The Bucks Student - Edition 59 by The Bucks Student

February 2016 - Edition 59

AM 5 D

DELI

TIL

G N I UN R E V

U T & SA

, A Z Z I P E BU Y ON GE T ONE *

E E R F

Medium & large pizzas only ONLINE CODE: ONEFREEE Type in code when prompted at the checkout

dominos.co.uk DELIVERED

24-26 Castle Street, High Wycombe HP13 6RG

01494 539539

Opening Hours Sun – Thurs 11am – 3am, Fri & Sat 11am – 5am.

/DominosPizzaHighWycombe @DominosPizzaSK

Call

dominos.co.uk

Click & Collect

Tap the app

Student ID required*At regular menu price. **Free pizza must be equal or lesser value than the first. Premium bases & crust charges are extra. Not valid with any other offer. Subject to availability. Valid at participating stores only. Offer expires 31/05/2016. Restricted late night availability, ask in-store for details.

Introduction.

February Issue

This Edition: page 8

Membership Services Manager, Matthew Kitching, talks about the benefits of running in the upcoming Elections. Visit page 4 for the full article.

Contributors

Reading Week? Learning Week? Activities Week? Are you getting all the teaching time to which you are entitled? This piece looks a little deeper.

page 10

Matthew Kitching • Lauren Troiano • Reece Buckingham Anna Korgol • Tom Hancock • Liam Duffy • Amy How Kat Frei • Ed Smith • James Bingham • Tazaiyan Baig Jade Bacon • Ashley Foot • Samuel Brett • Jessica Burton Emilee Platts • Lauren Staveley • Harry Bull Jhonnie Cuison • Ellie Brogan • Holly Furniss

Obituary Following the tragic news of her death, we pay tribute to Bucks New Uni Student, Catrin Elvy.

Greg Pike

page 26 Want to see your name in the list above? Want to have your writing or artwork on show to thousands of people? Get involved. Email editor@thebucksstudent.com

Advertising For all advertising and media enquiries please contact the Students’ Union Communications and Marketing department. Simon McDowell - simon.mcdowell@bucks.ac.uk Articles in this newspaper do not necessarily represent the views of Bucks Students’ Union but are that of the specific author. View this edition online at bucksstudentsunion.org/communications.

LGBT+ Society LGBT+ Society's Social Secretary, Ashley Foot, tells us what they've been up to and why you should join!

page 28

Ballet Society The Ballet Society Committee give a full account of everything that's happened since the formation of this new Society.

If required, this document can be made available in different formats. Please contact Bucks Students' Union for more information.

page 31

Sports Summary Sport Development Assistant (AU), Holly Furniss, rounds-up some of the more recent developments in Bucks' competitive sport.

4 February Issue

Elections.

by Matthew Kitching

ELECTIONS ARE COMING

It’s not just America that's electing a new President. Elections are currently in full swing at Bucks Students’ Union too. It’s not just for interested Presidential candidates either. There are plenty of roles to choose from, you could stand to become one of our vice presidents, student trustees or as a committee member for your sports team or society. You can even stand for a fulltime role between your years of study, helping you to save money through university. Make sure you don’t miss the deadline to become part of the next generation of student leaders at Bucks.

you only have until noon this Friday (19 February) to nominate yourself.

Much is made in the press these days about the volume of university graduates and the fact you need things on your CV that will help you stand out from the crowd. It’s true, and with that in mind you should think seriously about what being a full-time officer of the Union would do for your graduate prospects. It’s not always easy to understand what a Students’ Union President or Vice President does on a daily basis; a role as impenetrable as Chandler Bing’s. It’s for this reason perhaps that parents, friends and others can discourage you from standing. ‘Why don’t you get a real job’, ‘You just want to be a student for another year’, ‘Get out there and earn proper money’. Our message to you – don’t listen to them. If you want to stand then do – you will have the time of your life and create a foundation for a successful career.

As a sabbatical officer you will be in charge of a charity with a multi-million pound turnover and the range of skills you will acquire and hone will be enormous. You will get used to public speaking in front of large crowds, understanding complex financial information, lobbying and networking with senior staff in your sector. You will be in charge of strategic planning, a staff team of fifty and directing the organisation’s considerable resources. You will work with community leaders, take charge of campaigns and represent thousands of people in a membership organisation. Whether you are a 21-year-old undergraduate or a mature part-time student those experiences can help you grow and flourish whatever your intended career path. Yes you will have fun, yes you will be invited to parties (though some involve black tie, evening gown and canapes rather than togas and snakebite) but when it comes down to it this is a serious job and we are looking for serious candidates. With a salary in excess of £21,000 you can have more responsibility than your fellow graduates, gain more senior experience and quite possibly earn more money in the process. So what are you waiting for? STAND.

HOW HOWTO TO NOMINATE NOMINATE 1.1.LOGIN LOGIN Student Student login login

The The login login details details areare the the same same asas your your Blackboard Blackboard credentials: credentials: IDID number number Current Current Blackboard Blackboard password password

2.2.ENTER ENTERYOUR YOURDETAILS DETAILS Stand Stand in in election election

You You will will then then need need toto add add your: your: Name Name Contact Contact information information Slate Slate name name (optional) (optional) AA slate slate is is a group a group ofof candidates candidates that that run run in in multi-seat multi-seat oror multi-position multi-position elections elections onon a common a common platform. platform. Click Click ‘save’ ‘save’ toto submit submit these these details. details.

4.4.ADD ADDAAPROPOSER PROPOSER(NOT (NOTREQUIRED REQUIREDFOR FORCOMMITTEE COMMITTEEPOSITIONS) POSITIONS) Alex Alex (21511111) (21511111) Alex Alex Smith Smith

Find Find

Simply Simply enter enter the the names names oror IDID numbers numbers ofof the the students students proposing proposing you, you, click click the the ‘find’ ‘find’ button button and and select select the the correct correct student. student.

(21345821) (21345821) Alex Alex Jones Jones

5.5.UPLOAD UPLOADAAMANIFESTO MANIFESTO AsAs a candidate a candidate you you have have the the option option toto submit submit a manifesto a manifesto and and upload upload a photo. a photo. This This process process is is helps helps strengthen strengthen your your candidacy. candidacy.

WITHDRAWING WITHDRAWING You You have have the the right right toto withdraw withdraw at at any any time. time. Below Below your your candidate candidate information information will will bebe a ‘withdraw’ a ‘withdraw’ button button next next toto ‘action’, ‘action’, just just follow follow the the on-screen on-screen instructions. instructions. Sabbatical, Sabbatical, Trustee Trustee and and NUS NUS Delegate Delegate nominees nominees will will need need toto contact contact matthew.kitching@bucks.ac.uk matthew.kitching@bucks.ac.uk in in order order toto withdraw. withdraw.

If you If you areare having having any any issues issues with with nominating nominating yourself yourself please please email email surepresentation@bucks.ac.uk surepresentation@bucks.ac.uk

6 February Issue

Volunteering.

by Lauren Troiano

VOLUNTEERING

Term 2 sees the return of both our Student Volunteer Week and our Fairtrade Fortnight.

