Grammar students see fruits of their labours

Jan 15 2009 by Sandra Walls, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON Grammar pupils have proved they have the entrepreneurial spirit after successfully launching a new business.

S4 pupils showed their business ‘nous’ by setting up a smoothie bar named Frozoz.

The Frozoz bar opened for business in December in the school’s foyer and provides healthy and affordable fruit smoothies for staff and pupils for up to £1 each.

The idea came from home economics teacher Claire Brown after her Standard Grade class last year took part in Sainsbury's Active Kids initiative.

It challenged pupils to produce their own smoothie.

Claire said: “The class were so motivated and enthusiastic about the challenge that I thought that there was nothing stopping them from going into business and setting up a smoothie bar for the school.”

Pupils Grant Garrett, Rebecca Irvine, Jamie Hendry and Rachel Gregory had to work hard to gain a Food Hygiene Certificate to allow them to go into production.

Claire added: “The pupils were up to the challenge of establishing a company name as well as an interesting logo to match – and not forgetting the creation of interesting and different flavours that would get both staff and pupils’ taste buds flowing.”

Smoothies currently available include refreshing berry, kiwi surprise and fruit delight, with the group committed to producing new flavours.

Pupils make up the drinks themselves and sell them during break times each Friday.

They made £50 during the first two weeks of operation and plan to plough all profit back into the business to buy new equipment and ingredients.

Pupils also offer a pre-order service as well as a discount to individuals who recycle their smoothie bottles.

Claire said: “I am so proud of the hard work put in by all the pupils involved.

“This has been a fantastic venture that has challenged the pupils to be enterprising and develop a strong awareness of their product and target customers.”

With the business doing so well, the S4 pupils have recruited S3 pupils Devon Lamb, Laura Hendry, Mikhaila Thomson, Deborah Hannah and Umar Latif to help them run the business.

Now the pupils can enjoy the fruits of their Frozoz success, and pass their expertise on to others.