The Year 9 students at St Louis Grammar School enjoyed participating in a Young Enterprise NI event entitled ‘Enterprise in Action’. Students engaged in active team work bringing their energy, imagination and creative skills to develop a new product, compose a business plan and market the product .Mrs Mary Mc Dermott (YENI Facilitator) commended the Year group for their entrepreneurial capacity, innovative thinking and confident presentations.

Ms Natasha Daryaie, past pupil and entrepreneur gave an excellent and inspiring presentation to the year group. Natasha outlined her career path and her role as a business development manager with the Fun House, Newry as well as her successful personal training business. Natasha encouraged students to have ‘self -belief’ and to adopt a ‘can do’ attitude reminding them they are the authors of their own life story and the creators of their own future.

In the afternoon, the Year 9 students participated in a Food and Drink Masterclass with a focus on the innovative NI Agri-Food sector. Mrs Pamela Houston from Kilkeel Development Association outlined the developments within the food sector both locally and globally and gave students and overview of the significant contribution the NI food sector makes to the economy. Students were fascinated to learn of the development work taking place in SEASCAPE (the NI Lobster Hatchery and Marine Research Centre) and became aware of the Mourne Regional Food and Drink Trail which showcases the quality produce within the area and throughout Northern Ireland.

Careers opportunities within Food Technology, Food Quality Control, Food Safety and Nutrition were also explored. Certainly the student left with a greater knowledge and understanding of the food sector in NI.

Gallery