On Thursday 17th October 2024 over 200 Social Enterprise School students came together from seven schools for the annual Market Day at Old Beechworth Gaol.
More than just a Market Day, the event symbolises the culmination of hard work and collaboration between students throughout their social enterprise journey. Trading is a transformational aspect of Social Enterprise Schools and follows a 10-stage learning journey which culminates in “real life” trading and leads them through the processes involved in developing entrepreneurial thinking and sharpening business related skills.
“Thanks so much for making this possible for our kids – they are different people because of it!”
Jess Marshall, Year 5/6 Teacher at Wooragee Primary School
This year students from Myhree, Beechworth, Wooragee and Whitfield Primary Schools, James Fallon High School, Myrtleford P-12 and Beechworth Montessori Schools participated in the day. Around 250 members of the public and local entrepreneurs attended in support of the event.
Student-led Social Enterprises are always inspiring and creative and this year the range of products available for sale on the day was exciting, and the standard was high. Students from James Fallon High School produced beautifully hand sewn and hand dyed tote bags. The sale of the totes raised money for the “Share the Dignity” organisation and the group went a step further, adding essential information to the bags, making this an educational campaign as well as fundraising. These students are dedicated to addressing the significant challenges faced by many individuals and families in accessing essential sanitary products. Their presentation, confidence and obvious commitment to their project and cause is exemplary.
“We asked the students to arrive early this morning so that we could arrive in Beechworth on time. And they were ten minutes before the time we asked them to be there – fifty students knocking on the door, ready to go. It’s just wonderful and really rewarding to see so many people so excited to be a part of this real, authentic learning.”
Tony Wilson, Big Picture Advisory Teacher – James Fallon High School
Recycled materials were used by groups who created hand painted coasters made with pine offcuts, upcycled ceramic crockery turned into succulent plant pots and one group created fabulous fishing lures from bottle tops.
One budding young Social Entrepreneur created a hand drawn colouring book, with the group also setting up a large “pay to participate” colouring activity at their stall. This was a unique offering amongst the many stalls present.
“I’m so proud of the students when they come to trade at the market day at Old Beechworth Gaol. It’s really exciting to see the skills and mindsets that are developed through the Social Enterprise Schools program. I love watching the kids develop their confidence, their organisation skills and their creativity. Whether you measure the success of the day by the number of sales, funds raised, number of doughnuts consumed or simply by the satisfied smile and sense of self-pride in a student entrepreneur’s face – whatever the measure, this years’ market was possibly the best market day yet!”
Samantha Menzies, Facilitator – ACRE
Social Enterprise Schools is proudly delivered by ACRE (Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship) and is part of the global Social Enterprise Academy Network.
ACRE would like to acknowledge the following support:
- Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions for funding the 2024 program delivery in Victoria.
- NSW Government Department of Education’s Student Wellbeing and Innovation Fund for 2024 program delivery in NSW.
- Ongoing support from our National Partner, AMP Foundation.
In particular a big thank you to all the students and teachers for their commitment to the program, making it all possible!
Expressions of Interest are now open for the 2025 Social Enterprise Schools program, inviting both current schools and new schools the opportunity to take part. Complete the EOI form here.