Student Stories | 17 May 2019

On the evening of Saturday 4th May St John’s held its annual Mother’s Dinner.  It was a wonderful event, attended by many John’s students and their mothers.

We gathered in the elegant setting of the Quad for photos and champagne, where many mothers took the chance to meet or catch up with fellow St John’s mothers. It was clear that the community of St John’s extends far beyond the students.

We proceeded to the Hall for a delicious and beautifully presented meal including a sweet caramel dessert and wrapped love-heart chocolates. During dinner, we enjoyed a moving performance by Cassidy Lobb accompanied by Felix Wallis, singing ‘Isn’t She Lovely’. We heard from Saurav Bansal and his mother, Nisi, who told us their inspiring story of moving to New Zealand from Tonga, and how the gift of motherhood played such a crucial role throughout this move.

To end the night, we all headed to the Dail to dance to some special tunes from our mothers’ era. It was clear the St John’s Mothers really do have some ‘killer’ moves!  

Being a first year student, I really enjoyed sharing this special occasion with my mother who had travelled from Singapore. It was also great to meet the mothers of the wonderful friends I have made here over the past couple of months, who had also travelled great distances to be there that night.

This event is something that truly makes John’s special. It’s not only about the students’ life at College, it’s also about celebrating an inclusive, supportive community built upon the foundations of family.

Written by Gabby Park-McCabe