Junior Certificate Business Studies
Business Studies is that part of the curriculum which allows the student to make informed decisions in the everyday business of living. This contributes to the student's understanding of the world of business. It encourages a positive attitude to enterprise and develops appropriate skills in that area, including budgeting, planning and communicating.
The curriculum specification for NEW Junior Cycle Business Studies focuses on improving students’ understanding of the business environment and on developing skills for life, work and further study through the 3 inter-connected strands: Personal Finance, Enterprise and Our Economy. Students started this specification in September 2017.
Awards of Excellence for “A” Grades in Junior Certificate Business Studies by Maynooth University
Pictured below are Rimvydas Pocius and Olivia Kelly who represented the 6 students at the ceremony, along with Professor Philip Nolan, President of Maynooth University, and Ms. Arza Beharic, Business Teacher.
6 students from the Junior Cert class of 2018 at Ashbourne Community School, who received A grades in Higher Level Business Studies were honoured by Maynooth University for their achievement in this 2-paper option subject. The students are Olivia Kelly, Eoghan Leonard, Aaron McGuirk, Diarmuid Moriarty , Rimvydas Pocius and Max Samuel. A ceremony took place in Aula Maxima, Maynooth University, on Tuesday 29th January 2019. Well done to the students and their teachers. Each student received an individual certificate and our school also received a framed certificate with the students’ names on it. We are very proud of their achievements.
2nd Year Business Studies Market Day March 2018
On 23rd March 2018, our 2nd year Business Studies students did their Classroom Based Assessment as part of the new Junior Cycle. Students had to work in groups to set up a business. Each group had to do market research, develop a product and sell the product in a market day. These are just some of the theoretical aspects learned in class that students put into practice over the last few weeks. Well done to Ms Ryan, Ms Burke and Mr Newman, and the students for a fantastic Market Day.
Awards of Excellence for “A” Grades in Junior Certificate Business Studies by Maynooth University
Pictured below are Anastassia Varabiova and Marie Heffernan who represented the 7 students at the ceremony, along with Professor Philip Nolan, President of Maynooth University, and Ms. Martha Ryan, Business Teacher.
7 students from the Junior Cert class of 2017 at Ashbourne Community School, who received A grades in Higher Level Business Studies were honoured by Maynooth University for their achievement in this 2-paper option subject. The students are Stephan Campbell, David Carr, Marie Heffernan, Killian Hogan, Ben O'Brien, Lilian Mardari and Anastassia Varabiova. A ceremony took place in Aula Maxima, Maynooth University, on Tuesday 30th January 2018. Well done to the students and their teachers. Each student received an individual certificate and our school also received a framed certificate with the students’ names on it. We are very proud of their achievements.
Pictured from left to right at the Regional Finals of the AIB Build a Bank Theory are Daniel Byrne, Jordan O’ Neill, Emmett Cullen, Emma Swan, Mr. Howlin, Lauren Hanney and Andrew O’Dwyer
In September 2016, Ruth O’Reilly from the AIB Ashbourne spoke to TY students about the AIB Build a Bank Challenge. Interested students were asked to apply for positions in their own bank. Those interested were interviewed by 2 members of the AIB officials in Ashbourne. Over 20 students were interviewed and the final 6 students were chosen. They were each given a role by the AIB officials, as follows: Andrew O’Dwyer - Branch Manager, Emmett Cullen - Assistant Manager, Emma Swan - Financial Controller, Daniel Byrne - Marketing Manager, Jordan O’ Neill - Deputy Marketing Manager and Lauren Hanney- Community Manager. Their aim was to encourage their fellow ACS students to open up deposit (savings) accounts and become regular savers. Ruth O’Reilly from AIB Ashbourne was our designated Student Officer.
After deciding on their science based theme, they sourced sponsorship from the Adult Education Department in ACS and William J Brennan Solicitors in Ashbourne. Every Thursday at lunchtime, The Big Bank Theory set up outside reception. Application forms were handed out and collected. Lodgements were taken in. The bank had an official launch on Thursday 2nd February 2017 attended by Rory O'Connor from Rory Stories and Meath hurler and Gaelic footballer, James Toher. The bank also ran various promotions and competitions, including at Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. For the community element of The Big Bank Theory, they supported Cycle Against Suicide and decided to donate €50 to St. Vincent de Paul in Ashbourne. They presented a cheque to John O'Sullivan of SVP Ashbourne on Monday 13th March 2017.
The AIB Build a Bank programme links directly to the Business Curriculum and is an excellent, practical preparation for learning about running a business. The students were involved in all aspects of banking, sourcing new customers for their banks, encouraging regular savings, providing ongoing customer service and keeping accurate financial records - so everything it takes to run a bank! The experience and learning will improve their CVs, writing skills and interview techniques. They learned about: financial education, presentation skills, business plan development, marketing techniques, leadership and teamwork, digital innovation, customer relationship management and interviews.
On Thursday 16th March 2017, The Big Bank Theory represented ACS at the Regional Finals of the AIB TY Build a Bank Challenge in Leopardstown Racecourse. Although they did not make it through to the National Final, they did themselves and their school proud. Well done to the 6 team members and their teachers. Thanks to Ruth O’Reilly of AIB Ashbourne for her guidance and support.
The AIB Build a Bank Challenge Team were mentored by Business teachers, Ms. Caroline Mathews, Mr. Harry Newman and Mr. Brendan Howlin.
