Pictured above are students Matthew McLoughlin, Hannah Rushe, Karen Murphy, Rebecca Munroe and Cliodhna Sloan. Also in the picture are teachers Mr Gary McKinley, Mrs Ann O’Hare and Mrs Clare Maguire.

Congratulations to our ‘Banc na mBuaiteoiri’ team who won the Community Outreach Award at the regional finals of the First Trust Bank (FTB) Build a Bank Challenge.

The St Paul’s Business students took part in the FTB Build a Bank Challenge recently. The pupils decided to name their bank “Banc na mBuaiteoiri” which translates as ‘Bank of Winners’ in English. Once the name was decided upon, the next stage, involved employing staff for the appropriate job roles. After a lengthy interview process the following pupils were chosen for specific roles;

Rebecca Munroe – Bank Manager

Karen Murphy – Assistant Manager

Hannah Rushe – Financial Controller

Michael McEneaney – Marketing Executive

Matthew McLoughlin / Cliodhna Sloan – Sales Representatives

Joseph Heaney / Paraic Fearon / Aimee Quinn – Support Staff

The bank staff decided that the aim of the St Paul’s School Bank should be to unlock the potential a bank can offer its students and the local community. They want to educate and prepare the students of St Paul’s to develop the life skills of budgeting and saving which are necessary to secure their financial future.

The bank continues to open every Tuesday morning between the hours of 8.30am – 9.00am in the Board of Governors room which is located across from the reception at the front of the school. During this time new accounts can be opened and lodgements can be made.

The pupils developed social media for their bank by constructing a Facebook and Twitter page. They used both of these effectively to market and communicate to the pupils and customers in the local community.

Banc na mBuaiteoiri held a very successful charity fashion show in St Paul’s High School which was hosted by School Principal Mr Jarlath Burns. The show, which was totally sold out, raised money for our chosen charities and developed valuable links and sponsorship with local businesses in our community. Students from St Paul’s modelled the clothes and accessories.

On Monday 2nd March the Banc na mBuaiteoiri team travelled to Derry with their Business Studies teacher, Mr Gary McKinley to participate in the Regional Build a Bank Challenge final. The competition was professionally organised and attended by 33 schools from across Northern Ireland. The pupils were asked to present comprehensive evidence to 3 judges illustrating how they set up and made a success of their school bank. They had to highlight their community links as well as present a detailed synopsis of their work and engagement in Banc na mBuaiteoiri. After a very strong presentation and against huge competition, Banc na MBuaiteoiri were awarded the Best Community Outreach award. All of the students involved worked very hard to achieve this and were delighted when they received the award. They clearly illustrated their dedication to playing a positive role in the community by organising and taking part in the following events:

• They sourced food for the local food bank.
• They raised money for the St Paul’s chosen charities through a very successful fashion show.
• They are working with Conservation NI to regenerate the local garden in Cloughreagh house.

The St Paul’s Business Studies Department and the members of their bank would like to sincerely thank the local community and sponsors who kindly contributed to help launch Banc na mBuaiteoiri, your support is very much appreciated!
Banc na mBuaiteoiri sponsors:

• Sugar Supper Newry
• Milinary by Mairead
• McCooey’s Café Newry
• The Funhouse Newry
• McCumiskey & Co Insurance Brokers
• Honey Bunch Florist Newry
• Timoney’s Ice Cream Warrenpoint & Newry
• PMM Security
• Burton Decorators
• Berling
• Louis Boyds
• Safe Fuels
• DV8
• Friar Tucks
• Rosie’s Closet
• Burtons Clothing
• Coast
• The Bridal Loft
• Elody Bridal
• Mark’s and Spencers
• Derramor Tyres
• Paul McKeown (Driving Instructor)