Financial literacy is a key part of learning for every Year 10 student at Mission Heights Junior College. Deputy Principal Reshmika Lal explains how Banqer High fits naturally into the school’s cross-curricular approach, helping students build real-world money skills, have meaningful conversations about finances, and make smarter decisions now and in the future.
Financial Literacy as a core curriculum component
At Mission Heights Junior College, financial literacy is essential in preparing students for the future, and Deputy Principal Reshmika Lal has found Banqer indispensable in bringing this focus to life. After discovering Banqer six years ago at an education conference, she introduced it as part of the Year 10 program, which she describes as “a game-changer ever since.” The program, which explores financial concepts across subjects like mathematics, English, and social sciences, aligns seamlessly with the school’s philosophy of “Growing Greatness.”
Financial literacy is now a compulsory part of the Year 10 curriculum, with approximately 230 students participating each year. As part of a broader career preparation program, students also complete a one-week work placement, ensuring they gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. “Students use Banqer to write their CVs and application letters,” Reshmika says. “Math teachers handle the interest rates and savings strategies, while social sciences cover tax rates and KiwiSaver. In English, they work on practical tasks like CV writing.
It’s incredibly flexible and fits into everything we do.
“By the time students go on their work placement at the end of the year, they’ve already gained practical skills to navigate real-world financial challenges.”
Students learn key financial skills through Banqer
Banqer’s impact is immediate and lasting. Reshmika recalls how a former student, now in university, shared that Banqer helped him make a pivotal decision about saving for a house deposit. He told me that Banqer helped him understand the trade-offs between taking an interest-free student loan and saving for a house deposit,
Reshmika shares. “He’s now on track to buy his first home while pursuing his degree - a direct result of the lessons he learned.”
Banqer’s gamified platform keeps students hooked. “I get constant emails from students asking me to open the next module. Even teachers ask on their behalf!” Reshmika laughs.
For many students, Banqer has been an eye-opener about the realities of adult life. “The conversations they have are so real,” Reshmika says. “They’re talking about how much utilities cost or the kind of flatmate they’d need. Some of them have realised that staying home with their parents is the smartest financial decision.”
Banqer has also brought up unique considerations for immigrant students. “A lot of our kids say they need emergency funds to travel back home if something happens in their family. They’re reluctant to invest everything because they might need cash on hand,” Reshmika shares. “It’s real-life thinking, and it’s incredible to watch them grapple with these ideas.”
Even lighter moments carry weight. “When we break down the costs of owning their dream car, from insurance to financing, they joke that I’ve ruined their plans. But it’s a conversation they need to have before making those decisions in real life.”
How Banqer brings structure and flexibility to financial literacy teaching
The program has transformed not only how financial literacy is taught but also how it’s perceived. “It’s not just for social sciences or math - it’s for everyone,” Reshmika notes. “We see financial literacy as a shared responsibility.”
Without Banqer, financial literacy would still be hit-and-miss, depending on the teacher. Now, it’s structured and engaging. Students aren’t just learning - they’re applying these lessons to their lives.
For educators, Banqer’s pre-planned lessons and intuitive interface are a game-changer. “The platform is so easy to use. It’s like setting up a Google Classroom,” Reshmika says. “I love how it chunks content into manageable parts. You can decide what to unlock and when which makes it incredibly flexible.”
Teachers also value how Banqer integrates seamlessly across subjects. Math teachers love teaching interest rates and budgeting, while Reshmika enjoys guiding students through real-life scenarios like independent living.
“It’s cross-curricular by design, and that’s what makes it so effective,” she says.
Reshmika on why financial literacy is a crucial life skill
Reshmika believes financial literacy should be a priority for every school. “We’re preparing kids for life, not just exams. If they leave school without understanding how money works, we’ve let them down.”
Thanks to sponsorship from our Support Partner, Partners Life, Mission Heights has been able to keep Banqer running despite tight budgets. “We couldn’t make this happen without their sponsorship,” Reshmika says. “It’s the best financial literacy tool I’ve seen, and it’s so easy to use. It’s genuinely setting students up for success.”
Her advice to other schools is simple:
Just start. Even if it’s small, start teaching financial literacy. Banqer makes it easy, and you’ll see the difference in your students-not just in their knowledge, but in their confidence and decision-making.
For Reshmika and her students, the lessons learned with Banqer are more than just classroom exercises. They’re lessons for life. As she puts it, “When kids tell me they’ve changed their decisions because of Banqer, I know we’re doing something right.”
