Woolworths has launched its first Mini Woolies program in the Northern Territory at Henbury School in Tiwi.
The program, which now operates at over 55 locations across Australia and New Zealand, aims to support the education of students with disabilities through hands-on learning experiences in a simulated supermarket setting.
Lizi Lay, Store Manager at Woolworths Casuarina, has worked with students and staff to teach them how to use the registers.
“Many of our team members know Henbury School students and staff in the local community and we were really excited to hear about the arrival of a Mini Woolies.
“We visited the school last week to help get everyone set up on the registers. It was great to see students practising new skills such as finding items on a shopping list or greeting customers.”
A classroom at Henbury School, which caters for students from year 7 to 12 with a range of intellectual disabilities, has been converted into a new room that looks and feels like a Woolworths supermarket, with baskets for fresh food, shelving for groceries, ticketing, signage and Woolworths branded uniforms that students can wear to create an immersive educational experience.
Sarah Corry, Principal at Henbury School, said the school has a strong focus on building work ready skills to provide opportunities for students post school.
“Our motto is ‘Preparing for Future Lifestyles’ and we hold the unwavering belief that every student should have the opportunity to have a meaningful pathway which includes a job.
“We have a strong connection with the community and are extremely grateful to have Woolworths Group support our goals through the Mini Woolies program. The potential to change lives is real as we engage in the program and build long-lasting relationships with our local Woolworths stores.”
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