QEGS Sixth Form Business Conference

The QEGS Business Conference was an extraordinary apprentice-like experience for the Lower Sixth to gain experience of the real working world. The first day on Thursday 13^th on July the Sixth Formers gained the opportunity to have a range of talks led by experienced business individuals to enlighten them of opportunities to come ahead, for example careers in the civil service and PR and marketing. A talk on ‘Courageous Communications’ (by Ants Etherton) enhanced our confidence skills and a presentation for working overseas by a former QEGS student (Myles Treharne) now living successfully in Switzerland gave us an idea of the advantages of living abroad. Furthermore, the students interested in clinical careers got to observe real tumours by microscope (under the direction of a clinical pathologist). Additionally, all students received an inspirational presentation and talk by Sandra Murphy, a talented local entrepreneur (and owner of Equidiet UK) who combated racism and was recently a winner at the prestigious Black British Business Awards.                                

On the second day of the QEGS business conference, the students were put into mixed groups of 12 people and were given a surprise task of producing, advertising and marketing a set of cupcakes or cookies. It was an exciting and new experience for us as students to be creative and to use the skills from our subjects. For example, those who do economics and business could put their skills to the test with the marketing side of the task while those who study product design could use their practical skills to create a suitable box for the baked deserts. Practical, academic, artistic and socially creative skillset was required to win the business conference by showcasing the capabilities and teamwork of all the students. That’s why, group 7, the “Goal Diggers” with their brand ‘Oh Honey Honey’ were able to win the QEGS Business Conference 2022 with their sweet sugar cookies with a soft honey centre drizzled with white chocolate and honeycomb. Their unique selling points of helping the ‘bees stay in business’, sourcing products from the local area and having exceptional taste put them in front of the other groups. It has been agreed with Sandra James (HET CEO) that the ‘Oh Honey Honey’ winning cookies will be mass produced by the QEGS kitchen staff and will be sold in the school canteen.

Overall the QEGS Business Conference was a highly enjoyable experience for all involved and gave the students an insight of the real business world. We would like to thank the business advisors for giving up their time and the Lincolnshire Co-op for donating all of the ingredients.

Marium Rabbani (L6F – and member of the winning team!)