The event was a highlight of the school’s Charity Enterprise Week, part of the wider Trust Charity Week, aimed at raising funds for Mary’s Meals, a charity that helps provide life-changing meals to children in some of the world’s poorest communities.

On the day, 11 stalls were run by pupils from Nursery to Year 6 on the day. These young entrepreneurs showcased a wide variety of productions, including energy bites, clothing, magnets, wind chines, wooden gift boxes, bracelets. All items were handmade by the pupils with support from their teachers.

Older pupils took on greater responsibilities throughout the event. For example, Year 6 pupils were involved in every stage of preparing the energy bites, from designing packaging labels and decorating their stall to packing the snacks and confidently promoting their products to customers on the day.

The young entrepreneurs also showed great care towards their customers, ensuring younger pupils felt welcomed and supported throughout their shopping experience.

Nina, a Year 6 pupil Nina and one of the event’s fashion designers, created a lovely bag for the fashion stall with the guidance from her teacher. She shared that it was her first time sewing, and she felt proud and happy to have made something in support of Mary’s Meal.

At another stall, Year 2 pupil Melody explained that she and her classmates helped decorate biscuits for the event. She was delighted to see many pupils buying their products and said it was great fun.

Ann Cassidy-Jones, Headteacher of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, said that organising the Enterprise Week for charity purpose was a collective decision by the teaching staff. Once the theme was confirmed, teachers worked with their pupils to brainstorm ideas for products that each year group could create and sell.

She added that pupils had been learning about budgeting, profit, product design and marketing, and that was a real buzz around the school as each year group aimed to raise as much money as possible for Mary’s Meal.

To maximise promotion, pupils designed posters which were displayed throughout the school, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the event.

As a Catholic organisation, St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Trust encourages its schools to organise charitable initiatives that support those in need. This year, the Trust chose Mary’s Meal as its focus charity, reflecting its mission to live out faith through action and service to others.

About St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Trust (https://www.stfrancistrust.net)

St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Trust (St Francis Trust) is a multi-academy trust established in 2021. It currently serves nine Catholic schools – eight primary schools and one secondary school and which is growing to welcome two more Secondary schools and four more Primary schools over the next one to two years.

The Trust’s mission is to provide an outstanding Catholic education for all the children in our schools, helping them to grow in faith and reach their full potential. Guided by the values of St Francis, the Trust promotes academic excellence, spiritual development, and service to others.