Usk Pupils Invest In Creativity And Enterprise

Pupils of Usk Church in Wales Primary have boosted school funds by raising £3,200 over the Easter holidays. Each of the 230 youngsters was given one pound with a mission to demonstrate their entrepreneurial and creative skills with ideas ranging from baking and selling cakes to setting up a photo booth at a family birthday party. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The school’s “Grow a Pound” initiative is in its second year and provides pupils with confidence as they see their ideas generate money as they market goods and services to friends and family. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Medals and awards were distributed in a special school assembly to pupils who the judge, Kevin Mansell–Abel, felt had provided exciting, creative and innovative ideas. Categories included Creativity & Enterprise, Eco, Horticultural, Culinary, Best Business Plan and Best Business Prospect. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Kevin, from local design and marketing company That Media Group, was impressed by the fantastic concepts and brilliant initiatives generated by pupils. He had started his company as a young person and explained how simple ideas can lead to employment. His company won the Excellence in Marketing prize at the last year’s Monmouthshire Business Awards. He said: “I’m excited to have been part of this event, and am looking forward to collaborating with the school on further projects in the coming months. Being part of a local business, it’s great to be able to support local initiatives that support enterprise.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Liz Hacket Pain, cabinet member for Children and Young People added: “It is fantastic to see pupils taking on this challenge and having so much fun growing their pounds. We have many budding entrepreneurs in our schools and we need to nurture their enthusiasm.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Headteacher Victoria Evans commented: “The children have risen to the challenge of our Grow a Pound project and I’d like to thank them for their enthusiasm as well as their families and friends for supporting our fundraising initiative. Many really exciting, thoughtful and promising enterprises were created. We obviously have a large number of budding entrepreneurs on our hands – look out Lord Sugar!” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​