Students start the year with pizza, snakes and silent discos!

EKC Sheppey College Students’ Union have kickstarted the year with the annual Freshers’ Fayre.

Hosted every September, this event gives our new cohort of students the opportunity to talk with local companies and to find out what opportunities are available to them, both at College and within the community. Stalls lined our ground floor reception area as students roamed freely, enjoying the free pizza and live acoustic music from Early Years student, Libby. 

Companies in attendance included Sheppey is Ours, The Light Cinema, Island Work and Sheppey FM, who had the opportunity to tell students more about their companies, offers exclusively for students and how they work with the College.

Kayleigh, from Sheppey is Ours said: “”We are all about creating safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community in Sheppey.

“We’re currently working on creating some accessible and safe spaces for students. I think it’s great the College will have an LGBTQIA+ Officer and we’re looking forward to working with them to support the student community.”

Students were also encouraged to speak with Kent Police, Get It and East Kent Sexual Health. River’s Rodents entertained everyone with Dougle the corn snake, Chanel the Tortoise and Meenie the rat who were all eager to be petted and posed for photo opportunities. There was also the chance to take part in the silent disco in the Student Centre.

Organised by Pasha Jacques, Student Experience Officer, the Freshers’ Fayre is the first of many events the Students’ Union will be hosting this year. Pasha commented: “This is going to be the biggest year yet for the Sheppey Students’ Union. I can just feel it! For the first time ever, we have a Vice President and we’re looking for Students’ Union Officers too.

If students want to get involved, just come and find me! We’re looking for Student Ambassadors as well as Class Reps and more importantly, I want to hear what they want so we can put it to action.” 

We also caught up with Thomas, this years’ Students’ Union President. When talking to us about his plans and vision for the year ahead he said: “My main focus is being able to help the College. I think it’s really important that Students are listened to and I’m going to act as their voice.

“I’m working towards improving the Student Space for students so that they have a place they can come to and just relax. I really want the College to have a safe space to support student Mental Wellbeing too, I know it can be hard if you’re not feeling great so I want to help people.

Everyone should get involved with the SU this year, I’m going to do loads of trips and events in the College. We might even have a prom if that’s what the students want!”

We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who gave up their time to come and celebrate the start of a new academic year with us today.

It’s not too late to join the fun! Apply now and you could be settled at College within weeks! Explore our courses.