St John's College to deliver the innovative Entrepreneurial Learning Action Program

The state government-funded program aims to strengthen connections between the local industry and secondary school communities in regional areas, whilst also supporting the students in planning their future career pathways.

The Entrepreneurial Learning in Action program offers Year 10 students at the school the opportunity to develop skills that will make them more employable in the future.

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Teachers will deliver the program in the curriculum from 2020. The program was developed and will be managed by entrepreneurial education provider Startup Business International.

The school's application was put together by HSIE teacher Samantha Eddy with the backing of principal Kerry Morris, and St John's College is the only one to have been selected in Dubbo.

Ms Eddy said it is an exciting opportunity and the College hopes to be able to continue the program in the future.

"The program will enhance our students education practices and advance them while also getting them involved within the Dubbo community," she said.

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"A lot of people think of commerce education as being stuck in a classroom with a textbook in front of you, so to have a program where we can give students hands-on, real-life practices is just fabulous.

"We have a very keen group of students as well, and they're all very eager to make the most of the opportunity and to get out there and have those experiences that will provide them with skills set to enhance them for the future."

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said; "the program will allow students to take their learnings from the textbook and put it out into the real world."

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"The program will see Year 10 Commerce, Geography and Work Education students matched with local companies to develop sustainable solutions for real industry problems while building their business and creative skills. Students will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges from the local community in a 'Shark Tank' style competition."

"Winning teams from each school will compete in a national pitch competition at the Brilliant Business Kids Festival in Sydney in November," Mr Saunders said.