Student Officer Update - Ckyra (September)

 

Student Officer Update: Students back on campus!

 

This September has been an extremely busy but exciting month! I’ve been part of the Freshers Working Group since my last term as a Student Officer, and after so many days of planning, it was amazing to finally see everything come to life.

This Freshers has honestly been my favourite one yet (and I’ve been at Kingston for 5 years now!). Over 3,000 students attended the Freshers Fair alone, making it one of our biggest and best.

We worked hard to plan a diverse and inclusive programme of events for all types of students. Personally, my highlights were the Big Freshers Quiz Night and the International Student Meet-Up. I also loved the Arts & Crafts Night and, of course, the Pub Crawl—which finished at Kingston’s brand new club, Circuit! 

Students at the pub crawl night

International students meet up

 

Although I was mainly floating around—helping with queue management and assisting lots of stalls—the fair was an amazing experience. Being in the middle of it all gave me the chance to chat with so many new students and really understand what you want from your Students’ Union this year.

One thing I learnt is just how much students value fun, inclusive events that bring people together. For example, the feedback from the Big Quiz Night was fantastic, and I honestly can’t wait to organise another one soon. It’s clear that students are excited about opportunities to meet new people, relax, and make memories outside of the classroom, and I’m looking forward to helping make that happen.

Student Officer table at Freshers Fair 

 

Representing Kingston Students’ Union during Freshers Week was an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience. The energy and excitement from new students created such a vibrant atmosphere that made every event feel truly special.

Being part of the welcoming team gave me the chance to interact with a diverse group of students and help them feel comfortable, included, and part of our community from the very beginning. Meeting so many new faces throughout the week has been a real highlight for me, and I’m looking forward to seeing them around campus this year, supporting them on their journeys, and watching them get involved in everything Kingston has to offer. It was amazing to see so many smiling faces and to know that I played a part in making their introduction to university life memorable.

The week before Freshers, I also had the opportunity to present my manifesto at the Student Leader Group Training. This was a brilliant chance to connect with the passionate students who are leading our sports clubs and societies this year. I learnt a great deal about their committees, their vision for the year, and the creative ideas they had for Freshers Fair. Their enthusiasm and commitment to student life were truly inspiring.

When presenting my manifesto, I outlined some of the ways I plan to engage with student leaders—and all students—throughout the year. My goal is to deliver on the promises I made, while creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration and driving positive change across our Kingston community.
 

 

I also had the opportunity this month to attend a public speaking training session run by Jim Dickson from Wonkhe, alongside Hamza, CK, and Faculty Reps. The workshop was a great experience—I picked up practical tips and, most importantly, gained a real boost in confidence when it comes to speaking in front of others.

Although I’ve already had the chance to practice through chatting with students and presenting at Freshers, I’m really excited to put these new skills to use in bigger settings—like when I’m speaking with the University Senior Leadership Team, or representing Kingston in local and national conversations. It feels good to know I’m building the tools to make students’ voices heard more clearly and confidently.

Reflecting back on the last few days of August, I had the chance to celebrate my Black culture by taking part in Notting Hill Carnival here in London and Crop Over in Barbados. Both experiences were incredible and really got me brainstorming ideas for this year’s Black History Month.

As a Union, we wanted to bring some of that same energy and joy to Freshers. One of my favourite moments was having a steel pan player performing outside the Freshers Fair, entertaining students in the queue with music, sweets, and the infectious sound of calypso. The atmosphere was amazing, and it reminded me how powerful culture and music can be in bringing people together.

I’m so excited to announce our Black History Month schedule this year! Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ve got lined up so far:

• African & Caribbean Society Games Night – 15th October, SU Events Space
  A fun and relaxed evening celebrating community and culture through games and connection.

• Football Fundraiser – 25th October, Tolworth Court
  In collaboration with the African & Caribbean Society, we’ll be hosting a big celebratory football event to raise funds for the Sickle Cell Society. Expect food stalls, Black-owned businesses, and a vibrant community atmosphere. Tickets available on the SU website!

