Building real-world financial literacy in Commerce

Financial literacy is taught in Commerce and is a skill which is crucial for teenage girls to empower them to make informed decisions about money management, savings, and investments. Understanding financial concepts while in high school helps build confidence and independence, enabling students to navigate future financial challenges more effectively.

Year 9 Commerce students were given the opportunity to engage with a real-world financial expert to bridge the gap between Commerce theoretical concepts and real-world applications. Michelle Bowes, award winning author of Money Queens and financial writer was invited as a guest speaker into Year 9 Commerce classrooms to share her financial literacy strategies. She provided practical insights and strategies on how teenage girls can rule their own money to achieve lifelong financial independence. Students enjoyed Michelle’s Money Queen presentation and her real-world practical knowledge and asked many questions.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Student Reflections

The Money Queens presentation really changed how I think about budgeting. Before, I thought budgeting was just for adults, but now I see how managing my pocket money and saving for things I want is something I can start doing now. Michelle Bowes showed us easy ways to track our spending, and I feel like I have learnt tools to manage money on my own. It  taught me about equality in the workplace and how to stay safe at work.
Chloe Boustan
Year 9

As a teenage girl I really learnt a lot from our guest speaker, Michelle Bowes, about how to attain a first job and how to be financially comfortable in my future endeavours. I learnt new information around how to protect myself from financial abuse and the gender pay gap and ultimately, learnt a lot more about money and the importance of managing it competently.
Saoirse Chikhalikar
Year 9

Learning about saving and investing as a teenager was a big takeaway for me. I used to think saving was just putting aside leftover money, but now I know how important it is to plan and put even small amounts aside regularly. Hearing about investing made me realise there’s more to money than just earning it, and I feel inspired to start thinking about my financial future, thanks Money Queens!
Alannah Kenniff
Year 9

The Money Queens presentation was very informative, as I was given relevant tips on dealing with money and getting a job. I now understand the massive impact that finding a job and maintaining a positive and well-informed relationship with money as a teenage girl can have on our futures. I look forward to applying the key aspects of this talk to my everyday life.
Evelyn Touma
Year 9