I have had the pleasure of attending several sparqs’ events over recent weeks, including our National Education Officer Network, Student Engagement Staff Network and our Joint (College and University) Advisory Group.
What struck me, is the level of commitment from so many people to do everything in their power to lessen the effect of the COVID-19 crisis on the educational experience of our students and the firm conviction that where students are at the heart of decision making, our decisions will be better.
I know so many of you deserve so much respect and gratitude for the efforts you have made, but I wanted to take this opportunity to single out a particular group.
Being an elected student officer is not an easy job. There is so much to learn, so quickly, and decisions must be taken that can affect the future of so many. Never, in my many years of working in the student movement, has this been more true.
Listening to the officers at the recent events, I was blown away by the work they have done in the last few weeks. As they gave us their time, balancing children popping in and out, I reflected on why what we do is so important. This special group of people have stepped up and gone beyond what any of them signed up for. Their passion for doing whatever they can for the students they represent, for making sure everyone, whatever their circumstances, can get the most out of everything education has to offer, shone through.
It is always a privilege to work with student officers and I was firmly reminded of that. So many of this year’s officers are moving on, in very uncertain circumstances. They may not yet know what the future holds for them, but they should all be very proud of the contribution they have made, and I know everyone across the sector will join me in thanking them for their efforts and wishing them well for the future.
Eve Lewis
Director
