This year, 10,000 children have launched start-up businesses from their primary school classrooms. The pupils combined their innate creativity with the skills they developed on the programme to create original products and launch businesses ranging from board games to storybooks to high-end craft and educational products.
From the hundreds of excellent project submissions, awards and merits were given to classes that excelled across 12 categories, with one class being awarded Class of the Year. The Class of the Year is a very special award that considers the approach to all elements of the programme and recognises the class that has worked together from the very beginning to create a successful business.
The Class of the Year 2023, St. Saviour’s National School, Rathdrum, Co.Wicklow were delighted to receive their trophy, for their stand-out project, BushCraft Boxes. 5th and 6th class pupils zoned in on the interests of the wider community in Wicklow and created a bushcraft box containing everything you need for a family day out in the wilderness. They made clever compass bracelets and put together a discovery trail guide with QR codes and an activity booklet that includes tips for fishing for insects and a tree hunt. all packaged in a hand-designed box. The class have made a profit of over €800 to date. Staying true to their product, the pupils have decided to spend their profits on a class camping trip.
Award Category Winners include:
Creative Pioneers: 6th Class, St. Joseph’s Primary School, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Handmade Seed Paper
Changemakers: Class: Síolta Beaga, Bunscoil Mhuire, Youghal, Co. Cork
BEE KIND
Finance Wizards: 5th Class, Summercove National School, Kinsale, Co. Cork
The Kinsale Calendar
Go Green: 4th – 6th Class, Rampark N.S., Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Coastal Candles
Star Submission: P7, Spires Integrated Primary School, Magherafelt, Northern Ireland
Fluffy Friends
Health Heroes: 6th Class, Knocktemple N.S., Virginia, Co. Cavan
Comfy Cushions
Genius Product: 5th & 6th Class, Bishop Harty N.S., Ballinree, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Multi-Sports Stand
Tech Titans: 6th Class, Scoil Íde, Corbally, Limerick
Bows ‘n’ Bandanas from Capulanas
Marketing Gurus: 6th Class, Scoil Mológa, Dublin 6
Gallúnach Ghalánta
Community Champions: 6th Class, Scoil Chróine, Dungloe, Co. Donegal
Aisling na n-Éan ( A Bird’s Dream)
Top Teams: 6th Class, St. Raphaela’s National School, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin
Hook It
Dynamic Designers: 5th & 6th Class, Laragh 2 Muff N.S., Kingscourt, Co. Cavan
Crafty Cards