Student Volunteer Week

Monday 22 - Friday 26 February Our annual Student Volunteer Week is nearly upon us! With over 20 projects for you to get involved in over the week, there are plenty of opportunities for you to

Monday 22 Friday 26 February

volunteer. Did you know that 99% of BUCKS students who volunteered went into employment or further study within 6 months of graduating. (DHLE report from 2013-2014).

We also have plenty of volunteering opportunities in the local area! Please view our volunteering database to access over 100 opportunities! For a full listing of all our volunteering oportunites please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/volunteeringportal.

Monday 22 – Smile Campaign 7.30am Gateway concourse Giving out FREE Fairtrade tea, coffee, bananas and flapjacks to local Monday morning commuters.

Thursday 25 - One Can Trust & Fairtrade Swap Shop Donate a tin of food to the Swap Shop in Beats in return for a FREE Fairtrade goodie!

Monday 22 - One Can Trust 11am-12.30pm Pick and pack food parcels for disadvantaged families in the local area Transport will be provided

Friday 26 - RAG Collection Help us to raise money for our two RAG charities by collecting money in the town centre

Monday 22 - Rye View Manor, 2pm A visit to the local elderly home Transport will be provided Tuesday 23 - Volley4RAG Take part in our annual Volleyball Tournament in the name of charity! Enter your teams at reception Wednesday 24 - Food ralley Donate your tins and cans of food for our local foodbank One Can Trust Wednesday 24 - FRAT HOUSE, Charity Shop Challenge Spend no more than £5 from a charity shop and see what outfit you can buy for your night out! Thursday 25 - Green Thursday 10am-1pm Conservation work with the Chiltern Rangers. Transport will be provided

Friday 26 - Tea & Toast in The Venue Help to volunteer with the Christian Union to give out FREE tea and toast in The Venue in the evening! All week – Dog walking at Stokenchurch Dog Rescue 10.30am-12.30pm RAG Library fines – don’t forget to pay your library fines this week! All money raised will be donated to our two RAG Charities To sign up to any of these projects, please view our website: bucksstudentsunion.org/whatson or email: volunteering@bucks.ac.uk

Volunteering.

February Issue

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT Monday 22 February - Friday 4 March

Fairtrade Fortnight is back! We have a huge range of opportunities to get involved with Fairtrade, including our Smile Campaign, Swap Shop and information stands. During the fortnight there will also be a Fairtrade Cheese & Wine night, Fairtrade bead workshop and our annual Volley4Rag tournament. We will be handing out FREE bananas and refreshments for our sports teams in the Lounge on both Wednesday 24 Febuary and Wednesday 2 March to fuel you for your fixtures! We are encouraging both students and staff to think about taking part in our Banana Pledge by purchasing Fairtrade products

when you do your weekly shop. Tweet us with a photo of your banana pledge using #BucksFairtrade to be in with a chance of winning a Fairtrade hamper! The Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union are looking for students to become involved with the University Fairtrade Steering Group. If you would like to find out more information or if you are interested in joining, please email lauren.troiano@bucks.ac.uk.

k in

ab ou t

Fai r

. eek w o is et tra s th , pledg e i r de p e roduc groc ts when purchasing my

Time Credits Did you know you can earn Time Credits for volunteering on projects with Bucks Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union? If you volunteer for an hour for certain organisations, you can earn an hour back to spend in the community. This could be a ticket to St Pauls, Room hire in the local area or even a ticket to watch Wycombe Wanderers. If you want to find out where you can earn time credits, please email volunteering@bucks.ac.uk.

8 February Issue

Contact Hours

READING WEEK, ACTIVITIES WEEK, GUIDED LEARNING WEEK, HALF TERM HOLIDAY… WHAT’S THE SCORE? Not so long ago we had reading weeks at Bucks, essentially for most people these were half term holidays, everybody went home and the campus was like a ghost town. More recently, I suspect partially to improve the learning experience and give students slightly better value, the emphasis was on Guided Learning Weeks where during a break from regular scheduled teaching there was set work with time to concentrate on it. Some feed back suggests that from some people this was much like a Reading Week and used as a time to go home or catch up on general work and assignments. My understanding is that this led to differing opinions about a lack of contact time across the year, and wasted time for students, again suggesting a lack of “value”, especially as fees were now £9k a year. One solution the institution tried was to introduce Activities Weeks, again a break from the regular timetable, after all a change is as good as a rest, but instead of students and academics alike vacating campus there were a series of course based and centrally organised trips, skills sessions, activities, events and taster classes all aimed at broadening the experience for students and helping them get a little more from their time at University. “Buy-in” from academics and students alike was mixed and after trialling the scheme, although several hundred students got involved the University decided that Activities Weeks were not great value as considerable time and

money had been invested in putting the programme together. It’s now the policy that there are no Reading, Guided Learning or Activity weeks with a preference that teaching continues right the way through the term unless individual course areas plan and deliver something that is a worthy replacement for teaching and is essential to the course and beneficial for students – like the intensive law week for example. Presently it seems though there is still a mixed offering and the message hasn’t quite filtered down, but for February you shouldn’t be expecting your teaching to be suspended unless something significant is taking it’s place. I think it’s important that each course is taught and delivered in a way that suits the subject matter and the cohort – this can be classroom based, proper, well supported guided learning, trips, guest lectures, placements – whatever – but I also think it’s important that the course is delivered as it’s described and in line with how it was conceived and validated. It would be a great idea for every student to make themselves fully aware of how the course is structured and what they are entitled to and if it isn’t delivered within their expectations they have every right to speak up and seek support to ensure they get the experience they deserve.

WE HAVE A WINNER! "being able to join a sports team and play in BUCS leagues without any additional costs!" What is it? For the last four weeks #buckssuMoreThanABar has been affecting twitter accounts all across the University, but what was it all about? The campaign consisted of asking students to tell Bucks Students’ Union what services they have used other than the bar. For each tweet or comment we received, we placed 5p into a pot and after the campaign ended, a single comment was drawn at random and Matthew Davy won the entire pot, which finished up at £114! That’s 2,280 comment cards/tweets to be precise. During the campaign we also gave away daily spot prizes, which included a £50 Amazon voucher (won by Jay Willet), £50 for a society (won by Film Soc) and £50 for a sports club (won by Cricket).

Why do we do it? We are fully aware as a Students’ Union not every student will understand or hear about all the diverse and varied services we offer from the Advice Centre to our free recreational activities programme. This campaign helps to raise the profile of our services by getting our already engaged students to promote what services they have used and how Bucks Students’ Union has had a positive impact on their time at Bucks. We hope that these positive messages are shared on other student’s social media profiles and intrigues them to find out more. To see what Bucks Students’ Union can offer you just visit bucksstudentsunion.org and head to the student activities section. Thanks to everyone who tweeted us or filled out a comment card.

BUCKS BUDDIES REQUIRED! This is a unique project run by the Students’ Union and funded by the University who are aiming to make the transition into Higher Education as easy as possible. Communication will be via email and a Buddy account will be set up for you.

We are looking for students who: • • • • • • • •

are well organised and have common sense are an excellent communicator both written and oral are able to handle responsibility are self motivated and methodical have a positive and enthusiastic outlook are friendly and approachable are sympathetic to the varying students needs are conscientious with record keeping, keeping us abreast of how it is going and the review process at the end of the project.

