Students of a Caroline Springs school have been benefitting from a newly renovated café and education space this term, with the rework provided through the generosity of local businesses.
Running for eight years, the The Hands On Learning Café program at Brookside College is a student-run engagement program that aims to teach transferable skills for further education and employment opportunities.
Operating four days a week and involving 20 students across years six to nine, participants make, bake and sell food, coffee, and other drinks to school staff.
During the last school holidays, Ravenhall business Highmark Homes and some of its suppliers including Truganina business Claytons Group, Brookfield business JHB Plumbing, MCS Tiling, Ravenhall business CTP Electrical, and A+ International Lighting completed an overhaul of the café, improving its facilities and performing a complete fit out.
Hands On Learning Café program co-lead and artisan teacher Sonia Martinovic said that the project had created “a more homely space” for students.
“The renovation, generously donated by Highmark Homes, means so much to us all … the workflow is more streamlined now with longer bench space now available and additional storage allows for easier access to our everyday items,” Ms Martinovic said.
She said the lighting was also greatly improved.
Highmark Homes construction manager Dylan Cuff said that the idea for the initiative came from a conversation with one of the company’s concreters, who is a parent of a Brookside College student.
“Obviously, we were interested in helping a local school out … we were in a position to be able to help [the school] immensely,” Mr Cuff said.
“It was just good to see … I think it was a long road for them away from getting it,” he said.
“A big thank you to Anthony [Savona] … he was the one who backed it all – and the sponsorship.“
