Pupils get savvy on life

A group of 10 pupils at Greytown Primary School have launched a tasty schoolyard business that is reaping profits for them and their classmates.

The group of Year 7 and 8 pupils are part of a financial literacy maths class under teacher Brigid Stevens that studies the expense of life beyond the school gates.

The group hatched a business plan and launched a company called Super Sizzling Sausages and appointed two pupils apiece to roles including managing director, accountant, advertising director, communications director and stock manager.

Managing director Liam Heard, 13, said earlier in the year the group had completed other financial exercises such as establishing the cost of buying a home and attending university, which "we discovered was heaps".

The company held a Triple S Day at the school on the past two Thursdays, when it offered some fellow pupils a sizzling sausage wrapped in a slice of bread for $2 each.

The group, which uses a school barbecue, won sponsorship from Breadcraft in Masterton and Premier Beehive in Carterton to supply bread and sausages, respectively, and Trust House sponsors the purchase of sauce, napkins and gloves.

The group has amassed a $177 profit to date and may be soon distributing funds to the Grace Yeats Trust while also accepting applications for grants.

Profits also may buy school furniture for junior and senior pupils, according to Isabella Sinnema, 11, accountant for Super Sizzling Sausages.

There are also plans to continue trading for the rest of the year and to leave the company for the next financial literacy group to inherit and operate.

Principal Kevin Mackay said the business had been successful and was "highly likely to be carried on next year".

He said the group is gaining real-life experiences and learning invaluable lessons from making its own mistakes in the operation of the business, like defrosting too many sausages last week.

Meanwhile, Greytown Primary School pupils are supporting Peace One Day to be held on September 21 as a peaceful protest against wars and violence. Pupils have distributed posters heralding the event at Fresh Choice, Trust House and other shops around Greytown.