Spring 2015

TOP and Junior Achievement Marking Memorable Achievements Celebrate 10 years Together!

100 TOP volunteers have facilitated 83 programmes and events for over 1,900 primary and second level school students in 39 schools in , Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.

Hundreds of students have visited TOP offices Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, hosted the latest in the occasional around the country. Those lucky enough to lecture series organised by Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI). have participated in specially curated workshops at the Dublin port site also met Host Gavin O’Brien, Head of HR, welcomed all guests to Genzyme, TOP man (pictured)! each of whom represented organisations that shared a belief in the importance on forging links between the world of work and education. He reiterated Genzyme’s commitment to continuing to promote the value of education through its partnership with JAI. Having recently been ranked #1 in Ireland, the hosts offered an insight into some of the steps taken to engage all employees during a tour of the facility and ample evidence of why Genzyme is regarded as a ‘great place to work’. An achievement, which was roundly applauded by all attendees.

Guest Speaker, Paul Cooke, MD, Sunday Business Post, a Waterford native, recounted the main influencers in his career and his belief in In addition, TOP volunteers facilitated the responsibility of leaders within organisations and in the wider workshops in Higher Education Institutes, business community to facilitate opportunities for people to maximise encouraging young people to engage in their potential. This strongly-held view is the basis for Paul’s career planning, motivating them to appreciation for the efforts of all the JAI-supporting organisations in complete their education and fulfil their the region whose efforts enable ca. 9,000 primary and second level potential. school students in Carlow, Kilkenny Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford to participate in JA programmes. Championing this programme of community engagement is Ken Donoghue who actively In her address, Special Guest Maria Doyle, Our Lady of Mercy S.N.S. encourages TOP colleagues around the and Incoming President of the Irish Primary Principals’ Network country to get involved and to show the referred to the importance of facilitating ‘real-life’ learning students TOP life by bringing their classes on opportunities for students such as those provided by organisations site so that they can see a slice of working life partnering with JAI. The need to reinforce the importance of setting for themselves. goals and resiliency, even in the face of setbacks, was underlined.

Heartfelt thanks to all at TOP for your To mark the occasion of her retirement from school and to thank her unwavering support for Junior Achievement for all her work with JAI, Maria was presented with a token of since 2005! appreciation by Denise Power, Area Manager. Spring 2015

Mid Year Review At this stage of the school year, most teachers and families, and many students, take stock of how much has been done and how much is left to cover to ensure goals for the year are achieved.

At Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) we continue to enjoy tremendous support and look set to achieve our in 2014-15 goals for engaging with our supporting organisations and reaching students. In acknowledging the efforts of 1,000’s of volunteers, we are also appreciative of the welcome

provided in schools to all those who put themselves forward to work in classrooms to Helen Raftery, CEO complement the efforts of teachers in encouraging students to maximise their potential and enjoy their studies. We look forward to working with all JA volunteers, both new and returning, who will join us in the coming terms in inspiring and motivating students to make the most of their education.

Northern Trust Making Maths Matter in Limerick and Dublin!

To mark its 125th year in business, Northern Trust partnered with Junior Achievement Ireland to run Make Maths Matter for 6th class students from St. Munchin’s Girls N.S., St. Munchins C.B.S. Limerick and City Quay N.S., Dublin 2.

Northern Trust volunteers worked with students in their classrooms to complete the five week Our World programme, focusing on the STEM subjects.

The Northern Trust offices in Dublin and Limerick opened their doors to allow students to participate in Count4Success a series of maths-related challenges, while also giving them an insight into the world of work.

To ensure the project was rounded off in suitable style, a maths camp was organised in which participants enjoyed challenges such as skipping, basketball, penalty shootouts and bowling. Students also used their maths skills to work out averages, percentages and fractions— maths has rarely been this exciting!

“Students learned a different approach to maths and the events really helped them to see the value and the presence of maths in their everyday lives – one of the most fundamental aims of the primary school curriculum – and that is no easy feat. The activities were brilliant and all the facilitators were great with the children. They helped revisit and consolidate maths learning. The group-work worked really well and encouraged involvement and inclusion for everyone. The level of facilitation by the Northern Trust volunteers made all the difference.” - Zoe Sanfey, teacher, St. Munchin’s C.B.S., Limerick.

