Peters Society Reunion
1st Boat Club Reunion
-~
We welcome DrMike Morse as the
new
Director of
St Peters Society
8th September 2006
_____
___________________________________
We welcome DrMike Morse as the
new
Director of
Development
Correc onn page : PM Page
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New Bishop of Oxford is a Peterite
It's a great surprise and honour to be appointed Bishop of Oxford. It takes placeslowly! The Chapter of the Cathedral formally elect me (I hope). The election is con-firmed in an arcane ceremony at St Mary-le-Bow in London. I then do Homage beforethe Queen and finally am installed at a Service of Inauguration on June 8th.
Oxford diocese is one of the largest in the country with 800 churches, over 600 priestsand 400 Lay Ministers. It covers Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire (and Mil-ton Keynes), with over two million people living within its borders. Its stated purpose isto create a caring, sustainable and growing Christian presence in every part of the dio-cese, and it will be my task to offer leadership as we pursue that goal.
I'm told I'm the first St Peter's graduate to become a Diocesan Bishop in thisCountry, so I count that a great privilege. Back to Oxford - full circle!
Rt Rev John Pritchard (1966)
HeadlinersP A G E 4
Deep Discoveries
St Peters Fellow, Men-
sun Bound, is perhapsthe world's best-knownunderwater archaeolo-gist. His latest work
with an Elizabethanwreck off Alderney, isthe most significant inhis career to date. Findout more about this pro-ject at: www.bbc.co.uk/guernsey.
Stamp of Approval
To mark the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross, Royal Mailhas issued six stamps featuring six different servicemen whohave been awarded the medal, including Noel Chavasse, son ofthe founder of St Peters College.
S T . P E T E R S C O L L E G E
& History
David Conway on SPC
Rugby...
Hilary term has started well and we lookextremely likely to top Division 2 and beback in the top flight of College rugby. WithCuppers coming in the next few weeks, wefeel that we could potentially have a full andfit team and once more put in a successfulrun defending our Cuppers trophy. On an-other note, 2nd year Bertie Payne captainedthe University Under 21's to a 14-12 Varsity
victory at Twickenham in December.
The Chavasse ConnectionMike Tiley (1965) has submitted an article about the many connections between St Peter's and the
Chavasse family, which will be published in the Spring edition of This England, due out late February inthe series of articles on Our English Heroes . It describes how Bishop Francis Chavasse initiated the build-
ing of Liverpool Cathedral and founded St Peter's (was he unique in being able to 'found' both an English cathedraland an Oxford college in one lifetime ? ). It mentions the lives of his famous twin sons, Noel Chavasse MC VC andBar (The only person to be awarded a 'double' VC in the First World War), and Christopher Chavasse MC who wasthe first Master of St Peter's and subsequently Bishop of Rochester, and their famous twin sisters who both reachedthe age of 100 - what a family ! There are a number of colour pictures of St Peter's and Liverpool Cathedral to illus-trate the article.
_________________________________________________________________________________
ThisEnglandspringissue
Thomas Eaton, SPCBC President on Rowing
In Michaelmas 2006, we had great success in the Christ Church regatta
competition, with two out of six crews making it through to the finalrounds. Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions and in particulara high stream, the final days of the competition were cancelled, thwartingour hopes of a victory in both the men's and women's divisions. The men'sfirst eight entered two inter-college competitions known as Isis WinterLeague, coming third and fourth fastest crew on the day.
For Hilary 2007 both the men's and women's squad were back in Oxford aweek before term started to begin training for Torpids, the main inter col-lege competition this term. Unfortunately, due to excessive rain fall over the
winter break, the river is near flooding so training has had to be done onland, mostly through runs and in the College gym. We can only hope thatthe rain will stay away from Oxfordshire in the coming weeks and let usmake the most of our potential.
Sports
...the most importantdiscovery from around our
coasts since that of theMary Rose 35 yearsago
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St Peters at the forefront of new schemeWith the introduction of higher fees for all university courses, Oxford University has launched a new scheme to en-sure that the brightest young minds continue to apply by providing them with the support they need in order to enterhigher education at Oxford. Oxford Opportunity Bursarieswill be awarded to all UK students with residualhousehold incomes of around 37,425 or under to cover basic living costs during term time. With tuition fees now at3,000 per annum, many young people have been discouraged from applying by the prospect of mounting debt andreal financial hardship.
Student loans are now needed almost exclusively to pay fees, and rising costs of living mean that there are simplypeople who cannot afford to study. Opportunity Bursaries aims to turn this around and secure the future of an insti-tution dedicated to educating top students regardless of their backgrounds. To this end, everyone who is eligible fora bursary will receive one: there is no cap on the number that will be awarded to students in need who succeed insecuring a place at Oxford University.
St Peters is one of the foremost Colleges in this scheme, one of the top three in terms of how many students arealready benefiting. This conveys the powerful message that we remain a College true to our founding ethos, welcom-ing everybody regardless of background with one qualifier alone: academic merit.
