General News
15 August, 2025
WSDS students turn timber into treasures
The students at Warracknabeal Special Developmental School have been busy turning old timber pallets into treasures - and they're ready to share their hard work with the community.
Students have designed and built unique handcrafted items that will be on sale at the next Warracknabeal Lions Market on Saturday, August 16.
“It has been marvellous to see students develop their initiative from concept through to final product, and each piece is a labour of love - providing a showcase of the students' skills, creativity and teamwork,” acting principal Lynne Scott-Brown.
The WSDS Business Initiative was initiated in February 2025 in collaboration with 'The GLAD Program (Good Living and Development) facilitated by Rev James Wood.
Developing a program to increase financial literacy with the students began at the end of 2024 is loosely based on Scott Pape's ‘The Barefoot Investor’.
Students explored several concepts, such as 'Where does money come from?', 'How to save money' and 'What do I want to spend my money on?’.
This included a role play "Shark Tank" where students presented several future business ideas to their peers as a way of exploring what might be possible in a real-life situation.
The WSDS Business Initiative took a fresh step in 2025, where individuals and teams of students developed a 'Business Plan', sourced materials, and have been making their items over the last two terms.
As the 'Barefoot Investor' says: "Money is made by working!".
"It has been very insightful seeing how ideas can become reality for many of our students, and all the students seemed to have not just embraced the initiative, but also enjoyed the challenge," teacher Jason Wright said.
"Negotiating the practical challenges about making a dream or idea a reality is an important skill for many of our students and their growth as young people and their entry into adulthood."
"I think this has been a very important initiative for our students as they have developed their own ideas from the very beginning," teacher Cindy Bull added.
"I believe the process has been empowering for them - not just individually, but also as a group who are willing to help each other out to achieve a common goal."
Rev James has been facilitating 'The GLAD Program' at WSDS for the past six years through 'Rock & Water', 'Drumming For Fun', 'The Rite Journey' and 'Hands On' activities and programs that fundamentally promote self-confidence and wellbeing.
"I have been blown away by the maturity and focus that students have put into the WSDS Business Initiative this year," he said.
"Financial literacy cannot be taken for granted, and I feel the students have developed a keen understanding that most things in life take effort and hard work in order to be truly successful.
"The business initiative has shown them what can be possible if you have a 'red-hot-go', and I believe they are excited to be able to sell their products to the Warracknabeal community."
You'll find these one-of-a-kind handcrafted masterpieces on sale at the Warracknabeal Market on Saturday, August 16. Whether you're after something rustic, practical, or just beautifully made, there's sure to be something that catches your eye.
Not only will you be picking up a special item, you'll be supporting a fantastic educational project that teaches real-world skills, sustainability and community spirit.
"We'd love to see you at the Warrack Market on the 16th!" Ms Scott-Brown said.
"I am so proud of our students, and it will be an opportunity to meet some of the makers, see what they've created, and help us turn old wood into new opportunities."