Sponsors
Week 1
Team name: Monster Minds
Tell us what you have been doing this week
First, we decided on our business idea. We all came up with different things in groups and then we voted for the best idea. Our campaign is going to put the fun back into school by looking at activities that will promote healthy bodies and healthy minds. We want the whole school to take part in several activities which will make them fitter or make them feel good... some activities just for fun that will make everybody feel good. We will charge a small fee for each activity. Each group will research different charities and decide who they would like all/part of the money raised to go.
What did you learn this week?
We learnt that we had to consider the cost of things we wanted to do: some of our ideas would have cost hundreds of pounds. We also learnt that we all get a vote but then you can't moan when your idea doesn't get chosen. Also, business ideas have to be realistic!
What did you find difficult this week?
Working collaboratively and being democratic can be difficult but it is the fairest way of working so everyone gets a say.
Developing a campaign idea.
Our logos
Imogen's winning logo with Stuart and Ryan from the Harbour Trust.
Week 2
Tell us what you have been doing this week
This week we met with our business partner from the Whitehaven Harbour Youth Project. He, Stuart, came with an apprentice called Ryan. We showed them all our ideas for our business campaign and asked them all sorts of questions on how to get organised and what they did in their jobs. We had all designed logos for our business; drawn or created on I Pads and we asked them to judge the best one. They picked Imogen's.
We have made an appointment for next week with the Head Teacher, Mrs Sharp. Each group is going to present their ideas to her so we wrote out our presentations.
What did you learn this week?
How to make a logo which shows what you are all about. We have started to learn how to organise and cost events/activities. We have worked together to make presentations to do for the Head next week.
What did you find difficult this week?
Focusing on the little details of our ideas and making a plan which would work for the whole school. Some of our ideas had to be changed because it wouldn't work with so many people.
Week 3
Tell us what you have been doing this week
This week we have separated into working teams: finalising our ideas for our event/activity to bring healthy bodies and healthy minds into school; hopefully while having fun. We kept to one idea each and had to cost any materials we needed. We researched things we needed on our I Pads and then looked up where we could buy things cheaply. We made lists of things we need to do in preparation and then each group presented their idea to our Head Teacher, Mrs Sharpe. She thought it all sounded brilliant and we have the go-ahead to do all the things we want to in school time. Time to get started!
What did you learn this week?
How to work together to come up with a presentation with costs etc... to get our campaign the go-ahead in school.
What did you find difficult this week?
One group couldn't agree on one idea - they had so many! Their presentation wasn't very clear and they need to come up with a stronger plan.
Helping Year 4 with some planting.
Planting with the infants.
Week 4
Tell us what you have been doing this week
In our bid to create healthy bodies and minds we have been helping the younger children in school plant new bushes and hedgerows around the edges of our school grounds. One group on our Year 6 team have also been planting seeds in pots and teaching the infants about what makes plants grow etc... They are going to measure their sunflowers when they start growing and see who can get the biggest one.
What did you learn this week?
We learnt how important it is to talk in much simpler language to smaller children so they can follow the instructions and understand what you say without too much help.
What did you find difficult this week?
Some of the little ones got a bit bored when the digging was hard and started messing about. We had to make sure they had something interesting they could do on their own.
Week 5
Tell us what you have been doing this week
This week one group has continued planting with younger children each day for 45 minutes. Another group has devised a fitness routine and has done it with a different class every day. The classes have loved having the chance to have an exercise session before afternoon or morning classes begin. Another group have organised two movie sessions: 1 for KS1 and 1 for KS2 so we can have something longer for the juniors. They have priced popcorn and drinks and sourced a popcorn maker so that everyone can have a treat.
What did you learn this week?
That we have to be very organised to be young leaders. Things rarely go completely to plan and you need to be ready to cope with any changes. We also learnt that £50 seems like a lot of money but you have to budget very carefully when each group wants to do something different.
What did you find difficult this week?
Making sure each group gets a fair share of the £50. We had such a lot of ideas but they would have cost a lot of money. We had to slim down our ideas so that we only bought vital things.
Keeping fit.
Leading the younger children's exercise session.
More Keep Fit!
Week 6
Tell us what you have been doing this week
We have been really busy continuing with all the daily sessions we have set up in school. Group 1 have taught a different Keep Fit throughout school to every year group on a daily basis; tailoring it to different key stages. (Everybody is really enjoying the 15 minute slots). Group 2 have continued with the planting and have visited our pre-school this week, teaching them about growing and planting seeds in pots. The cinema group is all planned and ready to go and the group that are leading our whole school activity day have the activities agreed with the Harbour Youth Trust.
What did you learn this week?
That you have to keep changing things - like the keep fit routine - to keep everyone enthusiastic.
What did you find difficult this week?
Finding time for everything! We have been really busy in class too so we have had to juggle everything carefully.
Week 7 - half term
Baking bread on a stick.
Two Y4's enjoying the blindfold trail.
Week 8
Tell us what you have been doing this week
We finished our campaign with a whole school activity day. We planned it with our business partners and they came and help us run it on the day and supplied any materials we needed. It was brilliant; everyone in school loved it and said they'd had a great time. We did: archery for the older ones, bread making on a stick, orienteering, a blindfold trail and building structures competition. It met our idea of healthy minds/healthy bodies and was lots of fun!What did you learn this week?
We learnt how to work very efficiently as a team as we ran the event. There were some leaders and they made sure everyone knew what they were doing when. We saw how our campaign had made an impact on the school and we felt like our hard work had been worth it.What did you find difficult this week?
Planning a day which involved so many people. We were running around all over the place from 8 until 3.15 and we were really tired by the end.For pupils to answer:
In one sentence please tell us what bright stars has meant to you?
Working as a team, becoming leaders and achieving our goals.
For teachers to answer:
Can you tell us the impact this programme has had on your school?
The children have loved being part of the programme, planning their own activities and then carrying them out with the younger children in school. It has brought out some natural leaders and encouraged team work at every turn. Having to pitch their ideas to the Headteacher and their business partner encouraged public speaking. The main impact has been having an idea, setting goals and then seeing them come to fruition. The children have a great sense of achievement and pride.
Please provide your business plan.
Please provide your marketing plan.
Please provide your finance report/template.
