Mini Woolies a big deal

Local students with disabilities are enjoying a hands-on education experience with the launch last month of a ‘Mini Woolies’ store at the Southern Support School in Howrah.

Southern Support School is a dedicated special education site catering for students with severe intellectual disabilities from Kindergarten to Year 12.

The Mini Woolies store has been set up at the school to mimic the operations of an actual Woolworths supermarket, with baskets for fresh food, shelves for groceries, ticketing, signage and Woolworths branded uniforms the students can wear to create an immersive educational experience.

Southern Support School principal Simon Ellaby said the school is excited to incorporate the Mini Woolies store into their everyday learning activities.

“We plan to integrate the store into our amazing Kitchen Garden Program, allowing our students to practice shopping skills at

school before using those skills in the wider community,” he said.

Using a fully operational register, students learn to scan grocery items and process sales.

Staff from the nearby Shoreline Woolworths supermarket have been helping students and staff stock shelves.

“The skills students will learn in their new Mini Woolies will equip them with the confidence and knowledge of retail operations in an exciting way, from the perspective of both a customer and a team member,” Woolworths Group General Manager of Enterprise Operations and Mini Woolies, Sarah Corey said.

“It’s a great example of how together we can create better experiences for a better tomorrow.”