Six student teams are pitch perfect in Dragons’ Den presentations
Young innovators presented ideas of 'outstanding quality' to judges during Jewish News-PaJeS fifth annual awards
With their confident and articulate pitches, the six teams of innovative students from Jewish schools made the real contestants of Dragons Den look like amateurs.
The finalists, four from primary schools and two from secondary schools, each presented their ideas to the room of 250 guests and then took questions from four judges.
Praising all six pitches for their “outstanding quality”, judge Chana Kanzen praised the teams for their successful use of Jewish values, budgeting, sustainability and longevity. The PaJeS pitch was sponsored by the Genesis Philanthropy Group.
The winning secondary school was Kantor King Solomon High School, for their idea of creating an ‘Eco Club’ to implement positive environment changes. The judges were impressed by how “passionate” and “well researched” the project was.
Extensive preparation went into each pitch, with teams made up of up to four pupils learning about business plans, as well as how to research and present in front of a large audience.
Two primary schools were joint winners, with Sinai Jewish Primary School’s proposal for a ‘Broadcasting and Radio Studio’ being praised for its “uniqueness” and the manner in which it captured the “essence of the school.”
Menorah Foundation School’s idea of a ‘Science Nature Garden’ equally impressed the judges, who “loved how it would involve the whole school and community”, including those with special educational needs.
In a surprise twist, Andrew Wolfson of The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust was so impressed by the high standard he pledged to fund all six of the projects proposed.
Speaking to Jewish News after the results, judge Anthony Wagerman said: “I found tonight to be a really humbling experience, and I’ve been so impressed by all the children’s enthusiasm and professionalism.
“If we believe our Jewish schools really are the future of our community, then you can already see why the community is going to be in great shape for the next decade.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
