At Cashmere High School, empowering students with practical financial knowledge has always been a top priority. Building on the success of Banqer High Junior for Year 9 students, the school introduced Banqer High Senior for Year 12s, equipping them with the tools to navigate real-life financial challenges such as budgeting, car ownership, and managing debt. Matt Benassi, Teacher in Charge of Young Enterprise, shares how Banqer High Senior is shaping confident, financially literate young adults ready to take on the world.
A real-world approach to financial education
Cashmere High’s journey with Banqer started in 2020, with Banqer High Junior for Year 9 students. Recognising the evolving needs of older students, the school trialled Banqer High Senior in 2023 before fully integrating it in 2024, providing nearly 400 students with a self-paced financial education program. This progressive approach allows Year 12 students to revisit and deepen their understanding of financial concepts from Year 9, now with a more practical relevance to their current stage of life.
Matt Benassi explains, “We were finding that students were encountering more complex financial concepts as they entered Year 12 - things like budgeting, car ownership, and managing debt. Banqer High Senior was a natural next step to help them engage with these concepts.”
Banqer High Senior allows them to engage with content that feels relevant to what they’re going through right now. They’re not just learning abstract concepts - they’re connecting what they’re doing in their daily lives with the program’s real-world scenarios, like managing a car loan or understanding insurance.
Engaging Learning with a Self-Paced Approach
Cashmere High has 10-minute form classes each day, except on Wednesdays, when the session extends to around 25 minutes. During this extended time, Banqer High Senior takes centre stage, giving students a valuable opportunity for in-depth, focused engagement with the platform.
The ability to work independently is empowering for students, especially those eager to take control of their financial learning. As Matt explains, For those who are really engaged, the platform works well, but setting milestones—like reaching stage four by a certain time—helps keep them on track, much like with an independent reading goal.
Finding the balance between independence and shared learning is key. You don’t want to push them too fast, but it’s important to let them progress at their own pace,
says Matt. In 2025, Cashmere High plans to introduce guidelines to help students stay on track while maintaining flexibility.
Real-world connections spark meaningful conversations
One of the most impactful aspects of Banqer High Senior is how it fosters real-world connections and prompts discussions on important topics like budgeting, credit, and debt. “It’s creating those connections that weren’t necessarily there before,” Matt explains.
When students start thinking about things like getting a car, or even their first job, they realise that managing money isn’t something that happens in the future-it’s happening now.
“And Banqer helps them see the consequences of decisions, like taking on debt or managing an income.” He shares an example of a student preparing to get their driver’s license: “They’re thinking about how much it would cost for a car, the insurance, and what their options are. Banqer makes them see the financial impact of these decisions. It isn’t hypothetical anymore.”
“The best teachers emphasise the importance of managing money,” Matt says. “Students soon realise it’s not just about learning; it’s about life skills. Those who make this connection help students see how their Banqer lessons apply to real-life situations.”
Planning for future success
Banqer High Senior’s real-world focus ensures Year 12 students connect with the material on a deeper level compared to the preparatory nature of Banqer High Junior for Year 9s. While the junior program builds a foundation for future challenges, the senior platform equips students with tools they need now.
In Year 9, students are preparing for what’s to come in 10 or 15 years. But in Year 12, students are facing those challenges now. Banqer helps them make that real-life connection, providing the tools they need to navigate today’s financial decisions with confidence.
As Cashmere High continues using Banqer High Senior, the school is adjusting its approach to better meet students' needs. “The timing was tricky this year,” Matt reflects. “We introduced the program as early as we could, but Term 3 got really busy with the formal and internal exams. Moving Banqer to the first part of the year will allow students to complete it without the distractions.”
For schools already using Banqer High Junior, Matt recommends presenting Banqer High Senior in a way that clearly distinguishes it, so students don’t assume they’ve already covered the material. “Banqer High Senior is about connecting what students are learning to their real lives. They’re not just preparing for what’s to come - they’re learning how to handle what’s happening in their lives today. It’s all about giving them the tools to succeed financially.”
