Dear Parents,
This is Orgesa from Configur Academy. Both clubs have been wonderful this week, the children deep in their challenges in the room and already buzzing about our next market on 5 July. There is a fair bit to share, so do pour yourself a cup of tea, and I will start, as always, with Young Founders House.
Young Founders House - Money and Business Club
The weekly challenges were back this week, and I can really see how their thinking is coming on. They've started to spot a problem and, almost in the same breath, ask how they might go about solving it, which is just the sort of thinking I want them to take with them.
I set each team a customer with a real problem to solve, and off they went. The ideas they came back with were so inventive, every team got properly stuck in, and every single child had something to add. When they were ready, each team presented to the room, the children then voted for the team that had won them over by popping their money into that team's jar, and they counted each jar up themselves at the end. This week's winners were the Yars Queens, our yellow team. 🙂
The Young Founders Market
Our next market is on Sunday 5 July, and we've already been chatting with the children about what they'd like to do this time. Some of them want to try something altogether new, and I think that's wonderful, because that is just how they learn. They get to try different things, play about with their prices, see what works and what doesn't, and bit by bit settle on something that really suits them and that they can bring along to every market.
I also know some children might not have an idea just yet, and that's perfectly fine. The monthly market matters far too much for any child to miss out on. It's where they get a proper feel for selling, learn how to chat to a customer and put a price on what they have, and where they pick up that bit of resilience that's so hard to come by as a grown-up. They learn that a no isn't the end of the world, that things don't always go to plan, and that the thing to do is simply pick yourself up and have another go.
So for any child who doesn't have an idea this time, or who hasn't had the chance to prepare one at home, I'm putting together a few ready-made stalls myself. I source all the products and set the stall up, and your child just turns up on the day, sells, and keeps the profit. If you and your child like the sound of one of these, do let me know and I'll set it aside for them straight away.
For 5 July, the stalls I'm preparing are:
Ice lollies and ice creams. I'm sourcing these, and we'll keep them in one of Patch's freezers on the day, so your child can simply pop and grab one whenever a customer orders.
Italian desserts and doughnuts, from a lovely local patissier, ready to sell on at a profit.
Water bottles and a few canned drinks, to sell at a profit.
Patch's own snacks, drinks, coffee and tea, all easy to prepare on the day, with Patch sharing the profit with each child who sells them.
If any of these would suit your child, just drop me a message, and I'll hold it for them. And if you have a moment, do share our market with any friends and family who might like to pop along:
Rise to Lead - Public Speaking, Confidence and Leadership Club
One lovely thing to share with you first. I've made a folder for every child, where I keep everything they write with me in our sessions. I read through it all each week and keep adding little notes and suggestions, so that bit by bit it grows into a finished speech that's really theirs. If your child ever fancies writing at home, even a few scribbles on a scrap of paper, do bring it along or take a photo and send it over, as I'd so love to read them too.
This week's challenge had their imaginations running wild, and they performed it together as a team, every child taking their turn and not one of them sitting it out. I do love these weekly challenges, and I love watching how excited they all get and how they throw themselves into the final performance, every one of them with a part to play. I strongly believe that confidence and speaking in front of others isn't something a person is simply born with. It's far more like a muscle, something they build a little more every single time, and that's just what these children are doing, week after week.
This week's winners were The Famous Good Guys, our green team.
And one last thing, I have some rather exciting plans for Rise to Lead that I'll be sharing with you very soon, so do watch this space. 🙂
Dates for the Diary
Rise to Lead Final Showcase
Monday 13 July, 6:00 to 7:00 pm at The Patch
The children will have their last session as normal that day and will stay on with me afterwards for a small celebration dinner together. Parents are warmly welcome to join us from 6:00 pm sharp for the showcase itself.
The topics they have chosen are something to look forward to.
Both parents are very welcome, grandparents and siblings too. If your circumstances change closer to the day, do let me know. We will work it out.
Young Founders Market
Next Market - Sunday 5 July, 12:00 to 2:00 pm at The Patch
Young Founders Market, 12:00 to 2:00 pm at The Patch, 42 York Street, Twickenham:
Sunday 5 July
Sunday 2 August
Sunday 6 September
Sunday 4 October
Sunday 1 November
Sunday 6 December
Children with their own stall come along at 11:30 to set up.
This is the day the children sell what they have been building. Please come along, and please share the link with friends and family who might want to come too. It would mean a great deal to me, and even more to them: https://configuracademy.com/young-founders-market
Don't forget to use our online calculator to work out your child's profit from the market at money.configuracademy.com.
That is everything from this week. As always, if you have a question about either programme or if there is anything you would like to talk through, you can reply to this email or message me directly on 07414 962803.
If you have missed any of our previous newsletters, you can catch up on them all here:
https://newsletter.configuracademy.com/
Have a lovely week.
Orgesa
Founder,
Configur Academy
Wesbite: www.configuracademy.com
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