14 July 2009
Pupils at Markham Primary School are learning banking skills in a new project run in partnership with Islwyn Community Credit Union.
The school has set up its own savings club and seven pupils, aged 8 –10 years, have worked hard to train as collectors, cashiers and membership officers and are now ready to run their weekly collection point.
"We want to help our children to have a good idea of the value of money and the benefits of savings, early in life", said Mrs Crandon, Headteacher. "The saving club is just one of the options in our enrichment programme, all of which give the children hands on experience of life skills."
To recognise all the hard work the children have put in, Irene James Assembly Member for Islwyn paid a special visit to Markham School on along with Jill Lawrence, Caerphilly County Borough Council's Assistant Director for Learning, Education and Inclusion. The pair came along to see the scheme in action and to present the children with certificates and badges.
Irene James, said, "The Welsh Assembly has a target to establish credit union links to all secondary schools by 2011, so I'm really pleased that Markham School is one step ahead on this."
Marie Walsh, a volunteer with ICCU who has been helping to train the children said, " We'd like to thank staff and parents for their support to get the savings club going. We hope other schools will follow in Markham's footsteps."
For further information, please contact Islwyn Community Credit Union on 01495 222832 or Mrs G. Crandon, Headteacher, Markham Primary School on 01495 224811.
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