Teen event organisers take the lead on Sounds at the Shell

Two focus areas at Murray Bridge High School, entrepreneurialism and music, will come to the fore at Edwards Square next Wednesday.

Teen event organisers take the lead on Sounds at the Shell

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Akaila Baltussen, Baylee Cooper, Jazmin Catanzariti, Hannah McFee and Peyton Allen work on their plans for a music and market event. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

When Edwards Square fills with live music and market stalls next Wednesday afternoon, these teenagers will be the ones calling the shots.

Murray Bridge High School’s entrepreneurial students are the driving force behind Sounds at the Shell, an event which will showcase local teenagers’ creativity and ingenuity.

The students had already organised a lunchtime performance and sausage sizzle in the school’s quadrangle, and the public Winter Sounds showcase in the drama rooms.

This event will be their biggest challenge yet.

Hannah McFee said they were up for it.

“When I did music in year eight and nine, I wanted more involvement with it – I didn’t just want it to be run by teachers,” she said.

“(This way) you’re learning about it more because you have to use your skills.”

Getting real-life experience was better than sitting in the classroom and learning theory, Baylee Cooper said: “it’s more student-led, more engaging”.

The students sought and won council funding for their event; they organised the entertainment, by young people from the school’s music program and The Station; and they invited three local Rotary Clubs to provide food.

They also sorted out a system of tokens which will operate at the market, keeping students from having to handle cash or credit cards.

Proceeds from the event will go to mental health organisation Beyond Blue.

Some of the students hoped the experience would help them move towards careers in event management or marketing.

If all went well, teacher Choo-Lee Long hoped the school could do something similar each year.


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