Students at South Thames College take part in weekly enrichment activities alongside their lessons including course related trips, guest speakers, sports clubs and much more. There are also multiple ways that students can get involved with influencing key decision-making and we actively encourage students to get involved and acknowledge the importance of having their voices and experiences heard.
Last week we held our Student Conference where we were joined by Patrick Hutchinson, who rose to fame after carrying a counter protestor to safety during the Black Lives Matter marches last June, not only making front page news across the world but showing us all a glimmer of hope for the future. Patrick commented, ‘I think it’s better to lead by example and show people who do these negative things, these oppressors and whomever else, that you’re different, that you have a kind heart. And, in the end, I feel that will prevail. It might not seem like it at the time, but I think ultimately and eventually they’ll be brighter days. It’s great to be sharing my experiences with students at a College close to my heart and have some really interesting discussions on such important issues.’
Patrick studied BTEC National Diploma Computer Science at South Thames College and spoke about how the college helped him secure a job in the city working in Investment Banking in the IT department. Throughout the afternoon students got split up into groups to discuss three main issues – Equality & Diversity, Mental Health and Community Safety, the students spoke about what we can do as a College to positively impact these social issues