County Monaghan Fund Promotes Early Entrepreneurship Education

More than 200 primary school students from nine schools in County Monaghan are taking part in an enterprise project supported by the County Monaghan Fund. Students are set to complete either Our Nation or Our World programmes, covering different aspects of business and practicing STEM skills. Additionally, they learn about entrepreneurship and developing their own business ideas. “To succeed in life young people need education and skills. Business skills should be learned at an early age and for that reason The County Monaghan Fund is delighted to be working with Junior Achievement Ireland on this enterprise initiative.” commented Chairperson Michael Treanor. Spring 2015

PM Group Hosts Mount Seskin The Australian Ireland Fund Community College Giving Back By Looking to The Future

PM Group is celebrating its second year of partnering The Australian Ireland Fund is enabling over 600 students nd with JAI. To mark the occasion, 2 Year students from from 10 schools across Cavan, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo Mount Seskin Community College visited the to participate in My Future-My Business. The project international engineering company’s Dublin office to design incorporates opportunities for education and complete the Economics of Staying in School with PM careers planning while developing financial literacy skills Group volunteer Sarah Dowling (pictured). and interacting with local business leaders.

Commenting on the impact of the programme Audrey Flood, O’Fiaich College, Dundalk, said: “this is hugely beneficial for our students as it helps them to understand the costs involved in leaving school early. The business volunteers’ involvement reinforces messages around the benefits of staying in education. Sometimes hearing from an outsider can have a greater impact on our students.

The range of resources and different activities involved in the workshops really appealed to the students. It makes the Students took full advantage of the opportunity to see students take a good look at what happens in the world of engineering, to meet some themselves e.g. what makes of the very welcoming staff and to get an insight into them happy and what success careers they might enjoy working for a firm like PM means to them.” Group, thus reinforcing the importance of their studies.

Volunteer Voice

For some years now I have had the pleasure of being part of Junior Achievement in Waterford. I particularly enjoy the Our Nation programme, which covers the different types of businesses to be found in our city. Next term will be my eighth time to teach this programme and every experience is just as good as the last.

Arriving on my first day I find it very enjoyable watching the students who are studying me and wondering what this is all about until I start introducing myself and where I work followed by who they know or who is related to them working with me in Bausch & Lomb.

Setting up a business can be fun but also very competitive. Playing a board game with money has opened my eyes as to how clever students can be. Looking for money to send a rocket to the moon or selling shoes in the middle of the desert has become the highlight of the advertising class. At the end of the programme I always invite the students to visit Bausch & Lomb and they get the opportunity to listen to different employees talk about their role followed by a small party and presentation of certificates. For me the questions, debates, innocence and participation make it all worthwhile, and to tell you the truth I have also learned from teaching the Our Nation programme. I look forward to teaching many more programmes with Junior Achievement in the future.” - Michael Brophy, Bausch & Lomb volunteer Spring 2015

PepsiCo Challenge Science Opens a World of Discovery for Cork Students

160 students enjoyed interactive science workshops during the two days of the PepsiCo Challenge Science event hosted by the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), Ringaskiddy. Students from Ringaskiddy Lower Harbour N.S., Scoil Cill Ruadhain, Scoil Inse Ratha, St John’s Boys’ N.S., and St John’s Girls’ N.S. worked with PepsiCo volunteers to experiment with chemical energy, to undertake chemical analysis to determine the identity of the ‘villain’ at the scene of a crime and enjoy a century of the great scientific discoveries.

16 volunteers from PepsiCo were impressed by the performance of the students in tackling a series of fast-paced science quizzes. Each of the volunteers shared with the students their experience of the work of work in the fields of science, technology and engineering.

NMCI personnel treated the students to a tour including an incredible real-to-life experience on the virtual bridge as Lt. Aonghus O'Neachtain navigated the simulator to a safe berth in Sydney harbour.

Under the watchful supervision of the expert NMCI trainers, the students enjoyed an ‘assault on their senses’ as they were given a glimpse of the challenges faced by seafarers and their rescuers during a visit to the environmental pool, where cadets and mariners from all over the world train for rescues in simulations of all kinds of weather conditions.

