Students at Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School are being given hands-on learning experience with a new mini Woolworths store now set up on campus.
The supermarkets are aimed at supporting the education of students living with disability by mimicking the operations of an actual Woolworths supermarket, with shelving, registers, money handling processes and more.
Acting principal Brendan Nolan said the store would provide an “extraordinary and unique opportunity” for the students to develop real-life skills in a convenient and safe onsite location.
“Students will be able to work together to enhance their interpersonal and communication skills, build their self-confidence and ultimately their independence,” he said.
“This will enable each student to feel confident in their community beyond the school environment and utilise these skills in work situations including work experience placements and, ultimately, employment opportunities in the future.”
The stores were made possible through a partnership with the Woolworths Technology team, Woolworths Construction team and Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand.
Woolworths Group chief reputation officer Christian Bennet said he was delighted to see the shop open.
“The skills students will learn in their new Mini Woolies will equip them with the confidence and knowledge of retail operations, from the perspective of both a customer and a team member,” he said.
“It’s a great example of how together we can create better experiences for a better tomorrow.
“Having seen the success of our other Mini Woolies stores across the country, we look forward to seeing the students gain independence through building vital life skills at the [new] Sunbury and Ballarat Fresh Food stores.”
Elsie Lange
