Year 9 - Commerce

This course has two aims. The first is to produce entrepreneurial students who have a knowledge and understanding of what being enterprising is about. The development of the essential skills of self-confidence that will allow students to take an active and responsible role in their community and the New Zealand economy is a priority.  The second aim is to introduce students to essential financial literacy skills that are relevant to their age and skill level which will help them make sound financial decisions as their interaction with money begins to grow.

This course focuses on experiential learning which will involve the students in the planning and execution of their own enterprising projects as well as individual and group research on financial literacy topics. Essential 21st-century skills, such as communication, critical and creative thinking and collaboration, are developed alongside practical skills such as research, effective use of digital technology and presentations.

The enterprise aspect of the course first looks at New Zealand and global entrepreneurs. Students will learn to identify the key characteristics of these enterprising people and begin to ask the question: Can I to be an entrepreneur? This initial learning culminates in a market day when students will present and sell their value-added products to the wider school community. 

Year 9 Commerce also gives students one of their first opportunities to identify and learn about key financial literacy skills. Through MoneyTime, a computer-based financial literacy resource, students will learn the following financial literacy topics:

• Goal setting
• Money and banking
• Spending and impulse buying
• Debt, credit and credit cards
• Savings and investing
• Income and tax
• Budgeting
• Rights and responsibilities of consumers

To finish the course, students will learn simple marketing techniques by innovating a current product.

Students taking this course need to come with a “can-do” attitude and be fully prepared to work cooperatively with their peers.

This is a half-year course and takes up 1 option line.