Date Published: 1 September 2023

Hello everyone, 

I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. I am honoured to serve you alongside Kirsten Kennedy as your sabbatical officers. It is a privilege as well as responsibility for me to have been chosen by you to be the voice that ensures your thoughts, concerns, and aspirations are not only heard but also acknowledged and acted upon. 

Our collective strength lies in our diversity and shared experiences which make our community thrive. 

Communication is the cornerstone of any successful endeavour; therefore, I am committed to fostering an environment where your opinions matter. Whether you have suggestions, feedback, or simply want to engage in meaningful conversations, I am here to facilitate that dialogue. Your thoughts are invaluable in shaping the future of our community and enhancing your experience at Forth Valley College. 

Remember, that you are not just a student body – you are also a community which will continue growing, learning and building connections that will last a lifetime. My door is always open to you, so feel free to reach out, get involved with the Students’ Association and be an active part of our collective journey. 

During my presidency, I want to give updates on my manifesto and what I have been getting up to each month. I believe regular communication and transparency to students is one of the most important attributes of a successful student president. So, I want to take the opportunity to create blog posts.  

This will be a year where bold words transform into solid action.  

Best regards, 

                   

Your Student President 

Journeying Two Months of Unstoppable Productivity and Progress at Forth Valley Students’ Association! 

Date published: 4 October 2023

Hello, everyone! It's been a whirlwind of activity and achievement since I embarked on this incredible journey with the Forth Valley Students' Association. In this blog post, I'm excited to share with you all the exciting endeavours, meaningful connections, and noteworthy progress that have unfolded during my first two months in this dynamic role. From team-building to strategy meetings, let's dive into the mix of fun and dedication that have shaped this journey so far. 

Creating a Resounding Student Voice 

From day one, my mission has been clear: to amplify the student voice and ensure that it's not just heard, but truly listened to. I've had the privilege of meeting with the inspiring minds of the Stirling University Sabbs, engaging in vibrant discussions that have set the stage for collaborative efforts ahead. But that's just the beginning! 

Empowering Change and Quality 

Diving into the nitty-gritty, I embarked on SPARQS (Student Partnership and Quality Scotland) training and the That's Quality conference. These experiences reinforced my commitment to enhancing the student experience and making a meaningful impact. Engaging with NUS (National Union of Students) Lead and Change sessions further sharpened my focus on driving positive transformations in the college as Student President. In other words, “transforming bold words into solid action”. 

One of the activities I took part in during the SPARQS training was constructing a “problem tree”. In this example my group created one around mental health and what the causes and effects may arise from it:

Image below: Me and Andrew Kinnell (former FVSA student engagement co-ordinator) chilled in the evening of SPARQS training and we went for a walk along the coast of Musselburgh.  

Nurturing Unity and Efficiency 

It's not all business – we've had our fair share of team-building activities that have created a cohesive and supportive atmosphere within the FVSA. Operational planning has been a cornerstone, setting the foundation for the forthcoming endeavours. 

Image above: Me flexing my arms at the iconic Falkirk Wheel 

Strategizing and Shaping the Future 

Amid the bustling activities, I've been part of constitutional review meetings, engaging discussions that lay the groundwork for a stronger FVSA. Budgeting meetings have sharpened our financial strategies, ensuring that our plans are both visionary and viable. 

Setting the Stage for Student Success 

Anticipation filled the air during the Fresher's Fair Planning Meeting, where we charted out a vibrant roadmap for welcoming new students to our vibrant community. Planning Student Partnership Agreement focus groups, student awards, and advisory groups showcases our commitment to fostering an inclusive and empowering environment within the college. 

From Vision to Action: Manifesto Milestones 

I'm proud to say that I'm in the process of turning my manifesto pledges into reality. Progress is evident in every step I take, from discussing the installation of a much-awaited pool table with Estates to conceptualizing an enriching language café experience that hinges on effective communication. 

