"What makes JCH distinctive? The College holds, in the words of the University's Vice-Chancellor, 'an enviable reputation for academic achievement and social awareness that will stay with its graduates for life'.
This reputation has been achieved, I think, because at Janet Clarke Hall students and staff work together for the common good. As a former President of the Student Club put it, the place is special 'not merely for its opportunities, but for the unique experience of its communal life...one building, one college, one idea... The concept is not unique, but the execution is'".
- Dr Damian Powell; Principal
"I think the best thing about JCH is that we're a small college. Its size means that you get to know everyone really well. The people here come from truly diverse backgrounds and the opportunity to live with them is just amazing. JCH is not just a residential college wherein we live; it's more than the mere bricks and mortar. What makes JCH the experience is the people that you find here. Everyone's just, well, nice."
- Adam Chong; International Student from Scotch College Melbourne, Arts
"I love that at JCH I don't have to be good at sport to be able to be involved in every sporting event! I love that on nights when I can't sleep I can wander down a corridor and find someone to chat with about philosophy at 2am. The people here are genuinely friendly. I've never had trouble striking up a conversation or a new friendship. There are many things that set JCH out amongst the other colleges, but one of the main things is that second and third year students don't look down on freshers - I've experienced that first hand this year. Friendship groups span the year levels, and there's very little distinction made between us."
- Joanne Bowen; rural student from Wodonga Secondary College, Media and Communications
"I chose JCH because it made my life easier. I wanted an environment where I could concentrate on academics, meet fun and interesting people, and feel happy. I got exactly that. I am encouraged to do well at university, and have an excellent place to study. More importantly, I have met some of my best friends here. I am the happiest I have ever been."
- Will Reid; local student (family lives in Melbourne) from Singapore American School, Engineering
"At lunch-time the other day, a student approached me in the kitchen and asked 'was that you practising the first Chopin Ballade this morning?' I admitted that it was; he told me that was his favourite Ballade. A student at the sandwich bar called out that he preferred the fourth Ballade, and then a third student said he that he preferred the Scherzos. I joined the other tutors at lunch, and said 'I love this College.'"
- Dr Anna Goldsworthy; resident tutor in Music; Artist in Residence
"Living in Janet Clarke hall was the best decision of my semester in Melbourne. The staff are open and helpful, the location is great and there's a great atmosphere for studying. The students here are wonderful and talented, a diverse intelligent group that's always busy doing something; whether it's watching a movie, hitting the town or chatting on the rooftop courtyard, you never have to look far for fun and friends. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else."
- Holm Belsheim; study abroad student from the University of North Carolina, Arts
"JCH is a microcosm of what a good society might be. There is diversity but everyone agrees: respect others, respect ideas, and respect learning. We share concerns, knowledge, and aspirations. Though we are a small community it is perhaps for this reason that everyone has an open mind. If you agree that your university years are the cornerstone of your education, then JCH is the college that will support you in achieving that. Personally, one of my favourite aspects of JCH is a respect for traditions, perhaps best illustrated by the fact that we still give each student a rose on the first day of their exams, a tradition started in the 1920s by one of our Principals, Miss Joske. To me this simple act speaks to JCH's key beliefs: concern for individuals, respect for tradition, and support for academic achievement."
- Nicholas Purcell; Librarian & IT Manager
"JCH has a very inclusive and genial feel. Upon arriving in Melbourne I didn't know anyone or what to expect from life in a new country. I was quite rightly nervous and had arrived early enough that few were in the same boat as me. The older students at JCH immediately put me at ease. Even though we had nothing in common, they went out of their way to make me feel at home. From the first day I have loved my time at university and JCH. Everything, even including waking up early for rowing, has been thoroughly enjoyable and that is purely due to the people I am around. I have never been in finer company. This is what has made the difference between living in a building with ninety rooms and living in JCH."
- Rudi Smith; international student from Palmerston North Boys School New Zealand, Engineering
"The students are talented,
The senior common room is alive,
The philosophy is interesting,
The history is compelling,
The social fabric is unique,
The music filters through,
The conversation makes me think.
Here I can study and tutor,
Here I can teach and learn,
Work and live, give and take.
I can retire and concentrate,
then emerge, and rediscover like-minded people, and talk for hours."
- Claire Baxter; resident tutor in Classics