Students impress Apple executive at Enterprise Challenge final

Students from the 14-16 department at New City College’s Arbour Square campus impressed a senior executive from Apple with their excellent business pitch at the recent Princes Trust Enterprise Challenge final.

The five teenagers, Zhan Lu, Maryam Hajebi, Lucy Qin, Abdourahman Sonko and Mahmadul Hasan, won through to represent New City College at the final, having impressed judges at the college’s Enterprise Challenge Day earlier in the year.

Accompanied by teacher Senie Emmanuel to the prestigious City of London offices of Howden Group Holdings, the students, all of whom have recently immigrated to the UK, faced stiff opposition from schools across London.

The teams all had to pitch their business idea to a select group of corporate business leaders who marked the presentations and then announced the winner.

Although the New City College team did not win, they received high praise from the representative from Apple who commended them for their confident performance and the way they engaged with the audience.

Megan Williams, Youth Development Lead – Education for the Princes Trust, who organised the competition, said: “It was a fun day where the students all learned so much from each other and from the business experts who attended. These young people did an incredible job and should be very proud.”

Steve Jinman, Senior Curriculum Manager 14-16, at New City College, said: “Our students worked really well together and did a fantastic job against competition of a very high standard. We are very proud of their achievement.”

Check out our courses for students aged 14-16