Posted on Fri 27 Jun 2025 at 10:30 by
Anthony Foster FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY
COMING AND GOINGS
Yesterday we said goodbye to Ryan Cairns - our Sports and Well Being Co President. He has done two years as your sabbatical and achieved great things - increased sport participation by 33% this year, doubled Movember donations, 2 successful wins against QMU at Varsity, more promotional and financial support for sports and created a University / Students Association stakeholder goup for Sport which is a great legacy. Well done Ryan, and well done to all the Sabbaticals this year. Evans and Chika both continue for a second year.
STAFF CHANGES
We said goodbye this academic year to Murray in Sports and Alice and Cecile in the Advice Team. But fear not... Megan Robertson joins the Sports and Societies team and will be keeping you all in check and supporting your activities. Mairanne Hogg has been promoted to the role of Advice Team Lead after many years of service to ENSA. This week Hannah Graham has been a wonderful addition to the Advice Team, working alongside Diane Lawson who has been steering the ship during the transition phase. In a couple of weeks a new Advice Team member of staff joins us - Moray Pryde. I look forward to meeting Moray on the 15th July.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES
Lucy Husband has joined the ENSA Board and attended our recent meeting. Welcome aboard Lucy. We say goodbye to Student Lay Directors Aswin Podimon, Anastasia Asenguah and External Lay Director Erin Slater and thank them for their service tio ENSA over the last few years - you have all been great. Myself and the ENSA Chair Lang Banks attended the University Court social after their last meeting and we introduced ourselves to some of the team there. I'm glad to say our negotiations over the ENSA grant from the University have concluded and we can move forward with some great volunteer and work opportunities for our Board and ENSA representation, events, societies and communications over the next academic year. Our volunteer roles will provide great opportunities alongside your degree that will make you stand out from the crowd. The paid roles will enhance the student esperience but help support more students in your studies. Both oppoortunities will help you understand the work of the Students Association and who knows you may even decide to stand for Sabbatical in the years to come (some even going on to work for the Students Association!). Keep you eye out for the recruitment adverts soon.
TRAINING AND CONFERENCES
Our staff have been out and about at various training conferences over the last month - in some cases to present sessions. They've included Celtic Connections, The Gathering, SSS (Sport Conference), Marketing and Membership Services. We have brought back some exciting ideas and it is a great way to get out of the office, meet other colleagues from Students' Associations and recharge and energise the batteries after a busy year. Quite a few of us are going to North Berwick on Monday to 'bond on the beach' and welcome our new staff and new Sabbatical Austen Brunton. The weather is looking good enough for shorts. I have a few surprises for the day and thats all I'm saying! But its back in the office on 1st July for our new 'academic year' and induction of sabbaticals and staff.
THE STUDENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Over the last few months, after consulation with many students, we have now published our Student Community Development Plan (replacing the Strategic Plan). This is our roadmap for the years ahead. The sabbatical and staff teams are basing their work plans for 2024/26 on how they will contribute to putting students at the heart of the University and working together with you to make the student experience an amazing one. You can read it here For some of you, like Ryan, you will be leaving the University and graduating over the next few weeks. If you are good luck for the future and remember you can still engage with the University through joining the Alumni. The Careers Service will continue to support you if you haven't yet got the job you want. Everyone is here to support you every step of the way.
AND FINALLY
I've been CEO for ten months and this is me going into my first full academic year. For those who read this blog I hope you've enjoyed some of the behind the scenes work that goes on. It has been an absolute joy and, despite all the challenges in Higher Education at the moement, I hope with students at the heart of what we do we can make your student experience even bigger and better next year. So Give It A Go - go to an event, join a club or society, be a class rep, join the student council, offer help to our events / communications / activities teams, get help when it is needed if things aren't always perfect and contribute to your University community as little or as much as you can. You will be most welcome.