Following their success at the County Final, six members of St Mary’s Young Enterprise company, ‘Empower’, represented the school at the ‘virtual’ South West Regional Final, held online on Thursday 19th May.

Twenty-two girls in LVI have taken part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme this year. Empower have created a range of sustainable, fair trade coffee bags and gift cards with inspirational quotes that promote female empowerment.

The girls, led by Bonnie in LVI, were judged on the basis of a professional ten-page report telling the story of their company, a stimulating interview with YE judges and an innovative five-minute video presentation that told the story of their company in a coffee shop scene. All their submissions had been made in advance, so the event was an opportunity to celebrate the girls’ achievements, to reflect on their journey and to compare their experiences with the companies from other schools.

The girls deservedly won an award for Best Presentation in the South West, with the judges praising its ‘unique feel’, ‘innovative idea’ and ‘variety of locations that aided the storytelling’. Other feedback they received praised their ‘impressive depth of research’ and ‘passion for what they believe in’ and recognised that their ‘creativity and commitment was clear to see’.

We wholeheartedly congratulate all the girls involved and they should feel deeply proud of their achievements. It has been an exciting journey and a wonderful experience through which they have developed a whole host of transferable skills.

Mr Mark Cleaver, Head of Economics