August Update from Irene Reynolds, VP Education
Where did the summer go? It’s hard to believe that it's already time to welcome our students back to campus!
This past month has been a whirlwind of preparation to ensure an incredible academic year, both in the classroom and beyond. My primary focus has been collaborating with VP Welfare, Adam Fewster, RSU President, Imran Shafiqi, and key university staff from the Student Futures Team to organise an exciting part-time job and volunteering fair set for the 16th of October. This event will be a fantastic opportunity for students to connect with potential employers and network with alumni who've walked similar career paths. Stay tuned for more details on participating employers and how to register!
I've also been working hard on my EAL Placement Partnership, an innovative programme that supports students in English and Education courses who need placements, while offering free and informal English lessons to those with English as an additional language. In collaboration with the university we have organised a dedicated team, including Peter Flew (Dean of the School of Education), Nadim Choudhury (Director of Student Futures), and Charlotte Gorse (Director of the School of Continuing Education), to launch this initiative by January 2025. For more details, check out the article ‘Exciting News: The RSU and the University Set to Launch EAL Placement Partnership.’
My third focus has been working alongside VP Welfare, Adam Fewster to put together Wellbeing Wednesdays! Wellbeing Wednesdays, starting in Autumn 2024 at Roehampton, will offer students a guaranteed* break from academic activities every Wednesday afternoon to focus on their wellbeing. With no mandatory lectures or labs, students can recharge through activities like sports, creative workshops, and wellbeing related sessions in collaboration with the colleges, Sport Roe, Wandsworth Council and the Wellbeing Team. This initiative aims to enhance students' university experience by providing a midweek pause to prioritise mental and physical health. Full article coming soon!
Lastly, I've been working closely with our student voice coordinator, Emily Belton, Deputy CEO Nishant Kumar, and Communications Coordinator, Grace Ward, to roll out our new and improved Student Academic Representation System. Applications for our 2024-2025 School Reps are now open, and you can apply on our website! Additionally, there is more information to come on our new Department Reps and Digital Rep Tool, so stay tuned for more information!
Alongside setting these objectives in motion, I've also participated in some valuable training, some of the key trainings I attended include:
Lastly, I've enjoyed some fantastic experiences with our team, such as attending a Local SABBS event at Royal Holloway’s Student Union, the Summer Conference at Imperial College, and even volunteering with our campus chickens.
Books of the Month: