Schoolchildren will have a chance over the next week to nominate their teachers for an award to mark National Children's Day.

The day is set for Sunday, October 7th, and packs have been sent to every school in the State. They include an entry form for the competition; alternatively, you can enter via the National Children's Day website (www.ncd.ie). The winning teacher earns a trip to Thailand and a "Day Out" for the class.

Den 2's Dustin and Socky, accompanied by a judging panel made up of representatives from National Children's Day, have been given the task of choosing the NCD Ribena Best Teacher in Ireland.

Meanwhile, the Golden Vale Young Entrepreneurs Scheme has put out the call for entries. Close to 10,000 students are expected to set up and run businesses, alone or in groups of up to five students, between now and the competition's final in May.

Because of the volume of entries in recent years, the final is being extended, for the first time, from a one-day to a two-day event to allow time for consideration of more than 100 finalists. Information packs are en route to second-level schools.