ODM DRAGONS CAVE
ODM Financial and ODM Accountants (“ODM”) in Bandon Co. Cork recognise the importance of developing initiative and creative thinking in the students of today - the business people of tomorrow. ODM has organised and sponsored a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style competition to showcase the business ideas of the transition year students of Bandon’s four secondary schools, Colaiste naToirbhirte, Hamilton High School, St. Brogan’s College and Bandon Grammar School.
The competition, known as ‘ODM Dragons' Cave’ will be an annual competition in the Bandon secondary school calendar fostering an innovative culture in the students of Bandon. The competition gives the students an opportunity to develop their responsibility, leadership, confidence, self-reliance and creativity while providing practical experience of what is required to develop a business idea. The objective is that the experience of this competition will develop the students’ innovative talents and encourage them to participate actively in and contribute to the local business economy in the future.
ODM Dragon's Cave Grand Final 2010
The competition started with over 30 teams competing for the title of ‘ODM Young Dragons 2010’. After 4 very successful school finals 8 teams remained for the ODM Dragons Cave Grand Final, 2 teams representing each secondary school. The healthy rivalry amongst Bandon’s secondary schools reached a climax on the night of Tuesday 16th March at Bandon’s GAA Pavilion. The final was presented in front a capacity crowd of over 400 people, comprising of fellow students, teachers, parents, local business people and the general public.
The presentations were of a very high professional standard and all the students can be very proud of their efforts, they are a credit to their respective schools. The transition year students sent a very clear message to everyone present, we have the ideas, we have the confidence and we have the ability. Their presentations highlighted to everyone in attendance that the future is very bright with the calibre of students coming through our local schools.
Speaking to teachers, parents and students alike it is clear that the students enjoyed the very practical experience of developing business ideas and associated business plans. “ODM’s objective at the outset of ODM Dragons’ Cave was to develop the students’ innovative talents and to encourage them to participate actively in and contribute to the local and national economy in the future. The response from the students was beyond all our expectations.” – Kieran Hurley ODM Financial
“ODM is delighted with the success of this competition, the students have embraced the idea and their performances throughout have been refreshing and point to a very bright future. We look forward to a long association with ODM Dragons Cave as the competition is set to become an integral part of the transition year school curriculum in the local secondary schools going forward.” – Dan Murphy ODM.