211075 Downing Record 07 - Downing College - University of ...

(3), Engineering (9), Geography (4), Law (13), Mathematics (3), Medicine (16),Natural Sciences (26) and Social and Political Sciences (5).Behind these dry statistics there are numerous individual successes. Sixcandidates obtained starred firsts in a pleasing range of subjects (and manysubjects do not award such a mark of distinction): Alex Smith in Part IB Classics,Videsh Seereeram in Part IB Engineering, Aaron Dine and Cat Gerrard in Part IBGeography, Thomas Frater in Part I History and Paul Davies in Part II Law. TheGoverning Body was able to recognise 14 candidates who had performed withspecial distinction by being placed in the top 2.5 % of the class list, with VideshSeereeram, Alex Smith, Paul Davies and Luke Church (Computer Science) eachbeing placed at the top of their respective lists. Videsh and Alex, and also ThomasFrater who was ranked second, were awarded the Whalley-Tooker Prize for thecandidates who have performed the best in a Tripos examination in theirpenultimate year and Paul and Luke obtained the Association Prize for thecandidates who have obtained the best examination result in their final year.Other notable successes includes one candidate who obtained a first despitehaving to use an amanuensis for all of his exams in a highly technical subjectand Matteo Schirmer, a first year lawyer, who is the first non-native Englishspeaker for the Law with French course (the Double Mâitrise) to be awarded afirst by the University.This is very pleasing. However, in the course of the year there have been furthersigns of a growing problem which has been apparent for some time, namely thedifficulty some candidates face with the transition from school to University, both asregards writing and learning skills and their ability to cope with the pressures ofCambridge exams. This is a matter of real concern for all the Colleges. At Downing weare seeking to address this issue by providing additional assistance as regards writingand learning skills, assistance which already appears to have had a positive effect ona number of students. Support and assistance is provided throughout the year throughthe College’s pastoral team (Tutors, Nurse, Chaplain and members of staff within theTutorial and Admissions Office), but with particular focus during the examinationseason. There is more work to be done, but we take seriously the importance of ensuringas smooth a transition as possible between the demands of school and university.The Fellowship as a whole takes great pleasure in the successes of our students.I am particularly grateful for the very hard work of many Fellows, externalDirectors of Studies, College Lecturers and Bye-Fellows who between them admit,supervise and nurture the students. But finally I must acknowledge that it is thestudents themselves who have worked hard, and in many cases played hard too,to fulfil their potential. Their achievement is its own reward and all members ofthe College I am sure take real pleasure in that success.Graham Virgo17