Please contact katie.smith@bucks.ac.uk for more information or apply online at bucksstudentsunion.org/workforus.

February Issue

by Reece Buckingham

#buckssuMoreThanABar.

10 February Issue

Student News.

OBITUARY – CATRIN ELVY The University community offers its heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of second-year Police Studies with Criminal Justice student Catrin Elvy who died on Friday 22 January. Catrin was known by her tutors to be a polite, kind and conscientious student who was a pleasure to teach and took her work very seriously. She will be remembered as a reflective individual with a keen mind and a sharp eye for detail.

Union, will be sadly missed.

Those who taught and studied with Catrin remember her as a good team player who worked well with her fellow students and always made a valuable contribution. Her ability to develop intellectual debate, along with her careful consideration for others, will not be forgotten.

The Student Services and Chaplaincy teams are working with Catrin’s friends to plan a remembrance service before Easter for students and staff to come together for a time of reflection. The date will be confirmed soon.

Catrin, who was an active member of the Students’

To leave a message in the book of remembrance for Catrin, please visit the Sanctuary at N1.10, first floor of North Wing, High Wycombe Campus.

Support and counselling is available to anyone affected by this sad news.

Are you trying to remain strong and silent? Asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength. Got a problem? We’re here to help you. Students’ Union Advice Centre High Wycombe, N0.04, tel: 01494 603016 Uxbridge, Room 1.02, tel: 01494 605180

suadvice@bucks.ac.uk

bucksstudentsunion.org/advice

COLLABORATIVE STUDENT

PROJECT STORMS AHEAD

Hi I’m Anna, I study Music Performance Management in my second year and as some students may already know, last term I decided to get more engaged in university activities. I started work at Beats Cafe but alongside that I also began to take up some form of practicality linked to my course and became a part of Colossal Music Group, an entity that was already initiated by a former student Mr Mackie (I’m not sure if some of you are familiar with him). I first met Mackie while he was a part of Cheese on Roast which was a student band and I was really pleased to see that students were taking advantage of opportunities in place for them to showcase talent and express creativity. However, shortly after, the group disbanded and it made me question slightly how and why. I also began to notice the scarcity in student led

music events within the university and also a slight lack of camaraderie within the music student body even though Lecturers regularly encouraged us to collaborate and utilise the social facilities here at the uni. Nevertheless, all of us who were involved in Colossal Music Group, continued working on new projects and here we are now – almost two months after releasing “The Storm Before…” EP! I’m very happy and proud to say that it stands as a testament to the dedication, patience and the collaborative spirit within the music department. All the work was done by students, from the production to the cover artwork. We loved every minute of it! I’m sharing the story with you because I believe that getting involved in extra activities really pays off. It

gives you a chance to interact with the wider student body and improve your skills while using university facilities. I want to encourage more publications from students, there are great works being produced by the Art, Design and Advertising faculty and I’m sure there is even more yet to come and this is something that really, really excites me. And whatever you do during your studies is a great start to your future career. We hope you enjoy what we put together and Colossal is working on more new music with our new artist, second year Audio Music Production student Evalution (he has also been releasing new music onto Soundcloud with a new song just posted a week ago). And guess what? We want YOU to get involved in any activities and initiatives you think are great for you! Thanks and let’s #KeepStorming.

Find Mr Mackie Twitter: @MrMackieCMG Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/theonlynomad #KeepStorming

Find Evalution Twitter: @EvalutionUK Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/evalutionuk #YTTB

Get the Storm Before for free stream and download: audiomack.com/album/mr-mackie/the-storm-before-ep

February Issue

by Anna Korgol

Student News.

12 February Issue

Music Review.

by Tom Hancock

2016: TEN OF THE HOTTEST NEW ACTS TO SOUNDTRACK YOUR YEAR... As Rusty’s Radio launches at Bucks New Uni, The Only Alternative’s Tom Hancock picks his top ten new musical tips for 2016. The Big Moon There’s a reason these girls have played Brixton Academy on multiple occasions – in support of The Vaccines and The Maccabees – in spite of only having released four tracks. Enthralling, tight-knit, and just a hell of a lot of fun, they’re all the proof one needs that British guitar music is alive and well. From lose-your-s**t rock ‘n’ roll belters to huge anthems with the potential to fill the grandest of venues, all containing a crucial retro quality, the London quartet are doing everything in their power to ensure that they are the band of the moment in the capital. Listen to: ‘The Road’

The Magic Gang

The fact that The Magic Gang’s relatively laid back songs manage to spark mosh pits should tell you plenty about just how crazy people are going for them right now. A fine example of the fact that great pop music needn’t be complicated, these four happy chappies – originally from the New Forest but now living in Brighton – are creating some of the sweetest hooks in indie right now. Sure, they play guitars, but don’t think for one minute that The Magic Gang can’t make a killer pop song. They’ve already made plenty. Listen to: ‘Lady, Please’

Public Access T.V.

New York City isn’t at its coolest if there’s not a cool-as-**** rock crew roaming its streets. Public Access T.V. are the latest young pretenders to The Strokes’ crown, and the most exciting guitar-wielding prospect to emerge from the Big Apple in years. Whilst perhaps a touch more polished than their certifiably godlike fellow New Yorkers, they exhibit exactly the kind of self-assured swagger, undying energy, and unquenchable thirst for rock ‘n’ roll that should see them flourish. Listen to: ‘In Love and Alone’

Tuff Love The only act on this list to have put out an album – albeit a compilation of their three EPs to date – fuzzy grunge-pop duo Tuff Love have been under the radar for far too long. Soothing dual vocal harmonies and glistening guitar melodies are the cornerstones of the already accomplished catalogue amassed by Glaswegians Jules Eisenstein and Suse Bear since 2014. If a true debut LP is to come soon, you can guarantee it’ll be oozing with all the same ear-nourishing goodness. Listen to: ‘Threads’

INHEAVEN What do you get when you cross shoegaze with grunge? Shoegrunge, of course – or INHEAVEN to be precise. This London foursome are all about powerful, atmospheric instrumentals, rousing choruses, and lots and lots of hair. Propelled by the integral vocal partnership of James Taylor and Chloe Little, INHEAVEN are already building themselves a solid collection of uplifting rock anthems. Julian Casablancas is a fan – they put out their first single on his Cult Records label in the States – so what are you waiting for? Listen to: ‘Regeneration’

Music Review.

