L-R Paul Ranson, Bank of us, Maddie Lamprey, Kama Scott, Bank of us
University of Tasmania education student Maddie Lamprey believes some of the most important things young people learn at school are the skills they’ll use throughout their lives.
That includes how to manage money.
Maddie is the recipient of the $5000 Bank of us Scholarship in Financial Literacy, established to support a future Tasmanian teacher with an interest in helping young people become more confident with money.
Bank of us CEO Paul Ranson said the scholarship was part of the Bank’s broader focus on creating a positive impact for Tasmanians.
“We know a lot of Tasmanians don’t feel confident when it comes to managing money, and we want to help change that,” Paul said.
“Supporting one future teacher might seem like a small step, but over the course of their career they’ll work with thousands of young Tasmanians. That gives this investment the potential to have an impact for many years to come.”
Maddie is in the first year of a health and physical education teaching degree and travels from her home on the North-West Coast to Launceston twice a week to study.
She believes financial literacy doesn’t need to sit only within maths.
“I think you can incorporate teaching the kids financial literacy. I know you can in maths, but I think you can also put it into health and PE as well, just because it’s something that students need and it’s necessary,” Maddie said.
“It’s a big part of life, being able to handle money appropriately.”
Maddie has already had an opportunity to try that approach while working as a relief teacher assistant at Montello Primary School in Burnie.
During a maths lesson, she asked Year 3 and 4 students to think beyond the numbers: if they actually had $50, how would they decide what to do with it? Their answers – mostly food and toys – helped turn a maths exercise into a simple conversation about real-life choices.
The scholarship is helping Maddie with fuel for her regular trips to Launceston, as well as books, stationery and other study costs.
“I want to make sure students do learn properly and I feel like I can be that person to teach them and support them,” Maddie said.
