Social enterprise learning – the Commerce Christmas Market

The Kopanang Community Trust in South Africa, initiated by the Dominican Sisters, supports women facing poverty and illness through building a community – Kopanang – of resilience and self-belief. Sr Sheila Flynn OP introduced Tozi, a Trust member, to HSIE students where she shared her community’s story. Within this social enterprise framework, Year 9 Commerce students were tasked with designing, planning and running a small business within the real-world context of the Commerce Christmas Market with profits being donated to Kopanang. Students had a sense of social purpose greater than just profits. This task taught students the importance of strategic business planning, problem solving, critical thinking and how to work collaboratively.

The Commerce Christmas Market was an overwhelming success, raising over $4000 and significantly strengthening students’ financial literacy skills. Students implemented Commerce theories to manage resources, track expenses and create a profit. The lifelong learning aim of this project is to inspire our Santa Sabina Commerce entrepreneurs to be socially responsible leaders of the future. A huge thank you for the facilitation of this project to Richard Crittenden and the work of the Year 9 Commerce classroom teachers: Vikki Cummins, Susan Lomabardo, Kylie Ma and Beth Hutchenson.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)