Introducing our college-level SU officers! This years team is made up of 8 students from different courses each with different responsibilities to represent New Port Roads student body including Sustainability Officer Elliot Dykes, Events & Activities Officer Emily Weeks, LGBTQ+ Officer Hannah, Inclusion & Diversity Officer Alfie Starrs, Content Creator Eric Richardson and Communications & Promotions Officer Tye, Clubs & Societies Officer Alicia Daley and Wellbeing Officer Em!

Our students said that they wanted to be part of the SU to positively impact the students and the wider community “I wanted to set an example that students are listened to and that they do have a say” said Comms & PR officer Tye.

Students have already been busy at the end of last year organising thoughtful initiatives over the festive period to raise money and donations for Middlesbrough Food Bank through quizzes, candy-cane deliveries, bake sales, film screenings a makers market, a festive giving tree and more! This year our students are looking forward to supporting a number of initiatives and events. This year students are looking forward to a number of events. Events & Activities Officer Emily Weeks commented “without giving too much away, there’s a lot of fun things we’re looking to do within the SU” for 2026. “Pride Week has got to be the one I’m most excited about!” Said LGBTQ+ Officer Hannah.

We caught up with our officers to find out a little more about them, what their ambitions are for this year and what students can look forward to, read on to find out!

Elliott Dykes – 18, 3D Y2
Sustainability Officer 

Why did you want to join the SU?

Following my role in the Student Union last year, I was eager to make a comeback having learnt so much already. I loved the sense of community it brought and the rewarding challenge of hosting events.  

In my first year at the college, the Student Union really helped me to grow my confidence. I have learnt how to communicate and conduct myself professionally, something that has helped in both my curricular studies and daily life. This year, with a renewed focus, the SU has pitched up. Already I have learnt much more about planning and self-organisation, how to conduct surveys and market accordingly. 

I am very grateful for the sense of community the Student Union brings. I feel it brings likeminded people together and exposes me to people I ordinarily don’t get the chance to meet. I believe this is something we all share and hope to bring it to other students around us. 

What are you looking forward to for the SU in 2026?

There is plenty on the horizon in the new year. Foremost is our PRIDE celebration, one of the main successes in the SU last year and something all officers can look forward too. There is also the SU Swap Shop, and initiative aimed at recycling college waste, that I would love to continue. I would like to work more closely with teaching staff to make the Swap Shop more meaningful and successful. In other news, there has been talks of a Student Union podcast with the officers, so keep your ears peeled! 

@thanktheturk 
@e.s.dykesdesigns 

Emily Weeks, 17, Acting for stage & screen Y1
Events & Activities Officer  

Why did you want to join the SU?

I wanted to get involved with the SU as I wanted to be a voice for other students, and to improve the college experience overall for others. I liked the idea of organizing and helping out in events that would benefit those within the college, and also potentially help the wider community.   

What I have learned so far in my role is that there definitely is a demand for more fun things for everyone to do, and I have also learned that a lot more planning and help goes on behind the scenes to run and fund these events, which is something important to take into consideration. Going forward, I hope to continue my goal of improving the college environment through events and activities.   

Coming straight from secondary, the college community is a stark contrast which I absolutely love. My course really helps me develop my creative skills and everyone I’ve met within the college and course have been nothing short of friendly and accepting. The college community is really something I love and feel safe and happy within.  

What are you looking forward to for the SU in 2026?

Without giving too much away, there’s a lot of fun things we’re looking to do within the SU going into 2026, which I definitely can’t wait to take part in. Notably, I’m excited for pride month and Chinese New Year, which we’re planning to make super exciting and fun for everyone! 

Instagram: @emily.months 

Hannah, 19, Film & TV Y2
LGBTQ+ Officer

Why did you want to join the SU?

I wanted to get involved in the NSOA Student Union as I’ve always wanted to be involved in bringing events and activities into the college and help connect the students to their environment. I chose this role specifically as I feel it’s really important for queerness to be celebrated and to bring a community to the college. This role has taught me so much about communication and timekeeping, and I have a lot of fun with it! I think the college community is really lovely. The students all have a common interest in Art, and everybody is accepted for who they are. 

