Ingenuity, creativity, originality and diversity are just some of the words that could be associated with the plethora of exciting market stalls on show during the Margaret River Montessori School (MRMS) annual Mini Markets.
As part of Term 3's Business and Economics unit, MRMS Upper Primary (Years 4-6) students were required to design, hand make and then sell quality original products.
Excited by the knowledge that they had almost complete freedom in which direction they could go with this task, the children relished the opportunity to work independently or as a group on their own stall.
Homemade cream, bath bombs, lavender products, pickles and jams, coffees, plants, hot chocolates, IT equipment, smoothies, beeswax candles, crafts, fruit and veg is just a taste, just a snippet, just a flavour of what was on offer.
But that's not all...there was an art gallery, showcasing every student's fantastic art and STEAM work, a BBQ, some market games and even soothing busking from our budding musicians and bands, adding further authenticity to the afternoon.
And if that wasn't enough, thanks to India Carter-James (Year 1) and her small team, a life-changing $274.30 was raised through sales of homemade bracelets for the Nema Foundation, a charity dedicated to fighting poverty in Northern Mozambique.
Every cent of all bracelet sales are going to help families who lost their homes in Cyclone Kenneth and are now at the epicentre of a war-zone.
After the frenzy of sales had finished, all cash and card payments were tallied, yielding an impressive $1600, all of which will put the school on track to be able to provide a completely cost-free 2020 camp for all children in Year 1 through to Year 6.
Although the amount surpassed expectations, profit wasn't the primary goal of the experience. Rather, the main aim was to further develop all important soft skills that are at the heart of the Montessori approach - independence, creativity, critical thinking, resilience, adaptability, time management, collaboration, communication, problem solving and conflict resolution.
Staff and students alike would like to extend their thanks to all those parents and local companies who helped to make the 2020 Montessori Mini Markets so successful.