Bryanston Primary School’s Tickey Day turns entrepreneurship into a carnival of fun

Bryanston Primary School was buzzing with excitement as learners and teachers gathered for the school’s annual Tickey Day, an event designed to give Grade 7 learners a hands-on introduction to entrepreneurship.

For the day, the Grade 7 learners became business owners, taking responsibility for their own stalls and putting into practice the skills they had learnt in economic and management sciences (EMS).

Read more: Brescia House School learners turn business ideas into reality at August Rush Market Day

From selling food and snacks to creating and advertising products, the learners had to think like entrepreneurs while managing money, customers and their businesses.

EMS teacher and Tickey Day organiser Emegeane Ackermann said the event was about teaching children that there are many possibilities beyond simply working for someone else.

“Tickey Day generally teaches the children how to become young entrepreneurs. Not every child wants to be working under a boss, so it teaches them so many skills and opportunities to learn from a young age. We teach them from a young age to actually own and run a business themselves,” Ackermann said.

The event also provided learners with practical lessons in financial management, teamwork, marketing and product development.

“It’s all about having fun, but also how to learn how to work with money, how to learn how to work with people, but also how to style your product,” Ackermann explained.

Also read: Crawford Sandton learners pack soup jars for Mandela Day

“It gave me such goosebumps this morning with all the stalls; all the Grade 7s were ready to go ahead for the day. And I told them the countdown started, and everybody started running to the field. That was such a great moment because I could see the readiness of the children and how excited they were.”

The day’s lessons extended beyond simply selling products. Learners were encouraged to identify opportunities, recognise their businesses’ strengths and weaknesses, advertise their products and develop their own entrepreneurial abilities.

The school grounds were given a carnival-like atmosphere, with colourful stalls, food, music and a variety of entertainment. Jumping castles and water activities proved particularly popular, with learners making the most of the warm weather while enjoying the festivities

Behind the fun, however, was an important educational purpose. Ackermann said entrepreneurial skills could help learners develop independence and practical life skills.

“As they grow, one day they’ll have to work; they need to know how to manage their own time, their own product, and also just how to deal with the world in general.”

Also read: Little hands search high and low for hidden Easter eggs

The event also received support from the Gauteng Department of Education. Fatima Kotwal, EMS subject adviser for the Johannesburg East District, visited the school to observe the entrepreneur day and show her support for both the teachers and learners.

“I am very passionate about my subjects, so the market day brings a lot of pleasure to me, a lot of inspiration and motivation,” Kotwal said. “I think my presence at the schools also motivates the teachers. It’s not to come and check up whether they’re doing things right or wrong. It’s just to support, encourage and motivate.

“As you know, in education we are promoting entrepreneurship among our young learners from as early as Grade 7 or even younger than that, and this hopefully inspires them to see the benefits of a future in business, in being an entrepreneur and to eradicate the unemployment.”

Also read: Brescia House School brings Hairspray to life on stage

For the Grade 7 learners, Tickey Day was therefore more than a day of selling sweets, snacks and other products. It was an opportunity to experience the responsibilities that come with running a business, from planning and budgeting to marketing, customer service and teamwork.

Ackermann thanked the learners and teachers whose hard work contributed to the event’s success.

“I just want to add a big thank you to all the kids for today, all the effort they’ve put in and special thanks to the teachers who were part of making this event a success. Without them, today wouldn’t have been possible.”

She added that the funds raised from the Tickey Day will be used to purchase items for the Grade 7 learners, such as their hats, as well as to contribute towards improvements at the school.

Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates