Societies

As one of the largest Cambridge colleges, St John's has a lot to offer in the way of groups and clubs. Most subjects have their own societies, such as the History Society or the Larmor Society for Natural Scientists. They are free to join and there is something for everyone.

As the societies are all run by and for St John's students they can be more friendly and informal than their larger counterparts offered by the University, perhaps allowing for a higher degree of personal involvement.

The college has traditionally been very supportive of all of its societies, and will always endeavour to help any student looking to set up a new one. The Associated Societies of St John's offers yearly grants to all non-sporting societies (academic and non-academic) and virtually all conference rooms (eg the Boys Smith Room or the Palmerston Room)  can, subject to availability, be booked free of charge by college societies.

A sample of the college societies on offer at John's are described below and at the bottom of the page is a full list of those currently available (22/08/08). Contact emails, unless stated otherwise, are @cam.ac.uk. Feel free to email fo229@cam.ac.uk  if you would like to see the details of your society up on this page or to update the contact information.

If you are a Johnian society President interested in having your own page on this website please get in touch! (fo229@cam.ac.uk)

Amnesty International

Contact: Palila Bhasin, plb25@cam.ac.uk

Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for human rights. Our work is based on careful research and on the standards agreed by the international community. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion.

The John's Amnesty group meet weekly for letter writting sessions. Writing letters makes a huge difference; see the amnesty website: http://web.amnesty.org/pages/aboutai-goodnews-eng for more information.


Jazz@John's

Contact: Amir Hajizamani, ahh29

Jazz@John's brings to Cambridge students the best jazz from the university, London and beyond, and presents it in the dangerously relaxed surroundings of the Fisher Building foyer, St. John's College, transformed for the evening into a temple dedicated to funk, soul, and smooth jazz. Events take place on Friday nights from 9pm until midnight, 3 times a term, with entrance at £5 or less!

Click here for their website.


Left Tea Party

Contact: Ed Maltby, em364

A leftwing discussions group which meets in St John's every fortnight- the LTP offer an informal, welcoming environment for Lefties of all persuasions to get together and chat about topical issues, campaigns and things which concern them, over tea, biscuits, and occasionally, cake.


RAG (Raise And Give)

Contact: Mike Kattirtzi (mk525) Meera Ragha (mr477), Ariel Levy (al522) and Aneesha Nirmalan (an341)

Each year RAG Raises And Gives around £150,000 to over 80 local, national and international charities by organising university-wide and college-based events. From bungee jumping to blind dating, from parachuting to pub crawling, there's something for everyone. Joining RAG allows you to get involved in organising and experiencing some of the most exciting and outrageous events in the Cambridge calendar. The highlight of the year is RAG Week, during Lent term, when Cambridge hosts a huge street Carnival and students try to "Get Spotted" in a variety of wacky and unusual situations.


SAFE (South African Fund for Education)

Contacts: Lou Mallam (lmm47) & Gus Maclay (asm57)

SAFE works by adding £5 to the College bill of anyone who signs up. Originally a student body campaigning for an end to apartheid in South Africa, today SAFE continues to facilitate the support of education projects in South Africa and many other Sub-Saharan African countries. Do good with minimal effort.


St John's College Chess Club

Contact: Dave Barraclough, dmb51

"We shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall fight on the chess boards. We shall never surrender." Well that's what he meant to say anyway! [Ed: ...] Everyone is welcome at St John's Chess Club - just turn up and there is sure to be someone you can play, however good / bad you think you are. Who knows, you may even end up in the College team...

Click here for their website.


Caledonian Society

Contact: Gus Maclay, asm57

Open to all Scots and those who feel a close affiliation with Scotland. The society looks to celebrate Scottish heritage and culture. The highlight of the year being the Burns Supper.


St John's Film Society

Contact: Sarah Evans, sle30

St John's Film Society is one of the most prominent in Cambridge. We run twice-weekly showings of a diverse range of films (in the well-equipped Palmerston auditorium), from old classics to recent box-office hits. Members can contribute to our success as ushers, publicists or projectionists, giving them an opportunity to learn new skills, attend our annual dinner, picnic and various other social events, and see all the of the films for free. If you've ever wondered how your local cinema works, here's your chance to learn!

Click here for their website.

St John's Music Society

Contact: Tim Ravalde, tmjr2

The College Music Society is a must for all musicians. The St. John's Singers is a fun and informal choir which sings in the concert held at the end of every Term in addition to the occasional service in chapel, as well as the May Concert in June.