Leading the Learner Voice Awards 2009/2010
Student Governor of the Year: Christopher Marshall, National Diploma in Uniformed and Public Services
“I was a complete horror at school - they expelled me four times, once for almost a whole term. I was a nightmare for the teachers. I’ve decided that things are going to change now that I’ve joined College though and I want to volunteer for as many things as possible.” These were the first words that Chris Marshall said to me as we first met.
A few weeks later Chris attended his first full meeting of the College Corporation in his new role of College Governor!
His initial steps were to be nominated as class representative on the College’s Student Forum and during the first few meetings Chris, whilst obviously quite shy, joined in discussions and shared his opinions with learners from programmes across the College. Among some of the earliest debates had been around the subject of recycling. Chris and others believed that College could improve the way that it recycled its waste and he took these thoughts to a variety of College committees. In early spring 2010 a new waste recycling contract was awarded to a different local contractor.
Throughout the year Chris has volunteered to act as one of our Student Advocates at many events where he has shown prospective students and visitors around at open days and evenings. He always gives his very honest (!) but at the same time very positive opinion of what St Helens College has done for him and how it has changed his previously poor opinion of the education system. On one occasion he spent considerable time with St Helens North MP Dave Watts and Minster for the Third Sector Kevin Brennan explaining to them how vocational education can often better engage young people.
Christine Jones, Clerk to the Corporation, adds:
‘Chris Marshall joined the Corporation as the second Student Governor and has shown a keen interest in attending meetings and contributing to the work of the Corporation – he attended the Corporation’s two day residential planning event immediately following his appointment and was not at all nervous of asking questions where he may not have understood the discussions being held. I am sure that I can speak on behalf of the Corporation in stating that we sincerely hope that Chris puts himself forward for re-appointment for a further year’s term-of-office in September 2010’.
