The End of Michaelmas Term

It’s been a full-on term for our Cherwellians! The Michaelmas Term is the longest but also feels like the shortest as usually it is packed with events, professorial talks, and master classes, as well as final pre-deadline preparations for University/Oxbridge applications.

This term we got a glimpse of the future following the evolution and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the masterclass delivered by Chief Data Scientist from the Data Lab, Berkeley (University of California). The whole new world opened up to our students, as we learnt data science, discussed data-driven business models, and demystified blockchain. Created and unleashed by human ingenuity, the power of AI is growing to become one of the challenges to both spirit and humanity. We have come to many valuable conclusions, the major one emphasizing the need for an ethical approach in the further development of AI.  

Initiated to encapsulate the yearning for science discussion within the student body, the student-led Science Club touched upon many controversial issues this term. Students delivered well-researched presentations on the topic of climate change and COP 26, as well as shed some light on the AI which is used in protein structure discovery. 

Michaelmas Term has marked the start of Maths Club aimed to increase students’ interest in Maths. Here students practised their logical and critical thinking ability to solve mathematical problems. Besides textbooks, they were also engaged in mind-teasing activities such as sudoku. 

Political scientists had an extraordinarily busy Parliament Week this term: meeting Anneliese Dodds, Chair of the Labour Party and Shadow Secretary of State for Women & Equalities, as well as collaborating with the Oxford Union and representing the College in the Ivy League debating competition. To mark the start of Parliament Week, which runs every year in November, young Cherwellians attended a series of talks and discussions dedicated to British Values and Human Rights. 

On the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme front, Despite the Covid restrictions, young Cherwellians have managed to continue their successful academic path and their DofE programmes, but in a slightly adapted fashion. Some activities had to be brought ‘in-house’ which in a way created a community spirit amongst the student cohort.

We all know what happened to Jack who worked a lot with no chance to have fun. So, weekends were dedicated to extra-curricular activities and some good fun to recharge our ‘batteries’. This term students had a literally breath-taking chance to ride some of the UK’s Fastest Roller Coasters and spent time getting to know each other outside of the school environment. And, ultimately, we all had great fun decorating the premises for the coming Christmas, sharing gifts and smiles, all the small things that evoke pre-Christmas cheer. 

We celebrated personal achievements of our students, like Tatiana, who had been awarded Commendation status at the Exeter College Essay Competition, and Fred who got a Bronze Medal for Senior Maths Challenge. 

We applaud all of our tutors and academic staff who have been consistently maintaining Oxford excellence through individual tutorials, small group seminars, topic-based discussions and a range of enrichment activities

We have tried to collate all the news and exciting events of the past term in the recent issue of the College Gazette.

Filled with knowledge, inspired, and truly bonded with the dynamics of Oxford, we reach the end of the Michaelmas Term and look forward to continuing our academic journey in 2022.