Cashmere High School is dedicated to preparing its students with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets necessary to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Recognising the importance of financial literacy, the school's leadership identified Banqer High as a pivotal tool in achieving this goal. Through integrating Banqer High into their Year 9 curriculum, Cashmere High has successfully equipped students with essential financial skills, resulting in overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, teachers, and parents.
Empowering students with practical financial skills
Financial literacy is a significant concern in New Zealand, with many lacking even the basic skills necessary for financial management. Cashmere High School’s leadership, were determined to address this issue by ensuring that students are well-prepared for life beyond school, including budgeting, buying a house, and planning for retirement. After a successful trial, the staff were eager to incorporate Banqer High, impressed by its comprehensive range of content that caters to diverse student needs.
Banqer High was implemented across Year 9, starting in term two and extending to the end of the year, providing a continuous learning experience. Commerce teacher Matt Benassi highlights Banqer’s accessibility for educators,
You don’t need to be an expert in financial literacy to use Banqer. It’s set up and easy to use. It’s centralised, it’s bullet-pointed, it’s succinct. It really takes the pressure off with the prep.
Interactive learning and boosted financial confidence
The team has been impressed with the student learning outcomes, finding that Banqer engages all their students, no matter their level or interests. Students particularly enjoy the gaming aspects of the property and stock market expansions. These modules offer hands-on learning experiences, from renting and buying houses with friends to understanding the intricacies of stock investments.
Banqer High feels like a gaming platform. But what it's really doing is increasing the financial capabilities of the students.
Following their Banqer lessons, Cashmere High students report feeling better prepared for future financial challenges.
Developing financially literate students
Cashmere High School's integration of Banqer High into their curriculum exemplifies their commitment to fostering financial literacy and preparing students for the future. The program has proven to be an essential tool in equipping students with the necessary skills to navigate financial challenges confidently. With its engaging content and ease of use, Banqer High continues to be a transformative educational resource, empowering students to take control of their financial futures.
Principal Joe Eccleton emphasized the program's value:
The feedback from our staff, students, and parents has been overwhelmingly positive. There's such a strong desire for this type of program in our school.
