Learning Economics Through Practice | CBPA and NEC Awards

CBPA × NEC

Recently, Dulwich students achieved strong results in the Business Professionals of America (CBPA) competitions and National Economics Challenge (NEC). These outcomes reflect not only academic achievement, but the depth of thinking, collaboration, and confidence developed through economics and business learning at Dulwich.

At Dulwich, economics education extends beyond mastering models or preparing for assessments. Through discussion-based lessons, case analysis, and continual questioning, students learn to approach economic and business challenges with clarity and independence. Competitions such as NEC and CBPA offer opportunities to apply this thinking in new contexts, not as isolated events, but as natural extensions of classroom learning.

Reflecting on their experiences, students highlighted the importance of sustained academic support, collaborative learning, and the confidence built through steady preparation:

Arnold S, Year12, CBPA Regional Overall Team Honor-Gold Award:

“This was my first time taking part in a business competition, and at the beginning I was not familiar with the overall process or business logic. However, as I developed a deeper understanding and collaboration with my teammates, I gradually became more confident and fully engaged in the competition.Our project combined business operations with creative design, requiring careful consideration of market positioning, target audiences, and brand value. Through product ideation, market feasibility analysis, and data analysis, I learned to approach problems from the perspective of the market and consumers. Collaboration within the team, through clear division of responsibilities and effective communication, allowed us to work efficiently and support one another.This experience strengthened my business thinking, communication skills, and teamwork, and encouraged me to continue challenging myself and growing in the future.”

Jason W, Year 12, NEC National Top Scoring Individual Gold Award:

“When I first encountered economics, the charts and models felt intimidating. It was the teachers’ vivid case analyses in class and study groups after class that transformed abstract theory into visible business logic from everyday life. When I initially chose to challenge myself by entering a more advanced category, facing a vast knowledge framework covering the entire A-Level syllabus and current affairs, I truly felt considerable pressure. Fortunately, I was not alone in facing this challenge. To help me grasp the core content within limited time, my teachers help me organise key ideas and fill knowledge gaps; other economics teachers also generously gave their time to answer questions and deepen my understanding.”

Jim S, PAL, NEC National Top Scoring Individual Silver Award:

“It was a pleasant surprise to achieve a satisfying result in my first attempt at an economics competition, it was truly a wonderful experience. I only began preparing about a month before the competition, so time was quite limited, which made me especially grateful to have teammates who encouraged one another and faced difficulties and challenges together. Preparing for this competition also strengthened my interest in economics and boosted my confidence. I am also very thankful to Ms Law and Mr Winton, who gave me confidence while patiently answering my questions.”

These reflections capture a shared journey: from uncertainty to understanding, from theory to application, and from individual effort to collective growth. At Dulwich, academic success is shaped not by a single result, but by the habits of thinking and learning developed along the way.

Go Dragons!