A Green and Thriving Campus 

As per my manifesto pledge, I have been promoting sustainability which has been close to my heart. Meeting with Estates about the eco-garden was both insightful and inspiring. The eco-garden has become a space where students from various backgrounds come together, making a positive impact on both our campus and the broader community. 

Championing Wellness and Sportsmanship 

Ensuring that wellness takes centre stage, I've been working closely with Wai to create schedules for gym facilities and lunchtime sports classes. By encouraging class reps to take the lead in promoting various sports clubs, we're fostering a culture of active participation and holistic well-being. 

The Journey Ahead 

As I reflect on these whirlwind two months, I'm filled with gratitude for the experiences, the insights, and the people that have shaped this incredible journey. The path forward is exciting, and I can't wait to see where the FVSA Team’s collective efforts take us. Thank you for being a part of this journey, and stay tuned for more remarkable milestones ahead! 

 

Quote of the month: “Big Dreams always requires small steps”  

Date published: 03 November 2023

My Manifesto

Well let’s kick it off by giving an update on the progress of my manifesto which is what every Student in Forth Valley College should and deserve to know. After all, that is what you voted for me upon anyway. Not only is it important to act upon my manifesto but also to be honest and transparent with it too. 

So far I have been conducting research which I believe is a fundamental job I should do. Why? Well I have been conducting surveys to capture the student voice because I want to ensure I achieve my manifesto based on what students want. 

During September’s Fresher’s Fair, I have been going around students to see what sort of games tables/spaces they would like to see as an alternative to the pool table. The reason for this is that I spoke to Estates (as mentioned on my October update) and there is no suitable place to put the table in any of the campuses except for the Stirling Campus. However, this is uncertain and means what I am offering to students is not consistent. However, being an effective leader requires adapting and changing plan to capture other opportunities to make my manifesto a reality. In addition, it is important to tell students when things like this does happen. 

I have been working closely with the Active Campus Coordinator to create a survey which will tell us what sports and activities students are interested in. From there, we will be able to create taster sessions. 

I have also visited English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Classes and delivered pilot language café sessions. These classes include people from all over the world: Ukraine, Sudan, Pakistan, Syria, Romania, India, Afghanistan, Spain. The topic was all about food; from their home country and Scottish cuisine. My manifesto’s aim is to host language café sessions but in a bigger perspective to celebrate the cultural diversity in the college. The first round of sessions are now completed and I now want to work on a project with the ESOL Students to create an international cook book. I also want to involve the wider Student Body with my initiative. It doesn’t stop there. I want to nearer the end of the academic year create an international café but make it unique, simple and better than before. I believe this is important because one of the four key aspects of the Student Partnership Agreement is underrepresented groups and supporting one like ESOL will allow me to contribute to that. This is something I don’t only want to involve ESOL students but the wider student body too. I am passionate about geography, learning languages but also learning about the culture of different countries. So if you share this passion, want to help out or revolutionise the college with this vision please email me on: 

Student.president@forthvalley.ac.uk 

Fresher’s 

Where can I start but talk about Fresher’s Fair – an event welcoming new and returning students across all three campuses between 19th until 21s September. I would say it has been a success because we captured one of the key aspects of the event which is student engagement. I want to thank each and every student for being so welcoming and inquisitive. This year I was really pushing for the Student Association to focus on the quality of the event rather than the quantity of which we delivered. To back this up we provided bamboo straws to students which, offering more exciting prizes such as a Nintendo Switch. It would not have been possible with the variety of stallholders which came to event such as iPro Hydrate, different college departments such as Marketing, 7 Scots Army Reserves and so much more 

My favourite part was using the smoothie bike, especially for students who did not have the courage to make a smoothie on their own. It was my pleasureJ! 

Class Visits & Induction Tables 

Me and the Vice President, Kirsten visited a total of 69 classes across all 3 college campuses and departments: 

• Care, Sport, Business and Communities 

• STEM and Construction 

• Creative Industries 

It was a chance for us to showcase what the Forth Valley Students’ Association is all about and how every student can be involved. It was a very valuable experience for me because I can make my name, personality and vision for this academic year known. 

