Grad's and PGCE

Although the HUS and Gradsoc split in 2009, PGCE students are attached to both groups, and we are commited to a harmonious Homerton.

We are also looking for a PGCE officer, so if interested email president Luke Shepherd at hus-president@homerton.cam.ac.uk

PGCE Specific Info

Facilities at Homerton

As a PGCE student, you may not be living in Homerton, but this doesn’t mean you won’t be spending any time there! Here is some information on what you can expect to find in Homerton, from food to IT facilities, and for those of you who will be living in halls, some details of the different accommodation blocks and rooms. Have a fantastic year!

What are the rooms like and who lives where?

Homerton accommodation is divided into the following blocks, and the non-Fresher years are spread amongst them:

• West House : en-suite rooms, Freshers and some PGCE students
• South Court : en-suite rooms, slightly larger than West House, predominantly 3rd years.
• East House: en-suite rooms, very similar to West House but in an older building.
• ABC : en-suite rooms in the old college building- vary (dramatically!) in size! Tend to be second and third years
• Harrison House : en-suite rooms, reserved for post-grads and PGCE student. Set a little way away from the rest of college.
• Queen’s Wing : non en-suite rooms, tend to be reserved for post grads and 1 year foreign exchange students
• D and E : non en-suite rooms in the old part of college. Tend to be 2nd years and a few 3rd years.

What do I get in my room?

What your room has in it depends on which block you are in. In West House, South Court, ABC and Harrison House you will have a desk, bed, bedside table, wardrobe, cupboards, desk chair armchair, lockable storage space, and large notice board. In the non-ensuite rooms (D and E and Queens Wing) you will have a bed, desk, desk chair, armchair, sink, lockable storage under your bed, wardrobe and large notice board. If you are in an en-suite room, the bathrooms are more like wet rooms, and include a shower, sink, toilet, cabinet and mirror, all the basic necessities. Included in your rent is your towels [changed once a week], bedding [changed every two weeks], the weekly cleaning of your room, daily cleaning of the kitchens [but not your plates and pans etc.] and around £17 per week which will be placed on your EPOS card.

What about Internet/ Phones/ TVs?

Internet connections are available in every room, and college charge £55 for the use an internet port. The internet charge is done on an ‘opt-out’ basis however, so if you don’t want to pay for internet in your room you need to notify college (you will receive a letter about this, don’t worry!). Between the computers in the library and computer room, there are plenty of places that you can access the internet, but most people chose to have it in there room. Wi-fi will work in some rooms, but not all. Internet cables can be bought from the Porters Lodge. Each room is fitted with a phone which operates using the VOIP [Voice Over Internet Protocol] system and offers a low call tariff, for which you can buy phone cards from the Porters Lodge .These phones can also be used to phone anyone else in college for free which is great for sorting nights out! You are allowed to bring a TV for your room if you want, but remember that you must pay for a TV licence! There is a TV in the common room which you are free to use when you want.

Can I decorate my room?

Yes and No. You can’t paint your room or put posters up with blue-tack, but you can hang posters up using poster hangers and rail hooks to make your room a bit more ‘you’. Bringing a rug, your own bedding and photos can really make your bedroom more unique. Due to PAT testing, however, you’re technically not allowed fairy lights or kitchen appliances in your room.

What is PAT testing?

PAT testing stands for Portable Appliance Test, and basically covers anything with a plug such as fairy lights, hairdryers and kettles. Adaptors will also be PAT tested. You will be charged a flat rate for this test, which is conducted in each room near the beginning of term, and anything that fails (such as fairy lights, or powerful hairdryers!) shouldn’t be used in the rooms. College should send you more detailed information on this.

Where can I study in Homerton, and can I do so even if I live out?

There are several places in which you can study, and these are open to students who live out as well. The shiny Education Faculty next to the college will probably be your main study area, but you can also use the college library, next to the Porters Lodge which has several computers, large working desks as well as individual cubicles, is stocked with general material, and is open 24 hours. College also has a computer room with many stations, and finally, the MAB rooms can be used for group study.

Food in Homerton

Where can I buy food and drink from in college?

• The Buttery - A ‘Buttery’ is a Cambridge word for a café. Ours is situated in the same area as the bar, and is open for breakfast and lunch, selling drinks, sandwiches, wraps, cakes, fruit, soup, and a daily hot option (bacon butties for breakfast and then something like a sausage roll or pizza slice at lunch). The buttery isn’t open at the weekend, but there are vending machines scattered around college if you get a crisp, fizzy drink or chocolate craving.
• The Bar- In the evenings, the Buttery area turns into the bar, which sells a range of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. Whilst it’s not ridiculously priced, its not the cheapest bar in Cambridge, but can be a good place to start and evening from, or just chill out with your friends at the end of the day.
• The Great Hall- This is the main food servery in Homerton, and serves hot lunches and dinners every week day. At the weekend, only one meal a day is served- brunch (i.e. cooked breakfast) on Saturday and Roast lunch on Sunday. The quality of the food here can be a bit hit and miss- sometimes you can have a really nice meal and other days you aren’t quite sure what they’re serving! It can also be a bit pricey, so cooking for yourself can be a good money saver. That said, having someone else cook and wash up for you can be great if you’re in a rush or if you’ve had a long day!

How do I pay for my food?

This year will be the first year that Homerton uses the EPOS (Electronic Point Of Sale) System for the purchasing of food. Whilst we obviously hope there won’t be any difficulties in the introduction of the system, there is a chance that there will be some hiccups in the first few weeks, and your Services Officer will be working hard to make sure that College knows of any problems and they get sorted as soon as possible! You are also able to use cash, but will not benefit from the 10% discount which you are entitled to when paying by card.

The system works as follows (NB you will receive an official EPOS guide at the beginning of term)

General:

Rather than using cash, you will be able to university card to make purchases (excluding alcohol) in the Buttery, Hall and Porters Lodge area. You will have the Minimum Meal Contract (MMC) (which is included in your rent) loaded onto your card at the start of each term, and you can load money onto your cashless account over the course of the term. This money is held on a central and secure system. Whilst you are still able to make purchases with cash, using your card entitles you to a 10% discount on the cash price. Purchases made via card in the Bar and Lodge will receive a 5% discount.

How can I load my card?

Upay- the website www.upay.co.uk is a secure site which allows you to view your account balance and top up. You will be set up with a password and username.

What else can I do on Upay?

• set up an automated top-up facility (eg when I reach £1.50 top up by £20)
• report a card as lost and deactivate it
• book and pay for formal halls online
• request mini-statements and detailed statements

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