2008 Financial Literacy Grant Recipients

Bulleen Heights School
Bulleen VIC
Life Skills Budgeting

Catering for students with autism and/or intellectual disability, Bulleen Heights School’s ‘Life Skills Budgeting Program’ will teach senior students functional money skills for everyday life. Students will research, plan, budget and purchase food items to prepare a healthy three course budget lunch once a week. As well as working with real cash, students will use supermarket catalogues and online stores to search for specials. Through this program, students will learn how to keep their finances and their food healthy.

 
Carrum Downs Secondary College
Carrum Downs VIC
My Business, Your Business – Innovations in Small Business Operations

Carrum Downs Secondary College received a Financial Literacy Grant for its program ‘My Business, Your Business’, which gives Year 11 students hands-on experience running an enterprise.  By operating the College canteen, the College Musical Production and the College Fete, students will learn about the costs of a business, and how to conduct a breakeven analysis, and operate a budget. Students will also present their projects to a panel of experts to demonstrate their skills in operating a small business.

Croydon Community School
Croydon VIC
Build ‘em and Reap

Targeting boys in Years 9 to 11 who are at risk of not completing secondary education, Croydon Community School will develop the ‘Build ‘em and Reap’ program with its Financial Literacy Grant. On the program, students will develop a small horticultural business, requiring the comparison of costs, ordering of materials and budgeting. The students will also establish a plant nursery and assist younger children to plant gardens in the school grounds, learning financial management skills alongside leadership and team building.

 
Daylesford Secondary College
Daylesford VIC
Money, Money, Money

Isolated rural school, Daylesford Secondary College, will use its Financial Literacy Grant for teaching real life financial skills to its Year 9 students. The ‘Money, Money, Money’ program will cover topics like mobile phones, credit cards, consumer financial protection, investments, budgeting and banking. By the end of the program, students will be able to identify the real and potential costs of mobile phone contracts and purchases made on credit cards, understand the returns on investment opportunities and manage a personal budget. 

 
FCJ College
Benalla VIC
FCJ College Grand Prix

FCJ College in Benalla has been awarded a Financial Literacy Grant for its ‘FCJ College Grand Prix’ program for business students in Years 9 and 10. Students will organise a cardboard car Grant Prix for the entire school, seeking sponsorship from local businesses, and also operating small businesses on the day to sell refreshments. Students will work towards short and long term goals to ensure that all financial transactions and budgets are in order and that the event is profitable and successful.

Firbank Grammar School
Brighton VIC
Financial Literacy for the Smart Traveller

‘Financial Literacy for the Smart Traveller’ was developed for Year 9 students at Brighton’s Firbank Grammar School, to help them prepare for a three week international residential program in Thailand. The program will teach the skills required when planning an overseas journey, including the basics of saving and budgeting, understanding foreign currencies and exchange rates, the best way to pay for goods and services, and how to minimise personal expenses.

Gisborne Secondary College
Gisborne VIC
Money Mania: Where Money Counts

Gisborne Secondary College was awarded a Financial Literacy Grant for its program, ‘Money Mania’, targeting students in Years 9 and 10. Students will cover a range of topics related to financial products, banking technology and legal responsibilities, to ensure they are able to manage their personal finances effectively in the future. The grant will be used to develop interactive quizzes and electronic game boards to help students understand issues such as earning, spending and borrowing money, and how our actions affect the economy.

Goulburn Valley Grammar School
Shepparton VIC
Turbo Juice Bar Finances

Goulburn Valley Grammar School has received a Financial Literacy Grant for its program, ‘Turbo Juice Bar Finances’. Year 10 students will put their financial literacy skills to practice in a real life Turbo Juice Bar, to be operated during school hours. The team will be responsible for every aspect of the micro-business, from managing expenses, outlays, and cost analysis for products, to the marketing of the juice bar. This should give them in-depth knowledge of how a business is run and encourage them to take ownership of their financial actions.

Hawthorn Secondary College
East Hawthorn VIC
Maths, Money, Me

Hawthorn Secondary College’s financial literacy program ‘Maths, Money, Me’ will assist students in Years 9 and 10 to understand the importance of making financial decisions. The program requires students to work in teams to investigate topics such as first jobs, saving for goals, mobile phone plans, credit traps, buying a car, budgets and smart spending. At the conclusion of the project, students will have the necessary tools and knowledge needed to make important financial decisions responsibly.