Sinead Brady, Organisation Development and Communications Manager at PepsiCo said: “supporting Challenge Science aligns really well with PepsiCo’s policy of promoting science in schools. This initiative is hugely valuable in developing students’ interest in science in the push towards a knowledge-based economy. It also gives our employees an opportunity to contribute to education locally.”

Safety Conscious in Carlow

Safety was the focus for over 100 students from N.S., Tinryland N.S., N.S. & Scoil Bride N.S. Ardough, at the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) Keep Safe roadshow at Ballinabranna GFC recently.

Working with the HSA at Keep Safe, An Taisce, Bus Eireann, ESB Networks, Carlow Fire and Rescue Services, Civil Defence Carlow, An Garda Síochána, Irish Water Safety and Teagasc, collaborated to promote safety and community awareness.

Commenting after the event, Bredeen Keane, Tinryland N.S. said: “it was a fantastically organised and informative morning. I’d highly recommend it.The children’s experience will stay with them for a long time.”

Mark Teehan, teacher Scoil Bride Ardough summised that his students will “have a change in attitude and will be very careful around safety with electricity, water, fire and their own safety.”

Keep Safe involves students in a series of interesting and thought-provoking scenarios exploring topics like personal and home safety, how to react in dangerous situations and staying safe on the roads, near water and on the farm. Thanks to all the safety professionals from each of the collaborating agencies for their work with the students in raising awareness in the course of a very enjoyable HSA Keep Safe event. Spring 2015

Limerick Regeneration & Our City - The Journey Continues

The Limerick Regeneration Our City project is now in its third year. This project involves primary school and secondary schools in the North and Southside Regeneration areas of the city. The partnership between Limerick Regeneration and Junior Achievement Ireland, which is supported by local businesses will enable over 700 students to participate during the 2014/15 school year.

“The Our City programme was delivered by Mr Dave Walsh from Dell. We really enjoyed having Dave come into our classroom. It was a great opportunity for the children to learn about things that are not necessarily covered in the school curriculum. Dave really brought things to life and the world of work a bit closer to the classroom! Eilis O’Dwyer, 3rd class teacher, Our Lady of Lourdes N.S.

Thanks to the time and commitment of volunteers from local supporting organisations such as Northern Trust, Dell, Stryker, AIB and GECAS, the students engage with local business people and learn more about the links between education and their future careers. The secondary school students also participate in The Economics of Staying in School and Success Skills programmes. To reinforce all of the themes covered in the classrooms, students will participate in School to Work Days facilitated by Dell, Genworth Financial and Limerick City and County Council.

SQS Supporting Success Curating Students’ Interest in Science with Skills for Students Cambus Medical

SQS offices on North Wall Quay played During 2014, Cambus Medical volunteers worked with 150 students in host to 25 TY students from St. David’s Galway to gain science, enterprise and life skills, through its partnership Holy Faith Secondary School, with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI). Greystones. Accompanied by their Many volunteers opted to facilitate teachers, students participated in mock Science Forward and Our Universe, interviews lead by SQS employees to programmes that are specifically complete the work with long-serving designed to encourage students to volunteer, Richie Power on their Success take an interest in science. Skills programme. Cambus Medical also hosted After an intensive morning of interviews successful ‘School to Work Days’ and reflecting on feedback from their where students see at first-hand interviewers, students were treated to the various roles they might aspire pizzas and refreshments – well deserved to fill in the future. after all the hard work!! Reflecting on the partnership with JAI, which has been running since 2010, Caitríona Clancy, HR Manager at Cambus Medical said: “We feel that it is important to encourage the students to continue their education and to give them an insight into what Cambus Medical does and the opportunities that are available to them in the future. By encouraging the students to remain in education we are strengthening the local talent pool for the future. Some of these students may be our future key employees”. Spring 2015

Thank You to Each of Our Supporting Organisations

If you have any suggestions or comments on any of our programmes, please email [email protected] Junior Achievement Ireland, Homestead, Sandyford Road, Dundrum, Dublin 16