From the Business Studies Classroom

Term 1 was a busy one! Amidst all the theory, lessons, and tests, we still managed to make time for creativity, engagement, and a little fun. Business content came to life in practical and exciting ways across all grades.

Grade 10:

Exploring Entrepreneurship and Business in Film

In alignment with their Entrepreneurship module, the Grade 10 Business Studies girls each delivered a presentation on a female South African entrepreneur who inspires them. This activity aimed to highlight and celebrate the incredible entrepreneurial talent we have in our country, especially among women.

Ratatouille

In term 1, the Grade 10 Business Studies girls swapped textbooks for movie screens as they took part in a creative and insightful film review project based on the beloved animated film, Ratatouille.

The task challenged learners to analyse the film through a Business Studies lens, focusing on key concepts such as entrepreneurship, leadership, teamwork, customer service, marketing, conflict management, ethics and the different business environments. Rather than simply watching a movie for entertainment, girls were encouraged to think critically about how business principles appear in real life situations, even in a busy Parisian restaurant run by an unlikely chef!

Throughout the project, girls explored how characters demonstrated entrepreneurial qualities such as creativity, resilience, innovation and problem solving. Many girls highlighted Remy’s determination to pursue his passion despite the obstacles he faced, drawing links between his journey and the realities of entrepreneurship in the modern business world.

One of the most exciting aspects of the project was seeing the girls apply theory in a creative and practical way. Their reviews showcased impressive critical thinking skills, thoughtful analysis and the ability to connect classroom concepts to a real world example. Many girls produced highly detailed and engaging reviews that demonstrated both business knowledge and creativity.

Projects such as these form an important part of Business Studies, as they encourage our girls to move beyond memorising theory and instead develop analytical, communication and evaluative skills. By using film and storytelling as a learning tool, learners are able to engage with content in a more meaningful and memorable way.

Grade 11:

Booster tests

The Grade 11s had the opportunity to take a “booster” test covering the topic of the Macro Environment. This innovative, interactive assessment was both engaging and educational. Conducted digitally via QR code access, the short 20–30 minute test provided instant results. It served as a helpful revision tool and a fun way to reinforce key concepts while boosting student confidence and performance.

Grade 11 and 12:

Critical Thinking in Action

Our Grade 11 and 12 girls completed an article analysis task. This assignment challenged them to critically engage with current issues affecting South Africa’s economy, business environment, and society.

The topics discussed included, amongst others, the effectiveness of the minimum wage in South Africa, the success of economic transformation in addressing inequality in South Africa, and the extent to which employees’ personal social media profiles may impact the workplace, considering freedom of speech.

It was impressive to see how confidently they handled these “hot topics,” applying their analytical skills to offer thoughtful conclusions and meaningful recommendations. Their ability to unpack complex issues and propose realistic solutions was truly commendable.

Grade 12:

Smoke Outing

The Grade 12 Business Studies girls enjoyed an exciting and enriching educational outing to Smoke Restaurant in Term 1, where classroom theory was brought to life in a real world setting. The visit formed part of the learners’ studies on business environments, management, customer relations and entrepreneurship within the hospitality industry.

During the outing, the girls had the opportunity to engage with the restaurant’s management team and gain valuable insight into the daily operations of a successful sit down restaurant. From marketing and branding to customer service and financial management, our girls were able to see how the various business functions work together to create a memorable dining experience for customers.

The visit also encouraged learners to think critically about the challenges faced within the hospitality industry, including competition, maintaining quality standards and adapting to changing consumer trends. Discussions around ethics, sustainability and customer satisfaction provided further depth to the experience and allowed the girls to connect many of the concepts studied in Business Studies to practical examples.

Beyond the educational value, the outing created an opportunity for the Grade 12s to spend meaningful time together outside of the classroom environment. Our girls represented the school with pride, professionalism and enthusiasm throughout the visit. Outings such as these continue to play an important role in inspiring and preparing our girls for the world of business beyond school.

Term 1 was certainly filled with meaningful learning experiences across all grades. We look forward to building on this momentum in Term 2!