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NSW Schools open mini-Woolworths staffed by special needs students to help them get accustomed to everyday outings.

The simulated stores have been designed to give children a true insight into the realities of working life – and both come complete with working payment registers, uniforms and name badges, as well as groceries to stack on shelves.

Eddie’s Fresh Food opened at St Edmund’s College in Wahroonga last year, while Gabe’s Fresh Food at St Gabriel’s School in Castle Hill was completed earlier this month.

Woolworths Group General Manager of IT, Angelo Clayton said Woolworths was pleased to offer the valuable learning experience for students.

‘Our aim at Woolworths is to bring a little good to everyone, every day and by working closely with Fujitsu, we are pleased to be able provide a valuable learning experience for the students at St Gabriel’s,’ Ms Clayton told Daily Mail Australia.

‘Gabe’s Fresh Food is a very special version of a Woolworths store. It has real products, real ticketing, signage, uniforms and name badges for the students to immerse themselves in an authentic supermarket experience – a fantastic way to learn a great number of skills.

‘We are very excited by the authentic learning experience made available by Woolworths and Fujitsu for our students’ says Jon Franzin, Principal at St Gabriel’s.

‘We see use of the payment registers as increasing student’s communication and numeracy skills, skills that are transferable to the workplace and for life,’ she said.

Brilliant concept! We love seeing concepts like this that are inclusive of everyeone.

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  • A great idea and fantastic to see it bring so much happiness.

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  • A very good initiative. There should be more.

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  • Wonderful! Inclusive and educational.

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  • Hope this concept is taken to many more schools. Children often grow up with no idea of the cost to feed themselves and this will gently ease them into the world of life.

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  • A wonderful idea and this should happen more often. It’s fabulous for these children to experience everything they can and much more.

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  • This is so wonderful ! The happiness & confidence this would bring to the kiddos is unmeasurable. Such a great idea!

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  • I love this. A great initiative that cares about our special children. Well done.

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  • Great initiative. Love a good news story.

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  • Awesome idea

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  • A great learning opportunity for this with special needs ! Love it.

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  • Great initiative for the young and I believe some very up-market Alzheimer’s homes have similar stores, banks, Post Offices, etc. so that those suffering this horrible disease can live their life like they have always done at least until nearer the end.

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  • What a great idea. Certainly a fun way for the kids to learn how to do everyday things.

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  • I would like more information and links for this article.
    It sounds like a terrific initiative which hopefully more companies will adopt.

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  • Fantastic idea! Woolies are always great at inclusion. I love it!

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  • What a great initiative. Good to see Woolies doing something positive for their community

    Reply

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