Preparing for disaster – students win award

Preparing for disaster – students win award

Teaching children how to survive natural disasters has won a group of enterprising north Auckland students a regional award as part of the Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES).

Westlake Girls High School’s student company, Kids’ Emergency Evacuation Plan (KEEP), claimed first place last week at the Auckland North Oral Business Presentation Final for their creative children’s book Kat and Jack: Disaster Strikes.

The educational book, which follows the adventures of the two lead characters as they learn how to survive in an earthquake and tsunami, is aimed at primary school aged students with all proceeds going to the Christchurch earthquake relief fund.

The year-long YES programme sees year 12 and 13 students form real companies producing and selling innovative products which solve everyday problems.

Judges praised KEEP for their approach and business acumen.

“Natural disasters are very topical after the recent events in Christchurch and Japan,” says judge Steve Morrison from Linkplas.

“It is fantastic to see students learning how to run a business while also trying to make a difference in their community. What a great asset these students will be to the business community of the future.” An audience of more than 150 heard presentations from eight secondary school student businesses including ChalkMe – t-shirts with inbuilt chalk boards; Liquida – a weight loss support text messaging service; and CreatioNZ – bespoke beeswax lanterns and candles.

The programme is facilitated in north Auckland by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development’s Albany office. Business Development Manager Ngaio Merrick is impressed by the students’ vision and commitment.

“These students already understand how ingenuity and innovation can make all the difference for businesses. Some of their concepts are brand new ideas and others are modern twists on existing products. It’s fantastic to see how motivated and enthusiastic they are about a career in business. It can only have positive benefits for the business community in the years to come,” says Ms Merrick.

Second place went to Business as Usual from Kingsway School and their uniquely kiwi product of chocolate dessert ‘Fush and Chups’, with third place going to TxTech from Albany Senior High and their text message advertising service for small business.

Also recognised at the event was Ora from Pinehurst School who won the 2011 Benefitz Business Card competition and were awarded printed copies of their unique design.

The YES programme runs until November and concludes with a regional awards ceremony.

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