The Student Conference was a special celebration dedicated to the Student Executives and Student Representatives, recognising their hard work, dedication, and the positive changes they have helped put in motion throughout the year. It provided an opportunity for student representatives, key college leaders, and selected learners to come together, share ideas, give feedback, and help shape the future of the college.
The day began with a welcome talk from Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of Weston College, who expressed thanks to the students for their efforts and acknowledged the changes they had driven within the college. Pat highlighted the importance of student voice and the impact of their contributions.
Niya Thomas, the newly elected Students’ Union President, introduced herself next as well as the Student Executive team. She gave an overview of their individual roles and the dedication each member puts into their work. Niya's introduction was a reminder of every initiative the Students’ Union takes on.
The event then welcomed guest speaker Adz Khan, whose inspirational story captivated the audience. He shared his incredible journey, from being falsely convicted for a crime at just 16 years old under the Joint Enterprise law and spending 7 years in prison, to educating himself in prison and becoming a successful business owner and motivational speaker. His session, titled My Kind of Criminal, explored his hardships and the lessons he learned along the way.
Adz emphasised the importance of resilience, persistence, and staying positive, no matter the challenges faced. He spoke about his setbacks and how those experiences shaped his strength and character. “A setback is the setup for a comeback,” he told the students, encouraging them to view obstacles as opportunities.
Throughout his talk, Adz left students with powerful reminders about success and positivity, “B+ is not my blood group, neither is it my grade in maths. It’s my favourite quote – be positive.” He reminded everyone that where you start doesn’t determine where you’ll end up, and success comes from consistency, resetting, and never quitting.
Following the morning’s lectures, students enjoyed a buffet-style lunch made by the Level 2 Hospitality and Catering learners, giving the Student Reps and Executives time to relax and connect with peers from different campuses.
The afternoon session began with a Student Values activity, where students reflected on what mattered most to them, ranking values to better understand what drives their decisions and ambitions.
Vice Principals Ben Knocks and Edd Brown then led the next part of the conference, introducing the ‘You Said, We Did’ campaign. This session focused on strengthening the learner voice by reviewing the changes already made based on student feedback and exploring how the system could improve further. Students were given the opportunity to share their views, helping ensure that their input continues to shape the college’s future.
The conference ended on a celebratory note with various student awards presented, recognising exceptional efforts within the Students’ Union and the wider community. Whether through hard work, leadership, or going above and beyond, students were applauded for their impact and dedication.
Final thanks were given to the Student Engagement team, staff members, and most importantly, the students, for their commitment to their roles and the college. The Student Conference allowed students to connect, be inspired, and continue their journey of making a difference with the power of student voice.
