RIP Laura Buckley Noonan
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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Spires Integrated Primary School in Magherafelt, received the Star Submission Award
Spires Integrated Primary School in Magherafelt, received the Star Submission Award in the All-Island Junior Entrepreneur Awards for their JEP business, Fluffy Friends, and were the only school in NI to take home a top award.
Working as class teams, Irish primary school children participating in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme have launched 300 classroom businesses this year.
The pupils combined their innate creativity with the skills they developed on the programme to create original products and launch businesses ranging from board games and toys to high-end craft and educational products.
The class created a collection of handmade pocket-sized animal-themed teddies, available for ‘adoption’.
Each Fluffy Friend came with its own birth certificate. The Star Submission Award recognises the work involved in creating a portfolio of the work during the project.
The project portfolio tells the story of the project, the challenges faced, and the skills developed and records the pupils' and teacher’s perspectives on important elements of the programme.
Class teacher Sheree Duffy said that the most significant benefit for the children was the opportunity to develop new skills, including problem-solving, negotiating, teamwork and creativity. She added that the students were motivated and enthusiastic throughout the programme. “I’m extremely proud of their achievements,” she said.
The class held a School Showcase day where the teddies proved extremely popular. They made a profit of over £700 and will spend their earnings on a class trip.
JEP participants are guided and encouraged by inspirational teachers who are passionate about giving their class a rounded education.
Marie Lynch, co-founder of JEP added: “JEP has become a rite of passage for children in primary schools all over the country before they move on to secondary school.
"The class develops a lasting bond by working together and combining their talents to experience real-world success."
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