Primary school students honoured at Enterprise Awards ceremony
Students from primary schools around South Dublin County were honoured for their enterprise skills at an awards ceremony in County Library, Tallaght.
Approximately 50 primary school children accompanied by their teachers attended the Bí Gnóthach Awards Presentations 2017 - an enterprise education initiative of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) South Dublin.
This year is the 12th year of the Primary School Enterprise programme in South Dublin with the participation of 27 schools comprising approximately 1100 students. Since the programme started in 2005, 12,000 primary school students in South Dublin have been introduced to enterprise education, studying the fundamentals of business including idea generation, market research, raising finance & production of goods and services. The high participation levels demonstrate a commitment to the development of a strong local entrepreneurial ethos.
This year’s exciting group of young entrepreneurs set up a range of successful enterprise projects including food products, mindfulness packs, attractive upcycled craft products, entertainment & leisure services, horticultural goods, seasonal decorations and many more. The students have also donated profits from their enterprises to charities and school events.
Participating schools submitted colourful posters, materials and samples depicting their efforts as well as enterprise diaries recording their market research, sales and finances. Samples of their work are on display in the County Library Tallaght throughout June.
Speaking at the Awards, Colm Ward, Head of Enterprise in South Dublin said:
”The real stars of this programme are the students, teachers and principals that have engaged with us and demonstrated such entrepreneurial spirit inside and outside the classroom. The wide range of ideas show great creativity and demonstrate that the local economy in South Dublin will be in good hands in the future.”
The continued sponsorship and support of Institute of Technology Tallaght for the LEO South Dublin Enterprise Education programmes was also acknowledged.
Among the 10 finalists selected for awards this year were Scoil Íde Clondalkin, St Mary’s N.S. Rowlagh, St Mark’s S.N.S. Tallaght, St. Ronan’s N.S., Scoil Mhuire Clondalkin, Solas Chríost NS, St Martin de Porres, St. Colmcilles SNS, Talbot SNS and Ballyroan B.N.S.
Roll of Honour
Overall Enterprising School of the Year 2017 went to Scoil Íde Clondalkin and their business Red Nose Enterprise; Scoil Íde showed excellent organisation and teamwork to bring all the elements of their business together. They made a range of Christmas themed goods for sale, using sponsorship money to help them cover their start-up costs, creating jingles to be sung over their school intercom and making colourful posters to advertise around their school!
Sales Awards went to the hard selling students of St. Mary’s S.N.S. Rowlagh and their business Positivity Packs, who recognised the importance of positive mental health for children by selling mindfulness games and accessories.
Eco Business Award was won by Ballyroan B.N.S. for their innovative use of various natural ingredients to develop Terrariums for Sale in their school. Marketing Award went to Scoil Mhuire Clondalkin, who used digital marketing to great effect through the youtube videos and instagram page to promote their product, Pom Pom Pals.
Entrepreneurial Spirit Award went to Solas Chíost NS, where students made beaded keyrings for sale. They performed extensive market research, assessed their best chance of success with their chosen business and carefully planned their production, aside from a few fallen beads!
Special Merit Awards – St. Martin de Porres NS and their business “Jartastic”, St Ronans NS Deansrath and their business “Santas Little Helpers”, St. Marks SNS Springfield with their business “Sillysnaps”, Talbot SNS. and their business “Rémojí” and St. Colmcilles SNS and their business “Smunchies”.