Blogs • James Wright (Blog Scholar 2009)

I know Pembo (Josh) has already talked about the beginning of exams but around this time of year, there isn't really much to talk about!! Exams started at the beginning of last week and so since then both the science and central libraries have been packed with a shortage of seats. Honestly its crazy. People line up half an hour before the libraries even open just so they can get a seat. Along with that, only the eager BComm's make it into town.

So the Health Scis had there first exam on Friday which they have been studying for over the last semester and came out with a typical 'oh my god stuffed it up' when in fact what they mean is they lost 1% (possibly).The first year Law kids also had their first exam last week and with mixed impressions. Personally i haven't started exams yet but study has been on the agenda everyday since the beginning of October.

Along with exams comes the depressing awakening to realisation- we are leaving Selwyn. For some of us just for a few months, for others forever, and for others still, for a year or 2 before they decide to be Senior Residents. The memories and experiences, let alone the maturing, and skills we have learnt, will be something that we will remember for years to come. Selwyn College has been a place that we have all been able to settle into and feel safe, feel welcome and above all belong to.

So as the days go by, more and more people will leave for a long deserved holiday and a holiday full of work. Others like myself will have a mean time at Rhythm and Vines as well as the Big Day Out in between for a chance to chill out.

I wish all 'frushers' (first years) who are accepted into Selwyn a pat on the back-its not the easiest hall to get into and believe me when I say your in for a mean year.

Last week the Selwyn-Knox dance competition was upon us and what a show it was. Knox College decided to tribute their dance the one and only MJ and of course performed a good show to a few of his greatest hits. Selwyn however, retaliated in full military fashion-guns and all. With a very intimate performance by the couples and a human tank that would blow anyone out of the water, it was corporal punishment for the Knoxies (mind you their idea was dead before they started) and it was victory to the Selwynites once again. If your keen to watch the spectacular performance, you can see it on the following link. http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=150959340167&ref=mf

Last night the Nevill Cup was drawn 4-4 between the two colleges and so choir would be the deciding factor. I know Andrew Wilshere our sub-warden and the the two choirs put alot of time and effort into these performances and with Knox's reputation it was not going to be an easy one to win. Unfortunately selwyn didn't quite make the win and lost both events, giving Knox the retention of the Nevill Cup for yet another year. Big thanks go to Andrew and Leah for organising and coaching these last events and for Leah especially for organising a fantastic year of culturalism for 2009 selwyn. Thank you.

Today has been a very long day. It has taken 7 1/2 hours for the Selwyn College Students Association to decide who will lead the year of 2010 the two main men announced in my last blog will do an exceptional job in leading the SCSA next year and i hope that the bloggers of 2010 will keep you (and me) updated on the colleges life.

The Internal affairs officer next year is 'Dog' aka Chris Brewer who has contributed alot throughout the year in terms of sport and most recently, pranks on Knox College which he used to strengthen his campaign.

The treasurer of next year is Chris 'Kegga' McKegg who from his campaign pictures of standing behind a big pellet of bank notes knows what handling money is all about.

The sports representative for next year is Samuel (Timbsy) Timbs who, after participating and trialing for many events this year has earned.

The Cultural Representative for next year is Jordan (J-unit) Watts. A Hawkes Bay man like myself, Jordan has been, for the whole year, actively involved in drama and therefore, as it is a major component of the Nevill Cup will do his role justice.

Finally, yet a key component of the life of Selwyn College, is the Social Representative. Hanafi Zwart has been given this privilege and as he has performed as a DJ for a few of our HOPS and is affiliated with venues like the Cook Tavern and others, he will be an asset to the SCSA crew this year.

So as a man only committee there is no excuse for not 'Man' ing up to their positional roles. Well done guys! You will have no trouble whatsoever with fulfilling your roles next year.

So the morning is over and the first results of the elections have just been decided.

After a very lengthy three hours of votes, which by the way were painstakingly close, the first results of the 2010 SCSA committee elections can now be announced.

All the presidential and vice presidential speeches were amazing and the candidates showed great potential as future presidents. As always there can be only one and so president of the 2010 SCSA committee is awarded to Jimmy Tait-Jamieson.

Next was the vice-president election which seemed to take even longer than the presidents vote. This just showed the intensity of the SCSA vote. After much wait, and a few laughs from videos of failblog, the SCSA Vice-President of 2010 is Thomas Elliott.

There are many more speeches to be heard and so a final instalment will be made after the remainder of the elections.

As the year approaches an end, exams and work-filled 'holidays' draw near, The 'Selwyn College Students Association Campaign Week' opens.

This week and only this week, Selwynites compete for wall-space in the foyer to display posters of quasi-witty slogans and 'photoshopped' pictures for the vote of the Selwyn People- SCSA Committee 2010.

 

The roles are as follows:

• President


• Vice President


• Internal Affairs Officer


• Treasurer


• Sports Representative


• Cultural Representative


• Social Representative

Around 30 or so people have been nominated for the committee with the majority of those cmpaigning for President and Internal Affairs. Alot of thought has gone into the campaign this year for example, Jack Montgomerie, also known as Beans, has made a constructionout of bamboo to convey his versatlilty and innovation while spelling the letters 'VP' underneath it in edible green beans.

He has also made a slogan for his treasurer campaign: 'you can count on Beans to count your Beans' Another example is that of Emma Gattey who has searched for the word 'cultural' on wikipedia and added her own link "Emma Gattey for Cultural Rep 2010" with pictures of herself also.

 

It is a great week as the campaign week elevates in intensity throughout the week. The campaign is allowed to be published anywhere within the college except the dining and the common room and the only other rule essentially is that no one is allowed to pull other campaigners posters down and so for the rest of the week, the hall foyer will be a very dark ,sun deficient environments.

 

On saturday (September 26th), speeches will be made by all those who've campaigned and expressed what the will provide for the college. Voting will take place to decide who ascends to the commmittee throne and provide another fun-filled year of Selwyn College.

 

Updates will be made throughout the day with respect to the election results.

 

James.

 

After a healthy and well deserved mid semester break selwynites came back happy and refreshed. Personally i spent the week in Nelson and enjoyed the 21 degree days-amazing! The beginning of the last term brought the start of the remainder of our battle with knox for Cameron Shield and Neville Cup. The first of these this term was instrumental. I was part of the quartet and instrumentally it consisted of a saxophone, one clarinet and two flutes. We played two pieces-one composed by Handel and the other by Vivaldi. So it was kept very classical. Knox played quite a similar style style of music. It was very close (6 marks apart out of 100)  however unfortunately for us Knox came out on top. Special thanks go to Cassy a returning resident for sourcing and coaching the group-trooper!! Currently we are preparing for Dance and Choir for the Neville Cup. Wish us luck! I will post the results when they are done.

Hey guys, well as part of the Neville Cup, against Knox college the skilled art form that is chess was played. Myself and four other Kings of the black and white checkered board fought it out and what a show it was. After 15 minutes, the first game was won. Five minutes following the second game was won, and ten minutes after that the third game was won to conceal the win. Its a good feeling to contribute to something after a lot of work has been put in and have the rewards put on a silver platter. This match drew Knox and Selwyn for Neville Cup. I happened to be the one who did not win a match, it'll teach me for being so slow at moving pieces, but this was strategically decided amongst the team as i faced the toughest opponent. Sometimes there comes a time where you need to take a hit for team for the good of the whole group and i'm glad i did it, cause we won!!! The battle was won! But who will win the Neville Cup war?