Late last term, my Year 12 VCE VM Personal Development Skills (PDS) students completed an inaugural ‘Keep Cup Social Enterprise Challenge’ as part of Unit 3 Outcome 1. I designed the challenge to provide students with a creative, authentic and student driven learning experience that combined social awareness, teamwork and entrepreneurship within a real-life fundraising context.
Working in teams, students were each given a set of THE 7TH LAB keep cups and a starting budget before developing their own unique fundraising concepts and promotional strategies. Across several weeks, students planned campaigns, designed marketing materials, created raffle initiatives, practised sales pitches, negotiated with others and managed transactions while promoting the charitable purpose behind their work.
What made the challenge particularly impressive was the creativity and initiative shown by the students throughout the process. Rather than following a set formula, each group approached the task differently, developing original ideas to engage the school community. Students demonstrated confidence, adaptability and innovation as they responded to challenges and refined their approaches along the way.
The challenge provided an authentic opportunity for students to apply communication, teamwork, leadership, problem solving and organisational skills in a practical setting. It was wonderful to see students engaging respectfully and confidently with staff and peers while taking ownership of their projects and contributing positively to the wider school community.
A highlight of the challenge was the outstanding support shown across the school. Funds raised through the Casual Clothes Day totalled more than $1200 for McAuley Community Services for Women, while the Year 7 raffle raised over $200.
Congratulations to all students involved for their creativity, teamwork and commitment throughout the challenge. Their efforts reflected the values of community engagement, initiative and social responsibility that sit at the centre of VCE VM PDS and THE 7TH LAB.
Suzie Bradmore
VCE VM Personal Development Skills Teacher
Senior Vocational Program Coordinator, Helen Hamblin congratulating Ruby H (7G) on her raffle win.
‘Keep Cup Social Enterprise Challenge’: Student perspective
As part of our Year 12 Personal Development Skills class, we recently completed a ‘Keep Cup Social Enterprise Challenge’. In small groups, we were given THE 7TH LAB branded keep cups and challenged to create a fundraiser that would raise money for McAuley Community Services for Women.
My group decided to organise a whole school Casual Clothes Day where students donated a gold coin to participate. The keep cups were used as incentives, with pastoral classes competing to win a cup for their teacher if they raised the most money within their year level and House colour.
Planning the event involved promoting the fundraiser across the school through posters, announcements and communication with staff and coordinators. Throughout the process we developed important skills including teamwork, leadership, organisation, communication and problem solving.
One of the most rewarding parts of the challenge was seeing the school community come together to support such an important cause. We are extremely proud of the support shown by both students and staff and grateful for the opportunity to be involved in a project that made a positive contribution to the community.