A jumping castle, velcro wall, arts and crafts and pony rides captured the children’s attention throughout the day, but for some pupils of Wolumla Public School, the day was as much about education as entertainment. 

Stalls that lined the fete corridors were run by pupils, who had spent previous weeks learning the basics of business in their classrooms to sell their wares to visitors on the day. 

Ben Trowbridge, Corren Fisher and Emilio Jacobs set up their stall selling crystals, stones and handmade and imported jewelry. 

“People want crystals because they’re cool and interesting and usually they’re really expensive, but we made them cheap,” Ben said. 

Emilio’s father, who often travels back to Mexico, supplied the young businessmen with authentic mexican jewelry to sell in their stall. 

“It’s really good because it makes our shop unique, I think I’d like to be a businessman one day,” Emilio said.

To promote their business, they also made a sign, brochures and business cards in class. 

In the stall next door, Jessie Ketteringham, Jessie Rieck and Madison Ingram were selling their homemade delights from their stall, including biscuits, macrame wall hangings and wooden candle holders. 

Each of the girls learned from their family how to make the items. 

“My grandpa makes these candle holders, so he taught me how to make them for the stall,” Jessie K said.

Further along, James Janson, Sam Cridland and Dylan Trezise sold dancing puppets, 3D puzzles and sliding boxes made in the Wolumla Public School woodwork studio that opened this year. 

“The woodwork studio is really cool, it’s my favourite class,” Sam said. 

Musical performances from the school’s choir and recorder group, Lumen Christi Christian College drumming group and SCLC stage band entertained the crowd and Aussie Rules and football clubs ran sports clinics during the day. Visits from the Wolumla Rural Fire Service and local Police added to the excitement.

Pupils also jumped at a rare opportunity to knock their Principal, Peter Claxton, into the dunking machine.