Notes from the Acting Assistant Master

(February-April 2021)

To sit down and write this note has been an incredible opportunity to look back and reflect on the incredible year that we have experienced. Every aspect of College life has been impacted in some way; the response has been brilliant to witness. In my short time at Hatfield as a small cog in the system, I have been able to see and help a wonderful cast of characters that have come together and been tested like never before. I would like to thank Professor Ann MacLarnon for her continued leadership and dedication to the College in this trying time.

There has not been a single area of College life that has not seen an impact of the restrictions in some form. The restrictions themselves have even been an ever-changing challenge and the whole community of staff and students have come together brilliantly to ensure that people here are safe and secure.

Jonathan Rooney, Acting Assistant Master February to April 2021

In the last edition of the Hatfield Record, Professor Anthony Bash was looking forward to the appointment of a new Assistant Master and Katie Stobbs has been an incredible source of support for both students and staff in taking up that position. Katie’s dedication and professionalism led to her stepping up as Acting Vice-Master for Epiphany Term onwards. Michaelmas Term saw Gareth Weaver-Tyler join the team as Acting ViceMaster and the groundwork he put in place enabled a smooth transition for me to come in for the Epiphany Term as Acting Assistant Master. I would like to thank both Katie and Gareth for the incredible support they offered me.

One of the biggest challenges Hatfield faced was the use of our site in a safe manner. Households, mealtime slots, booking systems for music practice, gym, Multi-Use Game Area (aka the tennis court) and even for the bar have taken a huge amount of administration and our student executive has stood up to the challenge with aplomb. I can seldom recall a week in which David Embleton (College

Operations Manager) and Will Green (Food and Beverage Services Manager) and their teams didn’t have to adapt to a new wrinkle within the rules. The student body responded to these changes with grace and an understanding that they needed to play their part and play it well.

In a challenging time for behaviour and discipline, the increase in rules that disrupt the natural experience of life at Hatfield led to an increase in reported incidents. The vast majority of these incidents were momentary lapses in concentration resulting in minor violations of rules that we all hope will not exist by the time you read this. The students were consistent in their understanding and empathy for those around them and engaged with the processes, helping to spread the word to their households about where the lines are drawn. Sam Goring (Senior Man) and Jonathan Leung (JCR VP Discipline) played their part in ensuring the messaging was consistent and coming from all stakeholders not just the College Office. Jonathan played a huge part in his contributions to Informal Disciplinary Hearings, and I am sure the students involved are thankful for his efforts. I certainly am.

Katie Stobbs and Brenda Mitchell (Student Support Officer) have overseen a challenging period for student support with an unbelievable resilience and their impact on student outcomes is difficult to put into words. During my brief time with the College, I was stunned by the depth of support offered both by the central team and the brilliant JCR Welfare team. As we return to more face-to-face activities these teams will be critical to the health of the College as some of the effects of this period will be felt for some time yet. I am pleased to see the recent increase in activity from our First Generation Scholars’ group and, a year on, there is a consistent flow of information and activity that will only strengthen the College in the future. Our mentoring programme has faced a challenge this year with a lack of faceto-face activity, but the resilience and determination shown by our group of mentors has been impressive to witness. Our mentors are looking forward to the relaxation of restrictions to visit the College and finally meet the students in person.

A lot of the focus has been on the safety and security of those on site, but we can never forget the incredible contributions made by the wider community. Holding our first virtual Founders’ Day we were reminded by our alumni that we will find a way to succeed no matter what challenge we face. The Hatfield Trust has had a year of incredible contributions to unique projects helping students to adapt to the current situation. Our Visiting Fellow in Drama, Jake Murray, produced a stunning version of Sophocles’ Antigone rehearsed and performed entirely online with students in several countries contributing. Reading back through this I will make one final reflection. No matter what the challenge we faced this academic year, Hatfield College came together and worked tirelessly to make the most of the situation. This year has demonstrated that we are All One Hatfield like no other.

Jonathan Rooney

No matter what the challenge we faced this academic year, Hatfield College came together and worked tirelessly to make the most of the situation. This year has demonstrated that we are All One Hatfield like no other.