The
BIG
Picture Annual Report
2013/2014
SMSU General Information SMSU is a not-for -profit organisation, Charity registration No: 1150328
2 Sabbatical Officers
4.5 Full-time Staff supporting the Sabbatical Officers and student volunteers
Home to the SMSU Shop and Hub, SU Lounge and entertainments venue and SMUC Radio
Your 2013/14 SU President: Commentary Aedan McDonagh: SU President - Chair of the Board of Trustees 2013/14
Your 2012/14 AU President: Commentary This year has been without a doubt, one if not the best year of my life. The Athletic Union President is something I never even thought about when joining University, I didn’t know it even existed until I met Johnny Miller and helped Sam Grayson win his election. It was from this moment on that I knew I wanted to be AU President of St. Mary’s and lead the line for sport & societies led by students here, and I’m grateful for everyone who helped make that happen for me. When winning the elections, I had a clear agenda and had my things that I wanted to do and get started. I was in as much as I could do before the official ‘handover’ period started. For me, it was the 1st time I’d be living on campus and have work all on the same place, it was entering new territory, but I was very excited to get going, coming in everyday and experiencing full time work. Handover with Luke was really productive and helped me on my way to knowing exactly what the role entailed and my responsibilities being AU. We had the BUCS Conference at Herriot-Watt University, a great few days away to learn about BUCS and network with fellow Sabbatical Officers & Sport Coordinators that I will be working with throughout the year. This year has seen another increase in the number of sport clubs & societies we have here. Handball, SMUC TV, Geography, Ultimate Frisbee, Enterprise, and Futsal which is a new sport I brought in this year. Being in charge of Futsal has made this year memorable and with the successes we have had, I’m happy to leave the club in a very healthy and solid place where it can only get better and grow stronger. Throughout my time here, I have tried to get involved in as much as possible, whether that is projects to do with the SU, University or personal projects. I’ve learnt about not taking too much on at once, and thinking through things a bit more first instead of just saying an enthusiastic yes to everything. There have only been two disappointing, low times throughout my year, the first being when I found out the Football team, (men and women) would be deducted 1 point before the season started due to an admin error. This had occurred for the 2nd year in a row and although I wasn’t aware of what needed to be done to avoid this penalty, I still felt responsible for this and felt I had let a lot people down. However, I now know the exact reason why this happened and know what needs to be done to ensure this doesn’t happen again. The second was with the Ski Trip, when we booked it originally I had booked and got a quote for 92 people, unfortunately we only managed to get 46, therefore to cover the cost that the company lost, we weren’t able to have Hoodies & Beanies that had been part of the original cost, so again something that was out of my control, I felt responsible for. There have however, been many, many highlights. A very successful Ski trip, (apart from what was discussed above), the going and watching/supporting all the sports teams every Wednesday afternoon, learning about the new sports (especially Netball), sport & societies week and the massive successes of winning Varsity and being the 1st AU President to do this along with a sell-out Sports & Societies Dinner. I want to thank everyone who has made my year so enjoyable and has helped me through all my work and have supported me throughout. Working in Team SU has brilliant and I know we will always keep in touch in everything we do in the future. It’s been a pleasure and I can’t thank you enough. A special thank you goes to Fiona Wilson, Tegan Pickles & Donna Harrison who have always gone that extra mile for me and truly deserve becoming Honorary Board Members of the SU.
