This is the RSS 2.0 feed for the latest news items on the Downing JCR website http://www.downingjcr.co.uk Book Tickets Here http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=17399687462 Thursday 19th June ... prepare yourselves for the best Garden Party of May Week. We will have free food, free drinks, free ice cream, free music, a free bouncy castle (obviously!) and free fairground attractions ... and the theme is A Country Fair. Come dressed up and you might even win a prize!! Tickets are £6 and are open for all Downing students and guests, they will be on sale on the JCR website THIS WEEKEND, we will open the booking to all Cambridge students later on. http://www.downingjcr.co.uk/interactive/gardenparty/ Saturday 10th of May 2008 08:41:37 PM http://www.downingjcr.co.uk/interactive/news/article.php?id=1701 CUSU has organised some small group sessions for students on study/exam skills, being run this year by Dr. Keith Straughan, Senior Tutor of Sidney Sussex (for Arts Students) and Dr Rob Wallach, former Senior Tutor of King's (for Sciences Students). The numbers will be limited to 15 per session, and would be suited to freshers who are unsure about how to approach Cambridge exams through to finalists who are struggling to revise effectively and deal with Cambridge exams. The sessions will be interactive and as well as providing useful techniques and ideas to approaching exams and revision, will allow students to discuss and develop issues that they are having further. There are 2 sessions for Arts Students and 2 sessions for Sciences Students: The Arts Students sessions are both on Wednesday 30th April, between 6-7pm and 7-8pm in the Mong Hall, Sidney Sussex. The Sciences Students sessions are on Wednesday 30th April, between 6:30-7:30pm and Thursday 1st May, between 6-7pm. The venue is TBC. Students should RSVP to Pete Coulthard at academic@cusu.cam.ac.uk as numbers are limited for each session to a maximum of 15. Monday 21st of April 2008 05:48:20 PM http://www.downingjcr.co.uk/interactive/news/article.php?id=1691 CUSU have set up an amazing database which allows you to search for the local schools in your area which don't typically send students to Oxbridge. http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/prospective/target/volunteers/ CUSU have prepared a 'target pack' which you can collect from the T&A. These include hints on giving a talk, various other forms of information, a university prospectus, an alternative prospectus and a cd with 2 powerpoint presentations on it (one for experienced talker and one with more detailed guidance). You will be provided with the contact name and number at the school but you will need to make the contact and organise the date thats convenient for you. Even if you don't want to do a talk, it would be great for you to ring and offer your services as a contact for any student to email re. Cambridge applications, funding and so on. All the information you need will be in the resource pack. This is a really exciting change and one that we should definitely be making the most out of. Why volunteer? Because this year only 56% of Cambridge's intake were from the state sector, but the most recent figures show that 62% of those getting 3 As are educated by the state. Because there are hundreds of able students who are perfectly capable of getting a place at Cambridge, but who do not apply. Because you want to give people the chance to make informed choices. Because you want to make a difference. If you have any questions at all, please just pop me an email on hep30@cam.ac.uk Otherwise just follow this link: http://www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/prospective/target/volunteers/ It's got tons of information for your musings. Monday 10th of March 2008 08:03:04 PM http://www.downingjcr.co.uk/interactive/news/article.php?id=1674 Downing enjoyed some impressive racing at the Head of the Cam today. All the senior crews raced the 2600m head race and the results show huge promise for the approaching May Bumps. M1 raced twice, and overall were placed second and third respectively, only 3 seconds behind Fitzwilliam. M2 also raced twice, and were the second fastest M2 crew. W1 were second fastest women's VIII, only four seconds behind Pembroke. W2 were the 4th fastest W2 crew, and beat a number of college first VIIIs, despite an unfortunate logistical error during the race. Well done to all crews on a fantastic day's racing and start to the term! Sunday 04th of May 2008 09:04:52 AM http://www.downingjcr.co.uk/interactive/news/article.php?id=1699 Downing put on a scintillating display of dominance in both the mens and women's athletics Cuppers this Saturday. We won by such large margins in both competitions that the statistician threatened not to award double points for the relays because the Downing win would be too big! (He's a Catz man, can you blame him!?) The results are yet to be finalised and put into a coherent form, but when they are I will give a more thorough account of the days events. Awesome work Downing, thank you to all who took part and supported, even at this busy time of year. Thursday 01st of May 2008 02:35:44 PM http://www.downingjcr.co.uk/interactive/news/article.php?id=1696 On sunday afternoon, the football thirds came up against the Downing rugby boys and downing pitches, a never before seen fixture. DCRUFC went ahead 10 seconds in with a fantastic lob from Jack Snowden at kick off. The rest of the first half was played with solid football from both sides, with everyone surprised by the quality from the rugby boys. In the second half the rugby boys went 2-0 with a stunning finish from Matt Halford, seeming to seal the win. However, with their continuing perseverance the football boys managed to get two goals in quick succession before th final whistle. At the end of extra time, the scoresheet was still 2-2, and in true Downing style, it came down to penalties. 4-4 a piece with some footballer having taxid the ball over the crossbar, a McSquirter walked to the spot with the opportunity of winning it, but dismally scuffed it straight into the keepers hands, leaving it to the footballers to capitalise and go on to win the match. The game was played with great spirit on both sides and was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion. It promises to be a great annual fixture from now on. Thanks to all who came down and showed their support Sunday 27th of April 2008 05:58:37 PM http://www.downingjcr.co.uk/interactive/news/article.php?id=1694