Counties Manukau High Schools celebrate business excellence

7 November 2011

Counties Manukau High Schools celebrate business excellence at YES Awards

Two Counties Manukau high schools took out the top prize at the Counties Manukau regional business awards for the 2011 Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme.

Student companies, PLUS from Macleans College and MMXI from Pukekohe High School, were joint winners of the Outstanding Regional Company of the Year Award.

PLUS is a company which produces and sells eco-friendly, all-natural soaps made from used coffee beans in various scents, while MMXI’s innovative “iCare” line of organic and natural dog treats is designed to improve pets’ health and wellbeing.

The PLUS team from Macleans College also picked up a Communications Award, Best Marketing Award and the Excellence in Business Management Award, while Pukekohe High School’s MMXI group also received the Innovation Award and the Financial Management Award.

About 200 people attended the Counties Manukau regional awards to mark the end of the nationwide school-based programme for 2011.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development runs the programme in north, central and south Auckland and is pleased with the abilities of student companies on show this year.

ATEED’s South office business development manager Yvette Hellyer says both winning companies displayed excellence in business planning, communication and innovation.

“Throughout the year, both teams have shown incredible insight, passion and commitment to the programme – traits that would be invaluable for a future business. It is encouraging that these students are the future of our business community.”

Last night’s awards, held at Villa Maria Estate in Mangere were sponsored this year by the Lion Foundation, Young Enterprise Trust, Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre, Frucor, Rainbow’s End, Printcare International, Progressive, Villa Maria Estate, Creative Awards Ltd and South Pacific Loans.

PLUS and MMXI will both now go on to compete for the New Zealand title at the national Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme Awards in Wellington on December 1st, 2011.

Award winners

Outstanding Regional Company of the Year Award
Macleans College, PLUS
Pukekohe High School, MMXI

Communication Awards
Pukekohe High School, Montarge
Auckland Seventh-Day Adventist High School, SMT
Macleans College, PLUS

Sales and Customer Service Award
Auckland Seventh-Day Adventist high School, ALIYES
Aorere College, Brotection

Best Marketing Award
Macleans College, PLUS

Innovation Award
Pukekohe High School, MMXI

Financial Management Award
Pukekohe High School, MMXI
Auckland Seventh-Day Adventist High School, SMT

Excellence in Business Management Award
Macleans College, PLUS
Aorere College, May-jah 7 Records

Commitment Award
Macleans College, Zipt
Otablu Enterprises from Otahuhu College

YES Teacher of the Year Award
Michael Caley, Macleans College
Joanna MacDowell, Macleans College

ENDS

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