Entrepreneurial hub will help Murray Bridge High School students solve the world's problems

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Every multi-million-dollar enterprise starts with a good idea.

Murray Bridge High School students hope this will be the place inspiration strikes.

State Education Minister John Gardner officially opened the high school’s new entrepreneurial learning hub on Friday.

Two old woodworking and metalworking workshops have been transformed into light, open learning spaces decked out with couches and tables, alongside a sparkling new kitchen for hospitality studies.

Year 11 student Jalal Jammoul told Murray Bridge News it had been exciting to move into the hub.

“I just like that it’s so open and you can find your own space,” he said.

“It’s 100 per cent better than a normal classroom, that’s for sure.”

Classmate Nate Trewin said it would be big for the school if the STEM work that came out of the hub – that’s science, technology, engineering and maths – was as good as the space.

Jalal is already developing his own gaming hardware company, Mythic Wares; while Nate is interested in looking at the future of online shoe sales.

A year 12 student, Nicole DeIonno, spoke about the “remarkable” lessons she had learned while studying business and entrepreneurship at the high school, and competing in competitions including the Future Fundies Challenge, in Sydney, and Shack Tank E-School program.

“Entrepreneurship ... feels almost limitless,” she said.

“You’re taking the world all around you and constantly innovating and improving it.

“We are all a part of a world where nothing is at its full capacity yet.

“By using an entrepreneurial mindset we can see current problems as opportunities and create value for others.”

Murray Bridge High School is one of just five entrepreneurial specialist schools in South Australia.

More than 550 of its students are enrolled in specialist subjects including business innovation, disruptive technologies and global perspectives.

Principal Ruth Mussger said the entrepreneurial hub would help those students develop a creative, problem-solving mindset that would help them in whatever career pathway they chose.

Mr Gardner said that mindset what was businesses and social enterprises would need from the next generation of South Australians.

“It’s fantastic to come to the hub and feel the crackle of energy and creativity from the students,” he said.

While they were there, Mr Gardner and state MP Adrian Pederick also toured the main part of the $20 million upgrade underway at the high school: its new middle school building.

The new classrooms and common spaces will cater to the wave of year 7 students who will transfer from local primary schools in 2022.

• More information: www.mbhs.sa.edu.au.