Scottish Catholic Observer

BY Martin Dunlop

Youngsters from St Catherine’s Primary School in Glasgow have been busy learning about the importance of managing money as part of a two-week event focussing on financial education and Fairtrade.

To mark what they have been doing, pupils and their teachers organised a special open morning last Wednesday—an opportunity to tell their parents and the rest of the school about the exciting topics they have covered.

Showcase

The event took place in the school hall where the pupils’ work was displayed to the invited guests. Various stalls were set up and money advisors from Scot Cash, Scot West Credit Union and Greater Easterhouse Money Project were present to offer advice to those in attendance.

During the two week focus on finance and Fairtrade, pupils covered a range of topics focused on developing a better understanding of money, using money and being responsible with money.

Excellent opportunity

Jennifer Anderson, principal teacher at St Catherine’s, spoke positively of the experience for pupils and said that the school regularly ‘showcases and celebrates our learning at an open morning for parents.’

“It is an excellent opportunity for them to see the work their child has been doing in school on financial education,” she said. “It also allows them the chance to speak to advisors on money-related issues.

“Our feeder secondary school, All Saints Secondary, also set up a stall to give parents an idea of what their child will learn in Maths in their first year. We also invite our feeder nursery classes to come along to see the work they will do in P1. It really is a great event.”

Councillor Stephen Curran, Glasgow City Council’s executive member for education and young people, was also greatly encouraged by the event. “It is important that our school pupils develop the life-skills they will need to manage their future financial affairs successfully and I am sure the pupils at St Catherine’s will benefit from this,” he said.

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PIC: PAUL McSHERRY