With dollars traded for ‘Kents’ – a mix of specially designed paper money and ‘minted’ clay coins – the Boys’ School Senior School quad and JC Chalmers Hall was abuzz with action yesterday morning as the Year 7 boys manned their stalls and got trading underway at their Market Day; the culmination of a term-long Social Studies unit on ‘Enterprise: Building and Running a Small Business.’

In developing their products, this year, the boys were asked to focus on UN Global Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption and in particular Target 12.5 – Substantially Reduce Waste Generation.

Working in small groups, which included a nominated CEO, accountant, marketer and designer, they were responsible for the launch of their business from product conception to retail. Each group was required to develop a detailed business plan that included market research to determine the purpose and viability of their product, development of a prototype, the working out of a suitable marketing plan, ensuring they were on budget, fine-tuning mass production and finally preparing to sell their goods to fellow students and parents.

And so it was down to trading, the students had two hours to tout their wares to the younger students and parents Each year there are some amazing ideas and usually one that rises to the top – this year, the drawcard was ‘Obeez’ – balloons filled with water beads! Word got around and trading was particularly brisk!

When trading finished, the students had learnt how to operate a budget, considered the economics of how to allocate their time and ‘Kents,’ had developed their communication skills and applied all of these into a cohesive business plan!

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