Engadine District Youth Services (EDYS) is launching its 'Heads Up on a Financially Fit Future' program starting at Engadine High School. Commencing in February, EDYS is teaming up with local money coach and author of "Smart Girls' Guide to Money" Gay Curtis, who will be entering classrooms as part of a pilot financial education program.
With the backing of the Sutherland Shire Council and the Get Young Australia Saving campaign - an initiative of BankWest, the program will be taught to over 160 Year 9 students. The goal of the program is to steer students on course for a financially fit future.
The "Heads Up on a Financially Fit Future" program will be divided into two workshops and will cover topics such as:
- Financial goal setting
- Developing a budget and savings plan and using tips and tools to stick to them
- Managing an allowance
- Understanding how bank accounts and credit cards work and managing these effectively
Gay Curtis says, "We no longer live in a society driven by a savings culture, but rather one dominated by a spending culture. As such, it's important we instill fundamental money skills such as budgeting, saving and managing financial tools early in life. Research conducted by BankWest reveals that people who first had access to a credit card in their late teens or early 20's have significantly higher current debt levels than those who were older; proving that lessons taught early in life can have a big impact on adult spending behaviours.
"I'm looking forward to working with Engadine High School students and helping them to develop good financial habits now so that they can take control of their money, make the most of it and avoid a life of debt."
Says Glen Brack from Engadine District Youth Services, "This is the first time we have supported large scale financial training for the youth of Sutherland Shire and we're excited to be adding it to our suite of support, information, referral and recreation programs currently on offer. We feel that financial literacy is an important skill for young people and by acquiring relevant, practical tips now will assist in the future planning and decision making for these young people."
BankWest spokesperson, David Rose says "We launched the 'Get Young Australia Saving' initiative last year as we felt we needed to offer the tools and resources needed to encourage children to save. We did this through www.kidsaver.com.au a free website aimed at parents and teachers right across Australia.
"Taking important lessons about money directly into the classroom is the next step in our goal of seeing Australia's youth financially fit for life and we hope to support many more exciting school-based initiatives like this in the future."
ENDS
For further information, or an interview contact:
Jane Gregory, Pulse Communications Scott Gillespie, Pulse Communications
02 8281 3859/0416 137 335 02 8281 3839/ 0400 046 878
jane@pulsecom.com.au scott@pulsecom.com.au
Notes to editors:
About Engadine District Services:
Engadine District Youth Services (EDYS) provides information, support, resources, activities and referral to Young People, 12-18 years old, and their families in the Engadine District (Including Engadine, Heathcote, Yarrawarrah, Woronora Heights) and the wider Sutherland Shire; with the aim to create a better quality of life for Young People, their families and the wider community.
About BankWest:
BankWest is a wholly owned subsidiary of HBOS plc, one of the world's largest financial services groups, with assets of about AUD$800 billion (£380 billion). BankWest is a full service bank which originated in Western Australia in 1895 and services more than 860,000 customers. Nationally, BankWest promotes a range of products using cost-effective direct and third party distribution channels, including 24-hour telephone and internet services and mortgage brokers. In WA, BankWest is a market leader with about one quarter of all bank advances and deposits and an extensive network of branches. Standard & Poors short-term credit rating for BankWest is "A-1+" and "AA-" for the long term, providing customers with investment grade security.
About Gay Curtis:
Gay has had 17 years experience in community education, marketing and business management, and is passionate about helping people get started and make sense of money. She is the author of "Smart Couples' Guide to Money" and "Smart Girls' Guide to Money." Gay has a Diploma in Teaching, a Bachelor of Education and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Management. Gay is not a financial adviser.
