Coursework in Jowett has already been handed in and marked, and students who were previously perhaps feeling slightly guilty about having fun instead of being bent over their desk were today perfectly free to have fun— which they did, in abundance!
The afternoon was free time, with many students taking the chance to saunter along the road towards the Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum, to visit the Oxford Castle, or to spend one more session drifting along the Oxford rivers in the long punts. Others, such as Bernardo and Laurenz-Alexander, decided to use the afternoon to walk for the last time around the city of which they shall take away so many fond memories.
In the evening, the fun continued. A theatre combat workshop was led, in which students had the chance to get to grips with the, er, grips used in stage wrestling and brawling. It was a fascinating exercise: one of the things that was most noted with interest was the fact that unlike an actual fight, which is often chaotic and always antagonistic, stage fighting bears a closer resemblance to a dance. Between the ‘fighters’ there must in fact be a unison of mind and body, in order that punches, kicks and chokeholds can be used without hurting each other. It was, in fact, a tremendous exercise in teamwork.
While the sports fields were, as always, a popular destination, elsewhere in Jowett Walk Arts and Crafts proved a great success. With music of the students’ choice in the background, students chatted and enjoyed each other’s company as they worked. One group drew inspiration from the surname of one student –‘Panda’— to draw and paint different pandas. Ginevra demonstrated a special talent for contemporary art, and Tia decided to paint a congratulatory message to her mother, who has recently finished a Contemporary Art degree of her own in India. Congratulations to Tia’s mother from all at Jowett Walk!
The evening announcements interrupted this idyllic pastime with the harsh truth that the students’ time in Jowett Walk, spent with their friends in a beautiful location and constant enjoyment, must come to an end. There were a few early tears at the thought, but we hope that before the time comes to give friends goodbye hugs and board train, plane and taxi, students will have one last gorgeous night to remember in the Vintage Circus-themed party at the Randolph Hotel tonight.