Page 92 - Bellfort Magazine 2024

Celebrating Excellence in Enterprise
It is with great pride and excitement that we celebrate a significant milestone for our Business Studies
Department. We were honoured to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence by Young Enterprise. A prestigious
award that highlights our commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to make
informed financial decisions throughout their lives. Financial literacy is a critical life skill, and we are dedicated
to providing our students with a strong foundation in this area. This Centre of Excellence designation is a
testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff who worked with Young Enterprise to provide insightful
and engaging programmes to empower our students to be financially responsible. As a Centre of Excellence, we
will continue to expand its financial education offerings, providing students with even more opportunities to
learn about personal finance and explore those key employability skills. Let’s explore some of the exciting
ventures undertaken by our students...
Year 10 Project Business - Our Year 10 students recently participated in a day-long program called 'Project
Business.' During this event, they were tasked with creating their own jewellery company, taking on different
roles and making decisions around the target market, customer experience, branding and problems that might
be faced as a company. The teams also took part in an interactive challenge to make bead bracelets and
compete to become the most profitable company. It was impressive to witness the students' teamwork,
communication skills, and outstanding ideas. Many displayed entrepreneurial potential, with some even
showing promise to become the next Young Apprentice!
Year 12 GCSE Business Studies - As part of the course the Year 12 GCSE Business Studies students hosted an
interview with Mrs Lesley McCaughan the local successful business owner of Follow Coffee. This opportunity
provided the students with valuable insights into the real-world aspects of running a business, covering key
topics of business ownership, customer service, production, government support, breakeven and the skills
required for an entrepreneur. Mrs Lesley McCaughan shared her journey from the initial idea to opening the
doors of Follow Coffee and shared her drive and dedication with the students.
Year 13 Travel and Tourism - The Year 13 Travel and Tourism class had an exciting Hospitality Takeover Day at
Galgorm Resort. This hands-on experience allowed students to immerse themselves in various aspects of the
resort’s operations, from font desk management to housekeeping and food service. Guided by Galgorm’s
professional staff, the students gained practical insights into delivering exceptional customer service,
coordinating daily tasks, and maintaining the high standards expected in a luxury resort. This takeover day not
only enhanced their understanding of the hospitality industry but also provided them with invaluable skills and
inspiration for their future careers in travel and tourism.
Year 14 Travel and Tourism - The Year 14 Travel and Tourism class recently had the exciting opportunity to visit
the Ulster Museum in Belfast as part of their Visitor Attractions module. During their visit, the students
investigated various aspects of the museum’s operation. They explored what makes the museum appealing to
visitors, examining how it meets and exceeds visitor expectations through its diverse exhibits and engaging
experiences. Additionally, the students studied how the museum responds to competition from other
attractions in the region in order to stay relevant meet visitor number targets. Finally, they learned about the
methods used by the museum to measure success, including visitor feedback, attendance figures and
community impact. This hands-on experience provided the students with a deeper understanding of managing
and promoting a successful tourist attraction.
Year 14 CTEC Business - Year 14 CTEC Business class recently had the enriching experience of touring Galgorm
Resort and Spa, with a special focus on Human Resources. During the visit, the students gained insights into the
resort’s HR practices, including recruitment, training and employee retention strategies. They explored how
Galgorm Resort attracts and retains top talent in the hospitality industry, ensuring high standards of service and
customer satisfaction. The students also learned about the resort’s commitment to staff development through
continuous training programs and performance management systems. This tour provided a practical
understanding of the crucial role HR plays in maintaining a motivated and efficient workforce, essential for the
success of a luxury resort.
Young Enterprise – ‘Culinary Cravings’ - The Year 13 students embarked on the Young Enterprise Company
Programme, which provided them with firsthand experience of running their own company. Each student
assumed a director’s role within the business named ‘Culinary Cravings’. Their venture focused on producing a
cookbook with recipes given from local restaurants within the Ballymena area. The team attended the St.
George’s Market Trade Fair and the Abbeycentre Trade Fair where the students achieved the “Best Instagram”
and “Area Trade Fair, Best Company”. This gave the team a drive to take part in the Company of the Year
Competition where the team presented a presentation in front of a panel of professionals. The team were
successful and won the “Best Company” within the Northern Eastern Board. The Culinary Craving’s team were
invited to the City Hall to celebrate their achievements. The team kindly donated £122.50 to Ballymena North
Foodbank.