Dont peak too early is a coaching mantra in many sports in preparation for a big competition.There were no worries on that account with the St. Peters College Boat Club Old Boys entry in
Octobers Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. This is the world's largest two-day rowing eventattracting more than 7,500 athletes from around the world and up to 300,000 spectators.
Competing together for the first time in 33 years, David Darling and Mike Scott rowed a double scull in the senior masters eventover the infamously winding three-mile course. Crew mates from 1969 to 1974, first at St. Peters and then at City of Oxford, bothhave kept rowing over the intervening years in their new hometowns, David in Vancouver, Brit-ish Columbia and Mike in Princeton, New Jersey. A chance visit a few years ago by Mike to Van-couver occasioned a couple of good rows together and prompted ambitions to race at Boston.For the record, the crew placed a creditable 20thin a field of 28 crews, most of whom had prac-ticed together a good deal more than once in the previous 30 odd years!
All round it was a good weekend of rowing and reminiscing. If any other former crewmates areinterested in trying to get together for a reunion row, they can contact David Darling [email protected] Mike Scott at [email protected]. Just because a lot of waterhas passed under the bridge it doesnt mean that its too late to row on it!
By the Cam and the Isis 1954-2000
Across the Pond~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Emeritus Fellow and distinguished writer, Francis Warner, looks back over the last half century in his
two Universities with gratitude. His new book takes the form of two poems, each describing a walk and
the friends he meets and visits, or remembers: around Cambridge one night in winter, around Oxford
one summer afternoon, with senior common room tea in St Peters.
This new edition is fully annotated and documented, and as a result, has become one
poets portrait of his generation; of those who experienced the 2nd World War
(some of them the 1st World War as well), and then devoted their lives to teaching
the young in these twin cities.
I hope your picture of Oxford remains true...the continuity of values, the
concern for the young, not the star performers but small things like reading a col-
league's piece of writing to check the notes; and whatever is the opposite of name-
droppingBowra appearing because he was kind to his mother, Edmund Blunden
because of his courage in suffering his traumatic memories of the 1st World War, Auden roused
from a fit of gloom by a martini to give a glowing teaching session to students sitting on your floor...musical rehears-
als, trees, College gardens...beauty looking out from many places, in works of art and nature, half-perceived as you
come and go in a civilized way of life...from friend to friend, generation to generation. (Kathleen Raine).
I hope your
picture of
Oxford
remains
true
ISBN
0 86140 446 7
25
Colin
Smythe Ltd
P A G E 5
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7th July - SPCBC and St Peter's Soci-ety at Henley Royal RegattaMembers of SPC BC and Old Membersattending the Henley Royal Regatta areinvited to drinks at the Regatta Party at6.30 p.m. in Butler's Field car park, posi-tion BB270. Further information on thelocation and plan for Butlers Field isavailable at http://
www.twrc.rowing.org.uk/hrr/
4thMarch - J.S. Bach, MatthusPassion.
To be given by St Peter's College ChapelChoir and Music Society directed by Roger
Allen. Tickets are free; there will be a retir-ing collection. 1p.m. - 4.30 p.m.
Friday 23rd - March Inter-CollegiateGolf TournamentThe tournament will be held at FrilfordHeath Golf Club and St Peters are thisyears host College so the prize giving din-ner will be at St Peters.
7thApril Oxford vCambridge Boat RaceOUS will hold its annual event at the BoatRace and all alumni, family and friends are
welcome to join in. Details to follow please save this date in your diary andcheck the website nearer the time:
www.ox.ac.uk/alumni .
Inaugural Oxford University Alumni Weekend14th - 16th September 2007
Alumni of all Colleges are invited to return to Oxford for the op-portunity to see aspects of the University as never before, includ-ing library tours, academic debates and presentations, and an audi-ence with the Vice Chancellor. St Peters is hosting a variety ofevents over the weekend and can offer accommodation for thosewishing to attend.www.alumniweekend.ox.ac.uk
Friday 14thMA Degree Ceremony
Gaudy for 1980-1984
Saturday 15thHoward Society Luncheon
St Peters will host a lunch in College for Members of our Howard Society (forthose who have left a legacy to St Peters in their Will). Guest speaker tbc.
Former Visiting Students Reunion Tea PartyDrinks Reception
Gala DinnerFor all St Peters Alumni; priority booking for 10th, 25th, 50th Anniversaries,
SPS & Visiting Students.
Sunday 16thFarewell Brunch
Forthcoming Events
2006 Tournament (photo:Kirsty Ramage)
Contact Us
The Development Office
St Peters College
New Inn Hall Street
Oxford OX1 2DL
(01865) 278877
www.spc.ox.ac.uk
*MeetingMinds
*
The St. Peters Crystal Ball2007!
5th
May 2007
Tickets on sale now!Dining: 85
Non-dining: 65
Please visit www.spcball.com to re-serve your ticket!
There are only a limited number ofdining tickets availableso get yourhands on these ASAP by contacting:
