Date published: 1 September 2023

Point #1 Travel between campuses

I have been researching the benefits of ride sharing. During my research I found information on a company that provide a scheme to be implemented within organisations to promote ride sharing. Liftshare is already being used by staff with FVC and after speaking with Pauline I will be promoting this scheme to our students. Using socials, our Teams community page, posters, Freshers and class reps to promote this.

Research college resources for a pilot minibus scheme, provide a report of benefits that a pilot scheme may produce.

Promote the removal of peak travel times.

Point #2 Inclusion

I have an upcoming meeting with Forth Valley Sensory Centre to discuss methods the college can implement for students’ accessibility. I have been in contact with Barry Jordan from LGBT Youth Scotland regarding ways to include LGBTI groups. I have been looking into the LGBT Charter with a possible view to Forth Valley College applying for the Charter Mark.

Working with Kristina to produce Hidden Disability cards for our students.

Point #3 Careers after College

I have recently joined the DYW Board and will work closely with this organisation to provide opportunities to our students.

Point #4 Well-rounded individuals

I have made contact with Erase the Grey campaign with a view to implementing throughout FVC. Working closely with LRC to deliver options to our students for life-skill workshops and opportunities.

Point #5 Celebrate our Success

I have had an initial meeting with Stuart regarding ideas on how to promote FVC students good work and achievements through local news outlets. Made initial contact with Marketing on including a section in the student e-zine and FVSA website.

 

 

 

Courses/Conferences I have attended-

That’s Quality-SPARQS

Lead & Change-NUS

 

 

Courses/Conferences I have signed up to-

First Aid

Mental Health First Aid

Researcher Workshop

HN Focus Group

 

 

 

Anything else?

Fire Warden at all 3 campuses

Actively building positive and exciting relationships within several departments

Promoting the student community teams page by face to face engagement

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date published: 1 November 2023

Wow! What a quick month October was, feels like it sped by at 100 miles per hour! I hope you are all settling into your courses, and remember, if you need support please ask for it 

What have I been up to in October? It’s been a lot of behind the scenes work this month...

SPA (Student Partnership Agreement): 

Students, FVSA & FVC have been working together to solidify the Student Partnership Agreement. The SPA outlines how students, represented by FVSA and staff, represented by FVC, work in partnership to improve the student learning experience and where students are active and valued participants. 

CLASS REPS: 

With Block 1 of the academic year well underway we now have an amazing 203 registered class reps. What a brilliant opportunity this is, fantastic for including in a CV and skill building alongside your learning journey. Class reps are such an integral part of college life, the FVSA are pleased to welcome you all! 

EVENT PLANNING 2024: 

Lots of planning for the big events of 2024. After the huge success of our Freshers Fair we have been focusing on delivering a fantastic Re-Freshers' Fair in February. We have also started to plan the 2024 FVSA Student Awards. Look out for more details on these events on the FVSA website and Teams Student Community page in the coming weeks and months. 

PAWS: 

I have been working in collaboration with David Gentles (Learning Skills & Resource Assistant) to bring the wonderful pet therapy sessions to FVC once again. This extremely popular event provides students the chance to interact with therapy dogs, in a relaxed environment, to de-stress and switch off from studies or other responsibilities. Book your slot now! 

GRADUATION: 

Firstly, I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who was involved in arranging and managing such a fantastic event. It was such a wonderful day. Attending as both a graduate, and as a special guest, was certainly an experience I will never forget. Congratulations everyone! 

DISNEY: 

I first visited Disneyland Paris in 2006 with my daughter, who was 5 years old at the time, so it was a long awaited return trip for us all these years later. The weather was beautiful and so many amazing memories were made. My favourite part was my daughter buying me my first ever pair of Disney ears, Snow White ones J I’m guessing my daughters favourite part was meeting Peter Pan, Wendy and Captain Hook J 

Some other work I’m involved in 

• Operational planning 

• Students Pantry 

• Constitution review 

• Committees and Boards 

I’ll be out and about in all 3 campuses, say 'hello' if you see me  

Date published: 05 December 2023

Vice President report  

We’re fast approaching the end of block 1 and some well-earned R&R. I hope that you can take some time to allow yourselves to do some wellbeing activities. Grab some popcorn and watch your favourite movie, spend time with friends and family or maybe even try a new sport or activity. Whatever you may be doing, enjoy your break. 

What have I been up to this month? 

There’s a lot of ‘behind the scenes’’ work this month. 

• Constitution review – We are continuing to update the existing constitution. This is an incredibly important document and FVSA must take the time to ensure that it is completed correctly. 

