Social enterprise schools market a fabulous success

OLD Beechworth Gaol buzzed with activity at an annual social enterprise schools market last Wednesday, which drew more than 200 visitors from around the area for a shopping spree ahead of Christmas. Students from three local primary schools – Wooragee, St Josephs and Montessori - joined four others from around the region to showcase their innovations with a huge variety of products designed and created to raise funds for their chosen causes. Young entrepreneurs spent a year developing a social enterprise based around a business model to sell their wares with all profits donated to their charity. For St Joseph’s Primary School principal Carly Avery, social enterprise is an opportunity for students to put into practice a range of skills – creative and critical thinking, literacy and numeracy. “It provides a chance for students to explore and share interests and skills that vary to normal day to day activities in the classroom,” she said. “The market is the platform to showcase this to the broader community.” Ms Avery said students Kisha Rollins, Aleaha Cuncio and Never Taylor raised money for ‘Make A Wish Australia.” “They chose this charity as they feel grateful for opportunities they have and wanted to help out other kids who may not have the same opportunities,” she said. The trio made and sold scrunchies and headbands for their social enterprise business while other St Joseph’s students had tie dyed shirts and socks, bookmarks, toffee apples and bath bombs for their enterprises. Delighted Social Enterprise Schools learning coordinator for Australia, Tom Colcott, said students from the seven schools took on the challenge of developing their products, marketing and sales. “I was impressed with their sales pitches and for some students talking to adults takes them out of their comfort zone,” he said. “The experience really boosts their confidence as well.” “Some markets sold out. “Myrrhee Primary School students made bird nesting boxes and brought along their local Landcare members to talk about them too.” The Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship (ACRE) developed the social enterprise schools program in partnership with the global learning organisation Social Enterprise Academy based in Scotland, and has hubs in 12 countries. Secondary schools at the market day included Cathedral College and Myrtleford P-12, while Myrrhee and Edi Upper primary schools were also represented. Mr Colcott said next month’s annual World Social Enterprise Day on November 16, will see 10 student-led social enterprises from Australia share their stories with 10 student-led social enterprises from around Malaysia in an exchange to celebrate the day.

Social enterprise schools market a fabulous success

State-of-the-art learning facilities officially opened

New course at secondary college in full flight

Students bring wonderland to life

A symphony of stories and cupcakes

Shining a spotlight on children’s literature

Ovens & Murray Advertiser, Friday, 25 September, 2026

Social enterprise schools market a fabulous success

Ovens & Murray Advertiser, Friday, 9 October, 2026

Dom the Docker: Myrtleford star earns his second chance in the AFL

Most popular stories