Superb results for Ashbourne Community School at the Meath County Final of the Student Enterprise Programme 2017
Our young entrepreneurs in ACS had fantastic success at the Student Enterprise Programme Meath County Final in the Knightsbrook Hotel Trim on Monday 6th March 2017. We had 4 companies across the 3 categories. In the Junior Category (1stYears), Jake Farrell and his company, Lucky Cookies, won 3rd prize, while, Eduard Dravnieks and his company Gift Box, won highly commended.
In the Intermediate Category (2nd Years), Caitlin Doyle and Robyn McNeary, and their company 2-Sweet won 2nd prize and also won Best Overall Display on the day.
In the Senior Category (TYs), Leo Corry and Andrew O’Dwyer, and their company, Get a Grip, won 2nd prize. As well as their One 4 All Gift Vouchers, the 4 companies won 5 glass trophies for the school. To say we are delighted is an understatement. These students have put in a tremendous amount of effort into setting up and running their companies since September 2016. We have met up every Tuesday at lunchtime since then. We are very proud of their efforts. They have learned that enterprise is not easy but very rewarding. We are already looking forward to next year’s ideas!
These Young Entrepreneurs were mentored by Business teachers, Ms. Caroline Mathews, Mr. Harry Newman and Ms. Ann-Marie Burke.
Awards of Excellence for “A” Grades in Junior Certificate Business Studies by Maynooth University
Pictured from left to right: Lucy Fanning, Katie Dargan, Darragh White, Kellie Ward, Andrew O'Dwyer, Karl Cassidy, Amy Flood, Niamh Sweetman and Sorcha Mooney (missing from photo).
Pictured at Maynooth University on Tuesday 24th January 2017 are Vice President Prof. Aidan Mulkeen, Katie Dargan, Ms Ryan, Karl Cassidy and Dean of Social Science Prof Maurice Devlin.
Congratulations to the 9 students from Ashbourne Community School who were recognised in January 2017 for their excellent “A” grades in the 2-paper option subject of Business Studies in their Junior Certificate in 2016 by Maynooth University. Katie Dargan, Karl Cassidy and Ms. Martha Ryan represented the students and the ACS Business Department at a presentation ceremony in Maynooth University. Each student received an individual certificate and our school also received a framed certificate with the students’ names on it. We are very proud of their achievements. The students are (from left to right) Lucy Fanning, Katie Dargan, Darragh White, Kellie Ward, Andrew O'Dwyer, Karl Cassidy, Amy Flood, Niamh Sweetman and Sorcha Mooney (missing from photo).
Ms. Caroline Mathews (Business Department Coordinator)
Congratulations to the Award Winners in the Business Department Subject Award Winners for 2016
Photo
Ms. Caroline Mathews (LCVP & Business Teacher), Darragh White & Lucy Fanning (both JC Business Studies Awards), Daire Mooney (Overall LC Business Award), Ciaran Donegan (Accounting Award), Luke Lehane (Business Award), Conor Heffernan (Economics Award), Ms. Jackie Connolly (Accounting & Business Teacher) & Mr. Pat O'Shea (Economics & Business Teacher). Missing from the photo is James Kiernan (LCVP).
togl.bags mini-company Ashbourne Community School
togl.bags are pictured with their 2 Enterprise Awards received over the last 2 months – Bank of Ireland Enterprise Award and Meath County Final Student Enterprise Awards Senior Category Winners Awards.
Thea Clerkin, Grace Foley and Lauren Breslin continue to run their successful personalised bag business, togl.bags, which they set up in September 2015. On Wednesday 20th April 2016 they represented Ashbourne Community School and Meath at the National Finals of the Student Enterprise Awards in Croke Park. This follows on from them winning a Bank of Ireland Enterprise Award and the Meath County Final of the Student Enterprise Awards Senior Category. You can find tolg.bags on Facebook Togl. Bags, Twitter @ToglBags, Instagram @togl.bags and Snapchat @togl.bags. Togl.bags and the other mini-companies in Ashbourne Community School have been mentored by Ms Mathews, Ms Burke and Mr Newman. Well done girls.
Awards of Excellence for “A” Grades in Junior Certificate Business Studies by Maynooth University
Pictured from left to right: Aoife O'Donohoe, Patrick McGill, Eimear O’Hara, Mubarak Salawu, Saoirse Kearney, Andrew Moriarty and Catherine Toner-Bartelds.
Congratulations to the 7 students from Ashbourne Community School who were recently recognised for their excellent “A” grades in the 2 paper option subject of Business Studies in their Junior Certificate in 2015 by Maynooth University. Eimear O’Hara and Mr. Pat O'Shea represented the students and the ACS Business Department at a presentation ceremony recently in Maynooth University.
Each student received an individual certificate and our school also received a framed certificate with the students’ names on it. We are very proud of their achievements. The students are Aoife O'Donohoe, Patrick McGill, Eimear O’Hara, Mubarak Salawu, Saoirse Kearney, Andrew Moriarty and Catherine Toner-Bartelds.
Young Entrepreneurs
The Student Enterprise Awards is a competition run by the Meath Local Enterprise Office to help students to grasp real life skills associated with running a real enterprise. Starting in September every year, our budding entrepreneurs get to work. They look for every available opportunity to sell their products including at lunchtime, at Parent Teacher Meetings and the school’s Open Evening. Some groups even attended local Craft and Trade Fairs. Students attend 4 workshops with local entrepreneur, Gerry Moan, CEO of Constructive Intervention, gaining valuable advice and mentoring. The Meath County Final of the Student Enterprise Awards takes place in March every year. Any student in ACS is welcome to set up their own mini-company, even if they do not want to enter the Student Enterprise Awards competitions.
Find out more about the Student Enterprise Awards, check out www.studententerprise.ie for more information.
Check out more infomration about young entrepeneurrs in our section on Extra Curricular.
