Former Student Experience

Jin’s experience at SFC and beyond

Driven by my own curiosity for a more diverse world and my enthusiasm to communicate across cultures, I decided in the middle of my Chinese high school life, to shift from the national Gaokao system and continue my study in the UK. I certainly was not an early applicant, but luckily, I grasped the last chance to get into St. Francis’ College, where I found myself warmly welcomed and sincerely embraced, where all my dreams and ambitions are nourished.

The teachers at SFC are patient listeners and consistent supporters. They helped me to go through problems brought about by the cultural, linguistic, and educational system differences when I first joined, and encouraged me to explore my interests beyond school curricula, pushing out of my own comfort zone. After a few months of studying in the College, I set my mind firmly on pursuing History of Art at university. I believe that Art is a thread that connects people and cultures, and by studying the history of it, I could delve into the past of different civilizations, which enables me to contribute to solving the issues in our world today from a unique perspective. After several visits and talks organised by the college, I set my heart on Cambridge – not only am I drawn to by the rigorous academic atmosphere there, I am also fascinated by the rich cultural resources available in this historical city, and world-leading experts in the fields of humanities and beyond. The journey to Cambridge, apparently, was not an easy one, especially when considering my background as an international student who has only been in the A Level system for a few months, compared to my goal, which is a highly competitive subject, long seen as elite and exclusive (which in itself is a prejudice to be subverted!). Nevertheless, I am proud to say that after two attempts, I achieved the ‘impossible’, with immense support from almost everyone in St. Francis’.

When knowing my goal, our Headmistress, Mrs Goulding, Head of Sixth Form, Mr Carr, Director of Studies, Dr Dennis, and my Tutor, Mr Marriott, have provided me with insightful advice in Oxbridge applications, and were of great help and support at the stage of interviews. When I requested if I could add History as my fourth A Level to support my application, Mr Grant, Head of History, despite being worried about the workload and massive knowledge gap, agreed for me to try this very challenging essay-based subject. Although being super busy, he took special care of my progress, and offered many after-lesson and lunchtime sessions, sacrificing his own breaktime. It is with his generous help and encouragement that I was able to catch up with my peers and achieved an A* in the subject, with a full-mark coursework essay. The Art Department was of course, also of great importance for my academic and personal development. The lovely teachers Mrs Wilson, Mrs Cowley, Mr Hobbs and Mrs Burton, dedicatedly created the most special and inspiring Art room, where students brainstorm, create and, appreciate each other’s work, leaving many beautiful memories. I will never forget the moments when I had after school sessions with Mr Hobbs, discussing all of my discoveries in History of Art - his words always make me believe in the power of art, and that I myself will excel in the world of Art. I will always cherish the moments when I share not only my ideas but also my truest feelings with Mrs Cowley, who will always listen quietly, her eyes looking into mine, and settling my anxiety just like a tranquil spring flowing on the burning stone. Mrs Wilson, though she has not taught my lessons, is always there to have a chat from which many of my ideas sparked. She is super supportive in and beyond the Art department, whose talents, passion and dedication have touched and inspired me so much along the way. My Economics teacher Mr Marriott, my Maths teachers Ms Owen, Mrs Thomson, Mrs Rahim and Mrs Grant, all helped me to develop rational thinking and analytical skills that broaden my academic scope, which will benefit me in my future developments. I hope to give special thanks to Mr Marriott, who prepares such detailed notes for us before every lesson, and pushes us to pursue higher achievements, in and out of his class. It is with all the teachers’ help that I was able to gain the highest results in my final exams. I must also mention the support and love that I was lucky enough to gain from my EAL teachers. They truly understand us as international students, and will do whatever they can to help us thrive in both life and study in a foreign country. Mrs Moore, Head of EAL, has given me massive help from preparing for my IELTS to picking up grammatical mistakes and improving the language of my essays (I got 8.5 in the IETLS exam, thanks to her superb teaching). She also helped with my mock interviews and visual analysis practice. Apart from that, she is a true mentor for life, who has been my first port of call for the past two years. Though not fortunate enough to have many lessons with them, Mrs Ashbrook and Mrs Brignall also amazed me with their unique and fun teaching methods, getting me to know English language and culture from all aspects. There are so many staff who helped to shape my two years in other ways: the PE teachers Mrs Baxter, Mrs Greenfield and Miss Compton, have organised many engaging events to free us from the heavy mental work and strengthen our bodies; the LAMDA teacher Miss Neave who led me to explore a new world of theatre and helped with all my speeches and interviews; the music teachers Mrs Scott and Mrs Brennan who made me know and enjoy music more, from choirs to bel canto, which helped me to open up more of myself; the now retired college librarian Mrs Purchon, who prepares new book feeds for all year groups each term, and will make every effort to get me the books that I need; the smiling receptionists, nurses, cleaners and canteen staff, who have supported us along the way, and have taken care of us in so many aspects – I still miss the meals of the college from time to time, and cherish the staff’s effort to bring Asian food onto the table. Though not knowing all of their names, I am truly grateful for the cleaners’ day-to-day efforts in making the College bright and pleasant, they are also the ones who are the last to leave the college, so have always kept me accompanied whilst working in the library. The Boarding House has truly been my home away from home, where I met many friends of different ages from around the world and has bestowed me with so much joy out of the school life. Each of the boarding staff are like our guardians and friends, I remember our experienced Mrs Bedborough, witty Miss Arthur and her cute dog Tink, amiable Miss Boutros, Miss Patel and Miss Compton, who are just like our sisters; Mrs Bexfield, Miss Marshall, Mrs Mastalerczyk and Mrs Hall, who are always there to reassure us. And of course, Mrs Chan, who so kindly welcomed me and other three girls into her family and stayed with her during the pandemic lockdowns, who cared and considered for us just like our own mother. These fantastic staff have made the boarding house a comfortable, supportive ‘bubble’, and it really has been my greatest honour to be the Head Boarder, to have worked them as well as the admissions staff Mr Butin and Mrs Cogan, making the boarding community even closer and more diverse.

St. Francis’ is such a close-knit, loving community, which supported me even after I have graduated – many teachers still kept in touch with me and helped with my reapplication to Cambridge, after being pooled by the uni in my first round of application. The atmosphere at St. Francis’ has influenced my decision to apply to Murray Edwards College at Cambridge. I adore Medwards’ iconic dome and a chapel-like library with heightened ceilings. I love its finely curated combination of Brutalist concrete and works by female artists (New Hall has the largest collection of female artworks in Europe!). And I gravitate toward its super friendly, inclusive, and supportive community, surrounded by Darwin’s garden where you can sit on the grass and pick the flowers; so distinct from other Cambridge colleges. I knew at first sight that it is the place for me, and it reminds me so much of St. Francis’. I hope to bring what I have learnt from St. Francis’ to Medwards, and share my dreams which started in St. Francis’, with more like-minded people whom I am yet to meet.