News : August 2008
Trust enables local students to represent Wales in Australia
A donation from The Peter Saunders Trust is enabling six students from Coleg Meirion Dwyfor to fly to Sydney, Australia to represent Wales in the finals of the Global Enterprise competition. The six, who are business studies students at the college, won the right to represent Wales by beating off competition from students representing 20 other colleges.
The event held in Cardiff was a 24 hour business challenge during which the students were assessed for teamwork, originality of their business idea and the quality of their business plan.
The team came up with the idea of a business to enhance the driving skills of young drivers. The need for such a service was apparent to the students from the sad loss of two fellow students in road accidents in the past 12 months. The idea and the way the students approached the business challenge was a winner with the judges.
“We were thrilled when the judges announced the results,” said Ryan Weir “but we had no way of getting to the global finals of the competition in Sydney. We didn't want to be the only national team not making it there.” The Trust considered the request for help and decided to make an award. “The key to success in business” says Peter Saunders, “is to have a good idea and good quality management with the passion and drive to overcome obstacles and eventually succeed. Although still young, these students have demonstrated some of these qualities and deserve to represent Wales in Sydney.”
“When we received the letter from the Trust telling us of the award, we were over the moon,” said David Morris. “Although we still needed to raise more funds,” added Alex Jones, “we knew that this award meant that we could now commit to going to Australia and to representing Wales.”
Maureen Jones is the business studies co-ordinator at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor and teacher of the students, three of whom are former pupils of Tywyn Secondary School. She and two other teachers will accompany the students. “I can't thank The Peter Saunders Trust enough for recognising the success of our students and supporting them in this opportunity of a lifetime.”
Mrs Jones has the task of keeping the students' feet firmly on the ground for now as their vocational A Level exams are looming. This will be quite a challenge as the flight to Sydney departs immediately after the last exam! Mrs Jones has the task of keeping the students' feet firmly on the ground for now as their vocational A Level exams are looming. This will be quite a challenge as the flight to Sydney departs immediately after the last exam!