Brescia House School learners turn business ideas into reality at August Rush Market Day
Grade 9 learners at Brescia House School put their entrepreneurial skills to the test by running their own businesses, gaining hands-on experience in finance, marketing, and leadership while raising money for a community cause.
The smell of freshly prepared food and the buzz of excited young entrepreneurs filled the grounds of Brescia House School on August 4 as the annual August Rush Market Day returned with bigger ambitions and brighter ideas.
From colourful jewellery displays and irresistible sweet treats to mouth-watering food stalls and ice-cold beverages, the market offered something for everyone.
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Behind every stall stood a team of determined Grade 9 learners who had spent weeks planning, budgeting, marketing, and preparing to turn their business ideas into profit, but the school’s accounting head of department Moses Hlongwane said the August Rush Market Day was about much more than making money.
He said the event forms a key part of the Grade 9 curriculum, giving learners the opportunity to experience the realities of running a business.
Working as general, financial, marketing, and production managers, learners were responsible for every aspect of their enterprises, from raising start-up capital and managing finances to attracting customers and producing quality products.
“We call it the August rush because everything is in a rush and we’re trying to use a little bit of time left and make some money for the holidays. For the Grade 9s, it’s also an opportunity to earn some holiday spending money.
“We try to teach them about raising capital, speaking to the right people to invest in their businesses, in this case their parents.”
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He added that this year’s market is quite special because, for the first time, the Grade 9s had a two-day entrepreneurship workshop, giving them time to research business ideas, develop marketing strategies, and prepare for the event. “This year, we had a visit from the St Davids boys as well, because obviously we’re growing every year.
“The main point of having a market day for the Grade 9s is part of our syllabus, in terms of our curriculum, to incorporate the type of business planning topics that we actually teach in class as well and have a practical element into it.
“We are trying to make them aware that there’s more opportunities out there instead of being a job seeker.”
Hlongwane added that every year the school identifies a need in the community and donates some of the money raised.
“Some of the proceeds will go towards the plight that’s happening right now in the country with the immigration.
@caxtonjoburgnorth Grade 9 learners at Brescia House School stepped into the world of entrepreneurship during the annual August Rush Market Day, gaining hands-on experience in raising capital, managing finances, and marketing their businesses. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #Johannesburg #SouthAfrica #LocalNews #BreakingNews #cityofjoburg #foryourpage #satiktok_sa #2026 #localnews #TikTokNews #tiktoknews #Sandton #Schools #Backtoschool #business ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
The Catholic school’s office has put out a pledge to say that whatever we’re trying to do this year can we have some sort of assistance towards their cause and, of course, we’re more than happy to do that.”
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