February Issue

Day Wave Day Wave is the project of Jackson Phillips, an Oakland, California native with a knack for crafting lo-fi surf pop of the most chilled out variety imaginable. Like a daydream coming through your stereo, each and every one of his tracks revels in its beautiful simplicity. Shimmering synths, chiming guitars and bittersweet lyrics all coexist in perfect harmony throughout the work of an artist whose invigorating sound can equally alleviate the harshness of winter, and enhance the warmth of summer. Listen to: ‘Come Home Now’

Made Violent Buffalo, NY: a city perhaps most famous to us outsiders for Bruce Almighty. Musically, it’s only ever really been put on the map by the Goo Goo Dolls, but these three could be about to change that. This is raucous, no-nonsense, utterly infectious garage rock that’s already making their home city – and will hopefully make their home country – very proud, and we’ll happily embrace it over here as well. They’ve already toured the US and UK in support of Wolf Alice, and with their debut fulllength in the works, 2016 is set to be the headiest year of their young lives yet. Listen to: ‘Two Tone Hair’

Whistlejacket

They may be signed to the Fierce Panda label, but there’s nothing aggressive about this lot. Expansive instrumental textures and the wooziest of vocals underpin the all-round blissed-out nature of the London five-piece’s captivating sound. Whether it’s chilling out that you’re after, or rocking out, Whistlejacket have got you covered with their truly intoxicating brand of psychedelic shoegaze. Listen to: ‘Duck Soup’

Oscar What’s this? Another Londoner? You bet! Few emerging soloists are shining as brightly as Oscar Scheller right now, who continues to impress with his (broadly speaking - he draws from all manner of styles) indie-pop humdingers. He describes himself as a crooner, and there’s no contesting that as he shifts between the likes of Morrissey and Damon Albarn. It’s the defining characteristic of the outrageously addictive musical magic formula that’s sure to make his May debut album a triumph. Listen to: ‘Daffodil Days’

Black Honey From singer Izzy B. Phillips’ striking, straight-out-of-a-vintage-shop look, to their time-tunnelling rock songs – some of which wouldn’t sound out of place soundtracking early Bond films – Brighton’s Black Honey are retro personified. They’re also one of the most brilliantly original bands to have emerged from British shores in the last year or so. They chose to go incognito at the beginning but secrets are hard to keep in music, and there’s only so long you can stay under the radar. Thank **** they’re not a secret any more. Listen to: ‘Madonna’

Catch The Only Alternative every week on Rusty’s Radio - visit bucksstudentsunion.org/radio.

February Issue

SPORT FOR FUN

REC. ACTIVITIES

SKILLS TRAINING

AT BUCKS IN THE VENUE

(eligible for reward scheme)

MONDAY 15

Tennis: 4.20-7.30pm Salsa: 6-7.30pm

TUESDAY 16

Theatre Trip – Wicked: 5pm

WEDNESDAY 17

Grease the Musical – Workshop: 3-5pm

THURSDAY 18

Safeguarding & Protecting Children Workshop: 2-5pm Women’s Recreational Football: 4.30-6pm Table Tennis: 6-7.30pm Salsa: 6-8pm

FRIDAY 19

Please check our website for additional events listings

SATURDAY 20

Volleyball: noon-2pm

SUNDAY 21 Basketball: noon-2pm Cheerleading: 4-5pm MMA: 4-5pm

SUNDAY 21

February Issue

For more information on any of the events listed below, or to book your place on a recreational activity or skills training session, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/whatson.

WHAT'S ON

MON 15 - SUN 21 FEB

16 February Issue

MON 22 FEB - SUN 06 MAR For more information on any of the events listed below, or to book your place on a recreational activity or skills training session, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/whatson.

SPORT FOR FUN

REC. ACTIVITIES

SKILLS TRAINING

WHAT'S ON

AT BUCKS IN THE VENUE

(eligible for reward scheme)

MONDAY 22

MONDAY 29

Sign Language: 2-5pm

Tennis: 4.20-7.30pm

Handball: 6-7pm

Salsa: 6-7.30pm

TUESDAY 23

TUESDAY 01

Jewellery Making – Flower Theme: noon-1.30pm

Understanding Learning Difficulties: 1-2.30pm

MONDAY 22

MONDAY 29

POLAND TUESDAY 23

TUESDAY 01

WEDNESDAY 24

WEDNESDAY 02

Fairtrade and Recycled Jewellery Workshop: TBA

WEDNESDAY 24

WEDNESDAY 02

Self Defence: 10am-1pm

Emergency First Aid: 10am - 4pm

Rush Trampoline Park: 2-4pm

THURSDAY 25

THURSDAY 03

Freud Museum Trip: 11am

Women’s Rec. Football: 4.30-6pm

Positive Behaviour Management: 2-5pm

Skiing Level 1 & Rec: 5.15-10pm

Women’s Rec. Football: 4.30-6pm

Table Tennis: 6-7.30pm

Salsa: 6-7.30pm

THURSDAY 25

Salsa: 6-7.30pm

FRIDAY 26

FRIDAY 04

Hand and Head Massages

CV Workshop: noon-1.30pm

SATURDAY 27

SATURDAY 05

Volleyball: noon-2pm – Events Hall

Day Trip to London

FOOTBALL TAKEOVER

THURSDAY 03

BIG BROTHER

FRIDAY 26

FRIDAY 04

SATURDAY 27

SATURDAY 05

SUNDAY 28

SUNDAY 06

Volleyball: noon-2pm – Events Hall

FRONT

Roller Disco: 8pm

SUNDAY 28

SUNDAY 06

Basketball: noon-2pm – Events Hall

Cheerleading: 4-5pm – Events Hall

MMA: 4-5pm – Events Hall

SPORT FOR FUN

REC. ACTIVITIES

SKILLS TRAINING

AT BUCKS IN THE VENUE

(eligible for reward scheme)

MONDAY 07

MONDAY 14

Tennis: 4.20-7.30pm

Day Trip to Cat Café

Handball: 6-7pm

Tennis: 4.20-7.30pm

Salsa: 6-7.30pm

Handball: 6-7pm

MONDAY 07

MONDAY 14

THE BAR IS OPEN! Please check our website for additional events listings

LAUNCH PARTY

Salsa: 6-7.30pm

TUESDAY 08

TUESDAY 15

Time Management: noon - 1.30pm

Mental Health Awareness: 1-5pm

WEDNESDAY 09

WEDNESDAY 16

TUESDAY 08

TUESDAY 15

WEDNESDAY 09

WEDNESDAY 16

Please check our website for additional events listings

Get your ticket from: bucksstudentsunion.org/varsity

THURSDAY 10

THURSDAY 17

Women’s Rec. Football: 4.30-6pm

Women’s Rec. Football: 4.30-6pm Skiing Level 3 & Rec: 5.15-10pm Table Tennis: 6-7.30pm Salsa: 6-7.30pm Hand and Head Massage: noon-4pm Tree of Life Jewellery Workshop

Skiing Level 2 & Rec: 5.15-10pm Table Tennis: 6-7.30pm Salsa: 6-7.30pm

FRIDAY 11

FRIDAY 18

Please check our website for additional events listings

SATURDAY 12

SATURDAY 19

Volleyball: noon-2pm – Events Hall

Please check our website for additional events listings

SUNDAY 13

SUNDAY 20

Basketball: noon-2pm – Events Hall

Please check our website for additional events listings

Cheerleading: 4-5pm – Events Hall MMA: 4-5pm – Events Hall

THURSDAY 10 LIVE MUSIC! Please check our website for additional events listings

VARSITY SPECIAL

THURSDAY 17

St Patrick's Day with live music from

The Deloreans

FRIDAY 11

FRIDAY 18

ELECTIONS NIGHT

SATURDAY 12

SATURDAY 19

SUNDAY 13

SUNDAY 27 PRE-TOUR PARTY

February Issue

For more information on any of the events listed below, or to book your place on a recreational activity or skills training session, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/whatson.

