Budding entrepreneurs at work

Oropi School senior students in the lead-up to their market and calf day. Left to right Kim Baldo, Jacques Van Rinsvelt, Nicola Hodge, Lillie Butler, Lily Dodd and Breahan Pendergrast. Photo/supplied

Budding young chief executives are putting their skills to the test at Oropi School as they recruit potential staff for businesses they will showcase in October.

The Year 7 and Year 8 pupils are working towards the school's Market Day under the direction of deputy principal Robert Lewis.

So far children who wanted to be in charge of enterprises have had to apply for CEO positions and were now looking for their own employees.

Ultimately the programme looked at financial literacy and some life skills, Robert says, and had been embraced by the kids.

"They have learnt how to put together a CV and write application letters. Now they are appointing staff ... this week once their team has been appointed they will come together and think about their business, target market, logo and company name."

Matching up the right skills to the different jobs was another challenge, he says.

"The kids had to establish what is the role of the financial manager and if you take on that role what will it involve so it's the whole thing around accepting different roles and being aware of what the role entails. And whether you have the skillset that matches that and whether you would like to be involved in that particular capacity."

The Market Day was being held in conjunction with Calf Day next term and is also a fundraiser for the senior camp, he says.

"The kids have really run with it. They are very excited about receiving response letters and I think the fact there is purpose behind it and making some additional funds for their end of the year camp in Auckland has puts some momentum behind it."

Parent Patrick Van Rinsvelt says he is impressed with the thought that has gone into the day. They have done this in the past with good success and the kids have a lot of fun.

"This year they have stepped it up a notch. Robert, the teacher leading this, is pulling out all the stops and taking it to the next level which is amazing. It is really, really cool."

Competition also heated up on the day, he said. "The kids all try really hard to get first place by generating the most revenue."

Year 7 student and chief executive Jacques Van Rinsvelt says he has filled all of his positions, including a 2IC, production manager and a financial manager.

"We are planning on doing a barbecue burger shop so we will do burgers, fries and slushies."

Meanwhile Lily Dodd is still looking for one more member of staff and she hoped to launch a national foods business.

"We are going to focus on foods from France, but not snails, and some Italian food like pizza.