The votes have been counted and verified and the new Student Association (SA) for the academic year 2019/20 have been announced.

The SA’s main role is to represent the views of our 3,700 strong student body.  As well as organising brilliant fundraising events such as RAG Week and Children in Need Day, the SA arrange Freshers' Week, a fun-filled week packed with fantastic activities to help new students settle into College life.  The President and Vice President, who are elected by the students, are also Academy Quality Councillors and attend regular meetings to have a real say on the future direction of the College.

Those who want to be a member of the SA committee take part in a rigorous application process, which involves writing a manifesto and attending an interview.  For students that want to become the President or Vice President, as well as a manifesto, they must create a campaign video and poster informing students why they should be elected, and must attend the Presidential debate, where the student body have a chance to quiz candidates on their future vision for the SA. 

After several weeks of campaigning, the student body vote online to decide who they want to represent them as President and Vice President for the year ahead, whilst staff members who work closely with the SA decide who will make up the committee.

The results were announced just before Easter to a packed Café Direct.  Principal, Catherine Cole hosted the event and announced the 10 new committee members who are:

Maya Brauns, Emily Brazzill, Aidan Bridge, Rachael Gooding, Emma Hughes, Rohan Kalia, Kirsty Laird, Ashleigh McKenzie, Ritika Nair and Kaji Narasingarawo.

The outgoing President, Chloe Williams, and Vice President, James Barber, then announced their successors and the results were as follows:

President:  India-Rose Marriott

Vice President:  Rhys Chant

India-Rose, who studies English literature, politics and psychology commented, “Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me!  I am so grateful for this opportunity and excited to work alongside the new SA to make the next academic year as incredible as possible!”

Rhys, who studies modern history, performing arts and politics, said, "It is an honour to be elected Vice President for the next academic year!  The new SA are ready and raring to go and I will be behind India-Rose every step of the way delivering what we promised to you."

The newly elected SA will be working alongside the current SA over the next few weeks to allow a thorough handover and will attend training sessions with key members of College staff.  

Follow the SA on Twitter @farnboroughsa to keep up to date with their upcoming events.