Fourth Class were very lucky to be given the opportunity to take part in an initiative called BizWorld Ireland which is operated by Bank of Ireland. BizWorld is a not for profit organisation promoting entrepreneurial skills, while teaching key workforce and life skills such as creativity, collaboration, communication, teamwork and negotiation along with money management and enterprise in a fun and creative way.
This was a two day workshop delivered by Rebecca a trained BOI volunteer. The children were put into teams of 5/6 and had to learn and undertake tasks involved in setting up a business. They learned about the terminology of business, applying for a job in their companies and held company meetings to discuss the idea, name, logo and slogan of their company. When the groups came up with a company name and a product idea, they then had to do some market research. They came up with a poster, a TV advertisement dramatised by their company and a presentation to sell their product.
Today, day two of the workshop, the companies had to pitch their ideas to the Dragons, Keith Higgins and Gerard Scully. The Dragons, through negotiations, then bought shares in the companies and a certificate of shares was presented to the Dragon for Bizbucks (The currency used for the task). In the afternoon, the children then launched their companies and 3rd class came to look at their posters, TV ads and listened to their PowerPoint presentation. 3rd class were given 20 Bizbucks each to spend on the merchandise that each company had made to make revenue for their company idea. There was great merchandise to choose from: cookies, buns, snack packs, loam bands and friendship bracelets. It was a huge success and the children really enjoyed the experience and learned so much from it.
To top the day off Keith Higgins (Mayo footballer and Bank of ireland representative) kindly signed jerseys and had pictures taken with the students.
Keith also took time to visit all our classrooms where he again signed jerseys and answered the children’s many questions. We really appreciate his time, patience and interest in each of our students. It was a pleasure to welcome Keith to our school.
Finally we would like to thank Gerard Scully, the Branch Manager in Bank of Ireland Charlestown who organised this wonderful experience for us all.
