Wool-worthy cause: Verney Rd School unveils Mini Woolies store

By Taylah Baker

Aug 2, 2023

**Cutting through adversity:** Fujitsu head of retail Clare Burden, Shepparton East Woolworths assistant store manager John Mourmourakis, Verney Rd school captains Chelsea Hughes and Noah Decicco, Woolworths Group head of delivery Sheila O’Reilly MCIPS, and Verney Rd School principal Angela Buxton. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Verney Rd School had no shortage of smiles in stock yesterday as it launched its new Mini Woolies store.

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The once-empty classroom at the Shepparton site was brimming with fresh food and excitement, and students took no time in donning the Woolworths-branded aprons and caps, ready to serve, while others picked up a basket to shop.

A mundane act for many, but for this group it was once an unthinkable task.

“Up till now, some of our students haven’t been able to walk into a supermarket due to the overwhelming sensory impact it can have,” Verney Rd principal Angela Buxton said.

“Our Mini Woolies store acts as a safe, learning environment where our students can develop essential skills and independence — learning maths and literary skills, as well as basic life skills such as cooking.”

Modelled in 44 other Australian schools, the Mini Woolies program has been established to simulate the operations of an actual Woolworths supermarket to create an immersive educational experience.

Using Fujitsu registers, students can also learn to scan grocery items and handle play money when they process sales.

Ms Buxton said the mini supermarket would allow further development pathways for their students.

To sweeten the deal, Verney Rd School will work with Melton Specialist School to develop a curriculum to get the full benefit of the hands-on learning experience.

The collaboration between schools has been an added value for the Woolworths Group, and enterprise operations manager Sarah Corey said the use of the Mini Woolies stores by students and staff across the state has been approached with passion and creativity.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how the Shepparton community uses their new space to help students gain independence and develop new skills for the future,” she said.