News | 18 Sep 2020

Fostering community at John’s during COVID-19.

Responding to the current global pandemic, the St John’s community has banded together to host the first ever socially distanced Formal Dinner. Held in the Quad on Monday 7 September 2020, the meal was served al fresco on one of the first warm spring nights of the year. Traditional elements included academic gowns, High Table and Latin graces. Attendees commented on the spirit of camaraderie which permeated the evening, with everyone doing their part to come together while maintaining appropriate social distance.

The House Presidents, Katie Castle and Max Fisher spoke at the event and emphasised that while the COVID-19 pandemic has been calamitous for the entire world, it has brought the John’s community together in response, and presents a unique chance to reimagine long-held College traditions.

“Whilst this change has left many of us yearning for a return to normality, it can also be seen as an opportunity for us to reassess and reinvigorate life here at the College both for the current semester and coming years.”

This reimagining of the traditional Formal Dinner highlights the new, dynamic approach being fostered within the College to ensure the maintenance of community, good times and long-held traditions, while also doing our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19.