It was anything but business as usual at Scoil Mhuire National School in Brosna on Thursday last. However, business was being done like never before.
Pupils there took on the roles of sales people, receptionists and ushers for a product they showcased at the school on the day. Parents and friends came from far and near to support the industrious, jam-makers and to taste, sample and buy their wares.
Scoil Mhuire deputy principal, John Cahill explained that the event was part of the school’s participation in The Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP) 2014.
“The JEP is an entrepreneurial educational programme for primary school pupils.
In Scoil Mhuire 4th, 5th and 6th class pupils are involved. Initially pupils were introduced to the concept of entrepreneurship. Working in teams they then explored and tested the money making potential of ideas put forward by individual pupils.
Each of the four teams had to finally settle on one idea to bring forward to the in-school ‘Dragons’ Den’ competition. The ‘Jam Packed’ Homemade Jam Enterprise was chosen as the winning idea and it went into production,” said Mr. Cahill.
While ‘Jam-Packed’ is the title of their enterprise it could also be applied to the crowded ‘sales-room’ during the sell-out event.
“Various flavours of jam have been made to date. Stocks were totally sold out at ‘The Showcase Day’ and the feedback relating to the quality of the product has been overwhelmingly positive. Advance orders have been taken for another batch,” Mr. Cahill was glad to report.
This project is seen as a wonderful opportunity for the pupils to show a range of strengths and talents while getting a hands-on insight into how a business works.
All profits from jam sales will go towards playground resources for the school.
Local people there on the day made the connection with the fruit processing plant which made Brosna a hive of industry for a couple of decades from its opening in 1956. The plant is gone but there are grand-children of some of those involved in that chapter of village history now at the core of today’s entrepreneurial drive at Scoil Mhuire.
