Year 7's enthusiastically embrace Enterprise Day

Yesterday our Year 7s had a fantastic ‘Fawlty Towers’ themed Enterprise morning with not-for-profit organisation, Proactive Young People (PYP)! They were tasked with turning around the fortunes of a failing hotel which needs renovating, redecorating and promoting. Students formed teams and each member had a specific role to play looking at interior design, the restaurant and menu, entertainment (which was lacking before), marketing or finance and finally one became the team leader.

The session focused on developing transferable skills students will use in their future school life and careers, communication, negotiation, budgeting, marketing and running a business.

After their morning research, each team created a mood board to show their plans and then there was the difficult decision of choosing the top 9 to present to the rest of the year!

First to present was Willow Springs, with a beautiful tree-based logo and cosy colours in tune with nature. They outlined the different spec rooms available and tempted guests with a gelato stand, live music three times a week and a kids club.

Next was the Bell Mont team, who have comfy rooms for a special stay, in a green and gold colour scheme. They explained how they had invested in upgrading the hotel for customer satisfaction and had our mouths watering with their restaurant menu from steaks to sushi. The Bell Mont also offer a supervised playroom with trampoline and ballpit.

The Nature’s Retreat hotel is now a five star destination with a pool, sauna, spa, friendly staff and discos! Their food offering includes Italian dishes, burgers and tiramisu.

Swan Lake was announced as more than just a hotel, as a wedding venue or for any occasion, offering VIP rooms with beanbags, and a range of menus including vegan and gluten-free. Their kids’ club is called Cygnets and they have a games room, music and dancing.

The C and C, Comfort and Care hotel is pet and wheelchair friendly with buffets every day with European and Asian food, an indoor pool, a kids soft play and an arcade. Their entertainment includes comedians, karaoke and seasonal events!

The Oak Tree Lodge has a pool, riverside walks and a kids’ indoor play area. The team presented their detailed budgeting and their restaurant specials from Chinese noodles to strawberries and cream.

The newly renovated Crescent hotel delights guests with fun games nights and karaoke with a new pond and summerhouse in the grounds. Their chefs have been trained to offer the best meals you’ve ever tasted with breakfast buffets and smoothie and cocktail bars.

At Incantavo their eco-friendly hotel has solar panels and a heat pump and a five star gourmet restaurant. Their design is pastel colours with luxury linens and the facilities include tennis courts, a club and disco.  

The final presentation was Somewhere Cosy with warm and welcoming staff, glowing fairy lights and glass lifts. The hotel is themed around the three mascots, Muffin, Popcorn and Toast which have their own merchandise! They offer foods from around the world and seasonal drinks.

And the top 3 winners were:

1st - Willow Springs

2nd - Nature’s Retreat

3rd - Incantavo

Year 7 threw themselves wholeheartedly into the challenge and enthusiastically cheered on their fellow students after their engaging presentations. One of the organisers from PYP even declared that they were the best group they’d worked with in 20 years! Well done all!