Last Thursday 21 July, a mini supermarket launched at The Woden School in Deakin, introducing hands-on learning to the education of students with additional needs.
The mini Woolworths store mimics the operations of an actual Woolworths supermarket, with baskets for fresh food, shelving for groceries, ticketing, signage, and uniforms the students can wear to create an immersive educational experience.
Using a fully operational register, students learn to scan grocery items and handle money when they process sales.
The Woden School offers tailored educational programs for students in years 7-12 who have an intellectual disability which may be accompanied by additional sensory, physical, or behavioural needs.
Students participate in a range of individualised learning experiences to promote independence and responsibility for young adults.
Woolworths team members from the nearby Woden supermarket have been helping students stock shelves and provide register training in readiness for the opening.
James Malone, Woden School Principal said, “Having an on-site mini Woolworths store will provide our students a comfortable environment to develop their social, work and life skills.”
This was echoed by Woolworths director of group enablement transformation, Tim Kelly.
“The skills students will learn will equip them with the confidence and knowledge of retail operations in an exciting way from the perspective of both a customer and a team member, and crucially build on the confidence to play each of those roles,” Mr Kelly said.
Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, Yvette Berry joined the students and staff last Thursday, as they officially opened their new Mini Woolies.
“This program is a great addition to the high-quality education provided at The Woden School,” said Ms Berry.
The Woden School’s mini-Woolworths is the 15th mini-supermarket of its kind and the second in the ACT, with BMS Fresh Food built at Black Mountain School in O’Connor last year.
Shae is a recent graduate from Black Mountain School and, during his senior year, experienced the effects of the Mini Woolworths program.
Since then, through a DES provider, he has been employed by his local Woolworths store as a checkout operator. In May, Woolworths and program partner, Fujitsu announced an expansion of the program with new sites to be rolled out in every state and territory through to June 2023.
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