Graduation 

On the 6th October I attended Graduation Ceremony but what was special about it was that I attended as a member of the Board of Management and as a student graduation from HNC Applied Biological Science. The most unforgettable moment for me was marching with the rest of the Board of Management in tune with the bagpipes. It genuinely gave me goosebumps because I was rooting and surrounding myself with Scottish Culture. 

Board of Management 

Me and the FVSA Vice President attended the College Board of Management. It involved members from the community. It was an opportunity to bring forward key issues which affect the college and also gives a chance for important figures in the college to give an update which actions they have taken in a specific period of time. For the Students’ Association it was an opportunity to give the Board a summary of our paper which we present to them. The paper includes what we have been doing to represent the student body and their voice such as organising events e.g. Fresher’s and class visits. 

Student Partnership Agreement (SPA) Focus Groups 

The SPA is a written pledge which tells students how Forth Valley College and Forth Valley Students’ Association collaborate to enhance the Student Learning Experiene as much as possible.  I worked with the Students’ Association to organise Focus groups where students are able to voice their opinion on how the 4 key aspects of the Student Partnership Agreement can be acted upon: 

• Underrepresented Groups 

• Mental Health 

• Positive Destinations 

• Department Representation 

It also gave me the opportunity to have an open conversation with Students to speak on how their experience at college is so far and how they can get involved with the Students’ Association. After taking on board and collating the feedback, an action plan will be generated to determine how best to represent the students’ voice.  

National Union of Students (NUS) The Gathering Conference 

I attended a Conference organised by NUS where sabbatical officers from various colleges and universities come together and discuss all about our campaigns and what makes an effective one. It was a brilliant networking opportunity. I met inspiring sabbatical officers who exchanged ideas which was useful to share with executive officers at Our Students’ Association.  

What I enjoyed most was the Slam Poetry Activity where I did a wrap to portray issues/topics which are important to students. I also participated in a ceilidh afterwards organised by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and NUS.  

I never thought that these creative activities would give me so much joy, allowing me to showcase my personality. 

The Gathering Conference taught me that there are different ways of campaigning. 

SPARQS Awards Ceremony 

I attended the SPARQS Awards Ceremony with members of the FVSA – Lynne (administrator) and Kasia (Student Engagement Co-ordinator) to celebrate former Student Engagement Co-ordinator, Andrew Kinnell who got shortlisted for the SPARQS Student Enagement Award. This reflects on the turnout of the 2023 Sabbatical Officer Election which me and the Vice President, Kirsten were part of. 

Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Practice Expedition 

Away from Student President jazz and let’s talk about my DofE practice expedition where I did kayaking and camping up North in the Cairngorms. It was my very first time properly doing kayaking and camping. However, it was very tough which was good because I love a challenge. I have done many challenges but this one was at another level due to battling though extreme weather conditions. Fundamentally, comradery and friendships conquered all the difficulties. Looking forward to my next Duke of Edinburgh Challenge this time in Sweden. 

QUOTE OF THE MONTH 

I have been training for the Falkirk Half Marathon and one quote that I said to myself which I would like to share with you and anyone who reads my blog is: 

“If you want to be the best; you have to beat your best.” 

Of course, I want to be the best in everything I do but I acknowledge the fact that in order to do that I need to focus on my own goals and my own ability. In other words, run my own race. I can be the best by disciplining myself and being the best version of myself. Siuuuu! 

Date published: 05 December 2023

Dazzling December

Eco-Garden 

I have been working with Lifestart lecturers and their students on their eco-garden project at Stirling Campus. We have created an action plan on how the Student Association can link up and help them deliver on their project. I have already arranged a field trip for them to Stirling University’s Community Garden and in the process of organising a guest speaker to come in from Oak Garden, Raploch.  

