A group of 8 students from Scoil Mhuire, Clane were presented with the winner's trophy at the Kildare County Student Enterprise Awards 2008 Final, held in the Osprey Hotel on Monday 7th April. Organised by Kildare County Enterprise Board, the event was sponsored by Osberstown Developments Ltd, Naas for the second year running. 18 mini companies from 11 different secondary schools throughout Co. Kildare battled it out for the prestigious award of Kildare Mini Company of the Year 2008.
KFM's Clem Ryan, who is also no stranger to the classroom, presented the award to the winning project entitled "Brain Links". ' The Brain Links' group - Pamela Flaherty, Aoife O'Reilly, Stephen Sweeney, Robert Cribbin, Eric McCann, Bernard Dealy, Gordon Condon and Mark Halpin - produced an educational board game that assists students revise topics for the Junior Certificate in a fun way. The panel of judges was particularly impressed with the professional branding of the product and their excellent business savvy, which resulted in 'Byrnes World of Wonder' agreeing to sell the product.
"Brain Links" will now represent Kildare at the national final of the Student Enterprise Awards on 8th May in Tullamore. 'We are absolutely thrilled with the growing interest in the competition. This year over 600 Transition year students from 14 different schools participated in the programme'' said Mary Fitzpatrick of Kildare County Enterprise Board.
The Student Enterprise awards are a fantastic opportunity for students to build an entrepreneurial mindset, to learn valuable lessons from the experience of working in a team and to explore possible career paths for the future. We in Kildare County Enterprise Board feel strongly that exposure to the business environment of the programme benefits students greatly and introduces them to serious practical issues such as risk-taking, teamwork, accountability, management and communication skills to name but a few " she added.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Gerry Prendergast of Osberstown Developments Ltd commented that the quality of this year's entries had been hugely impressive. The energy and commitment shown by the students is further enhanced by the ongoing support of teachers and parents."
"As a company we are very focused on the contribution Osberstown as a project will make to the local community in the future as it delivers business and employment to the area and creates work opportunities for the significant pool of local employee talent, resulting in improved quality of life and reduced commuting. In the future, we look forward to hopefully meeting some of these budding entrepreneurs again in Osberstown, when they progress to set up their own businesses. "he concluded.
'Funtastic' from Newbridge College scooped the runner up prize with their entry which was a DVD of fun activities for primary school children.
The following mini companies also received awards
- Innovation award - FUDGE , Holy Family, Newbridge.
- Best Display stand - K.I.D.S, Ardscoil na Trionoide , Athy
- Best Business Report - An Comhlacht Cliste', Newbridge College
- Judges Prize - TY TEFL, St. Patricks Community College , Naas,
The following schools contested the final:
- St Wolstans Community College, Celbridge
- Newbridge College
- Colaiste na Trionoide, Athy
- St Patrick's Community College, Naas
- Rathangan Post Primary School
- Scoil Mhuire, Clane
- CBS, Naas
- Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge
- St Mary's Secondary School, Naas
- Holy Family, Newbridge
- St Paul's, Monasterevan