The Australian Business Week competition is available to all schools around the country; however, it is usually only offered to students studying business. Here at QAHS we ensure that the ABW program is available to all Year 11 students every year. ABW allows for the development of key business skills and encourages students to take on roles such as Chief Executive Officer as well as be part of a marketing and finance team. In 2021, 122 students participated across 12 teams, all working within a future career pathway and an assigned home nation. Countries represented included Japan, New Zealand and Thailand with career pathways spanning from medicine to farming.
The buzz of excitement was evident from day 1 as the Principal launched the week with a Keynote Address, the CEOs were selected and operations began. Teams developed new and ground-breaking products to take to market including a surgical tent for remote surgical procedures, a life skills app designed to bridge the gap between traditional education and everyday life, a range of coconut based baby products, a portable safety device to ensure an individual's safety when walking alone and a guided farming system to disseminate fertiliser and water to the exact points required by measured soil quality.
The highlight of the week is the Trade Expo whereby teams display and sell their products to potential investors. This year was an incredible showcase of a week of hard work and dedication from each team. Each and every team member sold their product and discussed its benefits with guests with confidence and enthusiasm.
ABW culminates in a Gala Awards Dinner to celebrate the successes of all students, held at Sharks Event Centre. This year we congratulate the following award winners:
Best Logo Design – Angels of Artemis
Oral Presentation Winner – HexLite
Business Simulation Winner – ApiSafe
Best Trade Display – LifeAid
Best TV Advert – HexLite
Best Website Design – Scout
Company Report Winner – Angels of Artemis
People's Choice Trade Display – Solomon Sanative Solutions
Most Outstanding CEO – Marli Joubert
Grand Champion Team – Angels of Artemis
All the experiences of ABW would not have been possible without our generous principal sponsors. QAHS would like to give thanks to CNC Promotional Products and Parker Simmonds Solicitors and Lawyers.
We are also very grateful to our generous team sponsors Ace of Frames, Studio Kirby, BACS Projects, Giant Chemists Harbour Town, Harmony Health, Adobe Australian Migration, Business2Sell.com.au, Mobile Digital, Risk Insights and Webninja.
The QA community would also like to express our utmost gratitude to the business mentors from National Australia Bank, Mr. Adam Barlow, Mr. Gareth Hardman, Mr. Ross Crighton, Mr. Jason Wright, Mr. Ross Blunden and Ms. Kate Hare along with lecturers Mr. Mat Jones from GE Healthcare, Dr. Joan Carlini from Griffith University, Ms. Michelle Gargar from Pamiliya Accountants and Mr. Sam Worboys from our very own QAHS, who have all guided and directed the teams this year, enhancing their ABW experience.
Rachael Hart
HOD Global Learners