Woolworths Ooshies Banned at Schools Across Australia and New Zealand on August 11

Woolworths’ Disney Ooshies promotion has sparked enough playground chaos that schools across Australia and New Zealand are banning the collectibles outright. Somerset College and Bellevue Park State School in Queensland cited theft, fighting, and trading disputes as reasons for the immediate ban. The craze has also disrupted schools in New Zealand, where at least six schools have implemented similar restrictions since the promotion relaunched on July 15.

Why schools are banning Ooshies

Teachers report that Ooshies are causing distractions during class and break times, with students trading and arguing over rare figures. Bellevue Park State School posted on Facebook that the ban on Ooshies and other collectible toys is effective immediately because the items cause “distractions, conflict and unfair trading.” Somerset College sent parents a notice asking that Ooshies remain at home, stating the toys distract students from learning and risk being lost or stolen during the school day.

The scale of the problem across schools

At least six New Zealand schools have banned Ooshies, including Colwill School in Massey, Snells Beach School, Cambridge East School, St Peter’s Catholic School, Takapau School in Hawke’s Bay, and Waihopai School in Invercargill. Schools cite the same issues: items going missing, upset students losing learning time, and conflict between peers. Parents told media outlets that previous bans on fidget spinners and animal cards followed similar patterns of disruption and theft.

How the promotion works and when it ends

Woolworths relaunched Ooshies on July 15 to mark the 10th anniversary of the giveaway after a six-year break. Shoppers receive one free collectible for every A$30 spent at Woolworths, BIG W, or via MILKRUN delivery. The promotion runs until August 23 or while stocks last, featuring 40 unique characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. Woolworths held a swap day last week and scheduled another before the promotion ends due to high demand.

What this means for Woolworths and investors

The Ooshies craze is driving foot traffic and spending at Woolworths stores, but school bans could limit how many families bring children to participate in trading. The promotion has also sparked eBay fraud, with one Melbourne father’s rare Flocked Bullseye Ooshie auction reaching a fake A$100 million before the winning bid was cancelled. Meyka rates Woolworths (WOW.AX) a B with a 12-month price forecast of A$35.22, suggesting limited upside from current levels near A$39.83. The stock’s RSI of 64.47 indicates overbought conditions.

Final Thoughts

School bans on Ooshies reflect a familiar cycle where collectible crazes disrupt classrooms, forcing retailers and parents to manage the fallout. While the promotion drives near-term sales, Meyka’s B grade and downward price forecast suggest the stock faces headwinds beyond the current marketing moment.

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The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes.  Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.