Gaelscoil’s5thclasspupils scoopentrepreneuraward

THE SCHOOL YEAR concluded with massive national success for Gaelscoil and Inbhir Mhóir as Rang a Cúig was named ‘Class of the Year’ at the finals of the Junior Entrepreneur Programme showcase day and awards ceremony.

Ms Caroline Uí Chárthaigh’s Fifth Class reached the finals earlier this year following the creation of their own bi-lingual board game entitled ‘Máirseáil na Léarscáile’ / ‘Marching the Map’.

The game, which sold out in less than three days, was aimed at educating children and adults alike, about Ireland, her people, history, geography, sport, politics, culture and of course the Irish language.

The group was overwhelmed to be announced as the overall winner at the event at the RDS recently. The event was the first showcase of junior entrepreneurship to ever take place in the country.They received their prize from Junior Entrepreneur Programme co-founder and chairman Jerry Kennelly.

Class teacher Caroline Uí Chárthaigh, said the entire programme had been a ‘phenomenal experience’ for the children.

‘When I initially introduced the programme, not one of the children knew what an entrepreneur was. Within weeks, they had embraced the term and made it their own. The result was astounding. Máirseáil na Léarscáile is an extremely professional product, I am immensely proud of every one of them,’ she said.

The programme gives pupils a clear idea about what business is all about through learning aids and games.

Once they come up with their own business idea, they are supported and encouraged to turn it into a reality.

The wider Arklow community got behind Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhóir and many local business representatives attended a showcase at the school earlier this year, as part of the programme.