Students are channeling their inner entrepreneur for the Yarra Junction Primary School’s Market Day on Monday 24 November.
From 11.30am, the school’s stadium will be transformed into a bustling market place manned by an enthusiastic cohort of five-six students.
It’s the third annual market day for Yarra Junction Primary School, and grade five-six teacher Shannon Ford said students have fully embraced the challenge of running their own business.
“The excitement has developed over the years because they’ve been able to see what’s possible, and they see that putting in the hard work is rewarded,” Ms Ford said.
A mashup of stalls will line the stadium’s perimeter on the day, selling tasty treats, tattoos, beauty salons, mini games and many more.
“It’s like a traditional market you’d see within the community, like in a town hall.”
For the entirety of term four, the five-sixes have been tasked with developing a business idea
which includes coming up with a product, service or activity to sell, and doing research to determine pricing.
Funds earnt from the market will go towards this year’s grade six graduation, while children can reimburse their business purchases with their stall revenue.
Students have also used the graphic design website Canva to come up with promotional posters with catchy slogans such as “kriss krumbles”, “lucky ducky dip” and “pop, shake and pick”.
But, aside from being a fun and unique project, the market day project is also a way of prepping children for the adult world.
“I feel that we’re providing students with a real-world application of the content that’s in the business and economics curriculum.
“They’re actually running a business themselves and can experience the challenges and reap the benefits associated with running a business,” Ms Ford said.
At the same time students have had the chance to develop confidence by approaching business owners and managers for support.
“To go in and talk to managers of businesses and that confidence that’s required to speak to people, I think it’s an important skill that’s being gained by these grade five sixes.
“It’s so important to develop those skills of writing a formal letter and how you address it properly and state what you’re seeking in a formal way,” Ms Ford said.
Local businesses, such as two dollar shop Cortella in Yarra Junction, Chook House and CJ’s Pizza in Warburton and many more have put in to support the school.
Ms Ford said collaboration was encouraged to demonstrate how small businesses rely on each other to thrive in a small town setting.
“We’ve seen that [collaboration] massively, and it’s been needed as well amongst the groups for this to be a success.”
Outside of school, students took it upon themselves to meet up and share ideas.
“Even outside of school hours the engagement has been high. We’ve heard feedback from parents, and it’s great to have had parents jump on board too and support the learning that their children are doing at school.”
Grab your wallet and make your way down to the busy centre of trade and entrepreneurship at the Yarra Junction Primary School.
The market will run through to 1.30pm and is open to the whole community.
