Year 10 Commerce Students Selected For The Macquarie Uni Bubble Tea Innovation Challenge Grand Final

Year 10 Commerce students who were awarded 2nd place, with Macquarie University representatives and their teachers Mrs Noud and Ms Nicolson.

Of the 10 teams selected from schools across Sydney to take part in the Grand Final of the Macquarie University Bubble Tea Innovation Challenge three of these teams were from Catherine McAuley!

You’ve heard of bubble tea, but what’s the next big craze set to take over the food world? That was the challenge posed to the Year 10 Commerce students when they entered the ‘Macquarie University Bubble Tea Innovation Challenge’, and they rose to the occasion with incredible creativity and enthusiasm!

From an initial 10 teams who pitched their ideas through dynamic video presentations, six teams impressed the judges enough to move on to the next round. Their task was to develop a detailed business plan, complete with location strategy, supply chain management, and financial planning.

The ideas and innovation of the Catherine McAuley teams impressed the judges, earning three McAuley teams a spot in the grand final, an amazing achievement considering only ten teams were selected from schools across Sydney.

On Saturday, 25th November, the finalists presented live at Macquarie University before a panel of business executives from leading corporate organisations. The results speak for themselves, a testament to all their creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial flair.

Catherine McAuley Grand Finalists

Team Zentro – Bhakti D., Leisel H., Maria J. and Amelia M.
A refreshing business idea inspired by the ‘zen’ wellness trend, offering nutritious smoothie blends for a balanced lifestyle.

Team Tacos2day – Kruti P., Lily E., Zara L. and Georgia A.
A new twist on the classic taco, with a self-serve concept featuring customisable fillings and diverse sauce stations.

Team Sweet Set – Lucinda T., Navleen A., Clarissa A. and Evanshka J.
A dessert lover’s dream, serving creative yogurt and cake combinations topped with an irresistible shell layer.

Teachers Ms N. Nicolson and Mrs G. Noud proudly watched as the three teams presented with confidence, clarity, and business savvy. Both Zentro and Tacos2day advanced to the final round, aptly named ‘The Final Sip’, where they had to think on their feet and respond to an unexpected question from the judging panel. Their quick thinking and composure paid off; Zentro took second place, while Tacos2day finished an impressive fourth overall.

Congratulations to every student who embraced this challenge. The teamwork, dedication and drive for excellence made McAuley proud!