Pietro Palladino: AU President - SMSU Trustee 2013/14
Student Representation
Student Support
20
The SU President led Academic Cases workshops on, and undertaken by the coordinated a review the SU President SMUC Student Charter
SMSU advocacy for TPH/CCCA students over the proposed merger
SMSU consulted on the plans to move Student Services into the third floor of the Students’ Union building creating a ‘Student Centre’. This would ensure that all student support services are in one place, easily accessible and referrals between services are done more effectively
The SU President supported students through the proposals and protests by liaising with SMT and the Board of Governors on their behalf
SMSU launched the Student Enterprise Fund with Student Services 3 Projects were awarded £500 each for enterprising activities. ‘Paper Feet’ Theatre received an award to enable them to take their show to the Brighton Fringe, ‘SMARTS’ received an award to help them set up a graduate art exhibition and Laura Leeming used the money to help her become involved in sports projects in third world countries
The SMSU Executive Committee attended the Student Support and Facilities User Group to give student views on support services at SMUC
Students and the Community
£5125
Raised during RAG week for SHOCC, Make a Wish and Bulembu Charities The AU President introduced ‘Hall-Stars’ to the St Mary’s Community in 2012/13 HallStars is a bi-weekly sports tournament to aid the integration of student living in halls of residence
SMSU coordinated the annual SIMMSTOCK Festival; a multi-cultural music festival for students and local residents. Families from the local area attended the daytime activities for free and our neighbours from Roy Kinnear House got involved with the days activities. The 2013 SIMMStock Festival included music, drama performances, food and stalls and a Gunge Show from legendary Children’s TV presenter, Dave Benson Phillips!
SMSU SHHH Supports th H Ca mpai e gn...
The SU and AU Presidents attended ‘Partnership Meetings’ with local residents, the local police and key members of staff to discuss and strengthen community relations
Communication and Marketing SMSU Launches a new website! In September 2012, SMSU launched it’s brand new website via the BAM Student Marketing platform. The new website enabled online membership payments for Clubs and Societies, social media plug-ins and flexible editing options.
1300
SMSU communicated directly with
students via information held on SMSU SMSU created a databases. This included Programme business case to Reps, Presidents of clubs and societies, implement a full Students’ Union Council and Executive time permanent Committee Marketing and Communications Officer. The new position was launched to gain feedback from will aid students on different topics each term. communication Students gave feedback on the SU Hub and commercial and Shop, Launderette, SIMMStock activities and Summer Ball Acts marketing sales for SMSU
‘Have Your Say’
The Students’ Union launched ‘Your SMSU’ campaign to communicate with students and staff about the work of SMSU, how we operate, and the benefits of getting involved. The campaign included talking to students directly, displays and posters and the making of the video: ‘What is SMSU?’
Professional Service
Student Activities
Sporting and Society Successes: This year has seen five teams win their respective leagues: Futsal, Men's Volleyball, Men's Badminton, Ladies Rugby Union & Men's Football 3rds. All of these teams have won promotion along with Ladies Football 2nds after they came 2nd in their league. At the BUCS Gatorade Indoor Championships, we took 80 students up there in 4 sports, and won 6 medals (1 Gold, 2 Silver & 3 Bronze). In the BUCS XC, we won 7 medals; we took Silver in Pentathlon and also silver in Triathlon. Our Cheerleading squad came 3rd in the National Championships; we had successful Drama & Dance shows put on by students, held in our SU Lounge. Our Weightlifting squad won the BUCS Championships, and we have also had individuals represent Great Britain & England in their respective sports. Overall, a very successful year for our sports clubs and societies.
Overview of Varsity and Sports and Societies Dinner:
Varsity 2014 was simply unbelievable. For the 1st time in 6 years, we won and defeated Brunel, and leading Simmies to Victory is one of my proudest achievements yet. Planning for this event started back in July 2013, 9 months of monthly and then fortnightly meetings ensured this event was incredibly well-run and successful. Constant liaison with various departments within the University enabled it to be a very safe event with minimal disruptions, there were a couple of things learnt this time that will make the event in 2 years’ time even better and safer. We won 15-11 overall and it was a great scene of blue & white all over Campus, with 800 Varsity t-shirts sold. The Sports & Societies Dinner was another sell out, with just over 300 people attending the event, again a great night, enjoyed by all and 9 worthy winners of the awards given out. It was also a time to reflect upon the successes of the year and congratulate & thank all of the students for their hard work throughout the year and those who have voluntarily given up their time to run and manage their respective clubs.
Name:
St Mary’s Students’ Union (SMSU)
Contact Details: Waldegrave Road, Twickenham, London, TW1 4SF 02082404131 smsu@smuc.ac.uk Charity No:
1150328
Website:
www.stmaryssu.co.uk