Member Article

Excelsior Academy’s business best pupils scoop top awards

The cream of Excelsior Academy’s young business talent were rewarded for their enterprising skills at a ceremony backed by leading North East entrepreneurs.

Exceptional students at the Newcastle academy whose work has left a deep impression on teachers and business leaders, received Excelsior Business and Enterprise awards for their excellence in industries including science and technology, communications, digital media, hospitality and catering and business finance.

Hosted in the academy, the young budding businessmen and businesswomen were awarded plaques and certificates for their endeavours which underpin Excelsior’s business enterprise specialism.

Leading businesspeople Paul Campbell of Amazing Media, Mike Parker of Orange Bus, Gary Hope of Miller Construction, Jo Nessa of Dabbawal, Anisha Malik of HM Residential, Ammar Mirza of Asian Business Connexions, Daud Mohammed of Ariston Chartered Accountants, Lesley Lister of Tyne Tees Models, Ahmed Khan McDonald’s franchisee and Nitin Shukla, of the Board of Your Homes Newcastle, sponsored the awards on the evening.

Phil Marshall, Excelsior Academy Executive Principal, said: “All of our award sponsors are highly successful businesspeople in their own right and great role models for our pupils.

“They were deeply impressed by the ingenuity, hard work and professionalism of our award winners who are destined to achieve great things in their working lives.

“We give all our pupils every opportunity to express their talent at Excelsior and the talent we have in our school is something we are really proud of.”

The Excelsior Academy Business and Enterprise Awards winners were:

· Ex-Factor Award to the ‘Bring the Beat Team’ Arrfa Ali, Malak Hussain, Shamas Zafar, Sayfa Qureshi, Mahima Qureshi and Kieran Claye, who worked to put on a talent contest at the ABC Expo event · Science and Technology Award to Gage Dickinson who created his own successful workshop and outlet making and selling cards, cakes sweets and artwork · Digital Media Award to Jack Dearden, an outstanding Year 7 pupil who has exceptional IT skills beyond his years, often helping out teachers with their computer problems · Communications Award winners Attaullah Samadi, Ryan Dornan, Izzul Zalani, Christian Walton and Kieran Claye, who exhibited their law skills in a courtroom setting as part of a mentoring scheme with Newcastle Law School · Hospitality and Catering Award – Courtney Todd, Jeorgia Mills, Lucy McStay, Courtney Shoulder, Tamzin Curran and Kayley Robson, who gave up their free time to prepare, cook, market and sell products at charity events · The World of Enterprise Award – Jonathan McCrudden, who arranged a cinema experience for pupils to support Excelsior’s Everest Expedition · Business Finance Award – Shannon Moran, Lauren McDonald and Jodan Cleminson who formulated a ‘shakeaholic’ milkshake business idea from a £25 budget as part of their enterprise and employability GCSE · Healthy Living Award – Salimata Kone, Elga Negana, Hafiza Begum, Ethan Isherwood, Aaron Walker and Kasey Squibbs, who created ‘legacy leaders’, a project to encourage pupils and the local community to play sport and lead healthier lifestyles · Creativity Award – Jalilah Musavi, who marketed her made to order key rings business, proving so successful that Excelsior has commissioned her to make 50 key rings as rewards for pupils in its ‘Decent People’ scheme · ABC Special Award – Gabriella Peterova, Martina Sinova, Martin Kroka, Dominika Bledy and Muminah Ahmed, part of the Excel 5 team, selling and creating new products such as Christmas mood lights and a maths clock · Excelsior Academy Special Award – Jonathan Massahi and Greg Doherty. The award is presented to pupils who embody the spirit of business and enterprise. Jonathan and Greg produced a short film as part of Northumbria Police’s ‘Road Sense’ project, tackling peer pressure on young drivers, a film now on YouTube and downloadable onto mobile phones.

Ends.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Gordon Arnott .