SENIOR Damascus College students will be expert baristas in 2021, following the launch of a new teaching and learning asset; the Caf\u00e9 DMAC coffee van.<\/p>\n
Within their work-related skills course, VCAL pupils will experience hands-on hospitality learning, operating the coffee machine and the van\u2019s small kitchen.<\/p>\n
As their confidence grows, the baristas will have the opportunity to serve brews to staff and peers at break times, and eventually take bookings to sell hot drinks at broader community events.<\/p>\n
Applied learning coordinator Belinda Dwyer said practical skills classes and integrated studies are more popular than they have ever been at Damascus.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of our year 11 and 12 VCAL students, that\u2019s 80 kids, have just been through a food handler\u2019s course this week, and they\u2019ll get their barista ticket next year,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of their course and voluntary work, we\u2019ll get them working in the van in shifts at recess and lunchtimes, and we\u2019re wanting to get in touch with our school community at events like the athletics sports day, before we branch off into bigger and better things with the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
Year 12 Zoe Watts and 10 of her peers planned the official launch of the preloved van, cleaning it up, organising water connections and \u201cbringing it back to life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe gathered teachers and students to enjoy hot chocolates and coffees, and we served food that students had made,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re going to be part of the van, it helps you gain work and life skills. You have to be on time, organise the machine, take orders correctly, develop an efficient process and schedule, and clean it up after each use.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know how to make coffees before I was taught for the van. We\u2019re really lucky with what we get to do with VCAL at Damascus, and the little opportunities we get to step outside our comfort zones on a project like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Dwyer said the students have a \u201csense of belonging and ownership\u201d over their hands-on learning and are proud of the life skills they\u2019re developing.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo prepare for the launch, there\u2019s been a lot of maintenance, the kids have researched to understand the codes and regulations that need to be met, and that they need to be compliant with, including occupational health and safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re excited about the program, and the younger students coming through the ranks have something to look forward to as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SENIOR Damascus College students will be expert baristas in 2021, following the launch of a new teaching and learning asset; the Caf\u00e9 DMAC coffee van. Within their work-related skills course, VCAL pupils will experience hands-on hospitality learning, operating the coffee machine and the van\u2019s small kitchen. As their confidence grows, the baristas will have the […]<\/p>\n