Commerce

The 2021 Commerce Department has continued its positive growth trend in the disciplines of Accounting, Business Studies, Economics and Financial Literacy. In 2020, there were 295 students who elected to experience the Commerce adventure, while 2021 ushered in 504 students. Newly graduated Tricia Lawarence assisted with this growth, teaching Junior Accounting and Business Studies. This increased the Commerce stable to four with evergreen Brett Donaldson teaching Level 1 Financial Literacy, Jarrod Braddock delivering Level 1, 2 and 3 Economics, and Level 2 and 3 Financial Literacy. John Keepa taught Year 9 Junior Business Studies, and Level 1, 2, and 3 Business Studies. A restructured Junior Social Studies programme allowed Commerce to implement a Financial Studies component in Term Three which gave an opportunity for Year 9 and Year 10 students to gain an understanding of finance, banking, consumer law and how to “thrive rather than survive” in society. John Keepa

The Junior Business Studies classes were a pleasure to teach as each student group was excited and motivated to learn about entrepreneurship and innovation. At the senior level, there were two Level 1, one Level 2 and one Level 3 Business Studies classes with each one possessing their own dynamics. The Level 1 classes proved to be the most challenging with 35 students in each class. Our primary role has always been to grow Commerce but it is just as important to deliver a quality programme and increase the number of Māori students in Business Studies. This year the course is made up of 51% Māori students.

It was, however, unfortunate that we had to cancel our “Innovation Station” Market Day, but we were still able to hold a Mini Market Day. This allowed the students’ whanau and friends to attend this Market Day, but within the Covid 19 protocols. Auckland schools had to sell their products and services online. A special thank you goes out to Te Rongopai Eruera, Jarrod Dodd from Sun FM, Glenn Smith from 1XX and Kathy Forsyth from the Beacon newspaper for helping us with the event. Jarrod Braddock

Personally, it has been a great experience to get to teach my subject speciality across all three levels; it has been a blessing. To be able to influence the kids’ mindset and allow them to understand production decisions, market failures, unemployment, government decisions, and the lifecycles of products, amongst other things, has been extremely gratifying for me. Many students have been able to give practical applications to the theory and I am really looking forward to the Level 1 class’ analysis of the impact of the closure of the Kawerau Mill. Junior Commerce has also given many high points to the year - the students’ creativity and application of supply and demand concepts has been a main highlight. The product ideas that came about were awesome, ranging from an adjustable shoe to a removable heel to a waterproof suit to a copy-and-paste pen. It was so good to see so many of the students getting their teeth stuck in. Overall, I must give a big thank you for the continued support that I have been getting from the Social Studies and Commerce departments. At times, it has been tough being in my second year but the continued help from my mentors, John and Henry, has meant that my personal ship has sailed as smoothly as possible this year. Tricia Lawerence

I have loved being a part of the Commerce team in the Social Sciences department this year, teaching Junior Accounting and Business Studies. Some highlights have been the Year 9 Bake Sale; Year 10 students achieving early Level One credits for a budgeting assessment; and having local businesses come into our kura to share their experiences of business with students. Overall, I have noticed our junior students have a genuine interest and curiosity in business and finance. It was wonderful to witness them demonstrate this through their enthusiasm to gain early credits, engaging with local business people with questions, and, of course, during the bake sale.

Brett Donaldson

If ever there was a class for everyone, this is it! Whatever our ethnicity, gender and goals in life, we all have to survive and thrive in our modern capitalist economy. This course focuses on how we can earn, manage and protect our incomes and assets. We use highly achievable Unit Standards for assessment and credit gaining. This year we had a huge diversity of characters and abilities in our Level One class. Regular attendance and a reasonable effort virtually assured a large number of students between 15 and 20+ Level One and Two credits. Mr Donaldson is really excited about meeting and assisting next year’s Level 1 Financial Lit crew!