West View Primary School participated in the Young Entrepreneurs’ Skills Competition (YESCOM) 2010, organised by Association of Malay Entrepreneurs (KESUMA). The school team is represented by members of the Innovation Club, Art Club and ICT Club. The Innovation Club, initiated by the school principal - Mdm Rashidah Abdul Rasip and headed by two teachers; Mdm Efizah Samat and Mdm Chua Kiat Eng, was established in 2010 as an initiative to develop the spirit of innovation and enterprise among the pupils.

The objective of YESCOM is to instill entrepreneurship and innovation spirit among young Singaporeans.

Preparation for the competition started with the Innovation team learning the skills of developing innovative products. The pupils were also trained in effective marketing and selling strategies. After the initial market survey, the team decided to market hand-made and personalised craft and toy products. Products created included personality-based bookmarks, dream ladder and a toy, known as happy feet. Product design and production was done in close collaboration with the Art Club, ICT Club and the Parent Support Group (PSG).

During the Grand Finale, on 4^th July at Toa Payoh HDB Hub Mall, the manager of our team, Jonas Gng Rui Sheng, said, “We face initial slow sales and customer rejections. Despite that, we display resilience, courage and initiative. We exhibit endurance, improvise our promotion tactics and encourage one another.”

West View Primary School won the championship for the junior category as well as the overall champion in their first time taking part in YESCOM. The school received championship trophies and cash prize of $1000 for overall champion and $500 for champion in the junior category.

At the award presentation, on 25^th September, the teacher in charge of Innovation Club, Mdm Efizah Samat, said, “We were overjoyed when West View Primary School was named the overall winner of the competition and the winner for the Junior Category. It is the first time that we have participated.”

The principal of the school, Mdm Rashidah Abdul Rasip added, “'The main objective of entering the competition was to give our pupils the exposure as the Innovation club is a new CCA in the school.  It was set up this year.  However, as in all competitions, our school will always want to live up to the school motto of 'Aim High', therefore, the pupils did all they could to ensure that they put their best foot forward for the competition.  In addition, the Innovation club collaborated with the Art Club and ICT club to brainstorm and design the innovative products to market and sell for the competition.  I believe that the results are a testimony of the good team work and spirit displayed by all the pupils who took part.”

Through this competition, the pupils learnt about business skills, acquired and applied valuable life skills.  They collaborated as a team, brainstormed constructively and, most importantly, persevered to overcome the challenges. For the school and pupils, the experience gained is a step towards igniting entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.