• Re-fresher’s planning – After the huge success of Fresher’s FVSA want to ensure that Re-fresher’s is just as great! 

• Operational planning – This ensures FVSA are delivering on the aims of FVSA and fulfilling our responsibilities to you. 

• Board of Management paper – This important document is delivered to several forums, management teams and the Board of FVC. It outlines FVSA activities and allows Board members to ask questions about the report. 

• Planning for block 2 inductions and class visits – Student engagement is incredibly important to FVSA. Class visits introduce new students to the Officers and the work of the FVSA, and how students can get involved. 

What’s been going on this month? 

PAWS 

The wonderful Canine Concern Scotland attended all three campuses and FVSA, in collaboration with LRC, hosted these events. This popular, and important, event allows students to spend some time with Therapets and their fantastic owners. There certainly was a lot of smiling faces on those days J look out for the upcoming SANTA PAWS events. 

Student Council meetings 

FVSA completed the first round of Student Council meetings. I thoroughly enjoyed these meetings, it was great to have such engaged attendees. Some issues were spoken about, decisions made and a lot of laughs thrown in for good measure. FVS Principal, Kenny MacInnes, attended and spoke of the importance of the work the Student Council do. 

Chamber & DYW Lunch 

I attended this lunch at the Inchyra Grange Hotel, Polmont. Delegates from local high schools, businesses and organisations spoke about the importance of construction and engineering businesses being present in high schools, helping to inform and encourage interested pupils with a progression to apprenticeships, college or employment. 

Mental Health First Aid 

I attended this 2 day course to broaden my knowledge of mental health first aid practices. This course, in all honesty, was a thought provoking, hard hitting and emotionally draining experience but one I am so grateful to have been a part of. Mental health and wellbeing of students is definitely something I am very passionate about. I now feel more confident, and equipped, to help when it may be needed. 

LMT, Curriculum managers forum and Board of Management 

FVSA continue to update, and engage with, all areas of management within FVC. This a fantastic opportunity for FVSA to receive advice from subject specific colleagues and for FVC to be aware of the work that FVSA do. 

Anything else? 

Well of course :-) 

• Staff development day 

• Board Christmas lunch 

• Steering groups 

• BRIT Challenge 

• Meetings with local youth organisations 

• Committee attendance 

FVSA look forward to welcoming you all back when you return to campus after the break, take care of yourselves. 

Kirsten. 

Date published: January 2024

Hello Everyone :-)

I hope you all had a relaxing break and feel recharged for the months ahead. I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome our new students to FVC. 

As we head in to the second block of the academic year, please be mindful to look after both your mental and physical wellbeing. 

With this in mind FVSA have been busy planning some activities and events we hope will benefit you all in some way. Keep an eye on the Student Community Teams page, campus screens and information posters for more details. 

FVC LRC have put together some fantastic student guides, available now. How to reference, how to study effectively and how to manage your time are some of the subjects covered. I highly recommend you use these guides, they are a brilliant resource! 

Remember, your lecturers are there to support you. They want you to succeed and are an invaluable resource in your learning journey. 

Student services are another fantastic resource within FVC. They offer many services to help guide and support you through your college experience. 

When I was a student, not so long ago, I accessed a number of FVC services, and I will forever be grateful to the staff involved. At a time, when stress and anxiety came very close to becoming overwhelming, these services helped me through enormously. 

I’ve not much in the way of an update report, I was also off enjoying the holiday period but I’m busy behind the scenes with lots of exciting projects, that hopefully, I’ll be bring to you all soon! 

P.S. Look out for a fantastic offer from the amazing gym team, coming very soon! 

 

WOW! February already! Feels like yesterday we were all getting ready for the December break! 

Anyway, hope you have all settled into your courses, whether you are a returning or new student. 

As your Vice President I have been doing a lot of behind the scenes work and lots of preparations for upcoming events alongside my operational duties and responsibilities. 

Re-Freshers Fair - The most entertaining one is always Freshers and Re-freshers fair. The FVSA team and I delivered another fantastic event to welcome new and current students. We have amazing prizes of a Lenovo tablet and a £50 student hamper. Great entertainment such as the smoothie bike, reaction blaze pods and relaxation VR headsets and much more.  

Kasia and I are busy planning our upcoming Wellbeing Event – Think Positive! - This event is taking place at Falkirk Campus on 13th March. There is lots of things that could be on your mind, causing you worry, and this event is being held to try to help you work through, ask for advice on and develop your strategies. We are inviting college experts to give you resources available within college.  