Ivanhoe Grammar School
Ivanhoe VIC
Enhancing Financial Literacy Education in the Middle Years

Ivanhoe Grammar School aims to enhance financial literacy for Year 7 to 9 students through an integrated curriculum approach. Its program develops strong financial management through helping students to learn about money and credit, decision making, technological change, ethical considerations and social responsibilities. The progressive introduction of this financial literacy course and its emphasis on life skills will ensure that students are confident and self-aware about their daily financial decisions.

Koonung Secondary College
Mont Albert North VIC
Money Wise

Koonung Secondary College, in Mont Albert North, is developing ‘Money Wise’, a scheme where Year 10 students create financial literacy materials to teach to Year 8 students. Groups of students will research types of income, budgeting, investment and banking options, and then produce a professional toolkit for Year 8 students. This will demonstrate the importance of making informed financial choices, allowing both Year 8 and 10 students to learn this vital skill.

Lauriston Girls School
Armadale VIC
Financial and Economic Literacy - Exploring Options for Young Women

Lauriston Girls School, in Armadale, has been awarded a Financial Literacy Grant for its initiative, ‘Financial and Economic Literacy – Exploring Options for Young Women’. This multi-curriculum program aims to build middle school students’ knowledge of financial issues and services. Students will participate in group discussions with female financial experts, including economists, financial advisors and superannuation experts. Upon completing the sessions and associated tasks, students will understand the value of global financial literacy and also appreciate the complexity of financial markets.

Mallacoota P-12 College
Mallacoota VIC
Micro Business Enterprises

Mallacoota P-12 College, a small rural school in eastern Victoria, will use its Financial Literacy Grant to help Year 9 and 10 students develop a micro-business that engages the community and also raises money for a trip to England in 2010. The ‘Micro Business Enterprises’ program will include dedicated workshops and mentoring from local businesses, where students will learn the basics of establishing and running a business. In late 2009 students will present on their micro-businesses to the local community and will also be able to demonstrate confidence and responsibility for their financial decisions.

McGuire College
Shepparton VIC
Everyday Finance for Everyday Living

McGuire College, in Shepparton, has received a Financial Literacy Grant for its Year 11 students program, ‘Everyday Finance for Everyday Living’. The program addresses the need for a greater understanding of everyday financial management, and will cover topics such as loans, budgeting, mobile phone plans, investing, savings, interest rates, first home buyers grant, banking and credit cards. At its conclusion, students will be better educated on making the right financial choices, and will be better equipped to avoid costly mistakes later on in life.

Mentone Grammar School
Burwood VIC
Financing Your Future

The ‘Financing Your Future’ scheme, run by Mentone Grammar School, in Mentone, will see Year 10 students research bank accounts, debit and credit cards, the purchase of consumables, the development of personal budgets, spending and savings plans, workplace issues, superannuation and taxation issues. Students will then create ‘Financial Information Packages’ based on their knowledge and critical understanding of a financial concept, before uploading their project  on the school’s intranet to help engage other pupils at the school.

Rosebud Secondary College
Rosebud VIC
Money Management Matters

It’s lights, camera, action for Year 10 students at Rosebud Secondary College, who will be producing a current affairs style documentary on ‘Money Management Matters”. Exploring issues such as the government’s role in the economy, investing on the ASX, budgeting and small business accounting, the documentary will be presented to Year 8 students, helping both year groups to develop basic financial literacy.

Rutherglen High School
Rutherglen VIC
Farm Connect

Rutherglen High School was awarded a Financial Literacy Grant for its ‘Farm Connect’ initiative aimed at Year 9 students. Students will be responsible for cultivating farm products, such as eggs, meat, cheese and wine and will also be involved in all aspects of financial planning for acquiring and managing these products. Accountable for costs, expenditure, income and predicted future earnings, students will develop an understanding of the importance in making wise entrepreneurial decisions and the issues involved in running a small productive business.

Sacred Heart College Geelong
Newtown VIC
Dollars and Sense

Sacred Heart College Geelong was awarded a Financial Literacy Grant for ‘Dollars and Sense’, a program aimed at students who have been diagnosed with a recognised learning difficulty. To ensure that they receive adequate attention, the students will work in small groups of three to learn the basic mathematics behind money, as well as how to use it in the real world. For example, the students will be taken on excursions where they will learn about ATMs, EFTPOS and withdrawal and deposit slips within a bank. This program will help to build the essential skills and confidence needed to help the students become respected members of the community.