WHAT'S ON

MON 07 - SUN 27 MAR

18 February Issue

SAT 09 - SUN 24 APR

WHAT'S ON

For more information on any of the events listed below, or to book your place on a recreational activity or skills training session, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/whatson.

SPORT FOR FUN

REC. ACTIVITIES

SKILLS TRAINING

AT BUCKS IN THE VENUE

(eligible for reward scheme)

MONDAY 11

MONDAY 18

Singing Lessons (six week block)

Netball: 4-5pm

Handball: 6-7pm

Salsa: 6-7.30pm

SATURDAY 09

MONDAY 18 THE BAR IS OPEN! Please check our website for additional events listings

Salsa: 6-7.30pm

TUESDAY 12

TUESDAY 19

Please check our website for additional events listings

WEDNESDAY 13

WEDNESDAY 20

Paediatric First Aid Day 2 - Uxbridge (Day 1 on Wednesday 6 April).

Please check our website for additional events listings

THURSDAY 14

THURSDAY 21

Women’s Rec. Football: 4.30-6pm

Table Tennis: 6-7.30pm

Salsa: 6-7.30pm

FRIDAY 15

FRIDAY 22

Please check our website for additional events listings

SATURDAY 16

SATURDAY 23

Trip to Windsor Castle

Trip to Go Ape

Volleyball: noon-2pm – Events Hall

SUNDAY 10

TUESDAY 19

TUESDAY 12

WEDNESDAY 20

WEDNESDAY 13

AU DINNER SPECIAL

THURSDAY 21 THE BAR IS OPEN!

Please check our website for additional events listings

TOUR REUNION

FRIDAY 15

FRIDAY 22

SATURDAY 16

SATURDAY 23 THE BAR IS OPEN! Please check our website for additional events listings

SUNDAY 17

SUNDAY 24

Basketball: noon-2pm – Events Hall

Cheerleading: 4-5pm – Events Hall

MMA: 4-5pm – Events Hall

SUNDAY 17

SUNDAY 24

Film Review.

February Issue

20 February Issue

Rusty Recommends.

The venue is open seven days a week and sometimes it is difficult to decide which nights to go to - you may end up missing out on something amazing! Here are my recommendations for the next few weeks for those of you who like to experience something a bit different! Globetrotters: Polish Night: Monday 22 February, 8pm 'til late

Urban J Hus: Tuesday 8 March, 10pm-3am

POLAND St Patricks Day: Thursday 17 March, 8pm 'til late

ST PATRICKS DAY THURSDAY 17 MARCH 8PM 'TIL LATE Festiball Launch: Monday 14 March, 8pm 'til late

GUINNESS | THE DELOREANS LAUNCH PARTY Find out what we have in store for this year's Festiball!

Rusty Recommends.

February Issue

We put on a huge variety of sports, training and recreational sessions - here are a few coming up that you might not know about! To book your space, or for more information on these or other activities and events, please contact us on: surecactivities@bucks.ac.uk or visit our website: bucksstudentsunion.org/whatson.

Volley4RAG

Skiing

Tuesday 24 February, 6-10pm

Thursday 3 – Thursday 17 March

Our annual Volleyball competition returns. Enter your team of 6-8 people by Friday 19 February for only £10 and help raise money for our RAG charities. There will be a prize for the best fancy dress on the night. Spectators are encouraged to donate £1 on the evening of the event.

3 Skiing lessons for only £45 with equipment and transport provided. For more information contact our Sport for Fun ambassador Jack Watkins: jack_watkins3@btinternet.com and sign up via the Bucks Students’ Union website.

Understanding Learning Difficulties Tuesday 1 March, 1-2.30pm in N2.04

Come on this interactive session and explore a range of learning difficulties that you may come across eg dyslexia to autism. Our games and activities will help you understand what you can do to make your services more accessible to people with learning difficulties.

Time Management Tuesday 8 March, noon-1pm in N2.02

This bite-size session will provide you with key skills to help you manage your time more effectively. A few tips on how to organise your workload and ensure you are making the most of your time at University.

22 February Issue

Film Reviews.

by Liam Duffy

FILM SOCIETY REVIEWS With Oscar season in full swing I thought it would be fun to take a look at the two current frontrunners for Best Picture: Spotlight and The Big Short. Both are based on true stories and deal with very serious issues, but the way both films handle them couldn’t be more different.

Spotlight is directed by Tom McCarthy and stars Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo and Stanley Tucci. The film is the true story of a team of journalists at the Boston Globe newspaper who uncover the child abuse scandal and cover-up within the Catholic Church. The performances here are acrossthe-board fantastic, with both Ruffalo and McAdams up for Oscars. It would be unfair to pick out one specific performance but seeing as it’s my article I’m going to anyway. Mark Ruffalo absolutely blew me away with his portrayal of Mike Rezendes, I felt all of his frustrations and I shared his desire to uncover the truth almost like I was there with him throughout the entire film.

It’s also a very well-directed film, although not in an obvious way. McCarthy made the right decision in stepping back and not giving the film a particularly stylised look, he simply allows the story to speak for itself. With subject matter this sensitive and disturbing it was definitely the smart thing to do. Whilst I wouldn’t call this an enjoyable watch (the subject matter is far too disturbing for that), it is both exciting and gripping. Scenes of Mark Ruffalo scouring legal documents, Michael Keaton facing up to a big-shot lawyer and Rachel McAdams confronting a former priest face-to-face (one of the best and most disturbing scenes in the entire film) are absolutely thrilling.

The Big Short is director Adam McKay’s (director of the Anchorman films) first foray into more serious stories. The film is set before and during the financial crisis of 2007-08 and focuses on a few people who saw it coming and were able to use their knowledge to make millions. It stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling. Firstly, I want to say that I really believe that this is an important film. As many people as possible should see it, it will really open your eyes to how the big banks did (and continue to) completely wreck the economy. For that reason alone I recommend it. Christian Bale has been nominated for his performance but the real standout is Carell. He stars as Mark Baum, a man who has never trusted the banks and who just can’t believe what they’re getting away with. It’s a real shame that he hasn’t received a nomination. As opposed to Spotlight's almost non-style The Big Short is heavily stylized, feeling like a documentary at times. Ryan Gosling's character repeatedly talks directly to the audience and several celebrities appear as themselves simply to explain different banking terms to the audience. This works well and is useful for someone like me who has no idea what most of this finance stuff means. It isn’t all complicated financial terms though, it’s actually a very funny film which manages to find a good balance between humour and the serious subject matter.

