Yr9EnterpriseDay20.07.11 003All Year 9 students participated in two separate Enterprise Days this week. For the first day they took on an engaging challenge which involved all the processes of financial planning, Yr9EnterpriseDay20.07.11 003creating suitable menus and entertainment and most of all vivid imaginations, as they took on the various roles in imaginary catering “companies”, tendering for contracts to run a large event.

Arranged in collaboration with First Partnership, the event was led enthusiastically by Mr Andy Pocock, NatWest branch manager, Yr9EnterpriseDay21.07.11 001who provided all the necessary financial advice and guidance. All 180 Year 9 students were set the task of working in groups to cost, plan, design and organise suitable menus and entertainment activities for a school prom. At the end of their tough day’s work the students presented their tenders to panels of judges, who judged them on the quality of the presentations and value for money. From there, seven teams of finalists were chosen to perform their sales pitch on stage. The day was highly successful, with all participating students showing creativity and business understanding. A high standard was achieved by many groups and there were also particularly strong performances from several individual students. The overall winners, chosen unanimously by the judges, were a team who called themselves “Diligent Diners”. (Pictured bottom right)

After the judging Tony Parsons, Assistant Headteacher, commented: “We were delighted to welcome Andy on his first visit to the school to lead the event. The students really produced some innovative team presentations. This activity is an extremely practical and fun way of bringing to life the importance of teamwork, communication and enterprise skills, which all our students will eventually need in the workplace. The importance of financial capability for young people should never be underestimated, as it’s essential that they are equipped with the skills and confidence required to make appropriate decisions in adult life. Thanks also to First Partnership for their support in organising the event.”

The event was part of NatWest’s national MoneySense4Schools programme, set up by the bank to develop business and financial awareness and enterprise skills among young people.

Note:

MoneySense4Schools has been developed with teachers to help secondary schools and colleges teach personal money management and enterprise skills within the curriculum. It consists of a series of modules (“We’re in Business” being one of them), each of which can stand-alone or be used in conjunction with others. It aims to engage young people in a variety of role playing scenarios and other interactive learning exercises to give them experience of making financial decisions.

Any schools or colleges wanting to find out more about the Moneysense for Schools programme, how to get the free materials or how to get the support of a NatWest member of staff, should contact Suzanne Head, NatWest’s Regional Moneysense Coach, on 07795 238219, or visit the website at www.natwest.com/moneysenseforschools or www.rbs.com
All Year 9 students then had a great opportunity to try out the business expertise they had gained during the NatWest day by getting fully involved in their second Enterprise Day.

For this event First Partnership (www.firstpartnership.com) visited the school to present the “BITZA” Challenge. The challenge requires students to work in groups to design, cost, manufacture and advertise an educational toy, using only the variety of bits and pieces they can “buy” from the “suppliers”, having first made a proposal to the BITZA Bank and securing the necessary loans. Members of each group acted as accountants, designers, production managers and marketing managers for the day. The groups then had to present and sell their toys to their prospective “clients” by giving short sales presentations to the judges, from which a winning team was eventually selected.

Amongst the various key areas of enterprise activity, this whole-day event encouraged teamwork, communication, creativity and problem solving. Building on their previous experience students learned even more about how business operates and throughout the day there was a real buzz of activity. The students clearly found the project completely engaging and a great deal of fun. Some were so enthusiastic about their products that they even worked on voluntarily through their lunch break!

The students produced some really great ideas.”

Mr Parsons, Assistant Headteacher said, “We have run this enterprise event successfully in previous years and it was a huge success again this time. Special congratulations to ‘AB3 Toys’ – but also to all the Year 9 students who took part. They all learned a great deal and did themselves proud.

Special thanks are due to First Partnership for their role in organising and leading the event and to members of Andover Rotary Club and Aster Group who supported the students with their business ventures throughout the day and then assisted with the judging.

A big “thank you” to all of them from all of us at Harrow Way”.