Café club ... Budding barista Madelyn Balwin was looking for top marks from Wallan Secondary College teachers as she served up the Java at the school’s on-campus cafe. 52656 Picture: EMILY LANE

FORGET the apples; Wallan Secondary College staff can enjoy a café lunch on campus thanks to the hard work of the school’s hospitality students.

Staffed by Vocational Education and Training (VET) hospitality students, the ‘Café on the Green’ serves lunch on Thursdays as well as coffee and cake for staff during their Friday morning breaks.

Students studying a Certificate II in Hospitality (Operations – Food and Beverage) attend TAFE for one term with the rest of their learning taking place at school.

VET Hospitality teacher Susan Siebel said all the food at the café was prepared and served by the students as part of the course curriculum.

“The students worked very hard towards the opening of the café,” Ms Siebel said.

“Some of our students have completed a barista coffee course and are now able to offer top quality coffee as a result. The café is staffed and run by our students and includes a maitre d’, barista and waiting staff.”

Amenities in the café include café style seating, an industrial coffee machine, cash register and Café on the Green signage.

The college celebrated the opening of the café in June with students serving staff a sumptuous hot breakfast. The students will also provide catering for some of the school’s official events such as Principal’s Awards, industry breakfasts and school visits.