Students present bright ideas for sustainable future

A group of Cape Naturaliste College Year 8 students headed to Sabina River Farm late last month to present a special business pitch at the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) summit.

The summit was SEGRA’s 27th annual event and brought together national, state and local politicians, policy makers, industry leaders and regional Australians to present and explore solutions to challenges currently facing rural, remote and regional Australia.

Students Tyne Stevens, Havanna Bates, Jaymee Beverley, Max Butler, Heidi Buchan and Oscar Christensen opened the day’s proceedings alongside the Mayor of Busselton, Phil Cronin and the Federal Member for Forrest, Nola Marino.

The presentation was the final step in the Illuminate Education Business Challenge, held at Cape Naturaliste College annually, where 80 students from four different public schools compete in a series of workshops aimed at encouraging young entrepreneurs to develop business solutions to community issues.

“50 percent of students in Australia feel they aren’t prepared for the workforce upon finishing school,” Tyne Stevens said.

“75 percent express a desire for more career advice and guidance from school.

“Students in high school need to be able to showcase their talents whilst gaining essential workplace skills, as well as building community relationships.”

Faced with the challenge of finding a solution to this problem, the six young entrepreneurs got to work.

They plan to establish ‘SkillSprout’, a school ‘shop’ to be set up in a vacant space at Cape Naturaliste College to showcase and sell products handcrafted by students from sustainable materials, as well as items from local businesses.

Products will include art pieces, fresh produce, jewellery, cards, and any other items produced at school.

“This gives students a chance to feel value in their work and exhibit their talents,” Teacher in Charge, Lenka Bassham explained.

“Importantly, the shop would be run by students from Cape Naturaliste College, which enables them to learn crucial workplace skills early on in life, before starting a part time job outside of school.”

Students impressed the crowd not only with their delivery of the pitch, but with the focus on financial viability of the project and the far-reaching positive impact of the social enterprise.