Daveron Smith, Homewodd School Young Chamber President

On Friday 13^th, the Young Chamber of Homewood School organised an event on a grand scale, with 25 businesses represented and over five hundred students off timetable, a huge amount of preparation was necessary. The Kent Invicta Young Chamber, Mr. Sam West and BTEC business students organised the day with each student choosing a guest speaker to communicate with before the day and act as project managers making sure all went smoothly.

Speakers from different career areas, experts on further education and useful skills such as car maintenance were invited and spoke on an array of subjects that will help students at the school plan their futures and aid them in their choices. Many of the sessions were interactive and had students participating in the sessions, while others provided valuable information and insights into the lives of people who have succeeded in certain career paths.

We are happy to report that the day went well and the evaluation sheets that have been filled in by guest speakers, teachers and students at the school have painted a very positive picture of the entire event.

The part the student helpers played was invaluable and was commended by all guest speakers, with networking between businesses and students being one of the prime focuses of Kent Invicta Young Chamber, this can only be looked upon as a magnificent success. Mr. Cottrell, the Head teacher of the Homewood School, has also looked upon the event as an accomplishment worthy of repetition in November next year. Kent County Council was also impressed, so much so they have been in contact and informed the school they are more than willing to allow students to shadow employees as they go about their work, yet another connection this event has produced, one that could present versatile opportunities for Homewood students.

Homewood School and the Kent Invicta Young Chamber are also looking into environmental issues and have recently received a grant enabling the school to install solar panels on the site. Smaller schemes such as turning off lights and computers when not in use are also being rolled out across the site throughout next term.

Exciting things are coming and this successful event as well as the grant for solar panels provides a very solid footing for following projects. Things are looking bright (in the most energy efficient manner possible) for the Young Chamber of Homewood School.