Bobbie Tayler with business partner Greer Surrey, getting a hand at their HSP stall from teacher Mark Flanagan.
Year nine students at Sacred Heart College Yarrawonga put on a show at their annual Woka Wala market last Wednesday, showcasing their business skills and making a profit in the process.
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Now in its third year, the Woka Wala market, which means ‘water’ and ‘land’, is a program headed by teachers Mark Flanagan and Claire Trewarne and teaches students about sustainable business practices.
Mark Flanagan said the main learning objectives covered by the students are competition in business, different business models and marketing techniques.
“The students are getting better and better each year,” Mr Flanagan said.
“They build on what was learned from the previous year to develop their business skills.”
Claire Trewarne, who teaches the program with Mr Flanagan, said the aim of the students’ enterprises was to teach them to build sustainable businesses.
“We teach in ways that are flexible and enjoyable,” Ms Trewarne said.
“The idea is to teach them to apply their business skills to a real-world context.”
Student Bobbie Tayler, with business partner Greer Surrey, ran a thriving HSP stall at the market, selling loaded fries brimming with fresh cooked meat, cheese and an array of sauces.
Bobbie said the students had been planning throughout the year in preparation for the market.
She and Greer forecast a profit of about $1,500 based on pre-sales and after their compulsory charitable donation was taken out.
“It’s about creating a business and experiencing all the challenges of running a business,” Bobbie said.
“10 per cent of what we make is donated to Caritas Australia, which is a Catholic fundraising body.
“They are a charity which, instead of providing people with what they need, they give them the resources to do it themselves so they can learn for themselves and create their own privileges.”
Nick Robinson, Finn Bruce, Jack McMillan and 'Ted' Dowling from Coals and Cooking with the trailer load of firewood being raffled.
Nick Robinson, Jack McMillan, Finn Bruce and Edmond ‘Ted’ Dowling came up with their business ‘Coals and Cooking’ by combining two iconically country pleasures – wood-fires and sausages.
Finn Bruce said leading up to the Woka Wala market the boys got on the front foot selling trailer loads of firewood, then followed up with a sausage sizzle and raffle draw for a free load of firewood on the day.
“We sold five trailer loads of firewood before today,” Finn said.
“We get the wood from cleaning up fallen down trees off the farm, which helps to maintain the paddocks for future crops.
“We’ll sell 150 sausages, and with the sales from the wood and raffle we’ll make about $1,300 after expenses and donations.”
Logan Sheahan, Lenny Robinson and Sonny Nagle making the most of Woka Wala, getting ready to feast on Annabelle Nagle and Bonnie Best's pancakes.
To help with market-day sales and celebrate the event, Sacred Heart Primary School bring their year 6 students along to join in the fun.
SHPS students Logan Sheahan, Lenny Robinson and Sonny Nagle had pizzas in hand from their favourite stall while ordering pancakes from their second favourite stall – pancakes.
They said they were all looking forward to coming to Sacred Heart College next year and were having a great time at the market.
“It’s very well done and set up,” they all agreed.
“The food choices are good; it’s not all just sweets.”
After running their businesses, making their 10 per cent donation to Caritas and deducting expenses, the profits are for the students to divide amongst business partners and keep.