What are you looking forward to for the SU in 2026?

2026 has some very cool events lined up, Pride Week has got to be the one I’m most excited about! 

@hannahfilmss5  

Alfie Starrs, 16, 3D Y1
Inclusion & Diversity Officer

Why did you want to join the SU?

I initially got started with the SU as I believed that my experience outside of college would have suited me for a position in the union. Further I believe I’m doing my best to aid everyone at the college as best I can, and through student union I believe I can best achieve that.

From this role already I have learned the value of teamwork and the necessary part communication plays in the workflow for the college and the student union. For the future of my time in the union I wish to work with my fellow reps to put on larger and better events focused around cultural days and practices of the many cultures here at college.

I believe that the community at the college is one of the most welcoming and understanding of any place I have experienced. During my brief time at the college, I have been able to make a wide group of friends and met people that have had major positive impacts upon me.

@alfiestarrs

Eric Richardson, 16, Film & TV Y1
SU Content Creator 

Why did you want to be a part of the SU? 

My role within the FE Student Union is SU Content Creator, which involves creating photo and video content at Union events to be shared across social media platforms. 

I wanted to be part of the Student Union because I have always loved being part of a team, especially a creative one. Being able to do what I love and film content for the SU is honestly a dream.  In the future, I hope to become a film director while also working in publicity and media for companies. Because of this, my role in the SU is incredibly valuable as it gives me real experience creating promotional content and capturing events in a professional way. I absolutely love being a student at The Northern School of Art. There truly is no better place in the North East for creative students. Everyone is so kind and welcoming, I could not ask for a better college experience. 

What are you looking forward to for the SU in 2026?

I am really looking forward to filming and supporting all the upcoming SU events and getting even more involved over the coming year.

@ericr_film 

Tye, 18, Foundation
Communications & Promotions Officer  

Why did you want to join the SU?

I wanted to be a member of the SU because I want to set an example that students are listened to and that they do have a say. I have learnt that promotion can make or break an event.  I have been at this college for 3 years now, and I find that community is very vast allowing different people in the world to find connections. 

What are you looking forward to for the SU in 2026?

I am very looking forward to pride week especially with everything that can be advertised! 

@northernartboro_su 

Alicia Daley, 18, Foundation
Clubs & Societies Officer 

Why did you want to join the SU?

wanted to get involved in the student union as I mainly wanted to push myself, I haven’t been involved in anything like this before. It’s something that I definitely would have said no to a year ago. I also wanted to get involved in the SU to represent the voices of students. I have learnt a lot about event planning within this role as well as the sense of community in the college.

What are you looking forward to for the SU in 2026?

I would like to start a knitting or crochet club in the future, as I think it would be really fun for students. I also would like to hear more of what kind of clubs or societies you, as students, would like. Within this college, I love how comfortably everybody can express themselves. It feels very judge-free, like you can turn up in a onesie and slippers and nobody really cares. I also love how the college is on the smaller side and you can get to know more people because of this. 
 
@soggybreadcrumbs_ and @alicia_art.__ 

Em, 20, Film & TV  
Wellbeing Officer 
 
I wanted to get involved as i felt there was a gap where the educational system and empathy came together and I felt I could provide a safe, student driven environment to have open discussion around wellbeing and mental health.  
 
I have learned that change is slow and not always a physical manifestation, I set myself large goals in the beginning but knowing I am putting ideas forward towards some of the big things we as a student union have achieved is a great start.  
 
My course is great and I originally came to The Northern School Of Art on a whim with nothing to lose and no direction however, to the thanks of my amazing course tutors and new found passion for film making I am going to continue studying film and tv in the future as I really enjoy what I do. 
 
The community at college is great as there are so many unique and creative people all throughout so it is ideal for collaborating across courses and making friends.  
I am ambitious for 2026 and I hope to work alongside the great team of staff in student services and Kat McDonagh, Learning Technologist to raise awareness on current internet driven issues effects on wellbeing as I feel this is a rising issue.  
 
instagram: @em.be.filmin