Page 52 - royal-times-12-13

Enterprise success for the Royal School.
Royal Success at
Mini Company Competitions
Cavan Enterprise Board Awards
On the 5th of March, the Royal School attended the annual Cavan County Enterprise Board’s “Student
Enterprise Awards” at the Slieve Russell Hotel. The other schools in attendance were Loreto, St. Clare`s,
Virginia College, Belturbet, St. Pats and Bre ne College. In total, there were more than 75 companies
being represented. The Royal School was represented by 9 companies from 1st Year, 2nd Year and
Transition Year.
After a hard morning of work setting up their stands in anticipation for the judges coming round to
scrutinise them, a few of the Mini Companies were selected to answer a couple of questions about their
company in front of the “Cavan TV” camera. Over the course of the day, each Mini Company was judged
twice, once for the company overall and once for the quality of the display.
All of the Mini Companies gathered for the prize giving, where the guest speaker Darren Cawley talked
about the trials and tribulations he faced while on dialysis and how he managed to overcome them. He
answered a few questions from the audience.
The Royal School did very well, scooping 4 prizes in total, with Loreto scooping all of the remaining
prizes. The 4 prize-winning Mini Companies were: Summin It Up, Guitar Star, and Helaso and The Timber
boys. After the prize giving ceremony had concluded, we went to the Dining Room where all of the
schools were treated to a bu et which was generously supplied by the catering sta . Once we had
nished, it was time to pack up our things and make our way back to school. All in all, it was a hugely
enjoyable experience and we would like to thank Mr. Robertson, Miss Corcoran and Mr Patterson for
all of their work throughout the year and also well done to the four Royal School Mini Companies who
came home with a trophy each.
52 e Royal Times 2012-2013
‘Summin it up’, a Mini Company of the Royal
School Cavan have scooped the top award
at the Junior Achievement Young Enterprise
Awards on March 20th in Corcaghan
community centre Co. Monaghan. This
competition was open to young entrepreneurs
from all over the counties of Cavan, Monaghan
and Louth.
There were 96 entries in all and 10 were selected to attend the regional
nal in Corcaghan. The competition was very intense and the pupils
had to impress the judges with their display, a company interview
and a presentation. Each company was judged on the innovation,
commercial viability and potential of the products and services they
were providing. After extensive market research ‘Summin it up’ decided
to produce, market and sell teaching and learning aids for primary school
mathematics.
The rst product they developed was a snap card game. There are 32
cards per packet and each card has rounded edges and has been
laminated to make it child friendly, safe and easy to clean. The Beginner
level cards are suited for 1st- 3rd class they are compiled of addition and
subtraction sums. The Advanced level is suited for 4th – 6th classes they
are compiled of multiplication and division sums.
They have been designed without answers to get the children to work
out the answers in their heads and improve their mental arithmetic skills.
Summin’ It Up’ has also produced an educational disk, for computers and interactive whiteboards, aimed at 1st to 3rd Class.
It is a learning aid for the classroom but can also be used at home to help with homework and revision. It is well designed
and user friendly. It also includes illustrations and fun colours to keep the young ones attentions.
If any primary school teachers or parents are interested in either or both of these products please feel free to contact the
company at the Royal School or at
Facebook.com/summinitup, Twitter.com/summin_it_up or Summinitup@gmail.com.
Summin it up now travel to Citibank in Dublin to represent the region in the national nal and hope they can bring home the
national award. The members of the company are Mellissa Heaslip (MD), Megan McConkey, Amy Whitley, Nichola Fannin,
Catherine Graham and Raymond Farrelly.
In September we decided to set up a Mini
Company called Woodworld. Our members
are Christopher Keyes, Daniel Williamson,
James Stewart, Ryan Smith, Mathew Turbitt,
Ali Aziz and James Pratt. We decided to
make products out of wood and sell them.
In particular we decided to produce useful
household products such as Money Boxes,
pencil Holders & Door Frame Decorations.
Christopher was the manager of the
company, Ryan was in charge of nance,
Daniel was in charge of Marketing, and James Pratt was in charge of
purchasing. James Stewart was in charge of production. Ali and Mathew
helped in production and marketing. The products we decided to make were a piggy bank, a pencil holder and doorframe
decorations. Our group decided that we would make our products out of wood. We made our products in the technology
room using the scroll saws to cut the wood to size and shape; we then painted or varnished them. We sold these products
to our friends and family, and also in a craft fair. Our customers were very satis ed with the product. We participated in a
mini company competition in the Slieve Russell which was run by the Cavan Enterprise board. We really learned a lot about
business and how to sell to the public and others while we were in this mini company.
e Royal Times 2012-2013 53