Student Officer Update: Starting the Year Strong
Welcome everyone to Ckyra’s Monthly Blog!
This is the first in a series of blogs I’ll be writing throughout the year to keep you updated on my work as a Sabbatical Officer. These updates are important because they give you a clear picture of what I’m working on, how I’m representing you, and how the projects we’re driving forward will make a real difference to student life. Transparency and communication are key — and I want these blogs to be a space where you can see progress, share feedback, and stay connected with the work of your Students’ Union.
First of all, I’d like to apologise for the lack of updates over the summer. Unfortunately, I’ve been unwell for several weeks and am still in the process of recovering. It has been a challenging time, and I want to thank you all for your patience and understanding while I’ve been focusing on my health.
That said, being unwell has also given me the chance to reflect deeply on my experiences from last year as a Sabbatical Officer. It reminded me just how important it is to look after ourselves while working hard for others — a balance that I am determined to carry with me into this new academic year. Despite the setbacks, I’ve been making sure to stay engaged with preparations for the year ahead, and I am now very excited to share some updates with you.
Building a Strong Team
I am delighted to be returning as a Sabbatical Officer for 2025–26 and am especially pleased to be working alongside Hamza and Canon this year. Together, we have taken part in a number of team bonding workshops, which have already had a positive impact on me both personally and professionally. Spending this time together has been uplifting, and I can already see how we are becoming a stronger, more supportive staff team at KSU.
As a Student Officer team — presidents and vice presidents — we have also agreed on a mutual contract outlining our values, boundaries, and expectations for working together. This has been a valuable exercise in ensuring that we are aligned, respectful, and ready to support each other while serving students effectively.
One of the biggest highlights of the workshops for me was really understanding what it means to be a Sabbatical Officer and that is to use different hats to do the job well.
Sometimes I’m a trustee, helping to make decisions that affect the future of the Students’ Union. Other times, I’m an employee, carrying out the everyday work that keeps things running. I’m also an activist, speaking up for causes that matter and pushing for real change. And, at the heart of it all, I’m a representative, making sure the voices of students are heard and acted on.
What struck me during the workshops was how important it is to recognise and balance these hats. It can feel like a lot at times, but it also makes the role so rewarding. I’ve learned that I don’t have to carry all of it on my own — teamwork is what makes it possible. By working together and supporting one another, we can share the load, make better decisions, and achieve so much more for students.
For me, the workshops were a reminder that leadership isn’t about doing everything by myself. It’s about knowing when to wear the right hat, when to listen, when to step up — and always remembering that I’m part of a team working towards the same goal.
Manifesto & Long-Term Goals
I am pleased to confirm that my manifesto has now been finalised. You can view it on the Meet the Officers page. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been connecting with key university contacts and shaping concrete plans to put my manifesto into action.
One highlight was meeting with Louisa Green, Executive Director for Student Services, who also leads the Student Life Committee. This was a great opportunity for us to present our ideas, raise some of the key issues students are currently facing, and begin conversations about how we can work together to address them. To maintain this momentum, we now have fortnightly one-to-one meetings with Louisa, helping to keep our manifesto commitments on track while building a strong, consistent relationship with the university’s senior leadership team.
I also recently met with Annie Hughes, Head of Learning and Teaching Enhancement, along with Hamza and Canon, where we discussed ways to improve the academic experience for students. I’m particularly excited that lecture recordings will soon be available online, something students have requested for a long time. We also began early conversations on how artificial intelligence tools could be thoughtfully integrated into learning, which is still at the exploratory stage but shows the University’s willingness to innovate for the benefit of students.
Freshers fair
I’m truly looking forward to this year’s Freshers Fair, which marks an exciting start to the academic year and a key moment in welcoming our new students to the university community.
This year’s fair will feature a fantastic range of events and activities, and I’m pleased to share that both myself and the wider Student Officer Team will be present throughout the week — not only attending events but also hosting a dedicated stall at Freshers fair. We encourage all students, new and returning, to visit us, engage with what’s on offer, and find out how we can support you throughout your time here.
I'm also proud to announce that we’ve officially launched the Sabbatical Officers’ joint Instagram account, where we’ll be sharing updates, key announcements, and insights into the work we’re doing behind the scenes. I’ll also continue to post regularly on my personal account, so please do follow both platforms to stay informed and involved.
We’re committed to making this year as welcoming, inclusive, and impactful as possible — and I can’t wait to meet many of you at the Freshers Fair and beyond.
(Last year’s Freshers fair)
Thank you again for your support, especially during a difficult summer. I’m looking forward to the year ahead and to sharing more progress with you soon in these blogs.
Getting in touch with me
You can reach out to me directly at c.laurence@kingston.ac.uk.
Or through my work instagram @ckyra.ku
I’m always happy to hear your feedback, listen to new ideas, and explore ways we can collaborate. I’m particularly keen on working with more voices and engaging with those who are passionate about contributing to our projects.
This page will be regularly updated with opportunities to get involved. If you're ready to make a difference, stay engaged, stay proactive, and let's build something great together.
Let’s make it happen.