• Melanin Medics Anti-Racism & EDI Workshop – Date TBC, Kingston Hill
  Especially for Nursing students, we’re welcoming Melanin Medics, an international charity raising awareness of racial disparities in medicine. This workshop will cover allyship, advocacy, anti-racism in healthcare, and more.

• Black Horror Movie Night – 27th October, SU Events Space
  To wrap up Black History Month and get into the Halloween spirit, we’ll be hosting a Jordan Peele movie marathon: Get Out, Us, and Nope. Free popcorn and snacks provided!
   

I can’t wait to celebrate with you all and make this year’s Black History Month bigger, bolder, and more meaningful than ever.

 

Looking ahead, October is shaping up to be a really exciting month! I’ll be starting to put my manifesto promises into action by creating dedicated student working groups. These groups will be a space where students can get directly involved in shaping projects, sharing ideas, and helping us bring positive change to campus. I want these groups to be collaborative and student-led, so if you’ve got a passion for making Kingston better, this is your chance to have your voice heard and play a part in real change.

I’m also looking forward to visiting societies and sports clubs as they welcome their new members. Freshers Fair was just the beginning, and now it’s all about seeing how these communities grow, connect, and thrive. I’ll be dropping into events, cheering on matches, and getting involved wherever I can — so don’t be surprised if you spot me at your society’s social or your team’s big game!

And of course, I can’t wait to join in with all the incredible events we’ve got planned for Black History Month. With games nights, workshops, fundraisers, and a Jordan Peele movie marathon on the horizon, it’s going to be an inspiring and unforgettable celebration.

 

Manifesto Progress – September Update

I have three manifesto objectives that I aim to achieve this year. Each month, I will give an update on my progress. 

1. Reduce loneliness among students from marginalised communities

• I’ve been focusing on building stronger communities through societies and sports clubs. Freshers Week gave me the chance to meet hundreds of students, encouraging them to join societies and get involved in groups where they can build lasting friendships.

• I spent time speaking to students directly about their experiences of loneliness and belonging. These conversations are already shaping the way I plan to create student forums, giving students safe spaces to share their voices and connect.

• I also asked Freshers how they’d like to be communicated with, so we can improve how we reach marginalised groups and make sure no one is left out. This is the data that we as a union collected at freshers fair .

Q. How would you like your reps to communicate with you?

What	KSA	HSSCE	FECE	FBSS	Total
Group chats	125	125	113	78	441
Email	131	111	60	82	384
Feedback forms	11	8	7	15	41
Online forums	8	15	4	10	37
During lectures	27	22	10	14	73
Drop-in sessions	14	19	13	16	62

Freshers Fair, Penrhyn Road, 24th September 2025 (10am – 4pm)

 

2. Ensure students feel safe and confident in KU spaces

• I held discussions with society and sports committee members about safety concerns, making sure student leaders feel supported and heard.

• I visited local licensed venues to assess student safety, and I’ll be using what I learnt to push for improvements where needed.

• I’m also really pleased to announce that free period products are now available on campus — something I promised last year and am continuing to expand this year. Right now, they can be found in the main building ground floor toilets at Penrhyn Road, and I’m working to roll this out across more toilets on all campuses. This initiative is about ensuring hygiene safety and dignity for all students.

Look out for the period products boxes
 

3. Empower Black students to engage beyond their studies

• I’ve been working with colleagues on the BSEP report, which was presented at APP and the EDI committee. This is an important step in addressing structural inequalities at Kingston.

• There’s been continued progress on tackling the awarding gap, which remains a priority for me.

• On top of this, I’ve been deeply involved in preparing for Black History Month. From bringing cultural energy to Freshers (like our steel pan performer outside the Fair) to curating an exciting schedule of events, I want to make sure Black students feel celebrated, empowered, and encouraged to engage beyond their studies.
   

Most importantly, I want to make sure students know I’m always here for you. Whether you’ve got an idea, a question, or just want a quick chat, please feel free to reach out — you can DM me on Instagram @ckyra.ku or pop into the SU office any time.