Student awards - Last year as an Executive officer I was invited to the Student Awards, this was a wonderful way to celebrate all the talents and students' successes achieved throughout the year. This time I am pleased to say that I am taking part in planning and organising the event as FVSA Vice President. 

Join us in celebrating the outstanding talents, achievements, and remarkable contributions of our students. It is a night dedicated to acknowledging excellence, engagement, and exceptional actions within the college community. 

Another amazing event I have been involved with is Paws against Stress - It is one of my favourite events, the dogs and their owners are so friendly and share lovely stories. This project aims to bring a unique way to destress whilst studying and carrying out daily tasks.  

Education Scotland Visit - One of the major audits for FVC, I have been involved in the thematic review representing students and your student voice, which was an honour to me. The results of the visit demonstrated that FVC and FVSA set a high standard to be follow by other educational organisations.  

Brit Challenge and Steering group – Combines all the activities I have been involved with; this represents what I am passionate about and allows my manifesto point to come to life. It is my aim to make sure that student needs are met, and they are equipped with all the resources to grow and strive for a brighter future.  

If you want to find out more about the Brit Challenge, please follow this link  

Mental Health Agreement - Following up on the pledges established by FVSA I am working in partnership with FVC to deliver a Mental Health Agreement which is tailored to encompass student needs, I am meeting regularly with Student Services Managers and attending ‘Think Positive’ monthly catchups to ensure that we are all doing what we committed to.  

McGills - As a mature student who used public transport as the main way of travelling to and from college, I can fully understand the frustrations of students who use busses. I have been listening to your feedback and as a result I have been invited to a meeting with FVC and McGills leaders to discuss issues that the student population face every day. I’m aiming to achieve positive changes, more accurate timetables, buses being on time and a friendly service. 

I am also continuing my involvement in external steering groups, forums, projects and, of course, my Board of Management responsibilities. 

A final note - Please remember, the college is here to support your studies. If you ever need support, don't hesitate to reach out to student services, speak to your lecturers, and don't leave your coursework to the last minute. Through conversation and communication, you can receive the support you need to succeed. 

So, March already! Not long ago, I was on campus experiencing my first days as FVSA Vice President. Time has flown by at an alarming speed. Soon you will be settling down to study for your end of year Graded Unit or assessments. Remember, this is the time you need to take a little extra care of your wellbeing. Exam stress or pressure is real. 

Plan your studying and don’t push yourself. If you find you’re not retaining the information step away and go back to it once you’ve had a break. Organise your notes and revision materials in a structure you find most effective for you. Don’t forget, your lecturer’s, LDWs and the LRC staff can all help with study techniques and any other issues you may have. 

A lot of what goes on at FVSA is behind the scenes (meeting, emails and planning) stuff, it’s not always visible to students but we are all kept extremely busy making sure we’re delivering the best to you, they student body. Students are at the heart of everything we do, so be assured we work our hardest on the behinds the scene stuff as well as the visible (Re-Freshers, class visits and Student Awards) stuff. 

We’re (FVSA team) now in the middle stages of planning the Student Awards. You still have time to nominate in the available categories HERE. The awards are shaping up to be a fantastic night of celebration and a memorable experience for all involved. 

Re-Freshers was a great success, tiring but so much fun. Thank you to all who attended and engaged with the tables and vendors. Feedback was extremely positive and engagement was excellent. The smoothie bike, once again, proved a hit across all 3 campuses. The addition of the reaction pods was well received and produced some healthy, and light-hearted, competition. Teamwork at A+ level. 

The feedback given through the McGills Tell Us Tuesday survey was very helpful in producing a short presentation that was sent directly to the Managing Director. With support from FVC Principal, Kenny MacInnes, I now have an open channel of communication with McGill’s which I am extremely pleased about. 

The wonderful dogs from Paws against stress are coming back in May, thanks to Canine Concern Scotland and my collaboration with FVC LRC. I would like to express my thanks to Laura McLean and David Gentles for allowing me to be part of the Paws journey. I would also like to thank Lisa MacLaren for being so open to collaborating with me.

I’ve been promoting LiftShare around campus. Sign up HERE to start saving some £££ and you could also help the environment too! I’m pictured here with Pauline Donaldson, Soft Services and Sustainability manager, who’s been a great help over the last few months. Thanks Pauline! 

I continue my work regarding the Mental Health Partnership. This is something that is extremely important to me and I take this responsibility very seriously. This work has been ongoing throughout the academic year. 

I continue to represent FVC students with my work on various boards and forums.