Extra-Curricular Activities

Extra-Curricular Activities at the BISC are varied in nature, but all are created to enhance the students’ overall social experience. Student Services staff try to organize something for everyone, and to ensure that the social, cultural, educational and sporting life at the BISC is as rich as possible. Staff and faculty often participate in and organize events, and students are also encouraged to share their interests by running something for the community.

Athletics

A sports hall adjacent to the Bader Hall Residence is open from 07:30 to 23:00 every day and is equipped with:

Students can also join local competitive athletic clubs such as the Hailsham Hockey Club, Hellingly Rugby Club, and the Eastbourne Borough Ladies Football Team. Student Services  is always happy to help connect students with other local sports clubs.

Mental health at university is closely related to participation in physical activity. As a result, students are encouraged to make use of the sports facilities on campus and to participate in intramural competitions organized by Student Services each term, as well as to run their own pick-up games during the day.

Depending on student interest, sport and exercise classes can be offered on-site. In the past we have held yoga, kickboxing, Wing Tsun and self-defense classes.

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Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way of learning new skills and developing old ones, meeting new people and learning about British culture. It is also a wonderful opportunity to give something back to the local community. During the Fall and Winter terms students have the opportunity to volunteer in the local community for a few hours each week. The BISC has links with local schools and youth groups, animal shelters and a tourist information center. Student Services are also often approached by members of the local community who need  help in running one-off events. For example, students have run stalls at a local Christmas Fair or helped serve meals at a charity fundraising event.

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Music

There are two "Musicians In Residence" at the BISC: Shelley Katz and Diana Gilchrist, who are accomplished Canadian musicians, living in Cambridge and performing internationally. Shelley and Diana come to the Castle each week, to lead choirs and small ensembles, to offer one-on-one singing and piano lessons, and to organize student performances at the Castle. For interested students, they also offer  trips to musical events elsewhere in England.  An opportunity to audition for the small Chamber Choir will be announced early in the Fall term; the larger general Choir is open to all interested singers.

Instruments and venues:

• Piano in the Ballroom
• Music Turret houses a guitar and flute
• Dacre Room (chapel) and Alumni Room used for practising
• Electronic Music Studio with a Yamaha digital grand piano

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Student Council

In the Fall Term, students can stand for election to a position on the Student Council. The student body elects a Student Council President, a Vice President and a Musicians in Residence Representative. Each corridor in Bader Hall also elects a representative to the Council. The role of the Student Council is to organize activities and events and to consult the student body on issues that affect them.

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The Castle Pub

The "Headless Drummer Pub" is a fully licensed bar on the ground floor of the Castle. It is open from 19:00, seven days a week, and closes at 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and at 22:30 on Sundays.

The Pub is a great place for all members of the Castle  community to work, relax, or socialize. Pub staff are very welcoming and encourage everyone to make use of the Pub as a social space. The legal drinking age in England is 18. If you are under 18 you may still go into the Pub, but you cannot purchase alcohol or have it purchased for you. This rule is strictly enforced at the BISC.

Special events and theme nights are sometimes held in the pub, and these nights are always very popular for  Castle residents. Recent theme nights have included a Harry Potter Night, German Festival, Halloween and an 80s Night! The pub has a coin-operated pool table, a dart board, and an assortment of games available for  use.

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Shopping

The Castle has its own gift shop that also stocks course books, small supplies of stationery, toiletries, and gifts. The BISC also operates a comprehensive minibus service that offers students free transport  to a variety of local towns and attractions (see below). Students usually also have free time on field-study trips to pick up items in London or abroad.

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Student Clubs and Activities

Each Castle cohort brings a different set of interests and pursuits with them, and the activities provided or organized each term by Student Services attempt to reflect this diversity. Past activities have included:

As a BISC student, you have the opportunity to make an impact in the Castle community by starting or creating any activity you choose.

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The Mini-Bus

The minibus allows you to indulge in shopping, tourism, or community involvement. There is no fee; you simply consult the schedule and hop on the bus when it is heading to the right place, and when you do not have class. Favourite destinations include:

• Local places of worship
• Restaurants
• Shopping centres
• Cinemas
• Banks
• Aquatic and Leisure Centre
• Hailsham, Eastbourne, Brighton, and London

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