Horizon Credit Union
Award Year: 2015
Award Category: Small Program
Award Type: Highly Commended Award
Two Bob Billabong & Savings Squad
This program delivered nineteen fully produced, live theatre performances in 10 schools along the South Coast of NSW reaching close 4,000 children. The 25-minute performance, called Showdown at Two Bob Billabong, was delivered live into schools by two professional actors using comedy and an exciting adventure story to teach students all about money, the uses of money, why we should save and how we can save.
The content of the show was curriculum-aligned while the format was theatrical, energetic and fun. Each show employed extensive audience participation techniques. The professional actors utilised sets, costumes and props. Each child received a piggy bank after the performance.
Participating schools received packets of teacher guides, classroom posters and student workbooks one to two weeks prior to the performance. This enabled teachers to prepare their students for the topic and build the learning activities into their lesson plans. The materials were designed to be used for four to six weeks following the performance, in a variety of subject areas, to reinforce the educational points of the show.
The student workbooks were filled with activities and educational games, teacher guides were used in the classroom and interactive digital learning materials were provided to reinforce the educational points. The workbooks included a free financial health check for parents and directed children (with parental consent) to the Two Bob Billabong website where they could find educational games and a link to the Savings Squad. This is a fun interactive online tool where children can choose the item they want to save for and discover ways to save for it e.g. jobs around the house, save their pocket money, or birthday money.
Showdown at Two Bob Billabong reached 3,995 students receiving rave reviews from students, teachers and principals. 3,995 student workbooks & piggy banks were distributed along with 197 teacher guides.
Teachers were encouraged to complete an online evaluation after the performances on a scale of 1 to 7 (7 being the highest).
• Overall educational value of the program 5.8.
• Ability to stimulate classroom discussion: 5.6
• Ability of live theatre to increase students’ capacity for retaining the message: 6.1
• 94% would like to see the program to continue.
