Students pitch for community projects

Students from Willowmavin Primary School participated in a mini ‘Shark Tank’ styled event last week, with students pitching funding for community projects to a panel of judges.

The program, hosted by Kids Thrive, involved small student groups pitching an amount of money needed for the panel to consider to complete their community projects, which included elderly assistance and environmental conservation projects.

Proud parents and grandparents watched on as year five and six students put forward project ideas that would help Edgar’s Mission, Lancefield Neighbourhood House and Broadford Living and Learning Centre.

Panellists included Bendigo Bank Kilmore branch manager Simon Halman, principal Andrew O’Callaghan, Kids Thrive secretary Andrea Lemon and a representative from the Department of Education and Training.

Years five/six teacher Kate Taylor said the event was an innovative, child-led social change program that engaged students to discover and connect with their personal values while designing and implementing real-life social change projects, which would benefit communities.

“Students are supported while connecting with leaders and groups in our local community to pitch for funding, manage and develop finances and develop and deliver community projects,” Ms Taylor said.

“We are extremely lucky to be given this opportunity and have It fully funded for our students.

“It works well with our focus of building confident and capable leaders in our senior class.”