Sale College
Sale VIC
My Financial Future

Sale College has received a Financial Literacy Grant for its program, ‘My Financial Future’, aimed at the school’s Year 9 students. Over 12 weeks, students will be introduced to everyday money management skills, including income, budgeting, money, credit, borrowing and investment. Students will be engaged in hands-on activities and involvement through the community, with a focus on the importance of financial goal setting and strategies to achieve those goals.

Shelford Girls Grammar
Caulfield VIC
SaveIT – podcasting financial awareness

Shelford Girls Grammar, in Caulfield, aims to combine technology and money management in its innovative program, ‘SaveIT’. Year 10 students will create podcasts on key financial issues, which can be downloaded by the whole school community. Topics covered will include saving, investing, banking, interest rates, credit cards, mobile phone plans, online shopping, tax, Medicare and superannuation.

St Arnaud Secondary College
St Arnaud VIC
The World of Markets

Students at St Arnaud Secondary College will soon be learning all about financial management thanks to a Financial Literacy Grant. Year 9 and 10 students will participate in ‘The World of Markets’ program, which will develop their understanding of economic systems and their function in society, dating back from the Industrial Revolution to today’s state of globalisation. The program will provide students with a historical context and deeper understanding of the financial structures which impact the day-to-day lives of us all.

St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School
Warragul VIC
Moving Out

St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, in Warragul, has received a Financial Literacy Grant for its practical program, ‘Moving Out’. Year 11 students will tackle many issues related to leaving home, a milestone which looms large in their lives. Students will engage in researching and seeking advice on rental accommodation, youth allowance, budgeting, health insurance, superannuation and transport. At the conclusion of the program, students will present a report outlining a financial contingency plan for moving out of home.

St John’s Greek Orthodox College
Preston VIC
Fashion Cents Program

St John’s Greek Orthodox College, in Preston, plans to use its Financial Literacy Grant for its Year 10 ‘Fashion Cents Program’. In order to prepare students for the working world, students will work towards developing a season’s working wardrobe within a realistic budget. Students will research the costs of creating a wardrobe, learn about value for money through comparative purchasing, and then work in teams to create and manage the finances for a ‘Dressed For Success Fashion Parade’.

Stawell Secondary College (Central Connect)
Stawell VIC
MarketDay

During Stawell Secondary College’s ‘MarketDay’ students will take responsibility for the development, marketing, budgeting, forecasting and selling of an individual product. Students must present a satisfactory business plan in order to be eligible for a business loan, and will be required to repay their loans after participating. By being accountable for their expenditures and profits, and through maintaining a personal video diary, students will be able to self-assess their success in the program and understanding of financial literacy.

The Berry Street School: Noble Park Campus
Noble Park VIC
Money Sense

The Berry Street School, Noble Park Campus, will use its Financial Literacy Grant for a whole-school approach to financial literacy, ‘Money Sense’. The program will arm disadvantaged students with the financial skills to live an independent life. Students will develop an understanding of money and credit, banks, interest rates, financial decisions, budgeting and negotiating financial contracts. With this knowledge, they will then be encouraged to open a personal bank account, create a budget and decide on a realistic savings plan.

The Peninsula School
Mt Eliza VIC
Financial Survivor: Can Year 9 Survive P2C Financially

Students at The Peninsula School in Mt Eliza will learn about financial literacy through the practical program, ‘Financial Survivor’. Aimed at teaching students about the appropriate use of personal financial resources, Year 9 students will spend two weeks in the city where they will learn how to subsist on a minimum wage. Students will develop and monitor a budget for this time, including food, travel, mobile phone bills and other expenses. From this experience, students will learn skills that will support them later on in life, whether it be saving for a large purchase, or just making do with their first salary. 

Traralgon College
Traralgon VIC
Climb the A.L.P.S. (Action Learning Programs)

Traralgon College has received a Financial Literacy Grant for its ‘Climb the A.L.P.S’ program. Year 9 students will take responsibility for their learning and select an area of financial literacy, for example budgeting, establishing an enterprise, planning an expedition or event, or financial book keeping. Through the program, students will enjoy a range of hands-on activities while developing personal financial management skills and becoming an informed consumer.