Duncan’s ESOL Class 

I went to speak to more of Duncan’s ESOL classes to tell them more about how they can get involved in the upcoming language café sessions on December and more about my International Cook Book Project. The theme will be based around festivals and traditions. 

Taster Sessions with Dean 

I have been working closely with the Active Campus Co-ordinator this month. We have analysed the results you have given us to create our taster session schedule. In the month of December we are starting with futsal and badminton taster sessions and in the New Year we will be hosting as many of the sports as possible based on student survey results. 

Student Council 

 

I played a part in delivering Student Council. We discussed issues and what me and the Vice President did since we started our post to contribute to our manifestos. 

Sustainability Committee 

I took part in the sustainability committee to give an update on my collaboration with Stirling Campus’s Lifestart class on their eco-garden project. I was also linking in my journey from Environmental Officer to Student President. I was linking my vision and my work to an analogy of David Attenborough and the Toucan 

Quote of the Month 

“Life is about taking and creating your own opportunities. Life is about experiencing new things.” 

One of my favourite pieces of music comes from an inspirational pianist of mine’s called Ludovico Einaudi. His piece of music is called  “Experience”. The emotion he releases when pressing every key on that piano. When I see and listen to him playing through videos I can feel him playing the piano because of the aura he brings. I think about the life I have already been through and the exciting future I have ahead of me travelling across the world. 

 

Date published: January 2024

What a Year it has been so far. 

I have not reached the peak of my presidency yet, however I would like to use this blog post to reflect on the 3 biggest challenges and successes of my presidency so far. 

Challenges: 

• Task management. Prioritising different tasks and getting them done by deadlines. 

• Managing the high volume of emails. 

• Getting out my comfort zone speaking to people 1-on-1 in an informal setting. 

Successes: 

• Created the first round of sport taster sessions with the Active Campus Co-ordinator, Dean McKirdy. 

• Created Language Café sessions for ESOL students, working in collaboration with ESOL lecturer, Duncan Carmichael. 

• Created links between the Lifestart Class in Stirling Campus and local community gardens to organise visits. This in turn I hope will help these students to gain gardening skills for their gardening projects. 

The quote I would like to share with you this month is “Make Your Faith within you unshakeable”. What I mean by that is that whether you go through difficult or high points in your life you should stand strong, believe in your own ability and resources you have at your disposal rather than what you do not have. 

 

Dear Students, I would like to update you upon the pool table manifesto point. 

I wanted to make a Statement based on one of my manifesto points around bringing in a pool table and creating a games room. 

After speaking to members of the Estates team and proposing areas to allocate a space for a pool table, I come with the unfortunate news that my manifesto goal cannot go ahead as planned. The main reasons for this are: 

• There is restricted space across all three campuses 

• Having a pool table in the front entrance of the campuses would not have a professional look when visitors come into the college  

• It is important to keep the pool table approach consistent across all three campuses to prevent students from missing out 

However, although my aim has not gone to plan, I have not given up with this manifesto point. I still want to deliver by using and building from resources already available in the College. This involves forming connections with the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) team. 

During Fresher’s Fayre in September, I surveyed students. From my survey results, I came up with the following actions: 

1. The majority of students surveyed were not aware of the existing activities offered to students by the LRC. I am going to work with the LRC team to create materials which ensure that these activities are better promoted. 

2. Create a “categorised post-it note board” in LRCs on all three campuses. This will allow students to give specific types of board games they would like to see in the LRC which are not already available.  

3. From there the most popular board games will be invested in by the Student Association and made available at the LRCs on all three campuses. 

I have learned in life that effective leaders are willing to adapt to different circumstances. Things do not always go the way you want. In other words, since I come from a sporting background, I would say you have the choice to change tactics or be stubborn and stick with the same one. On this occasion I have chosen to change them and hopefully this decision will pay off. 

