IMB BANK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HELPS NSW & ACT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GET MAD ABOUT MONEY!

The IMB Bank Community Foundation has once again partnered with The National Theatre for Children (NTC) to deliver its financial literacy live-sketch comedy program, Mad About Money during the 2018 school year. During the life of the program, the partnership will have educated more than 7,000 high schools students in 30 schools across the Illawarra, the Sutherland Shire, Sydney’s South West and Canberra.

Mad About Money teaches high school students crucial financial literacy skills as they participate in a 40--minute performance divided into segments that humorously address topics like wages and deductions, the difference between needs and wants, cash and credit and the importance of forming a savings habit. The program provides educational and entertaining messages to young people who are emerging as consumers.

The latest Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) report on financial literacy found that Australian 15-year-olds were declining in their financial literacy knowledge with scores falling significantly since 2012. 

IMB Bank Chief Executive, Robert Ryan, said the Mad About Money program was just one of many initiatives IMB had developed to assist young people with financial literacy.

“We realise that educating young people about money not only helps them today but also provides them with skills for tomorrow.

“IMB Bank has supported this very successful program for more than a year and we are proud that by the end of 2018, we will have impacted so many students across the areas in which we operate,” Mr Ryan said.

“It is just another way that IMB Bank works hard to stay connected with local communities.”

“Live theatre is a great way to educate,” says NTC Managing Director, Tobias Benn. “The show goes beyond reading or other more passive methods of engaging kids. It is a high-energy, interactive experience where the students get to help shape the show and so the information sticks with them because learning and laughter blend so seamlessly.

The concepts examined in Mad About Money are aligned with the Australian curriculum and reinforced by free student workbooks and teacher guides for teachers to use in their lessons. Schools also gain access to digital learning materials to supplement their lessons with interactive classroom exercises, quizzes and games based around the program.

IMB Bank further extend the educational experience and knowledge bank for young people with its web portal The Money Tree by IMB Bank – www.imbmoneytree.com.au – which is loaded with useful tips and information to help add additional value to the financial literacy programs.

The school tour begins on Monday 20^th August and will visit schools across Picton, Camden, Wollongong, Nowra, Ulladulla as well as Canberra and surrounding suburbs.