Envision 2016

The Film Challenge
The first official challenge we were required to do as part of the 10-month programme was to create a short film focusing on our chosen topic. This particular task required us to work as a team to passionately communicate the issues that mattered to us. This challenge required us to shoot the video in a single take in (no editing) under two minutes.

[spacer height=”20px”]

The Pitching Challenge
On Thursday 24th November 2016, the Envision students from HGS were driven to Birmingham City Centre to meet over 200 students at KPMG’s Birmingham offices. The aim of the challenge (the first in a series of upcoming challenges) was for us to share our plans for tackling some of the pressing social issues and bid for up to £100. This challenge required us to prepare a project plan and pitch it to a panel of judges made up of senior representatives from local companies and government, including David Ward, Managing Partner at Marks and Clerk, along with employees from KPMG. Handsworth Grammar School had two teams participating in this challenge: Team Odyssey who aimed their project at young people suffering from depression; and The Comma Project whose aim was to raise awareness about the shockingly high suicide rate amongst young men and where they can seek help.

All 20 teams (from 10 schools) in total were split into 4 different rooms, to make it easier and quicker to conduct their presentations. Team Odyssey pitched first and even though it was quite nerve-racking, we did quite well and managed to answer all questions that came our way from the judges. Once the other 4 teams in our room had pitched, there was a break whilst the judges decided how much to give us. Team Odyssey received the full £100 they needed, whilst The Comma Project managed a total of £95. The judges also gave us feedback for improving our project as well as our pitch.

Overall the evening was quite interesting and useful, as we gained some vital public speaking skills along with feedback to improve. This was an amazing experience which students who join the Sixth Form should definitely consider taking part in.

Mohammed Zoheb Mobeen and Muhammad Nazakat
(Team Odyssey)

[spacer height=”20px”]

Envision – Pitching Challenge
At Handsworth Grammar School we encourage our Sixth Form students to try and give something back to the community by volunteering their time and skills for the benefit of others. One of the programmes we have on offer is called Envision | Community Apprentice. This is an exclusive programme involving Sixth Form students from select schools in Birmingham, London and Bristol only. The students work together with local volunteers, schools, businesses and charities to provide a practical learning experience.

This year, twenty students from Handsworth Grammar signed up for the programme and have organised themselves into two teams:
Team Odyssey – working on raising awareness about mental health with depression as their main focus
The Comma Project – working on raising awareness about Suicide amongst young men

[spacer height=”20px”]

On November 24th, 2016 (Thu), the students went to KPMG offices in Birmingham City Centre, to pitch for up to £100 towards their community projects. They conducted their presentations from memory and did not rely on scripts, unlike the majority of their competitors; which allowed them to make eye contact with the judges and project their voices to reach all in the room. In the face of tough questions from the judges, both teams impressed the judges with their answers, especially Team Odyssey, who were awarded the full £100 compared to the £95 that was awarded to The Comma Project. Both teams did very well for themselves and the school and we are proud of their achievements so far. The CEO of Envision, Jennie Butterworth, spoke to many of our students and expressed how impressed she was with their work and the effort they displayed during their presentation.

Closing the evening, host Mike Steventon, Midlands Regional Chairman and Birmingham Senior Partner, KPMG, said that he had been impressed by the standard of presentations and ideas and hoped that many of the students would consider applying to the firm’s apprenticeship programmes.

The link below is to the Envision website where they report on this event and display a photo of Team Odyssey in mid-presentation:

http://www.envision.org.uk/home/news-events/iwill-benefit-my-community

Mr Ahmed