Kind regards, 

Steve Kemlo, FVSA Student President 

 

Student President Blog 

January has been a busy year for me but productive also. Here are the top 5 things I have been getting up to in January: 

 1. I have been going to the Falkirk LRC to have an idea what specific board games/activities students would like to see in the LRC. I am now going to collate the data and put forward a funding proposal at executive committee based on the most popular student suggestions 

2. For my international cook book project I have started proof-reading ESOL students’ recipes with Duncan Carmichael.  

               Additionally, Stuart Hall from Comms and Marketing has kindly taken a picture of me,  

  Duncan and the ESOL Students for the foreword of this Culinary Exploration guide 

3. Me and the Active Campus Co-ordinator have planned for the next batch of Sport Taster Sessions which will occur after the February Break. 

  4. I’ve partnered up with the Active Campus Co-ordinator and college EPOS manager Robert Myler to create a college running club at Falkirk Campus. Our plan is to branch out to include all 3 campuses. If you are a student who would like to start a running club, email student.president@forthvalley.ac.uk 

5. Finally, I would like to say that I am buzzing for the Step Count Challenge. Why? Well, I have finally got full capacity for my team and ready to compete with the other college teams. If you are a Forth Valley College student or staff member and are interested to sign up, keep posted on the student community channel for more information. May the battle of the marching Tartan Armies commence! 

 

Quote of the Month: 

“Dreams are never too big for someone to reach because if you work hard, you are already living up to them” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me cupping my ears, listening to the Student Voice!

There are so many different highlights this month but it is thanks to students who bring life to my manifesto and work that I do with the Students’ Association. This is why I am here. 

Refresher’s 

Refreshers was amazing and I really enjoyed seeing the variety the event had to offer. Making the smoothies was definitely my favourite part because I was able to get to know the students and see that it brought a smile to their face. I wanted to bring a positive vibe and share it with every student. 

 

Active Campus Sports Sessions 

The weekly Monday badminton social sessions from 4 until 5pm have grew in number and on one of the sessions of February there was the record attendance with 9 students taking part. 

I have also held some of the second round of sport taster sessions with the active campus co-ordinator. The message I wanted to release is that sport can be accessible for anyone. Since the month of February was LGBTQ+ History Month, I wanted to make that the theme of one of the taster session weeks. Dodgeball was very popular; not dodgy; I promise. 

I also held racket sport sessions which included table tennis, badminton and short tennis. 

Step Count Challenge 

I have worked very hard in February to recruit students for my step count Challenge Team. We are very motivated to win and inspire students to take part in the future. It would have been easy for me to get staff in my team but I wanted to challenge myself to get students and engage with them. This year as a Students’ Association we wanted to get as many students involved as possible. So being one of the catalysts of this vision was amazing. I called the team the Forth Valley Nomads because I have a team full of adventurous indivuals. Here we go! 

FINAL Language Café of the Year 

I have been collaborating with a Working with Communities student to create the final language café of this academic Year. I am very excited about this because the language café has organically grown and improved upon each session, whether that is to do with attendance or adding an interesting element to it For example, working with other students to organise one which helps us both achieve our goals. 

Games Table 

After asking students what board games they would like to see in the LRC by putting their ideas on a post-it board, I have collected their responses and spoke to the LRC about the types of board games students want. I did some research on where to source the board games and created a budget proposal for executive committee too. Hopefully in my next blog update the board games will be at the LRC. 

 

If any of these opportunities appeal to you or you would like to get involved just email me on steve.kemlo@forthvalley.ac.uk or give me a Teams Message.

I always want students to get involved with what I do. 

 

Before I end this blog I would like to leave you with a motivational quote which nicely wraps it all up: 

“It is not about what you are but about who you choose to be.” 

We can achieve things we want to achieve by focussing on our mindset rather than the things we cannot change. 

Big shout out to Forth Valley College students, Matthew Crossan and Jai Kennedy from my step count Team – Walking Nomads – for going the extra mile. We went for a big walk around Stirling and to the Wallace Monument to catch up with the teams at the top of the table.