COMMITTED TO THE CAUSE Our decision to become part of a society can be daunting. Many thoughts run round our heads. Do I have enough time? Will it add more stress to my life? What do I actually get from it? It’s easy to think of the negatives, but I am here to shed some light on the positive and life changing aspects to being part of a society here at Bucks. The most prominent and positive aspects that spring to mind are the immense opportunities you get to expand your social circle, meet new and likeminded people and get yourself away from assignments and deadlines, therefore enjoying some well-deserved stress relief away from the pressures of your degree. Instead of going home to a Netflix marathon and a share size bag of Doritos (which we all know can be tempting), think about using those few hours a week to immerse yourself in a society, learn new things, be active and contribute to being a part of something great. We all come to university for one reason. A lovely scroll of paper to tell us that’s all those times the sun was coming up as we left the library, the stress over exams weeks and the times you were tearing your hair out over deadlines were all worth

it. However employers are increasingly asking us what else we took out of our time at university. You want to be able to tell them you gained priceless leadership skills, actively put yourself forward to organise events and have a vast number of talking points from all the guest speakers you’ve met, trips you’ve been on and social events you’ve attended. This all sounds a lot better than ‘I watched season 5 of a Game Of Thrones in two days straight’. As our President Joe Collins would say ‘It’s all about what you’ve got in your locker’. If you want to find out more about what it means to be part of a society, check out our societies page on bucksstudentsunion.org/societies. You can always pop in and chat to me in the Students' Union office at High Wycombe, or email me at amy.how@bucks.ac.uk about the opportunities we have and if there isn’t a society you are interested in, why not start your own!

Committee Chair Profiles:

Kat Frei

Ed Smith

James Bingham

Feminist Society - Chair

Christian Union - Chair

BNUFilmSociety Chair

Being on a society committee you are given the opportunity to try new things and gain new skills which are transferable to the working world. Since becoming chairperson of the feminist society I have gained skills in leadership, delegation and event organisation, all of which I have added to my CV. I feel lucky that I have been given the opportunity to create an open inclusive space for myself and other students to discuss feminist issues which we feel passionate about. I never thought coming to University that I would be involved in creating a new and exciting society and feel very thankful towards the supportive staff at the Students' Union, who are always open to new ideas and enthusiastic about societies and their progress. I would highly recommend becoming part of a society committee, it’s something everyone can benefit from, opening doors to things you may never have thought you’d be doing!

Being chair of Christian Union has bought me into contact with people I otherwise would not have met. This has led to lots of good friendships with like-minded people whom I can depend on when I need them. Making friends through the CU has been so much fun, and I’ve really enjoyed planning how to run our society with friends rather than peers. I have also had a lot of contact with the Chaplaincy; resulting in lots of contacts built up. As well as working with the wonderful people at the Students’ Union, this has allowed me to learn how to run and work with a team within a larger organisation.

Being a Film Society committee member has benefitted myself and others in numerous ways. Having had the fortuity to work with the Students' Union I have been able to not only boost my own CV but the CVs of others too. My committee and I decided early on in the year, that creating film-based opportunities for people would be a major part of bringing the society into more students' lives. The freedom to work with the Students’ Union has been something that I’ve come to take for granted and it’s something that I want my members to feel like too.

Hopefully this will stand me in good stead for my future; it is certainly something I will be mentioning in job interviews. The amount of volunteering hours I’ve been able to collect for doing something I love is also a great bonus! I would really recommend getting involved – I’ve made friends for life, gained professional skills and had loads of fun!

It’s not just film making opportunities that myself and the committee have been able to source for our members, but we’ve held cinema events and we’ll be holding the second ever #BNUFilmAwards in May 2016. The opportunity to be a committee member at Bucks Students’ Union, only comes around two or three times a year. You don’t want to miss out on this.

February Issue

by Amy How

Societies.

24 February Issue

Societies.

by Tazaiyan Baig

HE MOOTS, HE SCORES! The Mooting Society would firstly like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! We are looking forward to this year and hope our members are too. The society has managed to get involved in a number of external moots and has organised a successful internal mooting competition. Both kinds of competitions have allowed our members to put their skills taught in class to great use. Our first internal moot took place on the Friday 20 November 2015 where six pairs participated: Sarah Wright and Suneetra Singh, Saffron Burgess and Rekha Parhar, Jade Bacon and Deborah Oladejo, Jemita Rai and Amrin Shabir, Mudassar Saleem and Caleb Nash, and Riad Rimon and Udaya Vidanagamge. We are pleased to announce the first runner-ups, Saffron and Rekha and the winners of the 2015 Internal Moot, Sarah and Suneetra. The competition was judged by our very own Dr. Lars Mosesson, Raja Farrukh and Tazaiyan Baig. We would like to thank everyone who participated and congratulate both Sarah and Suneetra! Our Annual Black Tie Dinner took place on Wednesday 9 December, which was a great success. The Mooting

Society would like to thank the Law Society, especially Sarah Wright and Jade Bacon for organising the successful event! Our winners of the Internal Moot were also recognised who took home the Jane Tyre Cup and gift vouchers and the opportunity to represent Bucks New University at the English Speaking Union (ESU) Mooting Competition. Along with the winners, our first year runner ups were also awarded with gift vouchers and the runners up trophy. Sarah Wright and Suneetra went on to participate in the ESU mooting competition against Bedfordshire University. We were very pleased and honoured for Judge Sheridan to judge the moot and both participants did extremely well, receiving positive feedback from Judge Sheridan. Following the ESU moot, there was the incredible opportunity to take part in the Inner Temple Mooting competition at the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. Among 32 participating teams, Suneetra Singh and Tazaiyan Baig represented Bucks New

University. Overall, the experience was amazing, receiving positive feedback and experience inner temple was an experience in itself, followed by an exquisite lunch, an advocacy skills talk by Master Morley QC and a speed moot. In other news, we are planning a friendly moot with Hertfordshire University for first and second years. This will be taking place at the end of February/start of March and anyone who would like to take part, please contact us ASAP on the email below. Finally we would like to wish all the best to Sarah Wright and Raja Farrukh who are taking part in the Hertfordshire Advocacy Competition and Consolata Enobakhare and Christiana Isabel who will be taking part in the Bristol Intervarsity moot. If you would like any more information on Mooting Society, or want to join, please get in touch on: bnu.mootingsociety@gmail.com.

HEADING FOR

THE BAR The Law Society welcomes everyone to second semester and hopes you all do well. We would like to say a massive thank you to those who came to our annual black tie dinner event. It was a great turn out. This was held at Wycombe Heights Golf Centre, which was an absolutely stunning venue. The Law Society could not praise the golf centre and the staff highly enough. They went above and beyond their job roles to meet our requirements. They even joined in with the disco. Epic staff!! The evening provided us with a great opportunity to welcome back previous lecturers and past students. It was great to catch up with them and see where their adventures have taken them since their time here at bucks. Our guest speaker, his honour Judge Sheridan, from Aylesbury Crown Court, was warmly received by all of our guests. He gave an excellent insight to life as a judge with some highly entertaining stories! We are grateful for the amount of support offered by Judge Sheridan to the students as he has kindly opened up his court to give students some experience marshalling alongside him whilst court is in session. If any students are interested in this incredible opportunity please do contact the Law Society at bnu.lawsociety@gmail.com. Our annual black tie dinner would not be complete without Dr Lars Mosesson offering up one of his legendary quizzes, which got the minds working. He provided all of the tables with lots of laughs and competitive behaviour. Awards were handed out for various things. These were for: the winners of the internal mooting competition, our outstanding lecturers, and for Accalia Attkinson-Payne as a goodbye as she sadly left us at the end of term. After the formalities, everyone let their hair down and danced the night away until the early hours of the morning.

Our guest speaker, his honour Judge Sheridan... gave an excellent insight to life as a judge.

