Christchurch Girls’ High School is addressing a vital need by equipping senior students with financial literacy skills for life beyond school. Assistant Principals Genevieve (Gen) Leech and Laura-Jean (L-J) Peawini highlight how Banqer High equips Year 12 and 13 students with practical skills to tackle future financial challenges while fostering engaging, real-world conversations about money.
Student voices drive change in financial education
Financial literacy became a focus for Christchurch Girls’ High School after senior students highlighted a gap in their practical knowledge. “They were asking us to teach them about things like credit cards and flatting - practical skills they knew they’d need but weren’t necessarily encountering unless they chose Commerce,” says Gen. In 2022, the school responded by trialling Banqer High with its entire senior cohort. “We were the first school to put all of our Year 12 and 13 students through Banqer High at once,” Gen notes.
The feedback was clear - this is what students want and need.
The Banqer High Suite has become an integral part of the school’s Ako programme, which focuses on life skills and well-being. The programme is differentiated for Year 12 and 13 students, ensuring the content aligns with their specific needs and stages of life.
“The Year 12s follow the more guided Banqer High Junior programme, while Year 13s engage with the self-paced Banqer High Senior,’ Gen explains. Through scenarios on topics like credit cards, budgeting, and flatting, students gain valuable hands-on experience. ‘The Year 13s especially appreciate the programme’s real-world feel. It’s a safe space to test decisions and explore their consequences,’ she adds."
Financial lessons become meaningful conversations
Banqer has proven to be more than just a teaching tool, it’s also a powerful conversation starter. Gen recalls a memorable moment when a Year 12 student was caught using the platform during a psychology class. The student joked about being ‘addicted’ to Banqer, logging in daily to maximise her earnings. “It got the whole class talking about financial responsibility, tying in perfectly with what we were learning about behaviour and conditioning.”
Assistant Principal Laura-Jean (L-J) Peawini adds, Banqer prompts discussions that go far beyond the screen. When students worked on the Renting Topic in Banqer High Senior, they started sharing ideas about managing their finances in real life. It gave us the chance to share our own experiences and offer practical advice.
L-J also emphasises the programme’s importance for students who may not have financial discussions at home, highlighting how it fills a critical gap in their education.
Some families talk about money, but for others, this is the first time these topics are being explored. Banqer opens the door to conversations they might never have otherwise.
Banqer proved especially effective for students with unique circumstances, offering content tailored to their needs. “One student had a very different life pathway compared to her peers, so the Renting Topic was particularly meaningful for her,” L-J shares. “It opened up broader conversations about budgeting for essentials like cell phones and rent.”
Ensuring student success through teacher engagement and delivery
While Banqer High Senior has made a positive impact, timing and teacher engagement are key to its success. “We realised that introducing the programme earlier in the year is essential,” L-J explains. “By Term 4, Year 13s are focused on scholarships, exams, and their leavers’ events. Moving it to Term 2 would give them the time and focus to engage fully”
Teacher enthusiasm also plays a vital role. “When teachers buy into the programme, it naturally inspires the students,’ Gen shares. ‘Some Ako teachers even sign up as students and compete alongside their classes. It transforms the atmosphere and makes learning fun."
A transformative journey with Banqer High
For Christchurch Girls’ High School, the journey with Banqer High has been transformative. “It’s simple to set up and incredibly effective,” Gen says. “The support from the Banqer team has been fantastic - they even trained our Ako teachers to ensure they felt confident using the platform.”
Her advice to other schools is clear: “Think of Banqer as a tool to prepare students for life beyond school. Even if you start small, it’s worth it. You’ll see the difference in your students, not just in their knowledge, but in their confidence and decision-making.”
L-J echoes this sentiment:
It’s not just for students. Teachers can learn a lot too. The real-world application is invaluable. It’s about setting everyone up for success.
