Summer has been a super busy time for Irene, your VP Education. From attending Lead & Change Conference, launching L.E.A.P (Learning English for Academic Purposes), recording podcasts, feeding the campus cats, and more. Check out Irene's full update here!
Did someone say it’s already September? Where did all the time go! The summer has absolutely flown by for the RSU team, and if you saw the sticky notes, to-do lists, and coffee cups in our office, you’d know just how busy it’s been.
Now the only thing that is missing is you - our students! We can’t wait to welcome you all to campus in the next couple of weeks and the excitement is officially building—we’ve been plotting, planning, and preparing for a dynamic academic year ahead. Now it’s time to spill the beans and get everyone buzzing for what’s next!
Lead & Change: Inspiration, Ideas, and Action
July launched with our annual trip to the Birmingham Guild of Students for the National Union of Students’ Lead & Change Conference. Every year, Sabbatical Officers from across the UK come together for this vibrant three-day residential, ready to dig into the key issues facing students today and leave with creative, actionable solutions.
This year, standout sessions included:
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Workshops on Trans-Inclusion, unpacking the impact of the UK Supreme Court’s recent decision to define gender strictly by biological sex. While the verdict brings clarity to the law, it presents fresh challenges for trans and non-binary students, reshaping everything from pay claims to access to single-sex spaces.
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An unexpected but passionate breakout discussion on Palestinian solidarity where we came together as NUS members to brainstorm how UK campuses can better support our Palestinian peers through our platforms and beyond.
Mix all that with spirited discussions, karaoke chaos, and late-night campus strolls, and Lead & Change was a powerful reminder: student voices shape real change!
L.E.A.P: Learning English for Academic Purposes
Drumroll, please—it’s a huge joy to announce the official launch of L.E.A.P (Learning English for Academic Purposes). This online programme is designed especially for students who speak English as an additional language and want flexible support throughout the year.
Key features include:
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Or, by going to their dashboard, clicking the block drawer arrow on the right, and typing the module name into the "Browse all modules" field.
Alsos stay tuned for more updates as I plan to expand this initiative to offer more in person support this year!
Wellbeing Wednesdays: Recharge, Connect, Thrive
Calling all students: Wellbeing Wednesdays are officially relaunching on 1 October! After a summer of brainstorming we’ve lined up an amazing range of activities designed to recharge your body and mind.
Here’s a little taste:
Even better, thanks to the campus-wide campaign, most undergrads will have Wednesday afternoons fully free—no classes, no lectures, just you and your wellbeing. After fantastic feedback last year, we’re taking things up a notch, so don’t miss a single Wednesday! Make sure to stay updated on our the Wellbeing Wednesday Hub.
Fun Highlights: Podcasts, Interviews, and Furry Friends
What’s summer without some bonus highlights?
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Let’s Talk Roehampton Podcast: It was an absolute blast to join VP Welfare Sammy Singh for a chat with 2024-2024 Whitelands Presidents Pathan Nasreen Banu and the incoming Whitelands President Abbigail Parkin. The podcast was created to bring more awareness to all the support, resources and opportunities available to students at Roehampton. The hosts gave us an excellent opportunity to speak about our plans for the upcoming academic year. We covered everything from new campus plans to student support—give it a listen if you want the inside scoop on what’s coming next @lets_talk_roehampton_podcast on Instagram.
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Insightful Journeys with Imran: Getting interviewed by the previous RSU President, Imran Shafiqi’s on his YouTube channel was another personal highlight. The conversation spanned reflections, advice for our younger selves, and shared dreams for positive change. Check out his channel, Insightful Journeys with Imran on Youtube!
The year ahead is brimming with energy, new ideas, and a sense of togetherness across Roehampton. Here’s to making memories, building skills, and supporting each other—see you around campus!