The next trip on the Law Society agenda is a trip to Lincoln's Inn Barrister Chambers in London on Wednesday 9 March for a University information afternoon and dinner. This is where the students will hear talks from practicing barristers on life at the bar as well as career opportunities. This is going to be a great experience for students considering a career as a barrister. It is also a great way to network and get good legal connections on the outside. Also Lincoln's Inn Chambers is where one of our very own lecturers, Frances Burton, sits in chambers. We are currently planning an end of year soirĂŠe with the Mooting Society! We are hoping for a Bollywood themed event as this has been requested by our third year law students as a great way to end their experience here at Bucks New University. If you wish to join our society or have any further questions, please do feel free to email us at bnu.lawsociety@gmail.com.

February Issue

by Jade Bacon

Societies.

26 February Issue

Societies.

by Ashley Foot

LGBT+ SOCIETY Our society welcomes anyone who supports those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and more. We have had a great year so far with exciting discussions about how to improve our University in order to become more LGBT+ friendly. One of the issues currently in discussion is the intention of gender neutral toilets. This means there will be less of a label when it comes to our gender, and a safer environment for the Trans community. Glitterbomb has been very successful during its launch on the tenth of October. It is a night full of fun, laughs, and most of all; awareness. We appreciate that there is an overwhelming amount of support from students at Glitterbomb events and we hope you keep coming to them. The Disney Glitterbomb was one of the most enthusiastic events with lots of people dressing up as their favourite Disney characters. Let’s face it, who doesn’t love a bit of Disney? There will be plenty more Glitterbomb nights in the near future and we would love to see you there! Furthermore, the annual Student Pride event took place on from Friday 5 - Saturday 6 February; this event took place with the University for the first time last year and was a major success. Everyone has agreed that the event last year was one of the best nights out for a university experience. Connecting to other universities, networking with several companies as well as having fun at the same time. This is a great opportunity to meet more people, make more friends, explore London and seek work experience within a field of work that you enjoy especially within the LGBT+ community. This year’s student pride was even better. Special guests including Will Young, Jaymi Hensley and Ru Paul’s Drag Race’s Alaska! With Student Pride growing stronger and stronger, it is highly recommended that if you have the opportunity to go next year, take it.

On Saturday 25 June, London Pride will be taking place, full of fun, colour and laughs. The LGBT+ society are planning to organise a trip to go to the event and we will welcome anyone who would like to join us. There will be a Pride march going around London alongside free, all day, stage shows featuring drag queens, men in underwear and celebrities. There are also discussions about staying in London for the night to enjoy London Pride's nightlife. We love to partner up with different societies and support one another. Lately, LGBT+ and the Circus Society have had socials in which we take part in circus activities. This is a great way to get involved with others, just by taking part. Likewise, discussions are being had with the Film Society, to have an LGBT+ film night in the near future. The film would be LGBT+ related, and plans are being made to have some fancy drink choices alongside it. Anyone can join our society if they wish to, there are no limitations to who can join, as long as you support the LGBT+ community that’s all that matters! We are available to contact through Facebook on the “BNU LGBT” page in which we post times and dates of both socials and meetings. If you’re available for socials and meetings, you’re more than welcome to come join us and see for yourself what the society is all about; and we will welcome you with open arms. Our committee members are: Hannah Elias (Chair), Rhiannon BellJackson (Secretary) Eimear McQuillan (Treasurer) and Ashley Foot (Social Secretary). Please feel free to contact us personally for any further information about upcoming events or if you want to become a member.

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE!

The Walkabout Society is a fresh addition to Bucks New University's already extensive society list. Throughout the course of this academic year we have seen Walkabout begin to blemish from a young and relatively bare society, to a supple and fertile society seeing it's initial phases into fruition. Walkabout Society has, however, differed itself from other societies. Rather than offering lots of physical exercise or the polar opposite, sitting, Walkabout allows members to participate in what we believe is the perfect middle ground. No matter what physical condition you may be in, Walkabout in all its capacity can accommodate on walks, even if its a briskly walk around the Rye. Taking regular walks with members through local National Trust Areas has been the hallmark of my university experience as the long, almost endless trails offer endless possibilities for hiking and picnicking completely at members disposal. Of course, this basic idea is being developed to go further and seek new places to explore. Since the last article was written at the end of the last semester the Walkabout has put on a second and third official social of their societies lifetime. The first social during Halloween set a huge benchmark for the proceeding party planning committee. However the designated committee did surpass the expectation that the first social could not be lived up to and put on a fantastic Christmas dinner filled with competitive games, personalised name tags and joke presents for members. The expectation was further exceeded when a new committee put on the

third social, first of the calendar year, to welcome and celebrate a New Year and New Me (Our cheesy slogan for the third social). Although the socials may appear to distract from the purpose of Walkabout, members have been able to generate friends and friendship groups which can act autonomously. With the New Year over and summer fast approaching means these groups can arrange and design hikes irrespective of the assigned committee to the Walkabout. It is this inclusive element of fun that is driving Walkabout to garner more members. The next chapter of Walkabout's history is about to begin. The committee when founding the society needed an idea, a concept, a campaign to strive behind. The monthly meetings, second Wednesday of every month (next meeting 9 March), were an easy way to come up with this idea. The committee and members alike decided on an event, a Walkathon. As of Monday 21 March, members of the Walkabout Society, and anyone who wants to join us, are called upon to participate in collectively walking 100 miles. For those members interested in joining, or leaning more about socials, walks and monthly meetings, feel free to contact us at: walkaboutbnu@hotmail.com.

endless trails offer endless possibilities...

February Issue

by Samuel Brett

Societies.

28 February Issue

Societies.

by Jessica Burton, Emilee Platts and Lauren Staveley

BNU BALLET SOCIETY WHY YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED...

Since starting in September, Ballet Society has brought its members together in a number of ways! So far, experienced and non-experienced dancers have taken part in three mixed-ability fun Ballet classes. Learning the fundamentals of Ballet technique as well as Ballet and Lyrical Choreography. Our members have raised money for Coppafeel through a balloon raffle, donated Christmas gift boxes to Wycombe Homeless Connection and volunteered their time at Ryeview Manor Care Home. We were also given free tickets to see Swan Lake at Wycombe Swan Theatre together in January. Whether you are an experienced dancer, or completely new to Ballet, we offer opportunities for everyone to get involved. Classes are held in S2.06 on a Sunday from 10.30am-noon and places are booked on a firstcome, first-served basis. To keep up-to-date with

upcoming classes, trips, fundraising and volunteering opportunities please join our Facebook group: BNU Ballet Society or speak to our Committee members Jessica Burton, Emma Kiy and Georgie Barter. We welcome all new members to our society. Here’s what our members are saying: “Ballet society has allowed me to start doing ballet again which is something I am so passionate about. I really enjoy the classes because I can improve on my ballet technique in a fun non-pressuring environment!” “Ballet society is perfect for ballet lovers and anyone who wants to learn ballet. It’s not just classes but also great trips to see amazing ballet shows!” .

Swan Lake Theatre Trip Blog - Emilee Platts The Ballet Society went on a lovely trip to see Swan Lake last Saturday. A group of us met at the Swan Theatre in High Wycombe to watch dancers from the Russian State Ballet perform.

myself and seeing a lot of different ballets and other dance performances, it was nice to see members of the society enjoy the show who have only just begun ballet. I felt like the performance had inspired them to continue on with their new passion.

Their adaptation of Swan Lake was captivating. Not only did the ballerinas’ technical abilities amaze me, each of Thank you to the Ballet Society Committee for their individual styles could be seen and was portrayed organising the trip, I can’t wait to start fundraising for through the characters they played. Being a dancer more opportunities soon!

Ballet Class Blog - Lauren Staveley Last Sunday I took part in one of the Ballet Society’s classes. For the first hour we worked on our technique on the barre and then moved on to some jumps and turns on the floor. Finally, we spent half an hour learning some choreography to a lyrical style dance that Jess, our society treasurer, had choreographed. Being quite new to dance myself, it was fun to take part and learn a dance with friends I have made throughout

the sessions. It was a fun and supportive class with people who share the same passions as I do and we always get to have a bit of a laugh with one another throughout the class. I always enjoy the classes that the society put on as it’s a chance to try something new and it really gets to work both your brain and your muscles on a morning to really get me going for the day, and to have fun doing it!

ROWING AT BUCKS 6am starts on a Saturday are never fun. But with Varsity just around the corner, training is now in full swing. Last year Bucks Rowing Club secured the University’s first two points of Varsity. This year we plan on doing the same, setting up Bucks to finally bring home the Roebuck trophy. As our latest crew of Freshers will tell you, Rowing is a demanding but rewarding sport. A week in the life of a Bucks Rower starts with a Monday evening fitness session at the world famous Marlow Rowing Club. Training alongside Olympic and Paralympic medallists in the largest rowing facility on the Thames. These evenings consist of long pieces on the rowing machines, 30 mins, 40 mins and occasionally longer. After this most of our crew head back to the Uni in time for training with other sports teams. On Wednesdays many of our crew are representing Bucks for other sports teams, including Hockey and Rugby. But in the evenings we’re back at Marlow for another session on the machines, usually a shorter, more

intense piece. Like most sports teams, our Wednesday nights are spent at the Students' Union “unwinding”. Then on the weekend it’s back to training with a 6am start, getting on the river in Marlow with their squads for an hour session before a quick food break and another session. We then break for lunch before heading out a third time for a slower, more technical piece. Sunday plays out the same way with an early start and another session on the water. The early starts are painful but worth it and once you get used to it, they’re actually amazingly fun. The next day the week starts again, we get a week closer to Varsity and another shot at the Roebuck Trophy. So if you think you could get used to a week like this, come and join the team. Help us and the Uni get closer to lifting that Trophy and let’s finally bring it home to where it belongs. To find out more, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram by searching for BucksRowing.

February Issue

by Harry Bull and Jhonnie Cuison

Sport.

30 February Issue

Sport.

by Ellie Brogan

BUCKS LADIES FC ARE READY!

We plan to make this our most successful year, as we have all come to realise there is nothing worse than hearing Roehampton (very quietly) be announced winners for the past three years… We are more prepared, more determined, and the excitement is building. Bucks Ladies FC are going to share their ‘secrets’ for success. Firstly; Training! No matter how big or small the session, it helps! We use our coach to our full advantage to strengthen our skills and learn together as a squad. So we are ready to put them to the test on Wednesday 16 March! In addition to this some of our members have been attending some of the AU Spin Classes – this is no pain no gain. In the coming weeks, we will provide the team with squad gym sessions to improve fitness levels overall. I asked the girls how they are preparing individually; some answers are more helpful than others... Najar “Training at football, the gym and power-lifting to get my strength and endurance up for the battle that is Varsity”. Todd “Watching the promo vid to pick out the ones that need a good ankle munch or two when they come to visit in March”. Litter “Playing matches on a regular basis in order to reach maximum match fitness and hitting the gym to ensure all round strength is improved”. Mitchell “Giving 110% effort at training and matches”. Keane “Trying to play matches and go training as much as possible and going to the gym after being on my feet for 12.5 hours as I’m a nurse”.

Secondly; Positivity! This has been a whirl wind of a season for us, going out of the cup and being unable to retain it, although our two league defeats haven’t stopped us from keeping our spirits up. No matter how we do as a team, win, draw or lose we will always keep our heads held high knowing we did our best and gave it 100% and this will be proven in Varsity and our forthcoming games. Thirdly; Dedication! This year we have seen our numbers increase over the past month, and we have begun to have some fun on Wednesday! The squad has never been more dedicated, this has an overall impact on our team spirit and it has definitely shown. BUT! Varsity is just round the corner if you have the day free, don’t forget to support our home teams, as we need all the support we can get before the big day too! Lastly…there is not such thing as CAN’T! Varsity is our biggest sporting event of the year, and spirits have been dampened, and we all let those nerves kick in, but this year it is ours. We all believe we can so let’s put this belief to the test and we will be champions at 10pm lifting that trophy on home turf. We're ready... Are you?

BUCKS SPORT UPDATE – ON AND OFF THE FIELD The sports teams have been busy both on and off the field this term racking-up more than 3,000 volunteering hours through the organisation of their clubs, walking rescue dogs in their free time, raising money for RAG and much more. The elections are currently open for the next year’s committee who have a tough act to follow with the outstanding work from the committees this year. On the field, with strong competition this year, Bucks are managing to keep a 37% percentage win ratio overall with some teams bringing home some massive wins! We are over halfway through the season now and are currently 97th in the BUCS league tables with 144 BUCS points. Rivals Roehampton are within touching distance at 93rd place boasting 178.5 points. A special mention this month goes to the Bucks New Uni Golf team who have secured their right to remain in the BUCS Southern Premier league with a big 5-1 win over Merrist Wood 1st in their last game. Golf continues to compete in the highest league in BUCS putting them up against the best university golfers in the country, great effort form the club. Another great achievement came from the Swan Cheer Squad as they cleaned up at their first comp of the year winning all three disciplines. Coming home with first place trophies in Pom, Jazz and Main Cheer at the ICC competition in Guilford. The Squads are back to training hard in preparation for BCA where we hope the success from ICC will follow. Top of the table, Women’s Basketball, continue to fly through the season unbeaten with a huge +422 goal difference (419 goals more than 2nd place) and continue through to face Reading in the Quarter finals of the South Eastern Conference Cup. Men’s Volleyball currently defend top of the league with Kingston chasing up in a close 2nd. The lads will be playing LSE in the Quarterfinals of the South Eastern Conference Cup. For the first time in the University's history we sent two students to represent Bucks in the BUCS National Archery Championships. With the competition being the best individuals in the country, Bucks came brought home a 10th place win which was a great achievement. With the launch of the Varsity tickets being sold online the countdown has really begun. Team selections are already being discussed in preparation for Varsity which is now only five weeks away! This is a crucial time for individuals and teams to start getting ready, upping the tempo and showing Roehampton that we really are ready.

February Issue

by Holly Furniss

Sport.

THE BUCKS STUDENT EDITOR Are you well organised? Passionate about writing or journalism? Interested in earning some extra cash next year? We are looking for someone to be the Editor of The Bucks Student next year. This is a fantastic opportunity to get some experience working with a high quality publication, which looks great on your CV and pays ÂŁ100 per edition. For more information, or to apply, please visit bucksstudentsunion.org/workforus.